More chances for public feedback before Central Corridor LRT plans are decided

Contact: Laura Baenen
Central Corridor LRT Project
Communications Manager
651-602-1797
office 612-269-4365 cell
Laura.baenen@metc.state.mn.us

ST. PAUL -- Dec. 20, 2007 - Seven meetings to provide community updates followed by three listening sessions for Metropolitan Council members to receive public feedback are planned early next year before the Met Council makes decisions on the Central Corridor Light Rail Transit project.

The Met Council must make decisions by the end of February on proposed features, such as the routes through downtown St. Paul and the University of Minnesota and reconstruction of University Avenue. This timetable is necessary so preliminary engineering can be completed to meet the Federal Transit Administration’s September application deadline for permission to enter final design in 2009. Construction would begin in 2010 and revenue service in 2014.

Seven meetings between Jan. 15 and Feb. 5 will allow the public to interact with technical and outreach staff to get updates on the project so the public can be prepared to give feedback at the later listening sessions for members of the Met Council and the Central Corridor Management Committee.

The purpose for the listening sessions, which will be held Feb. 6 and 7 in Minneapolis and Feb. 11 in St. Paul, is to give the public an opportunity to voice their concerns in person to members of the Central Corridor Management Committee and the Met Council. The CCMC includes the mayors of Minneapolis and St. Paul, commissioners from Ramsey and Hennepin counties, some Met Council members, a University of Minnesota official, a businesses representative, a community representative and officials from several state agencies. This body advises the full Met Council on the project.

People who cannot attend the meetings may contact the Central Corridor LRT Project office at 651-602-1940 and ask for an outreach coordinator, who will pass along their comments. The outreach staff’s direct contact information is at www.centralcorridor.org under Public Involvement.

Public Update Meetings

Tuesday, Jan. 15 – 5:30-7 p.m., Hamline University, Drew Science Room 118, 811 Simpson St., St. Paul.
Thursday, Jan. 24 – 8-9:30 a.m., Lao Family Center, 320 University Ave., St. Paul.
Monday, Jan. 28 – 5:30-7 p.m., Buetow Music Auditorium, Concordia College, 300 Hamline Ave. N., St. Paul.
Monday, Jan. 28 – 7-9 p.m., Prospect Park United Methodist Church, SE Malcolm & SE Orlin Ave., Minneapolis.
Wednesday, Jan. 30 – 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Downtown St. Paul Alliance Bank Center Food Court, 55 E. 5th St., St. Paul.
Thursday, Jan. 31 – 6-8 p.m., Central Corridor Project Office, 540 Fairview Ave. N, Ste. 200, St. Paul.
Tuesday, Feb. 5 – 8-9:30 a.m., Central Corridor Project Office, 540 Fairview Ave. N., Ste. 200, St. Paul.

Listening Sessions

Wednesday, Feb. 6 – Time and location to be announced under Meetings at www.centralcorridor.org as soon as the information is available.
Thursday, Feb. 7 – 5:30-7:30 p.m., Metro Transit Fred T. Heywood Offices, 560 6th Ave. N., Minneapolis.
Monday, Feb. 11 – 5:30-7:30 p.m., Metropolitan Council chambers, 390 N. Robert St., St. Paul.

Central Corridor LRT Project

The Central Corridor Light Rail Transit Project linking downtown St. Paul and downtown Minneapolis via Washington and University avenues would be the fourth in a planned network of rail and bus ``transitways’’ in the Twin Cities. Construction would begin in 2010 on the planned 11-mile Central Corridor line, with service beginning in 2014. The line would connect with the Hiawatha LRT line at the Metrodome station in Minneapolis and the soon-to-be built Northstar commuter rail line at the new Minneapolis multimodal station. The Metropolitan Council would be the grantee of federal funds. The regional government agency is charged with leading the design and building of the line in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Transportation. The Central Corridor Management Committee, which includes the mayors of St. Paul and Minneapolis and commissioners from Ramsey and Hennepin counties, provides advice and oversight.

The Central Corridor LRT Project website is www.centralcorridor.org

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