In this Issue
Welcome to the Region Ahead
e-newsletter, a new tool I’m hoping will further strengthen the communication I
have underway with Saint Paul residents on a diverse range of issues important
to our region. Information in this newsletter will be specific to Saint Paul
(and Metropolitan Council District 14, which includes much of the city) and
have timely information on regional issues, services and programs of the Council, updates on what I’ve been up to in Saint Paul, and articles and
studies released by our organization.
I have represented Saint Paul
(District 14) on the Metropolitan Council since 2011. As you are likely aware, the
Metropolitan Council is the regional policy-making
body, planning agency, and provider of essential services for the Twin
Cities metropolitan region. The Council's mission is to foster
efficient and economic growth for a prosperous region. In addition to
the Chair, there are 16 Council Members who represent our 7-county metro region
on the Council and serve as the policy-setting body for the organization. Each
member is appointed to four-year terms and serves at the pleasure of the governor of Minnesota.
I have
had the honor of serving in this role for nearly six years and am excited about
the future of Saint Paul and our entire region. With the investments we’ve made
in our light rail system, transit ridership has increased by 23% since 2005 and
will continue to grow with the Southwest and Bottineau LRT lines currently in
development. In addition, more than a dozen new bus rapid transit (BRT) and
rapid bus projects – like the A Line on Snelling Avenue and Ford Parkway – are
in the pipeline. Along with Council’s transit investments, we continue to be a
national leader in wastewater treatment and provide this service at about 40%
lower rates than our peer agencies throughout the country. We also provide
valuable planning assistance to all 187 cities and townships to ensure that our
region continues to thrive with one shared vision.
Saint Paul is growing. We recently exceeded 300,000 residents
in population for the first time in nearly 50 years. Investment in businesses,
buildings and homes is visible across our neighborhoods and commercial areas.
We all have something to contribute to this momentum, and we
all deserve to participate in it, regardless of our race or our gender or our zip
code. Our region is stronger, healthier and more dynamic when we all have ways
to contribute.
Which is where this newsletter comes in. My hope for this new
district communication is that it enhances the dialogue I have within our
district. I represent one city, but have a host of constituencies (residents, non-profits,
employers and public officials, among others) that are vital participants
in our regional conversations. As part of this ongoing dialogue, I want to hear
from each of you on how you view our region today, its future and any concerns
you may have. I’m eager to continue the conversation.
Jon Commers,
Metropolitan Council Member, Saint Paul (District 14)
A new rapid bus line that will provide up to 25% faster service than regular route local buses opened on Saturday, June 11.
The first of a dozen rapid bus lines to be built by Metro Transit throughout the region, the A Line runs from Rosedale Center in Roseville, down Snelling Avenue through Falcon Heights and St. Paul, to Ford Parkway, where it crosses the Mississippi River into Minneapolis on 46th Street. The A Line connects to the METRO Green Line's Snelling Avenue Station in St. Paul, and to the METRO Blue Line's 46th Street Station in Minneapolis.
“The A Line will make commuting more convenient for thousands of Minnesotans every day and reduce congestion for those who can't use transit. The metro area needs transit projects like the A Line, which supports jobs and economic growth today, and will handle double the ridership by 2030,” Lt. Governor Tina Smith said. “This project is extremely important, but until the legislature passes a long-term solution for funding transportation, including transit, Minnesota will fall behind other states, and all the other important projects we need to compete will not happen. We need to get this done.”
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Model Cities BROWNstone Ground Breaking – On June 1, I was honored to
be one of many speakers at the Model Cities ground breaking event for their
dynamic and exciting affordable housing development across the street from Green
Line Victoria Street Station. This development, led by the inspiring CEO of
Model Cities, Dr. Beverley Hawkins, will be a great example of transit-oriented
development along the central corridor. A myriad of funding partners made this
project possible and the Metropolitan Council is excited to be contributing nearly $1 million.
4th Annual Urban Climate Institute –
On July 11 and 12, I attended the U of M and Science Museum of Minnesota’s Urban
Warming: Putting Research to Practice summit. The event connected practitioners to researchers in order to change policy and implement change to
reduce the so-called "Urban Heat Island Effect". Council staff
contributed to and gained insight into possible solutions to these problems,
while also building collaborations with researchers and agency peers.
I-94 Placemaking
Challenge – On July 18, I attended a workshop hosted by Ramsey County – in partnership with MnDOT,
the Council, Hennepin County, and the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. The group received an award from the U.S. Department of Transportation through its Every Place Counts Design
Challenge to host a community workshop for the I-94 corridor. The goal of
the workshop was to identify community issues and desires for connectivity in
and across the I-94 corridor, with case studies focused on the Rondo area and
Prospect Park neighborhoods. These discussions will be ongoing as the project
moves forward and the Council will play a leading role in community engagement
and gathering feedback.
Metro Wastewater Treatment
Plant Tour – On July 19, Council Member Sandy Rummel (District 11) and I took
a tour of the Metro Wastewater Treatment Plant. We were led by our expert staff
around the facility for nearly three hours, learning about the history of water
contamination in the Mississippi River. The Metro Plant is located on Pigs Eye Island in Saint Paul,
and is Minnesota’s largest water treatment plant. It was a fascinating
afternoon learning more about the Council’s role in maintaining our waterways
and the partnerships with agencies from across the state. The public can
experience the same tour, whether through a school or organization tours. For
more information on the Metro Plant or how to schedule a tour, please click here.
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