The Metropolitan Council invites residents and businesses near Minnehaha Park to a public information meeting about a proposed sewer improvement project. Construction work, scheduled to begin in 2019, would rehabilitate an aging regional sanitary sewer tunnel under Minnehaha Creek, Hiawatha Avenue and the METRO Blue Line LRT along the north side of East Minnehaha Parkway.
The Council, which owns and operates the regional wastewater collection and treatment system, will host the meeting on Tuesday, April 24, from 5 to 7 p.m. at St. Peder’s Lutheran Church, 4600 E. 42nd St., Minneapolis. Project staff from Metropolitan Council Environmental Services (MCES) will share information about the proposed improvements and answer questions. Following the presentation, staff will be available to speak one on one with people at the meeting.
Sewer infrastructure is designed to protect public health and the environment. Just like any infrastructure investment it must be maintained. The existing tunnel, which conveys wastewater through south Minneapolis, was built in 1935 and needs rehabilitation to ensure its reliability and structural integrity. MCES plans to clean the tunnel, install a liner to create a new sewer pipe within the existing tunnel and upgrade other components.
MCES has modified earlier plans to replace the tunnel to more fully address community concerns about the protection and preservation of Coldwater Spring, which is a significant cultural and historic resource 1.5 miles south of the sewer rehabilitation site.
Public hearing is May 22
The Council will hold a formal public hearing in May, where verbal comments will be recorded. The hearing will be May 22 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Hiawatha School Recreation Center, 4305 E. 42nd St., Minneapolis. The formal comment period on the proposed sewer improvement will be April 22 through June 1. Submit formal comments about the project to MCES.
More information
The presentation and public information meeting materials will be available on the Council’s website by April 24.