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In this Issue
Welcome to the District 15
e-newsletter, a new tool I’m hoping will further strengthen the communication I
have underway with residents, elected officials and city staff on a diverse
range of issues important to our region. Information in this newsletter will be
specific to Metropolitan Council District 15 (which includes the cities of Burnsville,
Eagan, Inver Grove Heights and Rosemount) and have timely information on regional
issues, services and programs of the Met Council, updates on what I’ve been up
to in the district, and articles and studies released by our organization.
I have represented District 15 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 of 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 the district 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, as well as over a dozen new bus
rapid transit (BRT) and rapid bus projects – like the METRO Red Line in District 15
and the future METRO Orange Line on I - 35 – in the pipeline. In addition to the Met
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.
One key takeaway that I’ve gained during my tenure on the
Council is the need for a regional and systems-wide approach to the issues and
challenges that we face here in the metro area. Rarely do our residents live
and work within a single city – or sometimes county – and it is crucial that
our roads, transit, housing, jobs and sewer systems accommodate that reality. Within
District 15 we have a number of local treasures that are also regional assets.
A few that I myself frequent are the movie theater in Inver Grove Heights, The
Curry House restaurant in Rosemount, Ames Center in Burnsville and
Lebanon Hills regional park in Eagan. Each of these destinations contributes to the diversity
and charm of our region but also benefits from visitors and services from
outside of our district.
Throughout this newsletter, I will be highlighting regional resources
that the Council has worked to deliver in a cost-effective and efficient manner, as well as local stories centered in District 15. I invite you to participate
in this dialogue with me, as well. Regionalism only succeeds if we are all on
the same page moving toward a common goal, so please contact me if you have any
questions about a Council project or program and I will do my best to help.
Steve Chávez
Metropolitan Council Member, District 15 (Burnsville, Eagan, Inver Grove
Heights and Rosemount)
The
Metropolitan Council has awarded more than $5.8 million in
grants supporting affordable housing, job creation, and economic
development along transit corridors. The Livable Communities grants are tools
the Council uses to promote prosperity and livability throughout the region.
The six grants are
expected to help:
- Support the creation of 878
affordable and 163 market-rate homes,
- Create 93 permanent and 1,200
part-time jobs,
- Increase the net tax capacity
by $1.2 million, leverage nearly $230 million in private and other public
investment, and
- Clean up five acres of
polluted land for redevelopment.
Some of the projects awarded funds will
focus on new affordable housing along both the METRO Green and Blue lines.
They will also support housing in Minneapolis to benefit men who have struggled
with homelessness and unemployment.
Another is the first transit-oriented development project in Coon Rapids, which
focuses on development within the Riverdale Station area.
"When the public invests in transit, the benefits are broad - whether
creating local jobs or encouraging millions more in private development. These
are the benefits we can continue to expect from continued expansion and
improvement of our region's transit system,” said Council Chair Adam Duininck.
Grant awards
- Lexington Station Apartments,
Saint Paul - $800,000 for site acquisition to support the city’s
partnership with development companies to create a new transit-oriented
community next to the Wilder Foundation. It will include 243 units of
affordable/workforce housing with connections to transportation options
and new safety features on Lexington Parkway.
To see the other four awardees, please see the
full article on the Council's website.
Ride for $1 per trip – including transfers – until April 10,
2017
Qualified low-income
residents of the Twin Cities: Ride more for less through the new Transit
Assistance Program (TAP).
How the pilot program works
- Household member ages 13-64 –
not including college students, seniors or persons with disabilities – are
eligible to participate in the test program that will offer discounted
transit rides, on any bus (express or non-express) or train at any times
of day. For those not eligible, other programs may apply.
- Ride all regional buses and
light rail for $1, transfers included.
- On Northstar, your card will
deduct $1 for the first $3 of the fare. Additional surcharges will
be deducted based on distance.
- You can add value online, at any Go-To Card outlet (including all Cub
Foods stores) or any rail ticket machine.
NOTE: Discount does not apply on
Transit Link or Metro Mobility buses.
This pilot program will run for six
months (one card per certified ID).
Learn more about the TAP program.
Every
e-newsletter, I will ask a Council trivia question and the first two people who
email the correct answer, I'll treat them to coffee at their time
and place of choice in the district.
Trivia question: How many districts are there represented on the Council?
Email answers to steven.chávez@metc.state.mn.us.
Eagan City Planning Commission - On Aug. 23, I made my annual presentation to the Eagan City Planning Commission about the Metropolitan Council. Since joining the Council in 2011, I have returned to Eagan to update the planning commission on projects, programs and services of the Council and how we can better partner with the City of Eagan to accomplish our communal goals.
Society of Former Special Agents of the FBI - On June 17, I presented to the Minnesota chapter of the Society of Former Special Agents of the FBI. It was a great opportunity to present the nuts and bolts of the Council but also highlight the Metro Transit Police Department. Attendees had insightful questions and inspiring stories from the law enforcement profession.
River Heights Chamber of Commerce - On June 16, I presented to the River Heights Chamber of Commerce in Inver Grove heights. I discussed a number of Met Council programs of potential importance to business owners in the south east metro.
Election
Day -
A reminder that election day is today! I'll
be exercising my right to vote and I encourage everyone else to
participate, as well!
East/West Transit Study Policymaker Workshop - On Nov. 9, I will represent the Council at the second East/West Transit Study Policymaker Workshop. Dakota County is currently studying possible east to west transit connections. At this upcoming meeting, staff will share the preliminary results of the study and consider possible steps to move this process forward. |
