Council NEWS & EVENTS

Art shanty celebrates regional parks, helps build climate resilience

Visitors to the bright red shanty are invited to write a love letter to their favorite regional park. For every five visitors who write a letter, a tree will be planted at Crosby Farm Regional Park.

Walz/Met Council legislative agenda pushes regional investment and public safety

Investments in transit, parks, and wastewater treatment infrastructure continue to be high priorities for Governor Tim Walz as he rolls out his agenda for the 2020 legislative session.

Regional Solicitation funding supports regional bicycle network

Opportunities to improve biking access through on-street bikeways and off-road trails exist throughout the region.

Videos explore what to expect during sewer construction

In cities across the region, we are repairing or replacing aging sewer pipes and upgrading treatment plants. Take a humorous look at what you might experience near a construction site.

Charlie Zelle named Metropolitan Council Chair

Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan today announced the appointment, effective January 6, 2020.

Castles and owls and sledding, oh my!

Regional parks offer fun winter options for every age and interest, from Ice Castles to the Art Shanty Project to cross-country skiing, sledding, skating, and much more.

Council commits $1 million to reduce homelessness

The Metropolitan Council has committed 1 million dollars to a new winter homeless initiative announced by Gov. Tim Walz and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan on Dec. 19.
 

New projects add housing, demonstrate connected land uses

A $6.5 million investment will support six cities to create development that links housing, jobs and services, and demonstrates cost-effective use of land and infrastructure.

Council grants aim to address equity in regional parks

The story of the region’s original people will be better told at three regional park facilities, thanks to grants we awarded in December.

Region meets air quality standards for carbon monoxide

More than 40 years of clean air policies and regulations from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency have improved air quality, safeguarding peoples’ health and sustaining the environment.

Metropolitan Council awards systems contract for Southwest LRT

Aldridge-Parsons Joint Venture is experienced working on LRT corridors, having performed the systems work on Central Corridor LRT (METRO Green Line).

Commuters, business leaders and local elected officials speak out for enhanced transit

At a busy park-and-ride in the west metro, leaders say investments in transit will strengthen Twin Cities and entire state.

Governor Walz announces intention to appoint Metropolitan Council members

Under the Walz-Flanagan Administration, the Met Council will be most diverse to ever serve, reflecting a commitment to increased community engagement.

Transit lines grow ridership, investments lead the way

METRO Green Line, METRO Blue Line and A Line each set annual ridership records, while demand for Metro Mobility continues to climb.

Council chair announces leadership changes

Focus on tackling the challenges facing regional transit, housing, equity, and investments in the region's planning and infrastructure that contribute to its economic vitality and competitiveness.

Walz and Flanagan announce Met Council Nominating Committee

Applicants selected to be interviewed by the committee will testify at one of four public meetings: Jan. 29, Jan. 30, Feb. 12 or Feb. 13.

Maplewood mayor named to lead Council

Maplewood Mayor Nora Slawik, who has been involved in local and state politics, transit planning and several area nonprofits, will begin in her new role in January.

Council grants help cities plan for development around future transit lines

Nearly half a million dollars in grants will help local communities plan for development around future transit lines and for other predevelopment activities.

Federal, state and local officials break ground on Southwest LRT

After more than two decades of planning, state’s largest infrastructure project is moving into construction.

FTA announces full federal funding of Orange Line BRT

$72 million in federal funding means transit project is fully funded.

Upcoming Council and Committee meetings

The Council and its committees meet regularly most months.  Find information on all upcoming Council and Committee meetings.   

Solar development on brownfields

This webinar discusses the advantages, disadvantages, and considerations associated with solar photovoltaic developments, as well as showcasing projects and initiatives focused on deploying solar on formerly contaminated lands.

Southwest Light Rail Construction Training Fair

Learn about the various local construction apprenticeship preparation programs and how they can prepare you to work in the construction trades.

Regional Solicitation workshop

Approximately $180 million in federal transportation funds are expected to be available for allocation in 2024 and 2025.

Public comment for the proposed Metro Transit Police Department on use of body cameras

Submit comments by 5 p.m. on January 30, 2020.

Regional Solicitation workshop

Approximately $180 million in federal transportation funds are expected to be available for allocation in 2024 and 2025.

Afraid of losing federal funding, more suburbs plan to comply with ADA

Star Tribune

At the federal government’s behest, the Met Council Transportation Advisory Board has stipulated that any city vying for funding must have a plan to make streets, sidewalks and intersections easier.

Train to somewhere: Delays done, Southwest light rail rolls forward

Minnesota Public Radio

MPR News looks back at the November groundbreaking ceremony for the Southwest LRT route. Construction begins this winter.

Twin Cities area needs new strategy on affordable housing

Star Tribune

Editorial Board: Region ranked second only to Pittsburgh in key housing-cost measure. 

'More popular than the mall': Met Council count shows our love for parks remains strong

Star Tribune

New trail segments help boost regional park visits to 58.3 million in 2017. 

Facelift underway for Mall of America transit station State's busiest hub to get $25 million upgrade, first big change in 25 years.

Star Tribune

State's busiest hub to get $25 million upgrade, first big change in 25 years.

Key light-rail leader Mark Fuhrmann to retire from Metro Transit Fuhrmann guided major Twin Cities transit projects for Metro Transit.

Star Tribune

Fuhrmann guided major Twin Cities transit projects for Metro Transit.

Gold Line planners seek feedback at open house

Bulletin-South Washington Councy

The Metropolitan Council hosted the first of a series of open houses intended to gather community comment on the nine-mile, round-trip route that will run from St. Paul to Woodbury.

Study finds transit access to jobs rises, thanks to A-Line

Star Tribune

Twin Cities transit riders can reach more than 18,000 jobs within a half-hour when traveling by bus or train, up 7 percent between 2016 and 2017, according to study results released by the U of M.

Twin Cities metro shows significant improvement in access to jobs by transit according to annual U of M study

University of Minnesota

Overall, workers in the metro can reach an average of 7.0 percent more jobs by transit than a year ago, the 9th highest change in transit accessibility among the metropolitan areas we analyzed.

Can manufactured homes help the housing crisis?

FastCompany.com

Tiny houses get all the attention, but mobile homes–despite the stigma–are already a huge part of the country’s housing, and could have a bigger part to play.