As the co-owner of a fledgling small business in South Minneapolis, I have experienced the dramatic drop in sales that occurs when the road in front of your shop is closed and on-street parking is unavailable. The Hennepin Redesign would impact businesses during construction but for years to come afterward. Lost revenue will force businesses to pull out and after they're gone, will the Hennepin Avenue/Uptown corridor still be an attractive destination? I have been an avid cyclist for decades (I've ridden century rides) and am concerned about climate change. But there have to be better ways to address climate change in a City in which I see very few bicycle riders using the dedicated bike lanes to commute or run errands. Removing options for car trips for work, appointments, shopping, and errands discriminates against the disabled, elderly, families with small children, and most people who have to do these things during the coldest, snowiest months of the year. Has anyone studied whether there is increased auto emissions because of slow, packed car traffic when lanes of traffic are reassigned to be bike lanes? I experienced this daily during the 35W construction when I commuted along Park Ave. into Minneapolis and regularly saw only a few bike commuters. There must be other ways the City can take steps to fight climate change that are more inclusive. -Lois

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The no parking design is a disaster. I own a business that was effected by the design south of Lake Steet on Hennepin and also live one block away in the area. There used to be many more people who would come to the area to shop, eat, and enjoy the area from out of town or across town. Now they just don't come for multiple reasons, but now that things have "calmed down" they don't come because there is nowhere to park. Not too long ago I was a single mother of 4 children who was lucky enough to own a car. How else would I have been able to manage? What about the elderly, disabled, or again, those from out of town that rely on a vehicle to utilize the various businesses and other resources in the area? Of course, this will fall on deaf ears as Minneapolis is going to bully their way into whatever it is they want to do, disregarding the small business owners that the city benefits from financially. Long term- disaster. An exorbitant amount of money will be spent on this that is short sighted and might have to be changed again, spending more once the dust settles and the realization of it not working creates the next plan, the next disruption. Let's not forget just the process itself is a huge disruption to businesses. True planning for the future would not disregard parking, but generate income for the city by adding pay parking that includes EV charging for which there is federal funding. Kind of a no-brainer. Win for the future of our small businesses, win for the environment, win for the income for Minneapolis. It is all so disappointing. -Jennifer Lisburg, owner of La La Homemade Ice Cream and Luncheonette on Hennepin Ave. South