After nearly 50 years of separation, Minneapolis is finally preparing to reconnect one of its historic streets. Nicollet Avenue, which was closed near Lake Street in the late 1970s to make room for a Kmart development, is expected to reopen in November 2026. The restoration is part of the city’s New Nicollet project, a broader effort to improve neighborhood connectivity and transform the former retail property into a more welcoming community space. Along with restoring the road, the project includes a rebuilt Midtown Greenway bridge, improved pedestrian and bicycle access, updated infrastructure and plans for future housing and commercial development. Here’s what residents and visitors should know about this long-awaited transformation.
Nicollet Avenue Is Set to Reopen After Nearly Five Decades
For generations of Minneapolis residents, Nicollet Avenue has been a familiar street with one frustrating gap that divided an important part of the city. That is finally changing as Minneapolis prepares to reopen the stretch between Lake Street and Cecil Newman Lane. The road has been disconnected since the late 1970s, when the construction of a Kmart store interrupted the historic route. Now, following years of planning, demolition and construction, the city is working to restore the connection through its New Nicollet project. The reopening is expected to make it easier for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians to move through the area while improving access to nearby businesses and neighborhoods. The project also includes improvements to the Midtown Greenway bridge and surrounding streets, making it more than a simple road restoration. City officials have identified November 24, 2026, as the target reopening date, although weather conditions could affect the final construction schedule. Once reopened, Nicollet Avenue will restore an important north-south connection and mark a significant milestone in Minneapolis’ effort to repair a decades-old break in its street network.
The Former Kmart Store Was Responsible for the Long-Standing Road Closure
One large retail development changed the layout of an entire Minneapolis neighborhood for nearly half a century. In the late 1970s, the city approved a redevelopment plan for the area around Lake Street and Nicollet Avenue, which included the construction of a Kmart store. As part of that development, Nicollet Avenue was closed between approximately 29th Street and Lake Street, creating a physical barrier that separated parts of the surrounding street network. The interruption became widely known as the Nicollet Wall, a reference to the way the large retail property blocked the historic avenue. Although the Kmart initially served the area’s shopping needs, consumer habits eventually changed, and the store’s importance declined. The building later became vacant, leaving a large property that no longer served its original commercial purpose. Community members and city leaders increasingly viewed the closure as an obstacle to neighborhood connectivity and future development. Discussions about reconnecting the street began decades ago, including the formation of a city task force in 1989. However, it took many more years before the city gained control of the property and moved toward rebuilding the roadway. The demolition of the former Kmart building in 2023 finally cleared the way for the long-discussed reconnection project.
The Reopening Is Targeted for November 24, 2026
After years of waiting, Minneapolis residents finally have a specific date to look forward to. City officials have identified November 24, 2026, as the target for reopening Nicollet Avenue between Lake Street and Cecil Newman Lane. The timing would restore the connection shortly before Thanksgiving, potentially providing motorists and nearby businesses with a welcome improvement during the holiday period. However, November 24 remains a target rather than a guaranteed opening date. Final construction work must be completed, and weather conditions could affect how quickly crews can finish the remaining tasks. If unfavorable conditions push the work too close to Thanksgiving, officials have indicated that reopening could move into the following week. The road project has involved several connected construction activities, including rebuilding the street, improving the Midtown Greenway bridge and completing related pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure. These tasks require careful coordination because the roadway must be ready for public use, not simply appear finished from the outside. The reopening will also represent an important step toward restoring access to businesses and neighborhoods that have dealt with the street closure for decades. Even after traffic returns, however, the larger redevelopment of the former Kmart property will continue through a separate, longer planning process.
The Project Includes a Rebuilt Midtown Greenway Bridge
Reconnecting Nicollet Avenue requires more than removing barriers and laying down fresh asphalt. One of the most important parts of the construction project involves rebuilding the bridge that carries Nicollet Avenue over the Midtown Greenway. The work began in September 2025 and included removing the existing bridge structure before constructing its replacement. The Midtown Greenway itself is a popular transportation and recreation corridor that follows a former railroad route through Minneapolis, providing space for cyclists and pedestrians. Maintaining access and improving the connection between the street and the trail are therefore important parts of the wider project. The city is also reconstructing Cecil Newman Lane between Nicollet Avenue and First Avenue South. Another significant improvement is the addition of an ADA-compliant access ramp that will make it easier for people to reach the Midtown Greenway from First Avenue South. The existing Greenway access arrangement is being relocated as part of the work. These improvements are intended to create a more accessible connection between different forms of transportation rather than simply prioritizing vehicle traffic. Together, the rebuilt bridge, redesigned access points and reconstructed connecting street will help make the restored Nicollet Avenue corridor more useful to the surrounding community.
New Sidewalks, Bicycle Accommodations and Accessibility Improvements Are Included
A modern city street needs to serve everyone who uses it, whether they are driving, walking, cycling or relying on public transportation. That principle is reflected in the Nicollet Avenue reconstruction, which includes a range of improvements beyond the vehicle lanes. The city plans to install new sidewalks, ADA-compliant pedestrian ramps, bicycle accommodations, fresh pavement, curbs and gutters. Utility infrastructure will also be improved, while traffic signals, signage and pavement markings will be updated where necessary. These features are guided by Minneapolis policies such as its Complete Streets Policy, Transportation Action Plan and Vision Zero initiative. The goal is to create a street that accommodates different transportation needs while making movement through the neighborhood safer and more accessible. The project also includes travel lanes intended to serve vehicles and buses, along with green infrastructure for managing stormwater within the right-of-way. This is particularly important because streets must handle heavy rainfall without allowing excessive runoff to overwhelm drainage systems. The improvements should also help connect nearby residential areas, commercial destinations and the Midtown Greenway. Rather than simply restoring the road to its former condition, Minneapolis is using the opportunity to build a more accessible and functional corridor suited to present-day transportation needs.
The Former Kmart Site Could Eventually Become a Mixed-Use Neighborhood
Reopening Nicollet Avenue is only the beginning of a much larger transformation planned for the former Kmart property. Minneapolis is working to redevelop the approximately 10-acre site into a neighborhood destination with affordable housing, nonprofit spaces and a new public park. The broader vision also includes commercial opportunities and places where residents can access everyday services without having to travel far from home. Community involvement has played an important role in shaping these plans, with residents contributing ideas about the kinds of housing, public spaces and amenities they would like to see. The city has selected Trellis, a Minneapolis-based nonprofit developer, to lead the first phase of redevelopment on the southeast corner of the former Kmart property near Nicollet Avenue and Lake Street. However, the development is not expected to happen immediately. The project team still needs to secure financing and update the design, development plans and cost estimates. The city estimates that securing the necessary funding and preparing the first phase could take approximately three to five years before construction begins. Later phases will move forward after the initial development is underway. This means residents may see the restored roadway well before the full neighborhood redevelopment takes shape. Even so, reconnecting Nicollet Avenue creates the foundation for a more connected area with opportunities for new homes, businesses and public gathering spaces.
