Metropolitan Council chair advocates for transit, partnerships at State of the Region event
St. Paul, MN — “Transit holds the key to a successful and prosperous region,” said Metropolitan Council Chair Susan Haigh while delivering her first State of the Region speech. Several hundred people attended the State of the Region event at Target Field in Minneapolis, where Haigh highlighted the role of transit in economic development and job creation.
“Our vision is to work together to continue to build a 21st century regional transit system with expanding regional services that connect people to and from work, school and home, and to work together to strategically support economic development along transitways that will produce robust local economies and grow jobs,” Haigh told the crowd.
Haigh also focused on the need for the public and private sectors to work together to support transit and transit funding. She praised business leaders, foundations, CTIB members, local elected officials, legislators and members of Congress who have worked together with a common purpose and a shared vision of a globally competitive, 21st century region.
“With a spirit of partnership, we can achieve and surpass the aspirations we share for this region,” Haigh said.
Haigh credited the governor for his support of transit, including the 11-mile Central Corridor Light Rail project scheduled to begin service in 2014. The project will link the two central cities, University of Minnesota, State Capitol, Midway area and downtown St. Paul.
The project employs workers that reside throughout the state. With a state investment of nearly $100 million, project construction is expected to create 3,400 jobs and a projected payroll of $250 million.
Gov. Mark Dayton, in partnership with the Council and others, is seeking an alternative and more reliable way of funding transit, and has recommended $25 million in state bonding for the Southwest Light Rail line between Minneapolis and Eden Prairie.
Haigh also noted as an important facet of a 21st century transit system, the progress made to develop the rail-like Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) along Cedar Avenue as well as Rapid Bus service, which will provide commuters with time savings along busy corridors like Snelling Avenue and West 7th.
“Together, we can connect the dots between mobility, economic development, jobs, workforce, housing and quality of life,” said Haigh. “This is about connecting development with jobs, jobs with people, and people with their homes, communities and local businesses.”
Haigh said the Council has a full plate in 2012, with a work plan that also includes:
- Beginning development of a housing policy plan that will help to expand affordable housing opportunities.
- Awarding additional grants to promote development and redevelopment along transit corridors to help attract more private capital and additional development, as well as complement other Council initiatives to promote economic opportunity.
- Launching a collaborative effort to develop the 2040 Regional Development Framework, a long-range plan for delivering innovative, efficient services and infrastructure in a cost-effective and collaborative manner.
- Further embracing growing diversity by expanding federal inclusionary policies to all Council purchasing, hiring and contracting practices.
During Haigh’s first year as Council Chair, the Metropolitan Council:
- Secured a Full Funding Grant Agreement for Central Corridor Light Rail, committing the federal government to paying half the cost of the $957 million project.
- Secured federal government approval to enter Preliminary Engineering on Southwest Corridor Light Rail. The project is just one of 12 projects nationwide to achieve PE status.
- Launched the “Corridors of Opportunity” collaboration to target investment along transit corridors as a way to shape growth and guide land uses to ensure the region’s ability to be competitive.
- Achieved Metro Transit ridership of nearly 81 million rides in 2011, marking the second time in 30 years that ridership has exceeded 80 million.
- Avoided an across-the-board transit fare increase, despite a state general fund reduction of 40 percent for the biennium.
- Produced the Stadium Proposal Risk Analysis, evaluating the potential risks of the proposal to build a stadium in Arden Hills.
- Achieved an historic record of wastewater treatment plant compliance with state and federal clean water regulations.
Haigh called on partners in government and the private and nonprofit sectors to help continue the work of the region and to help grow transit, expand housing opportunities and promote healthy neighborhoods and well-paying jobs, and to help promote the region as “one region, one economy.”
See:
- Haigh’s remarks, as prepared for delivery.
- See the Council’s 2011 Annual Report online.
- The Council’s 2011 Record of Accomplishment (pdf)
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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 and Northstar commuter rail, 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.
