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- calendar_today November 9, 2026
Community Marks Historic Nicollet Avenue Reopening
On a warm November afternoon, residents gathered for the “Reconnecting Nicollet Dance Party” at East Street Crossing, briefly taking their celebrations onto a newly repaved stretch of Nicollet Avenue. The festive event offered a preview of a milestone many in Minneapolis' neighborhoods have anticipated for decades: the official reopening of Nicollet Avenue between W. 28th and E. Lake streets, set for November 24.
Decades in the Making: A Controversial Past
The closure of Nicollet Avenue dates back nearly 50 years to the 1970s, when the controversial opening of a Kmart store at Lake Street led to the street being severed. This move, undertaken as part of local revitalization efforts in which Minneapolis had acquired land for development, was met with immediate opposition from residents. Nonetheless, the Kmart store became a major commercial success and served the area’s working-class community for years until its closure in June 2020.
Preparing for Urban Redevelopment
Sunday's event invited neighbors to explore the completed section of the road, as well as new sidewalks, bike paths, and an updated bridge over the Midtown Greenway. City officials showcased artist renderings of redevelopment plans for the vacated, 10-acre former Kmart site. The vision includes affordable housing, space for nonprofits, and a new park—part of a larger plan aimed at neighborhood revitalization and improved community amenities.
Residents Reflect on Change and Challenges
Longtime resident Dana McDill, who has lived nearby since the 1980s, described the reopening as a major improvement. He and his wife Charlotte Carrington attended the gathering to learn more about the site’s future. McDill remarked on the neighborhood’s history of challenges—including gun violence, traffic, and homelessness—but saw hope in new development, increased vibrancy, and support for local restaurants and businesses.
Maggie Jacoby, a former resident now living on Minneapolis’ southern edge, reflected on learning about the area’s history during her time at Macalester College. “It was definitely a topic of conversation,” Jacoby recalled, expressing gratitude for the city’s renewed focus on safety for all forms of transportation.
From National Retail to Neighborhood Opportunity
The Kmart store was once a bustling retail landmark, regarded as a national success, before its closure. Minneapolis purchased the store’s lease for $9.1 million in 2020, motivated by plans to restore connectivity along Nicollet. The site’s redevelopment faced delays due to events following George Floyd’s murder and the COVID-19 pandemic. After the store was damaged during local unrest and subsequently burned in 2023, the need for revitalization and expanded public safety became more urgent.
A Turning Point for the Community
Anna Schmitz, executive director of the Whittier Alliance, emphasized that her organization was founded amid initial resistance to Nicollet Avenue’s closure. With the street set to reopen and redevelopment underway, Schmitz called the moment “full circle,” adding, “It will be super helpful for businesses. It’s been a difficult year.”
The reopening of Nicollet Avenue marks not just the restoration of a major thoroughfare, but also fresh prospects for affordable housing, public space improvements, and increased community safety in Minneapolis.
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Source: startribune.com.
