City Council Unanimously Approves Nicollet Mall Redesign
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- The Minneapolis City Council has unanimously approved the design concept selected for a proposed revamping of Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis.
Last month, the City and the Minneapolis Downtown Council picked James Corner Field Operations to redesign the Mall. The company has worked on high profile projects in New York City (the High Line) and London (Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park).
Among the features included in James Corner Field Operations' proposal are a "crystal stairway" connecting the mall to the skyway level of the IDS Crystal Court, heated sidewalks and more space for bicyclists.
Two other design firms had bids in for the project to redesign Nicollet Mall.
Construction is expected to begin in spring 2015, and the city hopes to have Nicollet Mall done by 2016.
The makeover is estimated to cost around $40 million. Businesses along Nicollet Mall have agreed to help front the cost along with the city and state.
