>Transportation > Central Corridor > Public Involvement

Former Central Corridor Business Advisory Council Charter

Scope

The Central Corridor Business Advisory Council (BAC) was created to promote business community involvement on the Central Corridor Light Rail Transit Project. BAC input in the Central Corridor process was beneficial to adjacent businesses, properties, and communities.

Purpose

The Central Corridor Business Advisory Council served as the voice for the business community and addressed concerns during the planning and implementation phases of the light rail line.  It was composed of business leaders that represent Saint Paul, Minneapolis, and Midway businesses impacted by the light rail route.  The BAC was led by the Central Corridor Partnership and reported to the Central Corridor Management Committee.

Responsibilities

The BAC monthly meeting provided an important vehicle for involving the business community groups in the design process, addressing project area concerns, facilitating public awareness and identifying ways to mitigate construction impacts.  The purpose of the BAC was to advise the Central Corridor Management Committee on the following:

1. Preliminary Engineering: Generate recommendations that reflect the needs of business as well as the community and transit riders.
2. Viability Plan for Impacted Businesses: Explore possibilities to provide resources to impacted businesses.  This may include utilizing programs of local colleges and universities to educate businesses, providing financial planning, investigating grant/loan opportunities, creating a marketing plan for use during the construction period, and identifying other possible ways to assist businesses impacted by the light rail.
3. Construction Mitigation: Provide input to the Central Corridor Project Office on construction related concerns such as: signage, temporary parking, delivery routes, etc. 

Each member of Central Corridor Business Advisory Council was responsible for:

1. Attend a majority of BAC meetings.
2. Identify and respond to issues affecting businesses impacted by the construction of the Central Corridor. 
3. Assist in the development of recommendations to minimize the impact of affected businesses during the planning and construction phases of the Central Corridor.
4. Elevate awareness of business mitigation issues to the community during public forums/hearings.
5. Actively participate in discussion by sharing ideas and expertise.

Membership

Members were named by the Central Corridor Partnership and Chair of the Metropolitan Council and included people who own or manage a business that will be directly impacted by the design and construction of the proposed light rail line or, own or manage property that leases to a business that will be impacted by the design and construction of the proposed light rail.   Applicants were not required to be members of the Central Corridor Partnership or other member organizations.

If an appointed member is no longer able to participate actively in the BAC, the company or property owner will be allowed to submit a replacement nomination.  The Chair will review the application and decide whether to confirm the nominee as a permanent replacement.

Meetings

The BAC met the third Monday of every month from 4:00-5:30 P.M.  Agendas were distributed to all members at least five business days before the meeting.

Special meetings, open houses, subcommittees and focus groups were scheduled at regular intervals and/or as needed.