Met Council chair urges investments in transit, parks

Bell delivers annual State of the Region address

ST. PAUL (Jan. 30, 2006) – In his annual State of the Region address, Metropolitan Council Chair Peter Bell called today for increased investment in the region’s transit and park systems to help maintain “our prized quality of life.”

Bell hailed the new Hiawatha light-rail transit line as “a stunning success,” saying that ridership had exceeded pre-construction estimates by 58 percent in its first full year of operation. Bell said the line also has proven to be “a powerful catalyst for development,” citing examples all along the corridor.

“The success of the Hiawatha line has created considerable public enthusiasm for further investments in transit,” he said. “As I move around the region, one of the questions I hear most frequently is, ‘What’s next?’ People want to know when and where additional rail lines will be built.”

Speaking to a crowd at the Minnesota History Center, Bell said Gov. Tim Pawlenty’s proposed bonding package represents “another major step” toward achieving the Council’s vision for transit. The plan includes a network of bus and rail “transitways,” as well as new express bus service, limited-stop routes, park-and-ride lots and other passenger amenities.

The governor’s $76 million package for transit includes funds for the proposed Northstar commuter rail line between downtown Minneapolis and Big Lake, the Cedar Avenue busway from the Mall of America to Lakeville, new transit facilities in the I-35W corridor, and additional planning in the Central corridor between downtown St. Paul and downtown Minneapolis.

However, Bell said, the long-term success of the Council’s efforts will not be assured “until our region obtains an adequate, predictable and reliable source of funding for transit.” He urged support for a proposed constitutional amendment that would dedicate 60 percent of revenues from the Motor Vehicle Sales Tax to highways and 40 percent to transit.

Bell said this fall’s vote on the amendment “represents an opportunity for our state and region to end the political gridlock and address critical transportation needs.”

At the event, the Council released the results of its annual survey of metro area residents. The survey found that traffic congestion and transportation continue to rank as the No. 1 concern of metro area residents, with 35 percent of the respondents citing this problem.

In his address, Bell said also said he will explore the idea of establishing a private regional parks foundation to supplement current state funding and “accelerate our park acquisition efforts.”

He said the Council’s long-range park plan would expand the current regional system from 52,000 acres to nearly 70,000 acres, and increase the network of regional trails from 177 miles to 877 miles by 2030.

Bell said a number of other public park systems – including those in Texas, San Francisco, Chicago, Boston and Calgary – have philanthropic partners that raise private funds to help meet their needs.

“We need to consider creative ways to ensure we can continue to expand our park system in the coming years, while maintaining the parks and trails we already have,” he said. “We can leave no greater legacy to future generations than an expanded park system that preserves access to outdoor recreation and protects vital natural areas.”

In his speech, Bell also:

Noted that the region’s population had grown by nearly 130,000 between 2000 and 2004, and said it is on pace to increase by nearly 1 million by 2030.

Said the Council will work closely with state and local officials to develop a water supply master plan assuring that the region will have “an adequate, secure and reliable water supply to keep pace with our growth.”

Hailed the completion of improvements to the regional wastewater treatment system that have cut its phosphorus discharges nearly in half.
Released the Council’s 2005 annual report and the results of its annual residents survey.

The Metropolitan Council is the regional planning organization for the seven-county metropolitan area. It runs the regional bus and light-rail system, collects and treats wastewater and coordinates water resources preservation, plans regional parks and administers funds that provide housing opportunities for low- and moderate-income individuals and families. The 17-member Council is appointed by the governor.

-30-

Return to News Releases