Light-rail transit update
by Abdel Shakur

Members of the Lake/Hiawatha community received a clearer picture of the Light Rail Transit construction and its effect on the area, particularly the Lake Street station, at two community meetings on May 23.
The Hiawatha line will run along Hiawatha Ave. (Highway 55), connecting downtown Minneapolis to the Mall of America in Bloomington. There will be 17 stations spanning a distance of 11.6 miles. Construction on the Hiawatha line began this March and is scheduled to end in fall 2004.
Traffic and noise associated with construction and implementation of the LRT line were the major concerns of residents. The developers said they expect few disruptions besides the routine transportation of construction equipment and assured residents that during construction they would try to minimize the impact on traffic in the area.
Metro Transit representatives said the electric-run LRT trains would be quieter than the local traffic. Trains will have two types of audio signals: a trolley-type bell which will be sounded upon approaching each station and a louder air horn, which will be used as a warning signal at the discretion of the LRT operator.
Developers also advised residents to pay close attention and not wander into fenced, hard hat only areas during construction. Several representatives cited the tendency of children to imitate adults and stressed the importance of everyone observing construction signs and warnings.
The next construction update meeting is planned for 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., June 27, at the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church at 2730 East 31st St. It will focus on the area from 26th St. to 38th Street. Construction updates are available on the Hiawatha construction hotline at 651-284-0502.
The second meeting of the night was held by the Hiawatha LRT Community Advisory Committee. Greg Pates, from Metropolitan Council, spoke to residents about linking bikeways to LRT stations in order to offer riders alternative connecting transportation.
Dick Victor, from the Minneapolis Community Development Agency, addressed the redesign of the Downtown East Station and Plaza near the Metrodome. Victor’s presentation included a model of the station, and plans for an underground parking garage and a six-story commercial facility.
While the LRT budget does not reflect the cost of the Downtown East Station development, the station is not being built simply because of LRT. City planners had been trying to utilize the property for some time, according to Victor.
Monique Mackenzie, from Minneapolis Planning, spoke about the economic impact and planning for the area surrounding the Lake Street station. Mackenzie highlighted the potential economic benefits of LRT to the community, such as increased property values and more business traffic, but also noted the importance of continuing the dialogue between residents and planners to better serve the current community’s needs.
“We’ve done a lot of work on this project. If we get to the end and people don’t feel like they’ve had a voice in the construction, then no one will be happy,” Mackenzie said.
Victor also noted the need for continued community input in the Downtown East Station project. Two community meetings are scheduled from 5 to 7 p.m., June 6 and June 27 in room 333 in City Hall.