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Central Corridor Advisory Committee reflects community

ST. PAUL—Jan. 10, 2007—The Metropolitan Council today named 42 community representatives to the Community Advisory Committee (CAC) for the proposed Central Corridor light rail transit (LRT) project.

The appointments were announced by Peter Bell, chair of the Metropolitan Council, which is taking the lead in the planning, design and construction of the project. The 11-mile line will run along University and Washington Avenues between downtown St. Paul and downtown Minneapolis, connecting with the existing Hiawatha LRT line.

”The Community Advisory Committee will help the project’s partners determine how the project can best reflect and serve the Corridor’s diverse population, businesses and neighborhoods,” said Bell.  Bell explained the CAC will provide public input and feedback during the design and construction of the project, on such issues as possible changes in alignment, station placement and design, public art, and plans to mitigate adverse impacts during construction.

“We know that public participation was crucial to the success of Hiawatha,” Bell said. “We are committed to gathering input and sharing information with people who will be affected by our decisions.

“The Central Corridor requires some tough decisions to meet federal funding guidelines. Because we can’t incorporate every great idea, it is critical that members of the community understand how and why decisions are made,” Bell explained.

The Council, with assistance from its project partners, invited nearly 100 community organizations to participate on the CAC. Those selected (see list of community organizations) represent the full spectrum of organizations and groups that responded with nominations.

CAC meetings will be held from 5-7 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month at Goodwill/Easter Seals, 553 Fairview Avenue, St. Paul. Its first meeting will be held January 18.

Jerry Blakey, a former St. Paul City Council member and small business owner in St. Paul, will chair the Committee’s initial meetings.

A co-chair will be named later this year to replace former Metropolitan Council member Song Lo Fawcett, who resigned from the Council last month.

The Metropolitan Council is the regional planning organization in the seven-county Twin Cities metropolitan area. The Council runs the regional bus and light rail system, collects and treats wastewater, coordinates regional water resources, plans regional parks and administers funds that provide housing opportunities for low- and moderate-income families. The Council board is appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the Governor.