Description
VMWP contributed our seasoned expertise in design for Transit Oriented Communities in the consultant pool for the Hennepin County Transit Oriented Communities Predevelopment Assistance Program from 2022-2024 in Minneapolis. This innovative program “supports emerging developers, particularly those from historically marginalized groups, overcome barriers to financial and knowledge capital often needed to enter the real estate development industry as they actively pursue one of their first development projects“.
VMWP worked closely with five different developers on infill sites adjacent to transit in Minneapolis. VMWP evaluated development feasibility in collaboration with financial consultants, mentored emerging developers through jurisdictional processes, and advanced design concepts. The final product varied based on specific project needs ranging from conceptual plans to site design and renderings, through full development entitlement drawings for Equity Matters. The common threads weaving all of the developments together are a focus on walkability and ground floor design, refined massing and building articulation, provision of high quality common areas, integration of public art to the maximum extent feasible for each client, and development strategies fine tuned around the Minneapolis Built Form Overlay Districts.
DESIGN FEATURES
- Sensitive ground floor design to enhance walkability and transit access
- Integrated public art to enhance community character
- Careful massing and building articulation to minimize bulk at transitions to smaller-scaled contexts
TOD MINNEAPOLIS Sustainable Design
- Two projects targeting geothermal heating
- Integration of solar PV panels and
- Transformation of underutilized infill sites for compact mixed-use development
- Support of low-emission transit access
PROJECT INFORMATION
- Client: Hennepin County Transit Oriented Communities Program
- Site Area: Ranging from 0.25-0.57 acres
- Density: Ranging from 18-193 DUA
- Design Completion: 2022-2023
- Projects:
Viva Apartments
EPIC+R
Modus Locus
Equity Matters
Minneapolis Transit-Oriented Development (TOD)
VMWP’s transit-oriented developments combine mixed-use and infill development with pedestrian-friendly streets close to public transportation. These comprehensive plans create lively villages that inspire people to buy locally, use more public transit and drive less. Our TOD projects have included land use plans and urban design guidelines, master plans for new mass transit station areas, and infill visions for park-and-ride lots. VMWP also works with municipalities to develop implementation strategies as well as guidelines with which to evaluate development proposals.