The repaving of Portland and Park avenues in Minneapolis is prompting their owner, Hennepin County, to propose that the streets be restriped to give less space to cars and more to bikes.

The proposal to be unveiled on Aug. 30 includes reducing the number of traffic lanes on each street from three to two, and adding more buffer space for bikers.

The proposal comes as Hennepin County prepares to give the twin one-way streets their first mill and overlay of asphalt since 1997. That involves grinding off the top layer of pavement and replacing it with a new coat, as has happened in the last several years on many downtown streets.

The goal of the restriping of those newly paved streets is to calm traffic and make it safer for bikers and walkers, according to project backers. The project extends from Washington Av. S. to E 46th St.

One issue to be addressed is whether bike lanes should be moved from the left side of the street to the right side, as they are on two-way streets.

According to those briefed on the proposal, the county is not proposing the conversion of the two streets from one-way to two-way streets, something that Access Minneapolis, the city's 10-year transportation plan, proposed in 2009 be studied.

The community meeting to discuss the proposal is scheduled for 6:30-9 p.m., with a 7:15 presentation. It will be held at The Center for Changing Lives, 2400 Park Av. S.