April Metropolitan Council District 15 Newsletter

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Steven T

In this Issue 


Planning for the future with new Heywood bus garage

bus

By 2040, the metropolitan area will add about 700,000 new residents, and related transit demand increase of 80%. To provide additional bus storage, operations, and maintenance space to support Metro Transit's continued growth in ridership demand and upcoming service expansion, the Council is amid plans for a new bus garage at the Minneapolis Heywood facility. The project will be on a 10-acre site on the edge of the North Loop just west of downtown Minneapolis.

The new bus garage will operate a fleet of 186 buses and help alleviate operational overload at the current Heywood bus garage.

As the core of the region's transit network, expanded bus service is essential to minimizing the number of vehicle trips in the region. Increased bus service will connect people to education and employment opportunities, recreation, shopping, and other activities. Providing reliable, timely service is critical to attracting and keeping transit riders. Metro Transit needs adequate operations/service facilities to meet that expectation by having buses pull out each day on time and in good working order.

The new bus garage would also support sustainable energy goals – its target will be net zero energy. Through the design process we are using past strategies and newer technology, controls, and potentially a two-megawatt solar system to make this our most efficient garage. The annual utility consumption in the new garage could be half of the adjacent current Heywood garage that was built in the early 1980s.

This new bus garage is projected to provide more than 400 living wage jobs with benefits.

Partial funding for this project was included in the Gov. Mark Dayton’s bonding proposal at the beginning of this legislative session. The new facility will provide key support to our transit system as it is expanded to meet the needs of our growing region.

Heywood Bus Garage Expansion Video

Steve Chávez
Council Member, District 15 


Council makes $27 million available for Livable Communities grants in 2018

LCA

Metro area communities that participate in the region’s Livable Communities program can now apply for $27 million in funds available in 2018 through the Metropolitan Council. The funds promote local economic development. They support projects that clean up polluted land for redevelopment, ensure affordable housing, connect people to places, and stimulate development around transit stations. Learn more about Livable Communities grants and projects.


    D Line Station Plan public comment update

    D Line

    The D Line rapid bus project continues to move forward. This month, the project will reach a major milestone: a recommended station plan.

    The D Line will travel along the length of the current Route 5, primarily on Chicago Avenue and Emerson/Fremont Avenues. Route 5 is the busiest route in the region, with about 15,000 riders each weekday. The D Line will offer a faster, more comfortable trip for riders. Pending full funding, construction is anticipated to begin in 2020.

    Over the past year, Metro Transit has been working with community partners, along with staff from corridor cities and Hennepin County to develop recommended station locations for the D Line. These recommendations will be summarized in the D Line Station Plan. This plan will establish two things: which intersections will have stations and where at those intersections the station platforms will be located.

    During this process, we received many comments supporting the addition of a station at Chicago and 48th Street. This additional station will be included in the plan released for public comment.

    On May 9, the Metropolitan Council is expected to release the D Line Station Plan for public review and comment. Public comment will remain open until June 8. You can participate in public comment by going to the D Line page on the Metro Transit website


    Metro dog parks provide social time for dogs and their human companions

    dog

    If dogs are family – and they are – then two of the happiest words in the English language must be “dog park.” Since the first dog park opened in Elm Creek Park Reserve in 1983, dog parks have spread to nearly every corner of the region, and usage has grown every year. Currently 16 off-leash parks dot the Regional Parks System and even more exist in city parks. Read what users have to say about these canine playgrounds.


    Answer Council trivia for a coffee with Council Member Chávez

    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: Approximately how many bus operators does Metro Transit have throughout its system?

    Email answers to steven.chávez@metc.state.mn.us

    District 15

    District map and description



    Service Updates

    Environmental Services: 

    Burnsville Area Regional Sewer Improvements

    Burnsville Area Regional Sewer Improvements - Williams Drive

    Inver Grove Heights Sewer Rehabilitation Project

      Metro Mobility: 

      New Metro Mobility Website

      Metro Transit: 

      Operator barriers appearing on some buses as part of pilot project

      Get Connect sent directly to your inbox

      Stay in-the-know with Rider Alerts during the upcoming construction season!


      In the News

      Public art at transit stations brings beauty

      Met Council wins honors from peers

      Rush Line BRT project inches forward between St. Paul and White Bear Lake


      Contact Information 

      Steven T. Chávez
      Metropolitan Council Offices
      390 Robert St North
      Saint Paul, MN 55101

      Phone: 612.670.8952

      steven.chávez@metc.state.mn.us


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