Council is well-positioned for 2012

The Metropolitan Council is an organization on the move. During 2011, the new Council clarified its vision for the region, dedicated resources to expanding opportunities for all metro residents, and continued the Council’s long tradition of outstanding wastewater, transit and housing services.  

A critical element of so many of the Council’s accomplishments is the steadily growing list of Council partners. It continues to be an honor and a pleasure to collaborate with so many talented community leaders, local officials and civic-minded citizens.

We had a productive year in 2011. Here are a few highlights:

• Expanding our transitway system. Central Corridor light rail construction is about 40% complete and has created 2,200 jobs to date. Southwest LRT will begin preliminary engineering in 2012. The first phase of Cedar Avenue BRT is under construction with service scheduled to open at the end of 2012. Other corridors are in various phases of study.
• Ensuring opportunity. The Council is collaborating with a multitude of partners across sectors to spur private investment and create long-term jobs, affordable housing and sustainable communities, using the region’s emerging transitway system as a development focus. We’re investing to ensure that people of all incomes and backgrounds benefit from the resulting economic growth.
• Delivering outstanding service. Metro Transit is projected to top 80 million rides, and 9 out of 10 customers rate our service as good or excellent. We continue to have an outstanding record of wastewater treatment at rates 40% lower than the national average.

The coming year promises to be a busy one for the Council as we embark on a new Transit-Oriented Development grant program, continue to expand the region’s transitway network, and make further investments through our Corridors of Opportunity collaboration. The accomplishments and successful partnerships of 2011 position us well for success in the coming year.

Together, we will continue to pursue our shared vision of a region that offers tremendous opportunities for all residents and outstanding basic services to every member of the community.

Susan Haigh

December 2011