More than $1.2 billion in development occurring along Central Corridor

ST. PAUL – Dec. 21, 2012 – The Green Line moniker is proving apt, with more than $1.2 billion in development occurring along the Central Corridor LRT line even before trains begin carrying passengers sometime in 2014. 

“The LRT project that provided 4,455 construction jobs will create construction jobs in development for years to come,” Metropolitan Council chair Sue Haigh said.

Eighteen residential and commercial/retail developments worth more than $275 million began construction or entered the planning stage in 2012 along the line, according to planning and economic development figures from St. Paul and Minneapolis and those projects’ reported value. Those 18 projects will have nearly 2,300 housing units and more than 109,000 square feet of commercial/retail space. This is in addition to the nearly 40 developments worth more than $944 million with 5,100 housing units and 712,000 square feet that opened, were under construction or in the planning stage in 2011 along the Central Corridor. 

Eight projects began construction or entered the planning stage this year in St. Paul. 

“I am particularly pleased that the development community is working with us to produce affordable housing, living wage jobs and opportunities for small businesses to locate and grow on the Green Line.” St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman said. “Together we are meeting our commitment to strengthening the neighborhoods along the line for the people who live and work there today as well as those who will be attracted by the benefits of a regional transit system.” 

Ten projects began construction or entered the planning stage this year in Minneapolis. 

“Our new transit options, including the Green Line, are helping Minneapolis regain the population that we lost when we tore up streetcars to build freeways. Expect to see a lot more development along the Green Line, which is great news,” Mayor R.T. Rybak said. 

Recognizing the importance of spurring growth along transitways, the Met Council recently awarded Transit-Oriented Development grants to promote job growth, housing and economic development along corridors and help connect jobs, housing and transit. Many were for developments along the Central Corridor LRT line. See recent news release: http://www.metrocouncil.org/news/2012/LCAgrantsDec13.htm 

The region’s second light rail line is scheduled to open in mid-2014 after the system is electrified, construction of the operations and maintenance is finished and light rail vehicles are assembled, delivered, tested and safety certified. All heavy construction ended this month with 10 miles of roads and sidewalks rebuilt, 10 miles of double track installed and all 18 stations structurally completed. 

St. Paul projects by station area that started construction or planning this year: 

• Rayette Lofts, 86 market-rate units, 2,700 square feet first floor commercial space 
• Ballpark, 7,000-seat stadium for St. Paul Saints and youth and amateur baseball 

• Pioneer & Endicott, 234 market rate apartments, 31,900 square feet of commercial space 

• Central Exchange, 32 affordable rental units, 8,000 square feet of commercial space 
• Brownstone, 24 affordable rental units, 27,000 square feet of retail/office space 

• Prior Crossing, 44 rental units, supportive housing for youth/young adults 

• Meridian Industrial Center, 68,000-square-foot office/warehouse complex 

• City Limits, 222 rental units with 20 percent affordable for low-income households 

In addition, these St. Paul development projects are also in the planning or early design phases: 

• Rice Street Station – Sears store site redevelopment
• Between Fairview and Raymond avenue stations - Rihm Kenworth trucking facility expansion 
• Snelling Avenue Station – Metro Transit bus barn site to be available for development in 2014 

Minneapolis projects by station area that started construction or planning this year: 

• The Copham, 120 rental units 
• Cameron Building, 44 market-rate apartments 

• Velo Apartments, 106 apartment units over retail  

• Plymouth Building, 205 units mixed use 

• Izzy’s Ice Cream, new ice cream retail and production facility 

• 7West, 214 units of student housing with ground-floor retail 

• The Station on Washington, 98 units of student housing with 11,000-square-feet of ground-floor retail 

• WaHu, 333 units of student housing, 30,000 square feet of ground-floor retail 

• Boeser site, new housing, type to be determined 
• Station on 4th, 215 units of student housing 

Ongoing Minneapolis planning projects include the Minnesota Vikings stadium planning and area around the Downtown East/Metrodome LRT station. 

Development projects reported last year: 

http://www.metrocouncil.org/transportation/ccorridor/newsAlerts/Development%20Projects%20Revised.pdf 

About the project: The Central Corridor Light Rail Transit Project will link downtown St. Paul and downtown Minneapolis along Washington and University avenues via the state Capitol and the University of Minnesota. Construction began in late 2010 on the planned 11-mile Central Corridor line, and service will begin in 2014. The line will connect with the Hiawatha LRT line at the Metrodome station in Minneapolis and the Northstar commuter rail line at Target Field Station. The Metropolitan Council is the grantee of federal funds. The regional government agency is charged with building the line in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Transportation. The Central Corridor Management Committee, which includes commissioners from Ramsey and Hennepin counties, the mayors of St. Paul and Minneapolis and the University of Minnesota, provides advice and oversight. Funding is provided by the Federal Transit Administration, Counties Transit Improvement Board, state of Minnesota, Ramsey and Hennepin counties’ regional railroad authorities, city of St. Paul, Metropolitan Council and the Central Corridor Funders Collaborative. The Central Corridor LRT Project website is Hiawatha LRT line at the Metrodome station in Minneapolis and the Northstar commuter rail line at Target Field Station. The Metropolitan Council is the grantee of federal funds. The regional government agency is charged with building the line in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Transportation. The Central Corridor Management Committee, which includes commissioners from Ramsey and Hennepin counties, the mayors of St. Paul and Minneapolis and the University of Minnesota, provides advice and oversight. Funding is provided by the Federal Transit Administration, Counties Transit Improvement Board, state of Minnesota, Ramsey and Hennepin counties’ regional railroad authorities, city of St. Paul, Metropolitan Council and the Central Corridor Funders Collaborative. The Central Corridor LRT Project website is Hiawatha LRT line at the Metrodome station in Minneapolis and the Northstar commuter rail line at Target Field Station. The Metropolitan Council is the grantee of federal funds. The regional government agency is charged with building the line in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Transportation. The Central Corridor Management Committee, which includes commissioners from Ramsey and Hennepin counties, the mayors of St. Paul and Minneapolis and the University of Minnesota, provides advice and oversight. Funding is provided by the Federal Transit Administration, Counties Transit Improvement Board, state of Minnesota, Ramsey and Hennepin counties’ regional railroad authorities, city of St. Paul, Metropolitan Council and the Central Corridor Funders Collaborative.

Media Contact

Laura Baenen 
Communications Manager 
Central Corridor LRT Project 
651-602-1797 (office)  
612-269-4365 (cell) 
[email protected]