Petition to Make the Temporary Stoplight at the Intersection of France Ave S and W 39th Street Permanent

To: Carla Stueve, Director of Transportation Project Delivery at Hennepin County and Commissioner Marion Greene,

We, the undersigned, are calling on our local elected and appointed officials, and county representatives to take action by making the temporary stoplight at the intersection of 39th Street and France Avenue a permanent fixture.

Why This Matters:

1. Improved Safety: France Avenue has long been a street where drivers frequently exceed safe speeds, putting pedestrians, cyclists, and other drivers at risk. The temporary stoplight has significantly calmed traffic, reducing the likelihood of accidents and making the area safer for everyone.
2. Pedestrian Safety: The newly revamped Weber Park is attracting more visitors, many of whom cross France Avenue with their families, children, and pets. A permanent stoplight ensures a safe crossing for pedestrians, which is vital for the continued enjoyment and accessibility of the park and surrounding areas. Minikhada Vista Park also attracts visitors from the Minneapolis side of France, and Bde Maka Ska attracts visitors from the St. Louis park side. There is no sidewalk on the Minneapolis side of France north of 39th, so pedestrians must cross at 39th to access the northbound sidewalk on the other side. Residents on France also have to shovel snow from their driveways/sidewalks and mow/garden their boulevards, frequently finding themselves stepping into France to perform these activities. Parking on France here is on the Minneapolis side only, so visitors often run across the road to homes on the St. Louis park side.
3. Safe Access to France Avenue: The stoplight allows residents and drivers using 39th Street to safely cross and merge onto France Avenue, whether heading north or south. This has already reduced the number of traffic incidents and made the intersection far safer to navigate.
4. Preventing Future Crashes: Before the installation of the temporary stoplight, this intersection was a frequent site of vehicle crashes. A permanent light will prevent the return of these dangerous conditions and save lives in the long term.

We believe that with enough community support, we can show our elected and appointed officials, and other county representatives that making this stoplight permanent is a priority for public safety and for the quality of life in our neighborhood. With your signature, you are supporting a safer, calmer, and more livable community.

Sign the petition below to help make the temporary stoplight permanent.