A view of part of the Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis as a renovation of the 13-block stretch neared completion. The mall reopens Thursday. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

The construction barriers are gone and Nicollet Mall reopens Thursday in downtown Minneapolis after two-plus years of being closed to traffic for renovations. Although the project seemed to take forever for those who work, live and visit the heart of downtown, city officials have emphasized that the face-lift was completed on time and on budget.

Business owners and others who work on or near the mall were frustrated by the pace, in part because much of the first year's much-needed infrastructure work was done underground and mostly out of the public eye. That made it look like nothing was happening for months. It didn't help that the city lost major Nicollet Mall retailers Macy's and Barnes & Noble while the redo was underway.

Despite the grumbling, the redone mall is the worthwhile result of a strong public-private partnership. The $50 million overhaul, designed by New York-based James Corner Field Operations, includes nearly 250 new trees and the largest public art display outside of the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden. Officials estimate that the investment has or will generate $300 million in related private investment. Examples include the renovation of the mall's Target store, Opus Development's 30-story apartment building and the planned makeover of the now-vacant Macy's building — once a cornerstone of downtown retail.

The Star Tribune Editorial Board lent its support to the mall effort early on and praised the design unveiled in 2015. Generally, the project has lived up to its promise. The much-improved walkway has a cleaner, less cluttered look and feel. It includes numerous pedestrian-friendly features such as wider walkways with engraved leaf, branch and basket weave designs, easy-to-read signage and gradual slopes instead of curbs at intersections.

The ends of the 13-block stretch — called the Mississippi Woods on the north and the Loring Woods on the south — have more trees and foliage. The blocks in between — called the North and South Groves (from 4th to 6th streets and 8th to 12th) — feature clusters of lighted trees, movable as well as permanent seating, and more-defined sidewalk cafe spaces. New LED streetlights on sleek, straight silver poles provide less-harsh lighting with more energy efficiency.

The two blocks called "The Center," between 6th and 8th, include a light walk with programmable colored lights topped by silver reflective panels, as well as 12 illuminated sculpted lanterns with poems from local writers. The new features and "On Nicollet" branding encourage strolling and taking time to appreciate the artwork along the way.

The new look and feel is a critical step forward for the mall, but the improvements will mean little if safety and livability problems continue to plague downtown. No matter how lovely the new Nicollet Mall is, people won't use it if they think it's unsafe. The city, police and business community must continue to work together to address violent crime, panhandling and homelessness. Without that focus and collaboration, the potential for a better future for Nicollet Mall will be wasted.