Burden to look at S. Broadway

An internationally known transportation expert will return to Albert Lea later this week to work with the community on re-envisioning South Broadway. 

Dan Burden first visited Albert Lea in 2009 and returned last fall as part of the Blue Zones Project to review the city’s automobile, bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure.

This time, Burden and a team from Blue Zones will be in Albert Lea Friday through Monday to conduct brainstorming workshops, walkability audits and a communitywide presentation.

The city and the National Vitality Center are hosting the events as part of a response to the Minnesota Department of Transportation’s South Broadway bituminous mill and overlay project slated for this summer. There is also an effort to transform the corridor into a thriving place for business, future economic development, active transportation and overall livability, according to a news release.

Burden, who has worked with more than 3,000 communities throughout the world to help them become more walkable and livable, has acknowledged an opportunity to transform South Broadway into a place people come.

“Albert Lea has been first with many things in looking for ways to transform streets to better support businesses and active transportation — and now it is time to set new and higher expectations for making streets into great places that build community,” Burden said in the release.

The public is invited to attend all of the events with Burden, which begin with a presentation from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Friday.

On Saturday there will be a workshop from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., with a walking audit at 10 a.m.

The findings from the workshop and audit will be presented at 5:30 p.m. Monday.

People planning to attend can contact Wendy Flugum at 377-4330 or wflugum@ci.albertlea.mn.us.

City officials said registration for the events is not required but is appreciated to ensure adequate space and supplies are available.