Near-final plans for Nicollet Mall redesign presented at last public meeting on Tuesday

Members of the public will have their last chance Tuesday night to see near-final drawings and hear details about the Nicollet Mall redesign before shovels are in the ground next month.

The City of Minneapolis and the Minneapolis Downtown Council will host the final public meeting at the Minneapolis Central Library's Pohlad Hall beginning at 6 p.m.

Representatives from the project's landscape architect, New York-based James Corner Field Operations, will reveal updates, like the tree species, signage and lighting details that, until recently, were undecided. 

This marks the third major renovation made to downtown's Nicollet Avenue, which is the city's signature retail and commerce hub. The Lawrence Halprin-designed Nicollet Mall opened in 1967 and was given a thorough refresh in the late 1980s. 

The $50-million project was funded with both private and public funds. The Legislature committed $21.5 million with the City kicking in an additional $3.5 million, while downtown property owners are picking up the $25-million balance through a special assessment.