Green rail lines with icons of people in a meeting and person sitting by a tree. Text says: "Connecting Communities"

METRO BLUE LINE

The METRO Blue Line connects communities

The METRO Blue Line has promoted considerable housing and commercial development, while connecting residents to essential services, grocery stores, small businesses, jobs, parks, public facilities, event spaces, and neighborhoods.

Since 2014, nearly 40% of all permitted development near high-frequency transit occurred near the METRO Blue Line, with more than $7.6 billion invested. More than 17,000 residential units along the transitway have been permitted from 2014 to 2023.

History of the METRO Blue Line

The Metropolitan Council broke ground for the METRO Blue Line in 2001, with the line starting service in 2004. The project brought together the Metropolitan Council, the Minnesota Department of Transportation, the Metropolitan Airports Commission, Hennepin County, the City of Minneapolis, and the City of Bloomington to fully realize the Blue Line as it is today.

Community members' input helped shaped the transitway. The Community Advisory Committee, a 40-member group, kept residents, transit users, and the public involved by sharing their input with the Metropolitan Council and the rest of the project team.

What is happening on the Blue Line?

We're connecting communities.

Billions of dollars invested along the Blue Line transitway brings homes, jobs, businesses, and more to the metro area that residents can easily and affordably access. The Blue Line connects to the METRO Green Line, A Line, C Line, D Line, and Red Line. This lets riders reach Minneapolis, Bloomington, St. Paul, Richfield, Burnsville, Brooklyn Center, Roseville, and Apple Valley with just one connecting ride.

The Blue Line serves Minneapolis and Bloomington, connecting downtown Minneapolis with the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport and the Mall of America. The Blue Line is an essential transit option that supports these communities.

Homes are being built.

Through 2023, communities have permitted 17,100 residential units along the Blue Line, worth more than $3.4 billion.

The most common type of residential development built along transitways is multifamily homes. This supports sustainable land use. Expanding multifamily housing lets the region increase housing options while prioritizing sustainable land use.

Housing is expensive. Development along the Blue Line helps address this issue. About 17% of the housing permitted and built along the Blue Line from 2014 to 2023 is defined as affordable.
This affordably connects economically disadvantaged residents with affordable housing, jobs, businesses, and communities.

Businesses have the opportunity to grow.

Permitted commercial development on the Blue Line corridor from 2014 through 2023 is worth just under $3.7 billion. This investment will expand the already vibrant business environment, supporting local economies and job creation.

Communities invest in amenities and connections where we build transit.

From 2014 through 2023, communities have permitted more than $520 million for schools, churches, and other community spaces and amenities along the Blue Line.

We're creating jobs.

Industrial development along the Blue Line will bring jobs to the area, with nearly $40 million invested in industrial facilities, factories, and more.

The METRO Blue Line continues to enrich the lives of all those who live near the Blue Line. Learn more about the METRO Blue Line.

Notes: Information based on data for the 2024 development trends report, which will be published soon. Market forces will impact when developments open. For more information, view the reports released by the Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) office, or contact them at [email protected].