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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
08/27/2014

Contact: Julie Caniglia, public affairs, 612-348-6883

News release

Hennepin County, cities developing station area plans for the METRO Blue Line Extension

With the METRO Blue Line Extension light rail transit (LRT) project now approved for the Federal Transit Administration (FTA)’s New Starts project development phase, Hennepin County is ramping up its work with cities along the LRT line — including Minneapolis, Golden Valley, Robbinsdale, Crystal and Brooklyn Park — to identify needed investments in neighborhoods surrounding up to 11 proposed stations.

This station area planning process is intended to prepare communities for a major transit investment such as the Blue Line Extension LRT (formerly known as Bottineau LRT). It fosters a dialogue with cities, neighborhoods and residents about their needs, desires and concerns for how a LRT station will fit into their community.

“Station area planning is a significant investment that will benefit and prepare communities and people all along the route,” said Hennepin County Commissioner Mike Opat. “It can improve access to the LRT line itself, as well as employment centers in the northwest suburbs and throughout the region.”

"This process of partnering with communities is an important step to maximize the benefits of light rail transit and promote economic vitality in the the northwest region and Minneapolis,” said Hennepin County Commissioner Linda Higgins.

Station area planning is underway as part of the county’s Community Works — Bottineau corridor program, and will be completed in the spring of 2016. Currently celebrating its 20th year, the Community Works program was established to build the long-term value of communities by leveraging substantial public and private investment in transit corridors and other strategic areas. One of the first community works projects, the 5.7-mile Midtown Greenway through south Minneapolis, was recently acknowledged as a top urban bike path by USA Today.

For more information and updates on station area planning for the METRO Blue Line Extension LRT project, visit hennepin.us/bottineau. The METRO Blue Line Extension is projected to carry 27,000 riders daily by 2030. The line would begin revenue service in 2021.

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Look for more news on the Hennepin County website at www.hennepin.us/news.