
The Artery
Location
City of Hopkins, Minnesota
Overview
Through innovative public outreach and a collaborative design process, The Artery received endorsements and grants from multiple agencies and jurisdictions, helping the city fund the majority of construction and spur private economic development.
Solutions
Sectors
The concept of The Artery began a decade ago, envisioned to increase visibility of historic Mainstreet and connect the city core to the main thoroughfare, Excelsior Boulevard. With this as a starting point, the City of Hopkins wanted to draw people from the proposed Hopkins Southwest Light Rail Transit station, through The Artery, to Mainstreet. Innovative development processes featured multi-disciplinary input from public works professionals, engineers, planners, urbanists, artists, and supporting specialists.
The Artery integrates interactive public art, innovative technology, a two-way cycle track, and educational elements of storytelling and cultural history all within the public realm, making this a prime destination along the proposed SWLRT Green Line. Few projects bring out such positive collaboration to create something unique, yet mutually successful on multiple fronts.
Awards
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American Society of Landscape Architecture – Minnesota Chapter – 2023 People’s Choice Award
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American Planning Association – 2019 Great Places in America – Great Streets
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Minnesota Department of Transportation – 2019 Environmental Stewardship for Innovations in Construction, Operations & Maintenance
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American Council of Engineering Companies of Minnesota – 2018 Honor Award