Robbinsdale Road Closure To Impact Drivers, Businesses Deep into Fall

This year’s major street project in Robbinsdale will close part of 36th and France avenues. But one Robbinsdale business is working with the city to keep its traffic flowing.

A stretch of 36th Avenue N. will close between the Hy-Vee entrance and June Ave. France Avenue will also close between 36th and 35th avenues.

The project starts on Tuesday, August 8. It’s expected to continue until November.

“A lot of our water mains and sanitary sewer mains are approaching 100 years old,” said Richard McCoy, Robbinsdale’s public works director. “There will be a new sanitary sewer main and water main put under the ground. There is also going to be a new raw water line put under the ground.”

McCoy said 10,000 people travel on that stretch of 36th every year.

Some side streets like Grimes Avenue started construction earlier on. The work on that street should wrap up in a few weeks. McCoy said that was done early intentionally for a lesser impact on neighbors and travelers.

Local Business Affected

Fly Vintage and Vinyl is located along the closed route.

It sells ultrasonic-cleaned, curated rock records, as well as vintage and holiday decorations. 

“I buy all the records and music-related items,” Dan Ruppert-Kan, who co-owns the business with his wife. “My wife Betsy brings in all the vintage items.”

Fly Vintage and Vinyl sits along 36th Avenue N in Robbinsdale. This year’s major street project closes part of 36th and France Avenue.

Ruppert-Kan said customers already face some traffic challenges.

“Almost everyone who comes in, especially if they are first time customers, ask about the traffic,” Ruppert-Kan said. “I don’t think it will affect our regular customers… it’ll definitely hinder our first-time visitors.”

Co-owner Betsy Ruppert-Kan said they sell many items online, including on their Instagram and Facebook pages. Customers then come in to pick up their items.

Ruppert-Kan worked with the city to hopefully keep business flowing.

“They find a way here,” Ruppert-Kan said. “It helps that construction crews put up ‘Access to Fly Vintage Vinyl’ signs.”

In the meantime, neighbors just have to be patient.

“It will be closed. There will be big holes in the road you won’t be able to go through,” McCoy said. “I think the improvements we are doing are good for the community, and I think they will benefit the community for a lot of time.”

The city will post detours when construction begins on Tuesday.

Crystal | Robbinsdale