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

METRO GREEN LINE

The METRO Green Line connects communities

As part of the regional transit system since 2014, the METRO Green 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, 47% of all development near transit lines occurred on the METRO Green Line with more than $7 billion invested. Since its start in 2014, more than 21,000 residential units have been built along the transitway. The Green Line connects residents to essential services, workplaces, grocery stores, small businesses, and communities.

History of the METRO Green Line

The METRO Green Line began service in June 2014, after a decade of planning for the 11-mile transit line. More than 20 years of public engagement, involving more than 25,000 people, resulted in a design and associated stations, sidewalks, pedestrian crossings, and water management infrastructure.

During construction of the METRO Green Line, the Metropolitan Council engaged business leaders along the corridor and coordinated with local businesses to support and mitigate construction impacts. Many businesses have reported that sales and profits improved because of the METRO Green Line.

What is happening on the Green Line?

We're connecting communities.

Since 2014, the Green Line has been helping communities grow. Additional transit development has provided better connections to neighboring communities and the region as a whole. The Blue, Orange, A, C, and D lines connect to the Green Line, allowing residents of Minneapolis, St. Paul, Bloomington, Roseville, Brooklyn Center, and Richfield to benefit from the development and growth.

The Green Line serves both Minneapolis and St. Paul, linking their downtowns. In St. Paul, 7% of residents commute to work using public transit, while in Minneapolis, 9% commute to work using public transit. Most Minneapolis residents work in either Minneapolis or St. Paul, and the top two places where Minneapolis workers live are Minneapolis and St. Paul. The Green Line is a vital transitway that connects people to their homes, workplaces, businesses, and communities.

Homes are being built.

In 2022, developers built more than 3,000 new residential units, and another 10,400 units are planned along the METRO Green Line, a total of $487 million in planned residential development.

More housing options are needed by Minneapolis and St. Paul communities, but only 3% of land between the two cities is undeveloped. Developing housing along the Green Line maximizes land use, with 99% of new housing along Metro Transit lines being multifamily units with five or more apartments. This development allows us to get the most use of our land and keep communities connected.

Housing can be expensive, which is a problem faced by many residents near the METRO Green Line. This is why 16% of residential units added along the Green Line in 2022 are designated as affordable housing. This means that economically disadvantaged residents along the Green Line not only have affordable access to jobs, homes, business and communities, but also more affordable housing options.

Businesses have the opportunity to grow.

Plans along the corridor include $136 million planned for commercial development. This investment will expand on our already vibrant and connected business environment.

Communities invest in amenities and connections where we build transit.
Nearly $858 million is planned for schools, churches, and other community spaces and amenities along the Green Line. That investment will connect residents with parks, walking and biking paths, public facilities, and more. public and institutional development along the Green Line.

We're creating jobs.
Industrial development along the Green Line will bring jobs to the area, with $20 million planned for expanding facilities, factories, and more.

The Green Line began service in 2014 and 10 years later it continues to be a hub of growth that enriches the lives of all those who live near the Green Line. Learn more about the METRO Green Line.

Notes: Information based on data from the 2023 development trends report. 2024 data will be available soon. Market forces will impact when developments open. For more information, view the full development trends report or contact the Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) office at [email protected].