Critiquing the First Woonerf in Minneapolis

You be the judge: is this innovative land use in Downtown Minneapolis a woonerf or a glorified parking lot?

1 minute read

April 5, 2017, 8:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Surface Parking

A before picture of the parking lot on the corner of Third Avenue and Second Street in Minneapolis's milling district. | August Schwerdfeger / Flickr

"Minneapolis has its first woonerf," writes Peter Callaghan. "Or does it?"

Callaghan explains the woonerf term (for people who "aren’t on a planning commission or land-use groupies") as "a Dutch import that translates as 'living street' (sometimes 'living yard')," serving as a street or alleyway shared by all modes.

"When it comes to Minneapolis’ first woonerf, however, it might be hard to envision such an idyllic scene," cautions Callaghan, however. One of the main problems with the woonerf is its devotion to parking—80 head-in parking stalls in all.

Michael Schroeder, the assistant superintendent for planning at the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, is quoted in the article saying the woonerf might be better described as a "nice parking lot, a REALLY nice parking lot."

In speculating whether "Minneapolis’ first woonerf woonerf-y enough to actually be called a woonerf" Callaghan looks into the complex planning and land use process that produced the new facility. The final proclamation in the article comes from Minneapolis City Council Member Lisa Goodman, an early supporter of the project, who says, "If we had done nothing, we’d still be looking at a 400-car surface parking lot. Don’t let the great get in the way of the good."

Tuesday, April 4, 2017 in MinnPost

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Person wearing mask walking through temporary outdoor dining setup lined with bistro lights at dusk in New York City.

Restaurant Patios Were a Pandemic Win — Why Were They so Hard to Keep?

Social distancing requirements and changes in travel patterns prompted cities to pilot new uses for street and sidewalk space. Then it got complicated.

June 19, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Aerial view of new neifhborhood under construction with enpty lots in foreground.

In California Battle of Housing vs. Environment, Housing Just Won

A new state law significantly limits the power of CEQA, an environmental review law that served as a powerful tool for blocking new development.

July 2 - CALmatters

Low-rise Pearl Sreet mall in Boulfer, Colorado.

Boulder Eliminates Parking Minimums Citywide

Officials estimate the cost of building a single underground parking space at up to $100,000.

July 2 - Boulder Reporting Lab

Two-story buildings with porches in walkable Florida neighborhood.

Orange County, Florida Adopts Largest US “Sprawl Repair” Code

The ‘Orange Code’ seeks to rectify decades of sprawl-inducing, car-oriented development.

July 2 - CNU Public Square