Project overview
Hennepin County is working with the cities of Spring Park and Orono and Three Rivers Park District to redesign Sunset Drive (County Road 51) between Spring Street and Shadywood Road (County Road 19).
The existing roadway and underground utilities have not been updated for more than 50 years. The roadway lacks curbs and gutters along the corridor to provide adequate drainage. Sunset Drive in its current design is not well suited for people walking, rolling and biking, and lacks curbs and gutters needed to help manage stormwater. The best way to address this is through a road reconstruction project.
When we reconstruct Sunset Drive in 2026, we will replace the aging roadway and underground utilities, as well as add curbs and gutters. We also want to make improvements that meet present and future needs of the corridor.
Engagement history
Here are some key themes we heard from you over the course of multiple rounds of feedback:
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Excitement for the addition of a walking facility and improved aesthetics
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Questions about layout of boulevard and other features
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Desire for sewer, water, electrical, and lighting upgrades
Past engagement events
2024 open house
On May 16, project staff hosted an open house with a presentation about the final designs to the project.
2023 engagement
Open house
On October 3, project staff hosted an open house with a presentation about the updated designs to the project.
Pop-up event
Project staff held a pop-up event on June 24 on the Dakota Rail Regional Trail near the southwest corner of the Northern Avenue and Sunset Drive intersection along the bike trail. This was the first time we presented the preferred design to the public. Thank you to everyone who stopped by to ask questions and discuss the project.
Online open house
Using input from 2021 and the project goals, staff developed initial design options for Sunset Drive and shared those designs at a live online open house on February 23.
The purpose of the open house was to summarize what feedback has been gathered so far, what the initial designs look like, discuss plans for the community to provide future feedback and answer any questions attendees have on the design options presented.
2021 engagement
Online open house
Project staff hosted a live online open house on November 15, to share information about the project. The purpose of the open house was to hear from people who live, work, visit local businesses on Sunset Drive and use it as a connector to better understand existing concerns and needs to help inform a design that best reflects community needs.
Other 2021 engagement
During 2021, we connected with people who live, work and visit local businesses on Sunset Drive. We developed a four-part email series called to help people better understand the work we are undertaking. We held community pop-up events and an open house. We also shared an online comment map so you could pinpoint the challenges you experience, concerns you have and future needs of your community.
We developed initial design options for Sunset Drive using your input and feedback.
