Many Nonprofits Are Rethinking Transportation—Are You?

By Hilary Reeves, Strategic Advancement and Communications Director

 

Clark Biegler, Minnesota Council of Nonprofits

 

This year, Transit for Livable Communities is working with the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits to rethink transportation in the workplace. Specifically, we’re asking nonprofit organizations located along the Green Line (or other high frequency transit) to enroll to be certified as Transportation Leaders. As part of this new initiative, we will be establishing transportation best practices.

It is exciting to hear what some organizations who’ve signed on already are doing. Their experiences and challenges will help us together set a new standard for the ways transportation decisions impact mission, benefits, and interactions with the communities that nonprofits are there to serve.

 

Access & Choice

One of the first organizations to join this new initiative was Fresh Energy. Executive director Michael Noble said Fresh Energy is “committed to all-of-the-above transportation” that provides access and choice to their employees. It’s why they signed on to be a Transportation Leader. When Michael uses his phone to reserve a car2go, for example, a question pops up: “Is this a Michael Noble reservation or a Fresh Energy reservation?” That’s because, he said, “Fresh Energy has an organizational membership in car-sharing, making it easier for staff to get to meetings around town without owning or using their own car.” Organizational HOURCAR memberships are also an option. In either case, this enables staff to commute by transit, bicycling, or walking, even if they anticipate driving to a meeting during the work day. 

 

Environment

For some organizations, the motivation for rethinking transportation comes from the stark picture of air quality along major highways, such as I-94. The Minnesota Environmental Partnership signed on early. Their executive director, Steve Morse, takes the Green Line every day, while other staff bicycle to work along the nearby Charles Avenue bikeway.

 

Air pollution along the I-94 corridor. Source: Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.

 

When we met with the Minnesota Literacy Council, Associate Director Debbie Cushman immediately thought of their seven sites across the metro. More than 2500 volunteer tutors participate in more than 100 trainings they host every year. Transportation decisions affect not only their staff of 45 but also all the volunteers who need to get to their sites.

“I’m committed to helping our organization reduce vehicle usage whenever possible,” Debbie said. “I love walking to and from work, which I’m able to do about 20 percent of the time. Our staff are already pretty dedicated to the wellness aspects of biking and walking, and the communities we serve are often reliant on public transportation. We’re fortunate to have 4 of our 7 sites on or near high frequency routes. As we gain an understanding of air quality concerns in the Twin Cities, all these efforts are taking on more urgency. There’s always more we can do.”

 

Health & Happiness

Interestingly, the Minnesota Literacy Council and the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits (MCN)—our partners in the Transportation Leadership program—share the same landlord. The tenants have formed a green team to work with their landlord on various changes. Clark Biegler, a Policy Analyst for the Minnesota Budget Project at MCN, who bikes to work and serves on the office green team, affirmed:

“The Minnesota Council of Nonprofits is working with several other nonprofits to better our collective offices and work as a unified voice for our shared environmental and wellness priorities, including introducing more bicycle racks. MCN supports these efforts because they want to make our office a healthier and happier place to work.”

 

Flexibility

Staff at the Minnesota Land Trust also bicycle to work. At an organizational level, they also are taking other steps that fit with their nonprofit’s needs and cut down on drive time. Barbara LaMott, director of communications and operations, explains, “Because our work takes us all over the state and often requires flexible scheduling, we just adopted a new cloud-based solution to help all of our staff seamlessly work anywhere—home, office, or on the road. In addition, our location on the Green Line and on a bikeway makes it very easy to offer transit options for volunteers, board members, and staff."    

Other organizations signing on to be certified as Transportation Leaders include Minnesota Public Radio, Operation de Novo, Neighborhood Energy Connection, and Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity—and the list is growing.

As we talk to diverse organizations in the metro, we’re hearing about different ways to approach benefits, innovative ways to get visitors to events, and ways that people are using the Green Line for the commute and trips during the day. We are excited to recognize the strides many of these nonprofits already are taking and help them take these efforts to the next level, while also getting new organizations engaged for the first time. Nonprofits enrolling in the program will receive an assessment of their current conditions and options, attend a Transportation Options workshop, and create an action plan with goals for shifting trips and encouraging options other than driving.

We’re having a whole new conversation about how to get around and why it matters. Join us! If you work at a nonprofit in the Twin Cities or know someone who does, urge them to sign up today.

 

Pictured, from top: Clark Biegler, Minnesota council of Nonprofits; Michael Noble, Fresh Energy; Debbie Cushman, Minnesota Literacy Council; Kristina Geiger, Minnesota Land Trust.

 

 

Twin Cities Region Sees Dramatic Increase in Transit Ridership

 

By Barb Thoman, Executive Director

 

Credit: Transit for Livable Communities

 

Transit ridership in the Minneapolis-Saint Paul region rose dramatically in 2014, up 3.5 percent over 2013. Metro Transit, our region’s largest transit provider, saw an increase of nearly 4 percent, as did the Minnesota Valley Transit Authority in the south metro. While transit ridership has been rising steadily for years, this more dramatic jump was due in large measure to the success of the METRO Green Line light rail, which opened in June, in combination with improved connecting bus service.

 

In our region overall, riders took 97.7 million trips on buses and trains in 2014, an increase of 3.4 million trips over 2013!  In addition to Metro Transit and Minnesota Valley Transit Authority, the regional system includes suburban providers Maple Grove Transit, Plymouth Metrolink, and SouthWest Transit. The University of Minnesota also operates the Campus Connector bus service between their Minneapolis and Saint Paul campuses. Ridership totals also include Metro Mobility and Metropolitan Council contracted service.

 

Credit: Minnesota Valley Transit Authority

 

Bus ridership continues to account for the majority of transit trips throughout the region—about four of every five trips in 2014.  Bus service in Saint Paul and Minneapolis was restructured significantly last year to improve connections to the Green Line. Metro Transit also undertook a major planning and public outreach effect to identify expanded service that could be implemented if investment in transit is increased. Approval of the final Service Improvement Plan is expected in March.

 

Light rail carried nearly 19 percent of Metro Transit’s customers last year. End-to-end travel times on the Green Line continue to improve and real-time arrival signage is now operating—a welcome feature for riders who now can see when the next train is due. The transformative power of the Green Line is made evident by robust ridership numbers as well as the continued pace of redevelopment along the line’s 11-mile route.

 

 
Credit: Transit for Livable Communities

 

The ten-year-old METRO Blue Line provided 9.5 million trips in 2014. Earlier this month, it also received a glowing endorsement from Jeff Hamiel, Executive Director/CEO of the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC).  Speaking before the Metropolitan Council, Hamiel highlighted the importance of the Blue Line to the 2,000 daily riders who work at the airport, many of whom are recent immigrants and take the early trains to their jobs. Hamiel also noted the advantages of Blue Line service to travelers. He said that the Twin Cities is one of the nation’s few regions where a transit trip to downtown is faster (and a lot cheaper), than a taxi ride—a reason you see many people in business attire with roller bags on the train. In addition, he said the MAC is seeing more people booking longer layovers so they can hop the train to the Mall of America for a little shopping between flights.

 

As new Metropolitan Council Chair Adam Duininck affirmed in a recent statement, “Investment in public transit pays off in ridership. . . . The more we invest in transit, the more convenient and reliable the service becomes and the more people use it.” Duininck also emphasized that a metro-area sales tax increase would “expedite the build-out of this region’s 21st century transit system and would be a smart investment in area residents, the economy, our workforce, and the environment.”

 

Saint Paul Looks to Transit-Oriented Development Opportunities

An Interview with Gary Leavitt, Transit-Oriented Development Manager, City of Saint Paul

 

By Dave Van Hattum, Transportation Policy Director

 

Editor’s note: At the start of this year, the City of Saint Paul put new emphasis on transit-oriented development (TOD), hiring dedicated staff to manage TOD for the first time. Experienced developer Gary Leavitt stepped into the role. We recently sat down with Gary to talk about his approach to the job, and about realizing TOD potential in Saint Paul—along the Green Line and beyond.

 

Gary Leavitt. Photo credit: TLC

 

TLC: Tell us about your job with the City of Saint Paul.
GL: I was brought on primarily to assist with transit-oriented development along the new Green Line. Acting as a liaison for the City, I meet with owners, stakeholders, developers, brokers, or investors who want to do transit-oriented projects on University Avenue or elsewhere in Saint Paul. I meet as many people as I possibly can to talk about transit and about opportunity, and to explain why this is a good thing. The most difficult part of development is time; the longer it goes, the more it costs, and then it gets difficult to make a project work. My goal in that sense is to get involved early enough to save time by helping with small zoning issues, station-area or comprehensive plans, or potential funding sources. Coming from a private background helps me build rapport in the field.

 

TLC: Does the City have explicit goals for additional housing or commercial development?

GL: There isn’t really a number we put out there. I just like to use the term “a lot”—more than what we have seen in the last five years.

 

TLC: How would you describe the emerging TOD market along the Green Line specifically?

GL: The ridership is up much higher than we expected and that’s great. People are buying into it. In the beginning, some landowners and developers were saying, “We don’t know if it’s going to work or if it’s the right time.” Now, I am having meeting after meeting with people who are saying positively, “There is a lot of activity. A lot of people are riding and they’re getting off the trains and walking around in the neighborhoods.” We are seeing quite a few more opportunities than I expected.

 

TLC: What has happened to-date in terms of development along the corridor?

GL: We have a number of projects in the pipeline, including the Hamline Station development, new Goodwill site, old Whittaker Buick, and 2700 University. As far as development, Raymond Avenue has been tremendous. The most calls, probably 40 percent, have come from this station area so far.

 

Green Line LRT at Raymond & University, Saint Paul. Photo credit: Allison Osberg, TLC.

 

TLC: Are there big projects that have your or the City’s attention?

GL: The 35-acre “bus barn” lot near Snelling and University is the biggest by far. That is a joint development between a private owner, the City, and the Metropolitan Council. As we phase in development with these big properties, it is so important that we are thoughtful in the process. What may be a perfect deal today may not fit the market ten years from now. That consideration takes a lot of time and funding. And those are big home-run deals. But I also enjoy the smaller ones that really get neighborhoods involved and can happen now versus five years from now.

 

TLC: What might that site look like?
GL: I see four or five stories at most. I see mixed use as well as mixed income: housing, some commercial, hopefully some offices, plenty of open space for parks, walking, placemaking, and a gathering area. With a site this size and with so much opportunity, we want to create a destination not only for the neighborhood, but for out-of-area residents as well. I think the development will be phased, beginning with the Walgreens on the corner. Then, we’ll probably want to put housing at the Big Top Liquor site and keep moving south. With the A Line on Snelling as well, we want to focus on that corner to ensure we are pushing transit-oriented development opportunities south and north of University.

 

TLC: Where are the other TOD opportunities in the city?

GL: We are doing some research on Robert Street. We also are working on Gateway and those station-area plans. I’m a fan of Riverview on West 7^th Street; I think that is a huge opportunity.

 

TLC: Can you say more about station-area plans?

GL: We look up to a quarter-mile away from the transit station. Density is critical. We like to see buildings and storefronts up on the street. The whole goal is to get people out of cars­—get them on bikes, walking, and on the trains. When the plan is drafted, the community has a chance to weigh in. That was the process with the Green Line and we’re doing that planning on Gateway right now.

 

TLC: How does the City define or think about equitable TOD?

GL: Our region made this investment in the light rail and we hope everyone has the same opportunity to use it. Everybody should have an opportunity to prosper, whether by better, healthier, safer living, or access to new affordable or market-rate housing. Everyone should have access to those. And the bottom line is access to good, living wage jobs. If someone finds a job in another neighborhood, they have the opportunity to ride transit to get to that job.

 

TLC: Has the issue of gentrification come up in your work on TOD? How do you respond to those concerns?
GL: That’s a fair question and it does come up. It’s a healthy debate we have about how much affordable housing should happen, what gentrification takes place. I want bad landlords and slumlords out of the neighborhoods. But when we talk about new projects maybe raising rents, I think more about overall cost to live. I look at a new development that may be a couple hundred dollars more, but it’s safer, more energy efficient so your electricity bill is lower, cleaner so you’re sick less and missing work less, and closer to transit so you may not need a vehicle any longer. Your overall spending on a monthly basis could be the same or better.

 

TLC: Before moving to the Twin Cities, you worked in Phoenix. How do those transit and TOD markets compare?

GL: The biggest difference is that the Twin Cities community is very much involved. There are some community relations in Phoenix, but I’m shocked and pleased by the amount of community input you have here. Residents are excited and specific about what they want in the neighborhood. I’m happy to see that. You also have a more diverse set of riders here with people taking transit to a number of different destinations.

 

TLC: How do you see bike and pedestrian infrastructure as a part of TOD?

GL: Bike and ped are huge components of TOD. The most important part is getting people out of cars. That’s important to us as a city. With potential developments, I may target an area that I know is going to be on a new bike route. I may reach out to owners and developers so that we can have more green space and placemaking along these routes.  

 

TLC: Car parking is a challenge and an opportunity for every TOD project. How does parking factor into your and the City’s thinking?

GL: On University Avenue, we have no parking requirements, but as a practical matter you need parking in some places. We had a lot of discussions about that prior to the Green Line opening. With light rail planning in Phoenix in 2008, there was lot of concern that parking was going to be an issue, but after the train opened people were pleasantly surprised. I’m seeing that here as well. I’ve not received one call yet about cars parking in the neighborhood. People want to talk about potential problems. Let’s let the challenge come and we’ll address it then; let’s not create one out of thin air.

 

TLC: What would you say to the Saint Paul residents who might be skeptical of greater housing or commercial density?

GL: At the end of the day, what’s being tried here is for the greater good. At the end of the day, people are going to be safer, healthier, and have better opportunities to increase their quality of life. Nothing is perfect. Not everybody is going to be happy. That’s unfortunate, but we do what we can to accommodate everyone.

 

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

 

Celebrating the Green Line & Building Support for a Strong Transit System

By Joe Klein, Move MN Organizing Intern (TLC)

 

June 14: Passengers wait to board a westbound Green Line train on its first day of service.
Photo credit: Transit for Livable Communities.

 

The past two weeks have been very exciting for transportation in Minnesota! 

 

A Grand Opening

 

Last Saturday, we celebrated the grand opening of Green Line light rail. Despite the wind and rain, over 45,000 people came to ride the Green Line on its first day of service, taking advantage of the free rides available all weekend. Stations and neighborhoods up and down the line hosted festivals and outdoor events to celebrate the historic occasion. Some of these unfortunately were cut short by stormy weather. Nevertheless, it was fantastic to see people from around the region come together to enjoy the years of work on the Green Line finally paying off!    

 

The Green Line grand opening drew tens of thousands of riders despite stormy weather.
Photo credits: Transit for Livable Communities.

 

 For the first time in over 60 years, the Twin Cities are joined by rail once again. Congratulations to all who have worked to make this project a reality and especially to the residents, businesses, and organizations along the corridor. It's been incredible seeing how light rail has already changed the metro, and we look forward to the future progress that will come about because of this new line and new bus, bike, and sidewalk connections as well.

 

Opening day festivities: Executive Director Barb Thoman spoke at the Raymond Station ceremony near our office just before the first trains started rolling. Our large-scale interactive map highlighed neighborhood destinations and easy ways to reach them from Raymond Station. (Thanks to MCEA for partnering on this project!) Photo credits: TLC.

 

TLC and the Sierra Club teamed up and recruited over 60 volunteers to talk to community members about the Move MN campaign during the grand opening. We had hundreds of conversations—on trains, on platforms, and at station celebrations—about why transportation funding must be a priority in 2015. Our amazing volunteers collected nearly 800 postcards from individuals that support Move MN and want Minnesota to keep moving forward on transit! It was very exciting to see so much enthusiasm for the Green Line and also to build momentum for more great projects like it.

 

Big thanks to all who celebrated and volunteered with us at the Green Line grand opening!
Photo credits: Transit for Livable Communities and Sierra Club North Star Chapter

 

A Committed Coalition

 

Earlier this month, dozens of organizations from across the state came together for a coalition-wide Move MN meeting. The day was an important opportunity for coalition members to exchange ideas and reinforce their commitments to the campaign. We reflected on the progress that we’ve made together so far, and discussed how to move forward to ensure a strong bill is passed in 2015 to fund transit, bicycling and walking connections, and good roads. 

 

Representative Frank Hornstein and Senator Scott Dibble—two of the legislature’s strongest transportation champions—dropped by to energize the crowd. The room was filled with a diverse group of allies who represented many different organizations and areas, but all were united in their support for Move MN.

 

A large gathering of the Move MN coalition, with special guests Rep. Hornstein and Sen. Dibble, the House and Senate Transportation Committee Chairs. Photo credit: Move MN

 

A Key Announcement

 

We are very pleased to announce that Dave Van Hattum, TLC's Senior Policy Advocate, is now a co-chair of the Move MN campaign. Dave will be leading coalition efforts along with Margaret Donahoe, Executive Director of the Minnesota Transportation Alliance. TLC has always been a leader in the movement for a well-connected, multimodal transportation system in Minnesota, and Dave's role as a Move MN co-chair reflects this. At the same time, this campaign is truly a team effort. TLC and Move MN are lucky to have many invaluable partners in this coalition, and we all will be working closely with one another to make transportation a top priority at the Capitol next year.

 

With the opening of the Green Line, and the growing support for Move MN, we continue to build momentum for a stronger transportation system in Minnesota! Stay tuned for more summer volunteer opportunities with TLC, and look for Move MN at these upcoming events:

• Saturday, June 21 - Hennepin County Fair, Corcoran
• Saturday, June 21 - Imagine Ayd Mill Linear Park, Saint Paul
• Sunday, June 29 - Twin Cities Pride Parade, Downtown Minneapolis

 

 

Transit System Update: Rail, Bus, Bike, Walk

By Dave Van Hattum, Senior Policy Advocate

 

With planning underway in a number of areas around the metro, our region is gradually moving toward a true system of transit, bicycling, and walking. Given recent increases in ridership, growing demand from people of all ages in our core cities and first ring suburbs, and the high cost of transportation for working families, it is essential that we continue to accelerate the build out of these options in the Twin Cities. Here are the latest developments and upcoming opportunities to get involved:

Light Rail

Green Line LRT.The Metropolitan Council has just announced that Green Line light rail transit service will launch on Saturday, June 14, 2014! A formal ceremony is planned for 9 AM, followed by festivities from 10 AM to 6 PM and free rides all weekend. TLC is involved in planning celebration activities at the Raymond Ave. Station. Stay tuned for more details and ways to be involved.

Southwest LRT. Three studies are currently underway to inform next steps in Southwest LRT project planning. These studies will assess: 1) freight re-route alternatives, 2) impacts to water, and 3) impacts on landscaping. Outside consultants are conducting the first two studies, while the Met Council is completing the landscaping study. Two recent public meetings about these studies attracted hundreds of community members. Unfortunately, attendees voiced a strident standoff between Minneapolis and St. Louis Park. TLC remains supportive of the project overall on the Kenilworth alignment with light rail in a shallow tunnel or at ground level if a safe, cost effective, freight re-route can be deigned. We believe it is imperative that Minneapolis and St. Louis Park reach an agreeable solution and keep this project moving forward. Draft study results are expected in late January, with another opportunity for public comment. Met Council staff is still hopeful that the Met Council could reach a decision on the alignment and seek municipal consent from cities along the line in the first quarter of 2014. Noticeably, this project was not included in Governor Dayton’s 2014 bonding proposal. Rather, the Governor directed the Met Council to assess other financing options, including an increased metro-area sales tax.

 

Early this month, TLC joined hundreds of community members at the Southwest LRT meetings in Minneapolis and St. Louis Park.

Bottineau LRT. Last week, the Counties Transit Improvement Board (CTIB) approved funding for Bottineau LRT project development. Combined with money from the Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority, this $27.6 million commitment from CTIB allows project leaders to move Bottineau LRT forward. Pending approval from the federal government, preliminary design and engineering work could begin later this year.

Future Transit Corridors

Gateway Corridor. The Gateway Corridor Commission is considering two route alignments for bus rapid transit (BRT) or light rail transit (LRT) through Oakdale, Lake Elmo, and Woodbury. Local planners want the BRT buses to travel in dedicated lanes, which would both improve travel time and preserve the future option of LRT. MnDOT and the Met Council have proposed BRT on highway shoulders as a far less costly option. As with other transitways being planned around the region, increased funding (beyond the current ¼-cent sales tax) is needed to build the best project for the long-term. In a related development, the McKnight Foundation recently awarded a grant to East Metro Strong, a public-private partnership that will focus on transit-oriented economic development in the Gateway Corridor and elsewhere in Ramsey, Washington, and Dakota counties.

Get involved: Open House, Thursday, Feb. 6, 5-7 PM, Globe University, Woodbury.

 

The two alignments, called D1 and D2, being considered for the Gateway Corridor will be the focus of an open house on Feb. 6. The public is invited to learn more and provide input on these alternatives.

Red Rock Corridor. The Red Rock Corridor Commission has selected BRT as the preferred transit mode for this 30-mile corridor from Hastings to Saint Paul and Minneapolis (with a possible future extension to Red Wing). The new transit station in Newport, which broke ground last November, will provide a key foundation for expanded transit service in this corridor.

Get involved: Public Hearing, Thursday, Jan. 23, 4 PM, Cottage Grove City Hall.

Midtown Corridor (Minneapolis). On February 12, the Midtown Corridor Policy Advisory Committee is expected to recommend a locally preferred alternative for transit improvements in the Midtown Corridor. The three alternatives under consideration are 1) Lake Street rapid bus, 2) a Midtown Greenway streetcar, or 3) a combination of both, with an extension of the rapid bus route to the Green Line at University and Snelling Aves.

Get involved: Public Meeting, Wednesday, Feb. 12, 8:30-10:30 AM, Colin Powell Center, Minneapolis.

 

Bus Rapid Transit

Red Line BRT. Open since last June, the Red Line runs between Apple Valley and the Mall of America (where it connects with the Blue Line LRT). A planned improvement near Eagan’s Cedar Grove Station has the potential to speed up the BRT line’s travel time by about 9 minutes round-trip. The plan, which features an enclosed 300-foot pedestrian walkway from the existing park-and-ride to a new stop in the center median on Cedar Ave./Hwy. 77, was approved this month by the Dakota County Regional Railroad Authority. MnDOT, the Met Council, and the Federal Highway Administration also will need to sign off before the project moves forward.

 

Snelling BRT (Saint Paul). Governor Dayton’s 2014 bonding proposal includes the final $10 million needed for the capital cost of rapid bus service between the 46^th St. Blue Line (Hiawatha) LRT Station and the Rosedale Shopping Center. New buses would travel on Ford Parkway and Snelling Ave. with a key connection to the Green Line at University Ave. In addition, the project includes improved stations, shelters, and traffic signal systems. If capital funding is secured this session, Snelling rapid bus could open in 2015.

Get involved: Open House, Thursday, Jan. 23, 6-8 PM, Roseville Library.

Orange Line (35W South) BRT. Governor Dayton also has proposed $7 million in G.O. bonding for the Orange Line, in particular for design and right-of-way for a Lake Street Station in the highway median. This station is needed to replace the current setup, which prevents buses from taking full advantage of the MnPass (free-flow) lanes and has passengers climbing steep steps and waiting along the busy freeway to board.

Highway Transitway Corridors Study. A longer-term study, to be completed by the Met Council this spring, is assessing the potential for bus rapid transit on eight highway corridors: 212, 169, 65, 36, I-94, I-394, 35E N and 35E S.

 

Streetcar

Saint Paul Streetcar. Saint Paul’s Citywide Streetcar Feasibility Study recommends a four-mile starter line from East 7th St. at Arcade to West 7th St. at Randolph. The recently completed study estimated this modern streetcar would attract over $134 million in development and ideally would eventually be connected by BRT or LRT to the MSP International Airport.

Get involved: Public Hearing, Friday, Jan. 24, 8:30 AM, Saint Paul City Hall (basement level).

Minneapolis Streetcar. The City of Minneapolis is currently working with the Met Council and the Federal Transit Administration to complete an Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Nicollet-Central streetcar project—identified in 2013 as the city’s first modern streetcar line. Watch for the release of, and opportunity to comment on, the EA later this fall.

 

Local and Express Bus

Metro Transit Bus Service Improvement Program (SIP). Metro Transit has begun a study to determine priorities for improvements to local and express bus service over the next ten to fifteen years. The SIP process is the time to think big, to put forward bold ideas not constrained by today’s limited funding. TLC encourages you to let Metro Transit know what would make riding the bus better or more convenient for you.According to Metro Transit General Manager Brian Lamb, the primary themes identified thus far include faster travel speeds, improved core urban bus routes, expanded urban crosstown routes, more suburb-to-suburb bus connections, and more express service. Improved amenities on buses and at stops (better signage, lighting, shelters, etc.) are also under consideration. Public input will inform a draft plan this spring 2014, with additional public engagement to follow. A final plan is expected by the end of summer. See our recent interview with Metro Transit for more details.

Get involved: Fill out the SIP survey online or email [email protected]. Comment deadline: Friday, Feb. 28.

 

Bike/Walk Network

Saint Paul Bikeways Plan. On Tuesday, the City of Saint Paul announced a draft bikeways plan that would more than double Saint Paul’s bicycling network of on-street, off-street and designated bike boulevard routes (from 144 miles to 358 miles). The 20-30 year plan includes the creation of a 1.7-mile off-street bicycle loop downtown and completing an approximately 30-mile “Grand Round” route around the city.  After public input, a final plan is expected in June.

Get involved: Open Houses, 6-8 PM, Feb. 11, 13, 18 and 20. See details here.

 

 

We’re moving to the Green Line!

By Jennifer Harmening Thiede, Communications Associate

Transit for Livable Communities will soon have a new home! After nearly 14 wonderful years at 626 Selby, we’re excited to announce our move into a new office space on April 1. We’ve enjoyed sharing a location with the amazing staff at Neighborhood Energy Connection and will miss having our friends at Mississippi Market right downstairs. Nevertheless we are also looking forward to the benefits our new location and space.

New location

Our new office is located in the Specialty Building at 2356 University Avenue in Saint Paul. We are on the southeast corner of Raymond Avenue and University (map). Our space is on the 4th floor, with the entrance on the southwest corner of the building. Allen Gleckner from the Environmental Law and Policy Center will be sharing space with us.

A big factor in making this move is our interest in being more centrally located within the region and more accessible by transit, bicycling, and walking. This will make it easier for our members, board, staff, and partners to get to our space conveniently without a car. If you do drive, the office is close to I-94 and Highway 280.

 

As of April 1, our new office on the Green Line!

New transportation options

Our new location on the Green Line (aka Central Corridor) will provide many travel options.

By bus: Metro Transit bus routes 16, 50, and 87 all conveniently serve our new office. The office also is located right on the Green Line light rail, which has a stop at Raymond Avenue—just adjacent to our new building. We’re counting down until service begins in 2014!

By bike: You’ll find nearby north/south bike routes on Raymond and Pelham, and connecting bike routes on Franklin, Marshall/Lake Street Bridge, and Como Avenue. University Avenue provides a direct east-west route with signs indicating cyclists may use the full right lane as needed. Territorial Road or the U of M Transitway can also be good alternatives for those on two wheels, as can the nearby Emerald/Wabash loop. Nice Ride Minnesota’s handy green bikes (back for the season on April 6) will be just three blocks away, at the bike-sharing station at Raymond and Ellis Avenue. Bike parking is currently available on the southwest corner of the building, with two more bike racks to come later this spring.

By walking: Learn more about the walkability of our new neighborhood at walkscore.com.

 

When Green Line service begins next year, light rail will provide another great option for reaching TLC’s new office. Your stop: the nearby Raymond Avenue Station. Photo Credit: Met Council.

 

New neighbors

We look forward to joining many partner organizations in our new neighborhood including ISAIAH, Growth & Justice, and Jewish Community Action. Our friends at the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits are located just down the street. And of course the many restaurants, shops, and other small businesses along the Green Line will be a quick bike, walk, bus, or train ride away.

We’re eager to welcome you at our new office soon! Stay tuned for more information about an open house celebration in coming months after we’re all settled in.

 

A bonus at future TLC member meetings: a great view of the Green Line, with buses driving past in 2013 and new trains running in 2014.

 

Our address as of April 1, 2013:
Transit for Livable Communities, 2356 University Avenue, Suite 403, Saint Paul, MN 55114.

Note that our phone numbers will not change.Our new fax number will be 651-789-1001.

 

Updated 3-25-13.

 

Seniors and Transportation Options

An Interview with Marvin J. Plakut, President & CEO at Episcopal Homes of Minnesota

Transit for Livable Communities is leading a collaborative campaign to champion increased transit investments in Minnesota.  TLC is working closely with a broad coalition of partner organizations who want to secure additional revenue to build out our state’s transit system in 15 years (not 30 or more). With $300 million in additional funding annually our region could build out the regional network of light rail and bus rapid transit, expand and upgrade bus service, and meet local needs for sidewalks, bike routes, ADA compliance, and other local transit improvements.  The result would be greatly improved access and huge savings for households and employers.

Episcopal Homes of Minnesota is a member of this growing coalition. Active in the Twin Cities community for more than 100 years, Episcopal Homes of Minnesota’s mission is to enhance quality of life for seniors by providing homes and services that support each individual's physical, social, and spiritual needs. Why does transportation funding matter to an organization focused on housing and continuing care for seniors? President and CEO Marvin J. Plakut explains.

 
Residents of Episcopal Homes of Minnesota (L); Marvin J. Plakut, President and CEO (R).

 

TLC: Why are transportation options essential for the Minnesota seniors you serve?

MJP: When seniors consider places to live, access to transportation is one of the most significant deciding factors because the lack of transportation is a huge hurdle. If residents cannot get to basic things like their church, to shopping for food, to the drug store for medications, to their doctor for appointments, or to visit friends . . . Without those features one is completely isolated.  Add transit to the mix and the picture dramatically improves for seniors whose mobility is fairly limited as it is.

 

TLC: The senior population in the Twin Cities area is expected to more than double by 2040. How can we plan to meet the transportation needs of this growing number of seniors?

MJP: With more limited mobility that goes along with aging there needs to be increased convenience of transportation. In other words, for our seniors we need more transportation options at more convenient locations. And, my view is that as we increase density along University Avenue a number of these things will fall into place. Certainly the new Central Corridor light rail line, coupled with the existing bus service, is nice progress towards meeting these challenges. But we need more light rail throughout the entire metro area and beyond. 

 

 

Seniors at Episcopal Homes of Minnesota (L & R)

 

TLC: This spring Episcopal Homes is beginning new construction to expand senior housing options along the Central Corridor light rail line. How did transit factor into your decision to expand at that location?

MJP: We were always confident of our location at University and Fairview because we have substantial waiting lists for our facilities.  The new Central Corridor light rail line simply made our site that much more appealing.  We are delighted to be doing a major expansion at this time and we anticipate our new facilities filling fairly rapidly when they open in 2014.

 

TLC: Given the response you’ve seen, would you plan to build more senior housing along future transit routes?

MJP: Increasingly seniors are coming to us saying, “I want to get on your waiting list because of the new light rail line.”  University Avenue, between the Capitol building on the east and MN Highway 280 on the west, is our home.  We would definitely like to build more housing along this stretch, particularly at light rail stops.

 

Drawing of Episcopal Homes of Minnesota’s planned expansion of senior housing along the Central Corridor light rail line (L); senior at Episcopal Homes of Minnesota (R)

 

TLC: Have transportation options also been a key issue for Episcopal Homes as an employer?

MJP: Transit is one of the key features that attracts employees because of their ability to get to the job site.  In terms of being able to find and keep a stable work force, transportation options are vital.

 

All photos courtesy of Episcopal Homes of Minnesota.

A Grand Reopening for the Historic Union Depot

On December 8, Saint Paul’s historic Union Depot will officially open to the public and begin serving transit passengers for the first time in 40 years! TLC is eager to participate in Saturday’s grand reopening festivities and to hop aboard one of the Metro Transit buses that begin serving the depot that same day. We recently sat down with Ramsey County Regional Railroad Authority’s Josh Collins, to ask some questions about new transit service, the restoration, and what to expect at the December 8 celebration. We hope to see you there—be sure to stop by TLC’s table to say hello!

 

TLC: What modes of service are launching at Union Depot and when?

JC: The services begin in phases. Metro Transit bus service and casino shuttle service will begin on December 8. In January, Jefferson Lines will begin regional bus service out of the Depot. Amtrak will relocate to Union Depot sometime in 2013 and the Green Line (Central Corridor LRT) will start in 2014.

TLC: What will Union Depot offer for bicyclists and pedestrians?

JC: In early 2013, One on One Bicycle Studio will open a full-service bicycle center in the depot, featuring secure storage, bicycle repair and retail, showers, lockers, and food/drinks for commuters on the go. We have built a new bike path across the north side of the train deck along Kellogg Boulevard, which will eventually connect to the Bruce Vento Regional Trail. For pedestrians, we have made significant improvements to the sidewalks around the depot, and  from the river into Lowertown along Sibley Street. Clearer pedestrian paths, wider sidewalks, and improved sight lines all contribute to a safer environment for pedestrians.

TLC: Why is it important for multiple modes of transportation to converge at the restored Union Depot?

JC: To address the complex transportation needs of the community, we need transportation options. Union Depot serves as a connection point to services, amenities, and facilities that serve all types of people. Multiple types of mass transit, bicycling, walking, and automobile users all will find utility at Union Depot. Even those who travel up the Mississippi River on the steamboats to Saint Paul will find themselves only feet from Union Depot.

TLC: Can you tell us about any new or expected housing, office, or other development near Union Depot? How do you think this reopening will impact downtown Saint Paul?

JC: The great thing about Saint Paul—and of course, Lowertown—is that things are already happening here. The reopening of Union Depot is just a part of the incredible energy and enthusiasm that people have about the future of the east metro. Inside the depot, we have numerous opportunities for additional restaurant, retail, or office space. By the time the Green Line opens we hope to have added additional tenants to the depot, which will draw people inside the great building. Lowertown is a noted arts community, and at the depot we are looking forward to becoming part of the bustling, creative community.

TLC: From 1923-1971, Union Depot was a bustling hub for freight and passenger rail. Are there any interesting elements of Union Depot’s history that stood out or were preserved through the restoration process?

JC: We conducted public tours through the second year of construction, and the personal stories and memories that were shared by some of the attendees were profoundly moving. We spoke with a woman who said goodbye to her father in 1942 at Union Depot, where he took his final photo with his family before dying in a plane crash in the Philippines. We met families who arrived in the 1950s as refugees from their homelands, who began new lives in Saint Paul and view the depot as the place that welcomed them home. We met the children of orphans placed on trains in New York and sent westward in the early 1900s, who arrived at Union Depot to join new families in and around Saint Paul. The emotional connection that Union Depot has with the community is absolutely incredible.

TLC: What can people expect during the grand reopening celebration on Saturday, December 8?

JC: The day begins at 9:30 a.m. with remarks from public officials who were instrumental in making the project happen. This project took the commitment of local, state, and federal officials, and the investment has put a great many people to work. At 10 a.m., the wall separating the public from the waiting room will come down and family-friendly celebrations will continue into the evening, culminating in a family movie night (“Elf”!). There will be actors from Bedlam Theatre recreating historical events and moments out of time, artists, musicians, flamenco and belly dancers, information on transportation, booths featuring historical information and much, much more.

TLC: Is there anything else you’d like to add about Union Depot, our region’s transportation system, or the significance of this restoration & reopening?

JC: The children who will attend this event will never know a Twin Cities that doesn’t have trains running down the streets. Think about that. Union Depot is steeped in history and memories. On December 8, we will welcome back generations who remember the “way it was,” but we know that it is just the beginning of a new era of experiences and memories yet to be.

Learn more about Union Depot and the grand reopening celebration here.

Photo courtesy of Union Depot Facebook page. 

Central Corridor Light Rail – What’s left to do before we can ride the Green Line?

By Barb Thoman, Executive Director

Many Twin Cities’ residents are eager to start riding the new light rail transit service in the Central Corridor, the Green Line. People see completed sections of track, beautiful new stations complete with lights and signage and wonder why the line isn’t opening until 2014. Several of you have even called to ask us this. In response, we did some checking and here is what we learned. Despite excellent progress on construction (more than 68 percent complete!), there are still major things left to do before the line can begin serving passengers.

 

Thousands of construction workers have contributed to the excellent progress on the Green Line.

The light rail cars – Metro Transit has ordered 47 light rail vehicles (LRVs) for the Green Line. The first one was recently delivered, and will be unveiled officially on October 10^th at Target Field Station in Minneapolis. Rail cars will continue to be delivered at a rate of about 2-3 vehicles per month over the next year. As each car is received, it must be fully tested and commissioned for service. This will involve running the LRVs on the Hiawatha Line in the airport tunnel segment to test mechanical and system reliability.

Electrical substations – Fourteen traction power substations will convert alternating electrical current to direct current which will power the light rail vehicles. Installation of the substations began in August 2012, and is ongoing at a rate of one per month.

Completion of stations – If you have not checked out the Green Line stations lately, you might be surprised! The West Bank Station is particularly impressive. All of the 18 stations should be structurally complete by the end of 2012, but additional work will remain to install technology systems such as electronic signs and ticket vending machines.  Installations of station artwork has begun, but most of the art will be installed in 2013.

 

The Raymond Avenue station is one of several Green Line stations now considered "structurally complete." All 18 new light rail stations should be structurally complete by the end of 2012.

The West Bank Vertical Station on the University of Minnesota campus shown under construction this summer.

Train power and signals systems – While most of the civil construction, including tracks and station platforms, will be completed by the end of this year, much work remains to be done on the systems that will power the trains and that will control train movements. Poles for the overhead catenary system that holds the power lines are being installed now, but the power lines themselves will not be installed until 2013. Also in 2013, the signal system that train operators will follow and that will warn drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians of approaching trains will be installed.

 

Crews are already installing catenary poles along the light rail line, but corresponding power lines will follow next year.

Vehicle maintenance Facility in downtown Saint Paul – Construction is underway, but much work remains to be done to get this $43 million facility ready to store and maintain light rail vehicles.

Hiring and training of rail operators and vehicle mechanics – The addition of the Green Line will more than double the size of the light rail operation in the region! This means that many more train operators and rail vehicle mechanics must be hired and trained. This will take place over the course of 2013 as the new light rail vehicles are delivered, so that staff is ready to begin integration testing and pre-revenue operations in early 2014.

Testing, testing, testing – Once all the systems and staff are in place, a detailed series of testing must be completed to make sure that all the different project elements (trains, systems, operations facility, signals, and switches) communicate with each other, that everything is working properly and ready for service. This testing will take about 4 to 6 months to complete. Finally, just before the line opens, several weeks of pre-revenue testing will take place, with trains running their final schedules, but not carrying passengers. Oh, how frustrating that will be! But it will also signal that only a few weeks of waiting remain before we can all ride the new line.

Connecting bus service – Metro Transit recently released a nearly final plan for improved bus service that will connect with Green Line stations. On October 10^th, Metro Transit will host an open house to answer questions about this revised service plan. The Metropolitan Council is expected to approve the plan this November after which staff will undertake the process of writing the detailed schedules route by route and trip by trip. The new schedules will take effect at the same time that Green Line services starts up in 2014.

 

Bus and light rail schedules will need to be carefully coordinated before the Green Line opens to ensure passengers can transfer easily to get where they’re going.

 

The amount of work required to get this new line up and running may seem daunting, but we expect crews will continue to make excellent progress as the Central Corridor light rail project moves forward. In the meantime, we will eagerly await the opportunity to hop aboard in 2014!

 

Thank you to the Central Corridor Project Office for contributing to this article. Specific thanks to Robin Caufman, John Levin, and Ted Axt. All featured images are courtesy of the Metropolitan Council.

 

More transit is essential for riders like me

By Kathleen Murphy, guest blogger and TLC member

 

 
Kathleen Murphy, TLC member, transit rider

 

As a long-time active member with Transit for Livable Communities (TLC), I am very passionate in my fight for better options for transit riders. I believe that communities need the support of their legislators to come together for a better transit future for Minnesota.

Being disabled and dependent on public transit for getting around on a daily basis, I feel that the needs of transit riders, disabled people, and seniors are not being fully met. We lack transit options. As a region, our transit planning takes way too many years before it ever gets to the building stage. On a daily basis, for people like me, it is very challenging to get around, especially in the summer months when road construction causes bus stops to be temporarily moved.  It has been said, “If you want to get more exercise in your day, take the bus!” We transit riders do a lot of walking in the summer just to get to the bus stop.

I live in Richfield. It can be very hard to get around in areas of the metro where bus service is limited—especially when you cannot drive or when you don’t drive because you do not have a car. In my volunteer work with TLC, I often need to attend workshops or member meetings at the TLC office in Saint Paul or go to the state Capitol for hearings or to talk with legislators. Getting to Saint Paul at times can take up to 2 hours, with transfers from bus to light rail or to another bus. I have to hope that I will get there on time and not be late for a meeting or miss an event at the Capitol completely because my connections were not good. 

 

Public transit is essential for many transit riders, including people with disabilities.

 

I do talk with many disabled transit riders like myself who have limited mobility, people using wheel chairs and dependent totally on transit for getting around. Winters can be tough and construction areas along transit routes are even tougher!

I feel there is a great need to make riding the bus and light rail a lot better. We need, as transit riders, to step up to the plate and demand better options for all! There are so many new roads and bridges being built, it is time to make it happen for public transportation. Let’s keep transit moving forward as we did in the beginning with the Hiawatha light rail line that opened back in 2004. Now the Central Corridor light rail line is under construction and opening in 2014. It will connect communities of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. 

 

 

The Hiawatha light rail line opened in 2004. The next light rail line under construction, the Central Corridor line, will open in 2014.

 

I am so excited that the Central Corridor line is close to being completed—I will finally get to those Capitol happenings on time and not be late for my important meetings with TLC! There will be less congestion on the highways and more people deciding to take public transit to get around. Light rail lines are more reliable than sitting in a lane on those congested highways and not moving. I see a future of less congested highways when more people give up driving their car and use the light rail and buses for a better way of getting moving.

The Southwest LRT, the next light rail line in the plan for the region’s transit system, will bring better access to jobs for people fighting to get back in the work force, and better options for those who are limited in getting around because they have no car. We all need to keep up the pressure so that the Southwest light rail can begin construction in 2014.