Several upcoming public meetings will shape the reconstruction of 16 blocks of Minnehaha Avenue in 2015 and 2016.

The first meeting held by the Longfellow Community Council on Wednesday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. will allow Longfellow residents to comment on the rebuilding. That's at 3748 Minnehaha Av. S. It features a panel discussion of resident and business viewpoints, and a representative of Hennepin County, which owns the avenue.

Also coming up is a second round of county-sponsored meetings on Sept. 30 and Oct. 2 from 6-8 p.m., with a 6:30 presentation and question-answer session. Those meetings will be at 4101 37th Av. S.

The county has proposed two designs, each with two traffic lanes and parking on each side, plus intersection improvements, and shorter pedestrian cross. One retains bike lanes on each side of the street, which county staff has recommended, and the other installs a two-way cycle track beside the west curb.

STEVE BRANDT

@Brandtstrib