The Franklin Avenue Station renovation project is part of the Renew the Blue system restoration initiative and will help ensure the METRO Blue Line remains a safe, reliable, and affordable transit option for many years to come.
Planning has begun for a major renovation of the METRO Blue Line’s Franklin Avenue Station. Franklin Avenue Station is located in the heart of south Minneapolis and had an average of 1,000 daily boardings in 2024 with dependable all-day activity since its opening in 2004.
The purpose of the project is to provide more reliable, safe, and consistent access between the platform and improve the overall customer experience.
We will achieve this by improving:
Cleanliness
Station comfort
Station visibility
Wayfinding/signage
Lighting
Feelings of personal safety
Renovations will reduce the daily resources needed to keep the station in good condition by supporting staff with enhanced on-site maintenance equipment.
This renovation will include both elevator towers, stairs, and all platform elements (shelters, canopy, benches, etc.). The use of durable, energy-efficient materials will help extend the life of the station and increases sustainability. Also, look for new signage for improved wayfinding to connections. We're working to assure the station's design reflects the neighborhood and people it serves.
Design began in Fall 2025, and construction is scheduled to begin February 2027, lasting through December 2027.
The Franklin Station Renovation Project Team continues to engage with the community organizations and stakeholders to provide updates and gather feedback throughout the project.
These 60% design renderings illustrate the proposed improvements for Franklin Avenue Station. The images are a visual representation of the project as it continues through the design process and may be refined before final construction.
Read our newsletter and provide feedback in our survey, which asks for ideas about public art at Franklin Avenue Station, including colors, symbols, cultural stories, materials, and artistic traditions that could be incorporated into murals, signage, sculptures, and sidewalk art. It is intended to help ensure the station’s art reflects community identity, culture, and history. The survey is open through Oct. 9, 2026.
Metro Transit held a July 15 open house to provide feedback on the final design concept for Franklin Avenue Station. Feedback we collected during Phase 2 helped shape accessibility ramp placements, stair lighting, decorative signage, and additional features. We’ve incorporated your ideas and invite you to view the final station design concept and discuss your insights about how to best incorporate art, cultural place-keeping, and community identity into the station design with project staff.
Thank you to everyone who attended the Phase 2 open house and completed the survey to share your feedback. We appreciate the insightful input provided by our community members, who play a vital role in shaping this project. The results have been reviewed, and the project team is now sharing a community engagement summary that highlights the key themes and feedback. This input helped shape the refined station design, design principles guiding the look and feel of the station, and specific features at the station.
Thank you to everyone who took the time to complete the Franklin Avenue Transit Station Phase 1 renovation survey and share your feedback. We appreciate the insightful input provided by our community members, who play a vital role in shaping this project. The survey is closed, and our team is currently reviewing responses and conducting data analysis.
Kevin Murray
Community Outreach Specialist
[email protected]
Get involved! We will incorporate community input for this project. We want to hear from you! Help shape a station that serves you better.
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