Contact

Public Works
6844 Shingle Creek Pkwy.
Brooklyn Center, MN 55430

Phone: (763) 585-7100

Elizabeth Heyman
Public Works Director
Email

Hours

Monday - Friday
8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Resources

TH 252 Corridor Study
Learn more about this study being performed in cooperation with the City of Brooklyn Park, Met Council, Metro Transit and MnDOT.

Construction Projects
More information about City construction projects.

Public Works

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Our responsibilities to residents and visitors include providing for the maintenance and operations of 120 miles of City streets, 522 acres of parks and other natural areas, 47 miles of sidewalks, 21 miles of multi-use trails and municipal-owned buildings and ground, as well as storm drains and all aspects of water and sewer operations.

The Public Works Department is composed of the following areas:

Capital Maintenance Building Improvements
In 2007 the City approved an 18-year Capital Maintenance Building Plan that includes short and long-term building and facility improvements. Improvements are included with the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) and adopted by the City Council as part of the Annual Budget.

Central Garage Maintenance
The primary function of the Central Garage is to provide ongoing maintenance to all the City's fleet vehicles including plows and dump trucks, mowers, street sweepers and asphalt patch trucks, police squads, fire engines, and staff vehicles. The Central Garage also services minor equipment such as chainsaws and weed-whips, trailers, pumps, and generators.

The Central Garage acts as a central support hub and fueling station for all of the City's parks, trails, streets, and utility maintenance crews as well as working in conjunction with the Fiscal and Support Services Department to ensure all City departments are provided detailed billing each month, and that vehicles are retired and replaced on a consistent and cost-effective schedule.

Central Garage Goals:

Perform routine and preventive maintenance for the City's vehicles and capital equipment.
Complete an average of 1,700 maintenance and repair orders annually.
Replacement of City vehicles and equipment as scheduled.
Administration of Central Garage functions including replacement, repair, and maintenance.
Continue to provide departments with monthly detailed billings and cost accounting for all operating costs.

Engineering
The Engineering Division provides engineering support services for street reconstruction and other capital improvements, administration of the City's state aid street system, traffic engineering, mapping, review of proposed developments and plats, certification of special assessments and general office and fieldwork services such as surveying, inspection and public information.

Forestry
Forestry provides for the maintenance, trimming and reforestation of trees in parks, boulevards and other public areas as well as registration of tree contractors wishing to do business in the City. Forestry also operates programs which target residential properties such as the Diseased Tree Program and it is responsible for administration of the City's noxious weed eradication program as well as grass and weed cutting on freeway access right-of-way.

Parks / Trails Maintenance
Provides maintenance and repair of playground equipment, park shelters, picnic shelters, irrigation sprinklers, bleachers, benches and restrooms to ensure safe, clean and accessible park buildings and equipment. It also includes gas and electric service to shelters and park lights, collection of refuse and rental/service charges for portable restroom facilities.

Public Utilities
Sanitary Sewer, Storm Drainage, Street Lighting, and Water Utilities.

Street Maintenance
Street Maintenance provides for the maintenance of City streets, sidewalks and trails. The activities include patching, sealcoating, crack sealing, sweeping, minor sidewalk repair and the cost of operating and maintaining the trail light system.

Statistics

City of Brooklyn Center
- 8.52 square miles
Population
- 30,770 (2015 Census)
Parks
- 350 acres mowed weekly
- 4 baseball fields
- 16 softball fields
- 19 playgrounds
- 8 tennis courts
- 6 park shelters
- 13 picnic shelters
- 6 general skating rinks
- 6 hockey rinks
- 5 soccer/football fields
- 17 basketball courts
- 1 archery range
- 18 irrigation systems
Sanitary Sewer
- 10 lift stations
- 2,039 manholes
- 97.85 miles of sanitary sewer
Storm Sewer
- 37 stormwater ponds
- 90.14 miles of storm sewer
- 4,765 miles of storm drains
Sidewalks
- 45.7 miles owned by the City
- 1 mile owned by Three Rivers Park District
Streets
- 122.9 miles total
- 105.6 miles Municipal
- 10.8 miles State
- 6.5 miles County
Traffic Counts
- 1-94/694 130,000+ Vehicles per day
- Brooklyn Boulevard (at 69th Ave. and I-94) 40,000+ Vehicles/day
Traffic Signs
- 5,001 signs
- 51.7 miles striping
Trails
- 16.62 miles owned by the City
- 6.95 miles owned by Three Rivers Park District
Water Main
- 119.57 miles
- 9 wells
- 3 million gallons of water stored in 3 water towers
- 869 hydrants
- 2,100 valves
- 8,962 metered connections
- Average 1 billion gallons of water pumped a year

FAQs

Do I need a permit to replace my driveway?

A driveway can be expanded to an interior property line provided 50% of the front yard is still maintained as ground cover. An approved driveway extension must be asphalt, concrete, or Class 5 gravel or better. Improvements within the public right of way (generally within 15 feet from the street curb) require a driveway permit. Permit applications are available by contacting the Engineering Division at (763) 569-3340 or by visiting Applications and Permits.
Who can help me find my property corners so I can build a fence?

Residents should locate their property corner stakes prior to installing fences to avoid encroachments onto adjacent properties. The city cannot locate property corner monuments on private property. Residents should hire a licensed land surveyor to complete land surveys or locate property corners.
How do I report a street light with a burned out bulb?

To report a non-functioning street light, contact Street Maintenance at (763) 585-7100.
Where can I get a copy of a property plat?

Plats are recorded and stored with Hennepin County. Plats for abstract properties can be obtained from either the Office of the County Recorder or the Office of the Registrar of Titles, depending on the type of property. Both of these offices are located in the Hennepin County Government Center, 300 S. Sixth St., Minneapolis, MN 55487. Hard copies can often be obtained from the Brooklyn Center Engineering Division at (763) 569-3340.
Are we allowed to park on the street?

Parking is not allowed on the street in the City of Brooklyn Center between 2:00 am and 6:00 am or for more than six consecutive hours at any other time. Parking is also prohibited in an alley. Commercial vehicles are limited to two hours of on-street parking. Vehicles parked on the street may not interfere with traffic, fire hydrants, utility maintenance, or snow plowing activities. Vehicles creating obstructions or hazards may be removed by the City. Typically, the City starts snow plowing activities after a snowfall of 2.5 inches. In the event of an emergency, please call the on-duty sergeant at (763) 569-3333.
I live on a street that was rebuilt (two, five, ten) years ago and my sod looks dead. Will the City fix it?

Generally, the sod warranty is 30 days after initial placement. After that time the property owner is responsible for sod maintenance. New lawns will require more watering and care than the rest of your yard for the first three years after installation.
What is the flood elevation in my neighborhood?

Regulated flood elevations are established by mapping from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Copies of the FEMA Flood Maps are available from both the Engineering Division (763) 569-3340 and the Building and Community Standards Department (763) 569-3330.
Will a city surveyor find my property lines and corners?

The City Surveyor does not locate property corners for private property owners. Property owners should consider hiring a private licensed land surveyor to complete land surveys or locate property corners. Licensed land surveyors can be found in the telephone directory (yellow pages). Property owners can use a metal detector to find existing property corners at the corners of the lot.
Who puts the flags and paint in the street boulevard and what do they mean?

State law requires anybody excavating to call for underground utility locations. If the markings are in the street, you can contact the Public Works Department to inquire about who called in the locate request and what work is to be performed. Also see the Gopher State One Call website.
What should I do if I have a private well on my property. How do I abandon the well?

The Minnesota Department of Health requires that private wells no longer being used (abandoned) be capped and sealed by a licensed well drilling company. Proof of a capped well must be disclosed at the time a property is sold.
Where can I drain my swimming pool?

The City allows residents to drain pools into the storm sewer system when the pool water does not contain excessive chemicals that can damage downstream lakes and rivers. Water chemicals should be balanced, where chlorine content is below 1ppm before draining into the storm sewer system. The flow of water should be controlled to prevent damage or flooding to nearby properties.
What do I need to do to get a new street light installed on my street?

Installing a street light typically involves a neighborhood petition process. Please contact the Engineering Division at (763) 569-3340.

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