Cedar Box/Ambles

The Cedar Box/Ambles site adjacent to the Franklin LRT station is extremely isolated. The site contains a portion of Old Cedar Avenue that has been disconnected from the rest of Cedar Avenue by road reconstructions and grade separation. The site has direct platform level access to the LRT station; fronts Franklin Avenue; and has good visibility from the LRT, bicycle trail, and from Hiawatha Avenue. When considered in conjunction with the Old Cedar Avenue Right of Way, it is an extremely large site. As it currently sits, the site is particularly pedestrian unfriendly. The existing industrial uses are unattractive and the area does not feel safe to pedestrians, even though this block is the primary access route to the LRT station from the East Phillips neighborhood. The American Indian community has identified this parcel as extremely important to the long-term success of the Cultural Corridor. Providing pedestrian activity at this location will help to drive pedestrians further into the Cultural Corridor, increasing the viability of other businesses on the corridor. The site is a possible location for a cultural center/museum and/or American Indian-owned hotel and conference center. The challenge caused by the grade separation of the Franklin LRT station from Franklin Avenue also presents a great opportunity for LRT platform-level access to this development parcel. Further, a skyway link to new development on the AIOIC site is also possible.

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