This line has already grown economies across Minnesota, bringing people to jobs, jobs to the community, and returns to the cities along its tracks.
We have already seen significant economic development along the new route during construction and anticipate more ahead. This investment has attracted about $3 billion in new and planned development.
Statewide impact
A strong metro means a strong Minnesota. While the Met Council plans and coordinates for the region, we never lose sight of the significant connection to the rest of the state.
Light rail construction means jobs for our state's workers. Currently, people who live in 80% of Minnesota’s counties have someone bringing home a METRO Green Line Extension paycheck.
This light rail line will support growth and investment in the region that will in turn help fund critical infrastructure and services across the state. Tax revenue generated in the metro helps build roads, support schools, and fund public services in every part of our state.
Cities along the line
Transit investments like the Green Line Extension drive other investment and generate economic development. This creates opportunities for communities to guide their own growth and build wealth in place.
There has been impressive growth in affordable housing near future stations. Of more than 4,100 units of new housing that have been constructed or approved, 40% are affordable, and more than 70% of those units are affordable at or below 60% of the area median income. Several thousand more units are proposed and under review.
People traveling to and within the corridor will access nearly 81,000 jobs. That’s in addition to the 145,000 jobs in downtown Minneapolis. Nearly 36,000 residents who live in downtown Minneapolis will have easier access to job opportunities in the southwest metro and other communities connected by our region’s transit system.
Nearly 56,000 people live within a half mile — or approximately a 10-minute walk — of the project corridor. Half a million more people will be living, working, and moving around the Twin Cities region by 2040. They’re going to need a transportation system that offers choices.