Feedback and Solutions on E7th Construction

Senator Hawj joined us on E7th Street to hear concerns and talk about solutions to the stress of the disruption. Pictured left to right - Jessica Miller (A Girl & Her Table), Paris Dunning (ESABA), Denise Hamp (Capitol Touch), Jim Erchul (Dayton's Bluff Neighborhood Housing Services, Yolanda Davis (ESABA), Senator Found Hawj, Tim Marino (Dayton's Bluff Community Council). Also attending Ruti (indigenous Roots), Ploua Yang (Ward 6 LA). The conversation was productive - see the notes below. Next week we'll have news about the Mitigation Fund launching with ESNDC, and ESABA will be convening conversation about promotions. Stay tuned or send your good ideas to Info@esaba.org Send the Senator your concerns and ideas to sen.foung.hawj@senate.mn 

Some Postivies about this construction:

• It's Free. Businesses will not be assessed for their curbside square footage
• 4 lanes to Three will be safer. E7th is a difficult street to cross right now.
• We are excited about the sidewalks being fixed to prevent flooding.
• Safety. People are coming up hill too fast.
• Contractors are professional. They are tearing it up and appear to be hard at work

• Mitigation Funds - We need them! Small businesses are trying to find financial middle ground.  Easier said than done.  This commercial impact needs to be a part of MnDOT budget at the beginning.
• MnDOT terrible job with signage.  Little yard signs vs. Road Closed. Why are there no “Businesses Open” with wayfinding to parking? Infuriating; QR Codes to their project site - Insulting. State government doesn’t appear to care if the businesses survive.
• Weekend Closures
  • Businesses do a lot of their business on the weekends
  • True the passive traffic count is higher during the week but why wasn't business traffic a bigger consideration?
  • This impact is huge! MnDOT is a highway builder. We are a main street
  • A conversation about busiest days to coordinate would've been great
  • Some businesses can’t get their Semis with supplies into their main production areas.
• Sen. By the time we get funds, construction over. 1% would've been $350,000. We need a bill that can change some policy.
• We need $57,000 to make it $5000 per business.
  • 5000 is not a lot of money but it will be something and be as much as we were able to do on Arcade

• At Arcade and E7th - We're told 17 utilities but they are not working there for any of this first month. A temporary ramp to get into the parking lot there would help a lot. The Taqueria is cut off and parking lot is closed.  How do we work with MnDOT?  Bituminous Roadway Construction Company? on possible solutions? 
• How do we find solutions for issues during construction? ESABA and Senator are committed to trying to improve communication with the project
• Parking Issues: CLUES lot and Dayton’s Bluff Housing Services - how to get people across the street from there?
• Who do we call when we have these conversations - the Hotline
• MnDOT Hotline is not as accessible as hoped, and pictures of the construction plan online are general. Where do we get accurate information about the phasing and help with troubleshooting?
• ADA and disability access is difficult; barriers are too close for equitable access - this we've made progress on

What are your concerns and ideas? Info@esaba.org Send the Senator your concerns and ideas to sen.foung.hawj@senate.mn