District 7 quarterly newsletter

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In this Issue 

Message from Council Member Cunningham:

Welcome to my inaugural quarterly newsletter. 

The Metropolitan Council was created by the Minnesota Legislature almost 50 years ago to make sure that the Twin Cities metro maintains a high quality of life. On the Met Council, I chair the Community Development Committee and am a member of the Management and Litigation Review special committees. 

This month I’d like to talk about housing. When the Minnesota Legislature created the Met Council, it gave us the mandate to assist communities in the seven county metropolitan with their planning. We provide planning resources and assistance to 181 cities in the region so they can make good planning decisions for the type of growth that will benefit them locally and the region as a whole. 

Our Community Development Division works closely with developers and local communities on housing and economic development projects that accomplish important priorities set by local leaders. One program helps clean up contaminated and polluted sites to make way for new businesses and affordable housing. 

However, the Met Council does not, and cannot, make housing decisions for communities.  Our role is to help facilitate the planning and development process. One example of this is a project we’ve funded in North Minneapolis called “Let’s Talk”. This was a series of three conversations about housing stock amenities and difficiencei

An area where we do have a direct impact on housing is providing low income housing assistance directly to qualifying families. For many smaller communities in the region, the cost of administering low income housing programs is too expensive to be practical.  So the Met Council has taken on this responsibility. We provide funds for housing vouchers which provide shelter to 7,200 families including 9,500 children.  

Recently, we published the 2040 Housing Policy Plan that articulates and clarifies the Council’s housing policies, the first in over three decades. Through the Livable Communities Act (LCA) Local Housing Incentives Account, we now contribute $2.5 million to affordable housing projects in communities participating in the LCA. This money is used to provide incentives to create a full range of housing opportunities and assist development or redevelopment that mixes incomes of residents in housing. I highlight one district project in the District Spotlight section of this newsletter. 

Since the LCA was enacted in 1985, LCA grants have helped create or preserve over 20,000 affordable housing units and leverage billions of dollars in additional public and private funds. 

If you have any concerns for me regarding housing or other areas where the Met Council may be involved, please don't hesitate to contact me! 

Sincerely, 

Gary 

Met Council District 7 (North Minneapolis, downtown Minneapolis, south-central Minneapolis and Robbinsdale)


Directly influence regional policy

The Metropolitan Council is inviting community members to apply for openings on several advisory committees. The application window is open for terms beginning in January 2017. Our district, District D -- includes the central and eastern portions of Minneapolis.

We have openings on the following committees/commissions:

We currently have an opening for District D on the Metropolitan Parks and Open Space Commission (MPOSC), MPOSC helps the Council develop long-range plans for the metro area’s renowned system of regional parks, park reserves and trails. To apply, visit the Secretary of State’s website – there is both an online and paper application available. The Chair position is also open. The priority deadline for applications is Nov. 29.

There is also an opening for District D on the Transportation Accessibility Advisory Committee (TAAC) which advises the Council on management policies for public transportation services in the region from the perspective of riders with disabilities. The committee has 16 members: a chair appointed by the Council, seven members selected by groups that advocate for seniors and people with disabilities, and eight community members who represent geographic districts in the region. The position is a two-year term. The Chair position is also open.

To apply, visit the Council’s website and download the application for appointment. (Some committees may also require applicants to answer supplemental questions.) For more information, or to submit your application, contact the Appointments Coordinator by email, U.S. mail or phone: 390 Robert St. N., St. Paul, 55101 or 651-602-1806

Apply today – priority will be given to applications received before Nov. 29.


Transit Assistance Program Offers $1 rides

Qualified low-income residents of the Twin Cities can ride for $1 per trip - including transfers. The Transit Assistance Program (TAP) is a pilot program which has been extended through April 10, 2017.

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.


Council awards millions in grants to promote affordable housing, job creation, and economic development

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

  • Great River Landing, Minneapolis - $638,500 primarily to help with site acquisition and preparation and stormwater improvements for redevelopment of an underutilized lot in the North Loop neighborhood. The development, Great River Landing, will be an apartment building with on-site support services for up to 72 men, most of them fathers, who have struggled with challenges of homelessness, unemployment and previous incarceration. Tenants will have a home, job and access to services promoting health and recovery.

To see the other four awardees, please see the full article on the Council's website. 

District 7

District map and description


Service Updates

Environmental Services: 

Bassett Creek Park Sewer Improvement Project

    Metro Mobility: 

    Community Conversations Shape Services

    Metro Transit 

    Tips for attending events at U.S. Bank Stadium via transit

    Overnight closures begin at Mall of America Transit station


    In the News

    A Region that Sees Racism as a Threat to its Economy

    Met Council Awards Contract for SWLRT vehicles

    New Met Transit App allows new payment options

    New vehicles for SWLRT will have improvements for people with disabilities


    Contact Information 

    Gary L. Cunningham
    Metropolitan Council Offices
    390 Robert St North
    Saint Paul, MN 55101

    Phone: 612-259-6568

    gary.cunningham@metc.state.mn.us