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In this Issue
Recently, a photo reminded me of how University Avenue
looked not so long ago, in 2012. The absence of the Green Line appears to me
now as stark, given the transformative influence that the Green Line’s
connection has brought across the district I represent here in St. Paul.
Many residents, business owners and civic leaders were
involved in shaping the METRO Green Line over several decades. Major transportation projects
can take decades to evolve from an idea to a plan to an executed project, and they
require deep partnerships with cities, counties, businesses and residents. Over
the next several months, I will be dedicating a section of this newsletter to
the various ways the Green Line has transformed St. Paul, the transit
network, and the whole region.
Only two years into service, the Green Line is exceeding
even our expectations both as a transit agency and the regional planning body. Earlier
this spring, real estate development along the Green Line surpassed $4.2
billion. The area has experienced an increase in medium-sized businesses and
the addition of 4,757 homes – one-fifth of which are affordable – along the
corridor. According to the Central Corridor Funders Collaborative, more than 3,500
units of affordable housing have been preserved or created since 2011. Since its
opening two years ago, the Green Line has continued to surpass ambitious
ridership goals. In 2015, it provided an average of 37,400 weekday rides,
already getting close to our 2030 forecast. One study demonstrated that 2,000
more jobs are now within a 30-minute commuting range for St. Paul residents
than before Green Line operations began.
Throughout the next few installments of this District 14
newsletter, I will be highlighting a number of Council investments, outcomes in
economic development and last-mile transit connections we’ve made around the
Green Line. My goal is to describe the impact of the Green Line for St. Paul
and the region, over the last two years of service, and demonstrate how new service
can positively impact a community in ways far beyond transit ridership. Thanks
for reading!
 Metro Transit is celebrating a top national award that recognizes its record ridership and success in a range of areas, including safety, operations, maintenance and community relations.
The agency has received the American Public Transportation Association's (APTA) 2016 Outstanding Public Transportation System Achievement Award. The prestigious annual award, also known as System of the Year, reflects accomplishments made between 2013 and 2015.
Those accomplishments include growing ridership, expanding access, advances in sustainability and overall success in system safety. Metro Transit, a service of the Metropolitan Council, was selected among agencies from across North America that provide more than 20 million annual passenger trips.
“Minnesota's economy depends upon a robust, modern transportation network, including transit. This need will only intensify in coming years as the Twin Cities adds an estimated 800,000 residents and 490,000 jobs by 2040,” said Lt. Governor Tina Smith. “This award confirms what the thousands of Minnesotans who rely on transit already know: Metro Transit delivers consistent, high-quality service. This recognition is well deserved, and an important reminder that Minnesota needs to continue to expand and improve transit services if we want our economy to stay strong.”
Local elected, business and community leaders were on-hand Aug. 10 at the
Union Depot in St. Paul to join Metro Transit and Metropolitan Council
leadership and staff as the award was announced. The award will
be presented at APTA’s Annual Meeting in Los Angeles, Calif. later this
month.
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The
Metropolitan Council, Counties Transit Improvement Board (CTIB), and Hennepin
County Regional Railroad Authority voted to approve additional funding for the
Southwest LRT project – the key piece necessary to secure more than $900
million in federal funds for the project.
The
Council voted Aug. 31 to authorize the future issuance of up to $103.5 million
in Certificates of Participation. The Council plans to issue the certificates
in July 2017, which provides time for the Minnesota Legislature to act in its
next regular session. (Certificates of Participation function similar to
bonds.)
Read more about the full details on the Council, CTIB, and Hennepin County
actions, as well as what it means for the Southwest LRT project moving forward.
Hennepin
County and CTIB each agreed to contribute an additional $20.5 million.
Together, the three actions cover the remaining $144.5 million commitment
needed to satisfy the state share of the project, plus $9.5 million in delay
costs. I agree with our Chair, Adam Duininck, when he says this path is not
ideal but presents a better option than shutting down the project.
I’m
grateful to the governor and local leaders for stepping up to support this
project, and I’m hopeful that the legislature will find a future funding solution
that provides a long-term revenue source for transit development and operations
across the region.
MnDOT Highway 51: Snelling Avenue Open
House – On July 27, I
attended one of two open houses MnDOT hosted to update the public and obtain
feedback on their preliminary design plans for Snelling Avenue between Hewitt
Ave and Midway Parkway. Phase I of the Snelling redesign and construction was
completed late last year and included improvements to the road, pedestrian intersections
and transit stops – including the new A Line stations. MnDOT is conducting
early predesign work on Phase II and is looking to increase safety north of
Hewitt Ave for pedestrians, cyclists, transit users and motorists. Learn more
about the project and potential improvements.
Hamline Station Open House – On Aug. 9, I was honored to speak at the open
house event for the innovative mixed-use development by Project in Pride and
Living (PPL). Saint Paul Mayor Chris Coleman and Minnesota Housing Commissioner
Mary Tingerthal gave great comments about the many partnerships necessary to
make projects like these come to fruition. This development will be yet
another great example of transit-oriented development along the METRO Green Line Corridor and is named after the very station it serves, Hamline Station. The
Metropolitan Council is excited to have contributed nearly $3.5 million to the
project.
Minnesota
State Fair – It’s that time of year again in Minnesota, and I plan to
visit the fairgrounds a few more times before Sept. 5. What are you looking forward to seeing or eating the most? I hope you’ll join me there and arrive by a shuttle or Metro Transit bus. Find additional information on our State Fair shuttles and bus service. |
