MnDOT Pedestrian and Bicycle Coordinator position includes car parking facilities management

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Job Description:

This position supervises the Bicycle and Pedestrian Section in the Office of Transit which is responsible for developing and delivering, in conjunction with local units of government and Minnesota Non-motorized Transportation Advisory Committee, coordinated and integrated plans, policies and actions consistent with Statewide Transportation Plan and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) guidance. This position is also responsible for directing Mn/DOT's oversight and management of the I-394 third avenue distributor (ABC) parking facilities.

Authorized in the late 1960's and built over ten years during the 1980's, I-394 along with its A, B, and C parking garages have had a tremendous impact on the built environment in Minneapolis including a tremendously negative impact on bicycling and walking conditions.  This freeway spur connects directly to 3rd and 4th streets in downtown Minneapolis rendering these streets as very heavily auto trafficed routes that principly funnel suburban commuters in and out of the city.  Third and Fourth streets are designed as virtual extentions of the freeway through downtown.  

When I read the job announcement published by MnDOT I was very surprised to see that management of the I-394 parking garages was part of the job description.  In fact, I thought that advocating the removal of these parking facilities and the direct access points to and from I-394 in downtown would be one of the most impactful steps that a Pedestrian and Bicycle Coordinator could take for the walking and cycling environment in Minnesota.  

So I continue to wonder if the inclusion of the auto parking garages in this job description is an ironic error or an intentional act.  Given the current solution to make 3rd and 4th streets more bicycle friendly, I probably won't be wondering too much longer: