The heart of downtown Minneapolis is set to host a vibrant mix of athleticism and celebration this weekend as the city welcomes participants and attendees for two major events: Gymnastics City USA and the Twin Cities Pride Festival. With these events drawing thousands, visitors and locals alike should prepare for street closures and heavy foot traffic across the downtown area.
According to a recent announcement on the City of Minneapolis's official website, Gymnastics City USA will lead to closures on 1st Ave between 6th and 7th Streets from Thursday, June 27, through early Monday, July 1, leaving one of the four lanes open for traffic. Meanwhile, the Twin Cities Pride Festival will have its series of events on Sunday, June 30, including a 5K race over the Plymouth St. bridge down to Main Street, Hennepin Ave starting at 9 am and concluding around noon, followed by the Rainbow Dash and the Pride Parade. All these events are expected to impact traffic flow significantly.
Given the substantial influx of attendees, the Minnesota Department of Transportation is urging visitors to stay informed about any street closures or traffic changes due to the events or potential issues from recent flooding in the area. Updates can be found by checking 511. Alternative transportation, including public transit options, is highly recommended. The Metro Transit's website offers planning tools for those opting for the bus or light rail, with the MET combat both Blue and Green Lines providing convenient routes into the downtown area.
Parking may also become a challenge, yet there is ample parking throughout the downtown sector, provided drivers pay attention to the signage indicating time limits and enforcement hours. In addition to privately run lots, city-owned parking facilities are available for use. Local businesses, from restaurants to bars, are ready to embrace the weekend's bustling activities, encouraging visitors to enjoy the locality's offerings before and after the planned events, to offset peak congestion times.
In preparation for the anticipated congestion, the City of Minneapolis has implemented several measures to manage the increase in pedestrian and vehicular traffic. Traffic control agents will be present at many intersections during key times, and special traffic signal timing patterns will be used to facilitate the movement of people. Furthermore, dynamic messaging signs will provide real-time updates to drivers as they navigate downtown, including notifications when key parking ramps reach capacity and guidance on alternative routes.
