Knutson Drive Reconstruction
April 8, 2024 Update
The design team is working toward final design and anticipates the project be placed for contractor bids this spring.
The design team is also working with the City Real Estate team to acquire Temporary Limited Easements (TLEs) during construction to allow space for the contractor to build the sidewalk. The TLEs are required for some properties on Knutson Drive between Green Avenue and Northport Drive and are temporary for construction. Once construction is complete, the TLEs expire. The City Surveyor completed Right-of-Way and TLE field staking at the end of March as part of the Real Estate process to acquire TLEs.
View past project updates »Project Details
Project Information
Project Overview
The City is planning to reconstruct Knutson Drive (Green Avenue to Northport Drive). The project includes a new street design with curb and gutter, sidewalk, and driveway aprons. The asphalt pavement and gravel base will be replaced. The sanitary sewer and water main will remain. The project will add storm sewer and stormwater features for controlling surface water runoff.
The City is planning to resurface Knutson Drive (Heffernan Drive/Beilfuss Drive to Green Avenue). The project includes installing storm sewer from Heffernan Drive to Knutson Drive east of Green Avenue and remove and replace the asphalt pavement.
The City is planning to resurface Green Avenue (Harper Road to Knutson Drive). The project includes removing and replacing a portion of the asphalt pavement.
Knutson Drive (Green Avenue to Northport Drive) Improvement Options:
Option #1A: The proposed street width will be 21-feet (11-feet eastbound and 10-feet westbound) from face of curb to face of curb with two 8-foot parking pockets along the street. The first parking pocket is west of Westport Road on the south side of the street and is 60-feet accommodating 4 spaces. The second parking pocket is east of Westport Road on the south of the street 75-feet accommodating 5 spaces. By keeping the street at the existing width, this layout supports lowering vehicle speeds, which was noted as a priority for the neighborhood in the previous survey and the first public meeting, as well as preserves some of the trees in the right-of-way. This option would result in fewer on-street parking stalls, but previous input from the community identified on-street parking as a lower priority. This option is currently the City staff recommendation.
Option #1B: Knutson Drive from Green Avenue to Westport Drive (21-feet (11-feet eastbound and 10-feet westbound) and Knutson Drive from Westport Drive to Northport Drive (2-11’ lanes vehicle lanes, 2-7’ bicycle lanes, and 5’ sidewalks on both sides). The block between Green Avenue and Westport Drive would have 8’ parking pockets (same as option 1A) with no bicycle lanes and supports lowering speeds and preserving trees in the right-of-way. The block between Westport Drive and Northport Drive would have bike lanes, which are being considered due to higher traffic volumes on this block, but this would require a wider pavement than Option 1A. Curb and gutter would be included with both layouts.
Knutson Drive, Green Avenue to Westport Drive
Knutson Drive, Westport Drive to Northport Drive
Option #2A: Knutson Drive from Green Avenue to Northport Drive (2-11’ vehicle lanes, 2-8’ parking lanes, and 5’ sidewalks on both sides). This layout has wider pavement than Option 1A & 1B, which is more likely to result in higher vehicle speeds, but this option would allow for more on-street parking. This option also removes all trees in the right-of-way. Curb and gutter would be included with the layout.
Option #2B: Knutson Drive from Green Avenue to Westport Drive (2-11’ vehicle lanes, 2-8’ parking lanes, and 5’ sidewalks on both sides) and Knutson Drive from Westport Drive to Northport Drive (2-11’ lanes vehicle lanes, 2-7’ bicycle lanes, and 5’ sidewalks on both sides). Similar to 2A, this layout is more likely to result in higher vehicle speeds due to the wider pavement, but provides more on-street parking than Option 1A & 1B, and also has bike facilities between Westport and Northport. This option also removes all trees in the right-of-way. Curb and gutter would be included with both layouts.
Knutson Drive, Green Avenue to Westport Drive
Knutson Drive, Westport Drive to Northport
Project Limits
Knutson Drive Reconstruction – Green Avenue to Northport Drive
Knutson Drive Resurfacing – Heffernan Drive/Beilfuss Drive to Green Avenue
Green Avenue Resurfacing – Knutson Drive to Harper Road
Project Schedule
Design: Summer/Fall/Winter 2023 & Winter/Spring 2024
Bids Advertised: Spring 2024
Construction: Start Late Summer - End Fall 2024 or Start Late Summer - End Late Spring 2025, depending on what the Contractor decides
Public Involvement
There are a number of points of contact during this project where the public is encouraged to give feedback as part of public information meetings and public hearings. Dates, times and locations are indicated below:
Public Information Meetings
- A public information meeting has been scheduled for 6:30 p.m., Nov. 29, 2023, via Zoom. Registration prior is required.
- Sept. 28, 2023 Public Information Meeting Recording
- Sept. 28, 2023 Public Information Meeting PowerPoint Presentation
Survey
- A survey is now available. Please take the survey before 5 p.m., Dec. 7, 2023.
Knutson Drive Reconstruction- Green Avenue- Northport Drive Survey - A survey for this project is now available. Please take the survey by 5 p.m., Oct. 4, 2023.
Knutson Drive Reconstruction Survey
Mailings
Public Informational Meeting: Letter to property owners; Postcard to nearby residents (both mailed Sept. 6, 2023)
Board of Public Works Hearing February 21, 2024: Notice of Meeting, Fact and Details Sheet, Schedule of Assessments
City Process, Meetings
Transportation Commission: Dec. 13, 2023, option 1A recommended
Board of Public Works: February 21, 2024, option 1A approved
Common Council: March 5, 2025, approval pending