The American Public Works Association (APWA) – Minnesota Chapter recognized the City of Hopkins at the annual conference on November 16. The Artery project received the Project of the Year award for their work to create a vibrant, interactive, and pedestrian friendly area.
The concept of The Artery began a decade ago, envisioned to increase downtown visibility and connect the city core to the main vehicular thoroughfare of Excelsior Boulevard. The City of Hopkins desired a plan that would draw people from the proposed Southwest Light Rail Transit downtown Hopkins station through The Artery to downtown Hopkins’ historic Mainstreet. The Artery integrates highly interactive public art, innovative technology, a two-way cycle track connecting two regional trails, and educational elements of storytelling and cultural history all within the public realm, making this a prime destination along the proposed SWLRT Metro Green Line.
The project’s multi-faceted development process brought out a collaborative multi-disciplined effort from public works professionals, engineers, planners, urbanists, artists, contractors, and other specialists. Few projects bring out such positive collaboration to create something unique but mutually successful on multiple fronts.
