Come be heard! Public hearings on Central Corridor preliminary design plans will be held in May and June.
Imagine, now, what it will look like not just to be riding a train on the Central Corridor light rail line, but what the surrounding space will look and feel like.
Can you easily hop on or off the train?
How does it feel to walk along University Avenue? Through the University of Minnesota?
What is the space like? Are there trees? Wide or narrow sidewalks? Benches?
What is University Avenue like if you’re a bicyclist?
If you drive to University Avenue, where might you park? On a side street? In a parking lot shared by multiple businesses?
What about the downtown locations? Are the stations accessible and welcoming?
What does new artwork say about our cities? About the neighborhoods?
Starting May 29th, a series of five hearings will be held on the preliminary design plans for the Central Corridor light rail line . These hearings are part of the municipal consent process. The four local governments (cities of St. Paul and Minneapolis, and Ramsey and Hennepin counties) must provide “municipal consent” for Central Corridor light rail design plans. Each is required to examine the preliminary design plans, take community comment, and pass a formal motion of consent (these votes will likely happen in early July). The motion may also include recommended changes to the preliminary plans; these would then be incorporated into final design plans that will be voted on by the Metropolitan Council in August.
Here’s what we want you to know:
1. Cities and counties still need to hear your support. To continue to make progress for Central Corridor and other light rail transportation, we must show strong ongoing community support! Please come to tell your elected officials to support this extraordinary opportunity for Minnesota to take a leap forward.
2. If you have concerns or ideas related to the design plans, this is your opportunity to comment. The detailed preliminary designs as well as summary designs are available online at the Metropolitan Council’s website and at community locations (listed on the website). A guide to reading the designs and a downloadable comment card are also online. Transit for Livable Communities is preparing comments that will be available on our website (www.tlcminnesota.org) next week, so please check back!
3. Information will be presented at the hearings. Before each hearing, Metropolitan Council staff will be available in a 1-hour open house to help answer questions. Each hearing will begin with a brief presentation about the corridor and the consent process.
4. Dates and times. Dates and times for each hearing are listed below. Please join us on May 29th if you’re able!
Thank you for being an engaged, responsive member of the transit advocate community! Please come, support the development of Central Corridor, and help make this the best opportunity possible for our neighborhoods and our region. If you have questions, contact Michelle Dibblee, organizer, at 651-767-0298 or .
Hearing schedule:
* May 29, 5-7 p.m. – Minnesota Department of Transportation and the Hennepin and Ramsey counties’ regional rail authorities joint public hearing, Goodwill/Easter Seals, 553 Fairview Ave. N., St. Paul. Open house at 4 p.m.
* June 3, 1:30-3:30 p.m. – City of Minneapolis, City Council chambers, Room 317 City Hall, 350 S. 5th St., Minneapolis. Open house at 12:30 p.m.
* June 4, 5:30-7:30 p.m. – City of St. Paul, City Hall Council Chambers, 15 W. Kellogg Blvd, St. Paul. Open house at 4:30 p.m.
* June 5, 5-7 p.m. – Ramsey County, Lao Family Center, 320 W. University Ave. St. Paul. Open house at 4 p.m.
* June 17, 1:30 p.m. – Hennepin County, Hennepin County Government Center A-2400, 300 S. 6th St., Minneapolis. Open house in Room A-2350 at 12:30 p.m.