The Minneapolis City Council has approved a plan pushed by a coalition of arts groups to have the entire 2 miles between the Walker Art Center and the Mississippi River become a pedestrian-friendly cultural destination. The plan, to be funded by a combination of public, nonprofit and business-community sources, emphasizes building on the avenue's existing strengths.

Devising the plan, which included public input, was mostly funded with $200,000 from the National Endowment for the Arts. But arts organizations won't be the only drivers. The city, the Park Board and private businesses, including sports venues, are integrated into the plan.

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