Complete Streets means
that our streets are planned to be safe and accessible for pedestrians, transit
riders, bicyclists, and drivers -- all users, regardless
of age or ability.
Goals of the Coalition:
1. Pass a strong statewide Complete Streets policy in 2010 that includes implementation steps and accountability.
2. Work to foster ongoing statewide implementation of Complete Streets processes across all jurisdictions.
A firsthand account of the need for Complete
Streets
Coalition Members The following organizations and local elected officials have joined the Minnesota Complete
Streets Coalition:
AARP
Alliance for Metropolitan Stability
Alliance for Sustainability
American Cancer Society Midwest Division
American Council of the Blind of Minnesota
American Heart Association
Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota
BLEND: Better Living Exercise & Nutrition Daily
Bloomington City Councilmember Steve Elkins
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota
Blue Zones--Dan Buettner
Catalyst
Cedar Ave United
City of Rochester
City of Saint Paul
Conservation Minnesota
Dero Bike Rack Company
First Witness Child Abuse Resource Center
Fit City Duluth
Fresh Energy
Friends of Washington County
Get Fit Itasca
Growth and Justice
Havefunbiking.com
HealthPartners
Hennepin County Commissioner Gail Dorfman
Hennepin County Commissioner Peter McLaughlin
Howard R. Green Company
Joe Urban, Inc.
Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc.
Laura Baker Services Association
Local Initiatives Support Corporation
Lutheran Coalition for Public Policy in Minnesota
Minneapolis Electric Bicycle Company
Minnesota Association of Small Cities
Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy
Minnesota Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities
Minnesota Council of Nonprofits
Minnesota Environmental Partnership
Minnesota Public Health Association
Minnesota Public Interest Research Group
Minnesotans for Healthy Kids Coalition
National Multiple Sclerosis Society Minnesota Chapter
Northfield Nonmotorized Transportation Task Force
Now Bikes and Fitness
Pates Planning and Design
Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota
Preservation Alliance of Minnesota
Red Wing Housing and Redevelopment Authority
Saint Paul Councilmember Russ Stark
Saint Paul Riverfront Corporation
Shifting Gears Bicycles
Sierra Club North Star Chapter
St. Paul Smart Trips
The Arc of Minnesota
The Corduroy Studio, Inc.
The Cornerstone Group
Transit for Livable Communities
Transportation for America's Minnesota Coalition
Twin Cities Streets for People
Urban Land Institute Minnesota
1000 Friends of Minnesota
History The Minnesota Complete Streets Coalition began in July
2009 as a collaboration between Fresh
Energy, Transit
for Livable Communities, and the Prevention Minnesota
work of Blue
Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota. The
Coalition has grown rapidly, and is intended to draw
together diverse groups who all seek to improve and ensure
access to safe travel choices for Minnesotans.
Nationally, Complete Streets policies
have been adopted in 18 states and more than 100 local governments.
Here in Minnesota, policies have been adopted unanimously
by the
City
of Rochester, Hennepin
County, the City of Bloomington and the city of Saint Paul unanimously
passed a resolution that calls for a policy by early 2010. Albert Lea has also passed a Complete Streets subdivision policy.
A number of other local governments are also considering
policies.
Minnesota is fortunate that a strong foundation
for a Complete Streets policy has been built on work begun
decades ago to address travel needs for pedestrians and
bicyclists, efforts to improve access and
attractiveness of transit, the accessibility requirements of the
Americans with Disabilities Act, along with planning initiatives
aiming toward strengthening neighborhoods and community centers.
In 2008, the Legislature
mandated the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT)
to undertake a Complete Streets policy review that examines
the “costs, benefits,
and feasibility” of a statewide policy. The final MnDOT Complete Streets Report includes a recommendation for a statewide policy. MnDOT Commissioner Tom Sorel has spoken about the value of Complete Streets. MnDOT has actively started work to form a partnership of state agencies, local government representatives, and other stakeholders to work on the implementation of a MnDOT policy on Complete Streets.
Why is a Complete Streets Policy Needed?
Too many roads are not safe for all users.
Image:
National Complete Streets Coalition. Used with
permission.
There is currently a lack of consistent planning, leading to gaps in the system that limit transportation choices.
The current planning and design processes do not consistently provide access for people of all ages and abilities.
Coalition Goals
1. Pass a strong statewide Complete Streets policy in 2010 that includes implementation steps and accountability.
2. Work to foster ongoing statewide implementation of Complete Streets processes across all jurisdictions.
For More Information For more information about the Coalition and its efforts,
please contact Ethan Fawley at: Fawley@fresh-energy.org or
651-294-7141.
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