Thu Sep 12 00:53:44 UTC 2024: ## Minneapolis Street Grid: A Labyrinthine Journey Through Directions

A recent article published by Streets.mn delves into the seemingly chaotic arrangement of streets and avenues in Minneapolis. The author, Naomi, a PhD student at the University of Minnesota, shares her year-long journey of trying to understand the city’s unique grid system.

The Mississippi River serves as the primary divider, with “East” suffixes denoting locations east of the river and “North” and “South” suffixes west of it. Within these quadrants, further divisions exist. Hennepin Avenue separates Northeast from Southeast Minneapolis east of the river, while West of the river, it’s North from South, at least until intersecting I-94. Beyond I-94, the lines become more complex, involving Van White Memorial Boulevard, Bassett Creek, and Chestnut Avenue.

The article explores the numbering of streets and avenues, revealing a pattern originating from the Mississippi River in Downtown Minneapolis. However, inconsistencies arise with the directional suffixes. In North, Northeast, and Southeast Minneapolis, both streets and avenues share the same directional suffixes, leading to intersections like Fourth Avenue Southeast and Fourth Street Southeast. This pattern extends to Downtown and Cedar-Riverside, where both use “S” suffixes. South Minneapolis, however, deviates, with streets adopting “E” or “W” suffixes while avenues retain “S.” Nicollet Avenue marks the division between East and West streets.

The article highlights the presence of avenues with no direction, including some in Uptown, Downtown, and parkways. While the author presents a detailed analysis, she acknowledges the presence of exceptions and unanswered questions. She invites readers to share their insights and contribute to the ongoing exploration of Minneapolis’s intricate street system.

The article concludes with a call for support for Streets.mn, a non-profit organization dedicated to highlighting Minnesota’s conversations on land use, planning, and community development.

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