Central Corridor Business Advisory Council appointed

Contact:
Bonnie Kollodge, Metropolitan Council, 651.602.1357
Karri Plowman, Central Corridor Partnership, 651.265.2782

ST. PAUL—Feb. 22, 2007—The Metropolitan Council and Central Corridor Partnership today named a 23-member Business Advisory Council (BAC) to provide input from the business community on the planning process for Central Corridor light rail transit. Members are primarily owners and managers of businesses or property along the 11-mile corridor. (See list of BAC members.)

The Metro Council is the lead agency on the planning, design and construction of the rail project and established both the BAC and the Community Advisory Committee to advise the Council-led Corridor Management Committee on matters of community and business interest.

The Central Corridor Partnership is a business-led coalition, founded in Jan. 2004, to promote funding and development of the Central Corridor light rail transit line. See the Central Corridor organization chart. (pdf)

“Specifically, we are looking for input on station design, parking, traffic and construction mitigation and promoting public awareness of these issues,” said Council Chair Peter Bell. “There’s no question that construction will have an impact on local neighborhoods and businesses, but we want to keep any negative impacts to a minimum and make sure area residents know what to expect and when.”

The train, as proposed, will run along Washington and University Avenues, linking downtown Minneapolis and downtown St. Paul.

Applications for council membership were accepted until Jan. 19 as the Council and Central Corridor Partnership sought representation from business and property owners/managers near each proposed station location, representatives of the Midway, St. Paul and Minneapolis Chambers of Commerce and representatives to serve at large.

“I’m very happy with the make up of the council and I know business interests along the corridor will be well served,” said Bell. “I’m looking forward to meeting with and hearing from the representatives on this council.”

"The Central Corridor Partnership is pleased to partner with the Metropolitan Council on this exciting opportunity for the region,” said Karri Plowman, Central Corridor Partnership Director. “We will work to ensure that the BAC creates recommendations that reflect the needs of affected businesses as well as the community."

The BAC will hold its first meeting on March 19. Meetings will be held the third Monday of each month in the conference room at the Court International Building, SunTide Properties, 2550 University Avenue W. in St. Paul, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Council co-chairs will be announced at the first meeting of the BAC.

For more information on the Central Corridor light rail project, visit the Council’s website at www.metrocouncil.org/transportation/ccorridor/centralcorridor.htm.

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.

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