 Policy Advisory Committee approves Purpose and Need report
At their July 15 meeting, the Policy Advisory Committee (PAC) reviewed and approved proposed changes to the Purpose and Need Technical Report. The changes reflect all engagement activity throughout the Purpose and Need public comment period (May 17 to June 25, 2021), including committee and task force meetings, public input via social media, email and letters, as well as a public open house.
After approving the changes, the PAC endorsed submitting the revised Purpose and Need Technical Report to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) for review. This is an important step in moving the project forward. Thank you to all who provided feedback – including over 50 submitted comments – on the summary report!
Review the Purpose and Need Technical Report, graphic summary report and Public Review Summary Report in the Riverview Project Library
For a list of all upcoming committee and task force meetings, click on "Meetings & Events" at riverviewcorridor.com.
  From left to right: G.E. Patterson, Mica Lee Anders, and Briauna Williams
Meet the artist engagement team
Over the past few months, the project team embarked on a search for artists with a focus on creative engagement to support the Riverview Modern Streetcar project. Under the leadership of Mica Lee Anders (a mixed media visual artist and arts educator), GE Patterson and Briauna Williams (known as BriiNoir) have also been hired to contribute their talents to the team.
G.E. Patterson is a native of Saint Paul’s Rondo community. His work with art and community includes the Dale Street Bridge reconstruction; “CREATE: The Community Meal”; and “Civic Women: Community Visions” in the Czech Republic.
BriiNoir is a self-taught acrylic artist, muralist, published illustrator, teaching artist and community engagement artist. She is inspired to create art for the community through storytelling and highlighting the resilience within the African diaspora, curating community healing and youth events.
The team is eager to engage with the community surrounding the Riverview corridor and sees this as a great opportunity for this important project! Be on the lookout for future engagement opportunities with the artist team this fall.
 Engineering and Pre-Environmental Team update
The project’s Technical team is currently assessing the options and possibilities at the river crossing as it will travel through and around the Bdote/Ft. Snelling area and connect with the METRO Blue Line. The Engineering team has been meeting with project partners, including the Metropolitan Council, MnDOT and Tribal leaders. The teams are also evaluating end-of-line options to connect to the Mall of America. These meetings provide the Policy Advisory Committee recommendations from a technical standpoint. This technical analysis will begin for the downtown Saint Paul and West 7th areas this Fall.
Are you interested in the history of the Riverview corridor? Check out the Architecture History/History Background Research report that the Environmental and Pre-Engineering team released in March 2021. This report summarizes the historical significance of the project area.
 Grand Avenue streetcar, St. Paul, c.1910. Source: Minnesota Historical Society
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