Blue Line Extension Corridor Management Committee

Remote

• Received a presentation on Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) along transitways in the Twin Cities area.
  • Corridors have seen extensive growth in property tax values from 2006 to 2023 as lines opened.
  • Since 2009, 34% of regional development and 43% of multifamily development ($16 billion and 50,000 housing units) has been built along these corridors. Over half of 60% AMI affordable housing near transitways and nearly 80% of 30% AMI built near transit.
• Began the process of receiving presentations from each jurisdiction about their displacement efforts. Due to time, the committee only heard from Hennepin County and postponed the rest of the presentations.
  • Committee members expressed concern and frustration about moving these efforts from theoretical to concrete plans. Hennepin County staff explained the Minnesota Senate has passed $10 million (to be matched by the county) in anti-displacement funding for the Blue Line Extension project, but it will need to be passed in the House and signed by Governor Walz.
• During public comment, residents expressed skepticism of the Blue Line Extension. Members of the West Broadway Business Coalition questioned why concerns of the design have not been addressed yet and how anti-displacement efforts will be implemented. Other members of the public expressed concerns over emergency services response time during construction and during operation, as well as crime near transit stations.