Commentary; Posted: 12/1/04

Commuter rail will do more than move people

By Don Heinzman

Interest continues to grow in development and planning for areas surrounding station sites along projected commuter and light rail lines. City planners and elected officials realize that rail, the stations, and the changing lifestyle of an aging population could be the perfect fit for imaginative commercial and residential development.

This vision strengthens the argument not only for funding the Northstar Commuter Rail and busway systems, but for using existing rail with stations from all directions in the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area. Preliminary planning has begun on the Red Rock line from Hastings to St. Paul and from St. Paul to Hinckley.

Several new developments are making more light rail and commuter rail systems possible.

The initial success of the Hiawatha Light Rail line from downtown Minneapolis to Fort Snelling is silencing the critics who said people would not ride the high-speed trains. By the end of this week, that section of track is expected to continue on to the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport and the Mall of America, opening more opportunities.

Republican legislators are having second thoughts about their opposition to rail, after seeing 13 of their colleagues defeated, some definitely where commuter rail was an issue. Two of them opposed light rail, Rep. Bill Haas, R-Champlin, and Rep.William Kuisle, of Rochester. who was the chairman of the House Transportation Committee.

In survey after survey, the majority of those polled along the Northstar Commuter Rail line, favor the proposed system. Traffic congestion continues to irritate drivers who are becoming more convinced that a multi-model transit system must be undertaken.

Gov. Tim Pawlenty continues to support the Northstar project and the federal government has authorized $9,900,131 grant matched by funds raised by the Northstar Corridor Development and the Metropolitan Council.

Now it will be up to the Minnesota Legislature to approve the $37.5 million thatís in Gov. Pawlentyís bonding bill.

Rail, however, will do more for communities than just move passengers back and forth. It is clear that the station sites themselves are spawning plans for multi-million-dollar residential and commercial development.

In Minneapolis, hundreds of houses are being built along the Hiawatha line, and a $600 million housing and entertainment complex is being planned for the south end of the line. Elk River, Ramsey, Anoka and Coon Rapids have imaginative development plans around their proposed station sites.

A good example of this development is Anokaís planned Commuter Rail Transit Village at the tracks and Fourth Ave North where there are three 50-acre tracts. One already has residential, another 50 acres is slated for redevelopment along the tracks and the third tract is owned by the city, Anoka County and Minnesota.

The city has purchased 19 acres from the state, of which 13 are suitable for development. There are plans to have commercial and small stores around the station, a potential of 800 new dwelling units of all types and redevelopment for small businesses with good jobs.

Without the commuter rail stopping and going from this station, chances are development in that area would have been mainly industrial.

Elk River also has plans for residential and commercial development around its proposed station site, including 298 townhouse units, Pullman Place, a day care, a 60-unit apartment and retail and office space.

The city also has land for industries with jobs where workers can live near by in new residential units. At the same time, older residents will be encouraged to live near the station, shop in nearby stores and take the train into the city for entertainment.

One of the more creative plans is coming from Ramsey where the proposed station will be part of an ambitious Town Center between Armstrong and Ramsey boulevards.

While the Town Center will have many attractions, the rail station will make it more glitzy. On the drawing boards for the Town Center are: a business conference hotel, a winter garden with 2‡ acres under roof, retail shops, a performing arts center, ponds separating the commercial use from the residential, a business sector anchored by a medical campus and a senior complex with a range of services.

In Coon Rapids a triangle of land around the station is the subject of planning by the Anoka County Housing Redevelopment Authority. It has potential for office, some retail and housing.

All cities are looking at ways to plan for transit-oriented development to build places where people can live, shop and work around transit corridors.

They are on the right track.

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