historic110809
On the homepage
Sunday's paper
Out There
View Finder
Access Vikings
Home | Politically Connected | State Politics
Transit hub advances amid history
The historic district shouldn't hamper the development of a megastation near Target Field.
Print this story
E-mail this story
Save to del.icio.us
Share on Facebook
Share on DiggMore from State Politics
Someday, it will be viewed as one of the great Twin Cities transit hubs of the 21st century, officials say. But it's ready now to begin the job of shuttling commuters and visitors in and out of town.
When Hiawatha light-rail trains begin pulling into the brand-new Target Center station on Saturday, and the Northstar Commuter Rail line blows its whistle on the tracks below the following Monday, it will be the start of the long-planned "transportation interchange" in Minneapolis' North Loop neighborhood, Hennepin County Commissioner Peter McLaughlin said.
Never mind that a large and bustling multimodal station planned for the site is still some years away. With $53 million in streetscape and infrastructure upgrades already in place around the new Twins ballpark, McLaughlin said the stage is set for the daily movement of thousands of rail passengers, bus riders, cyclists and pedestrians through the area that was once known mainly for its weedy parking lots.
"This is an important coming together of transportation pieces in the city of Minneapolis ... a grand convergence at this location," McLaughlin told the Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Commission on Thursday.
The county is entering the early stages of planning for a central station to serve passengers arriving at the hub. Sitting as the railroad authority, the county commissioners last week voted to hire Ed Hunter, a consultant who has worked on light rail and the Twins ballpark for Hennepin County, as project manager for the future transit hub facility. Hunter's contract will be $300,000.
Much of the ballpark area, already designated a national historic district for its cluster of century-old warehouses, won local historic status Thursday from the commission to better protect and preserve its traditional ambience. Hennepin County officials had been concerned that historic building restrictions imposed by Minneapolis might complicate how the eventual transit facility functions and drive up its cost. But city officials said that shouldn't be a problem.
"It won't have to look like a warehouse, and it shouldn't," Jack Byers said of the station that will eventually serve commuters arriving from all the rail lines leading to the transit hub. "Our bedrock standard is, 'Don't create false history.' Something forward-looking would be better for the site."
For instance, he said, the very contemporary Guthrie Theater was proportioned to fit in the old milling district and it works there, despite the fact it looks nothing like a grain silo. "We're looking for something that's a good neighbor," said Byers, who is a supervisor at the city Community Planning and Economic Development Department.
Several officials said they expect the transit facility should be ready by 2014, when Central Corridor light-rail trains are scheduled to begin pulling up at Target Center. Dean Michalko, a senior manager with the county railroad authority, said a study will be ready next spring that will analyze how big such a facility would need to be and how it might ensure a smooth flow of traffic for all transit modes.
Some of those clues may be emerging fairly soon, once the Hiawatha and Northstar lines begin coming through the North Loop, Michalko said.
"We're really interested to see how this functions once this starts operating ... in the next couple weeks, and then next spring with the ballpark [opening]," he said.
Kevin Duchschere • 612-673-4455
Recent State Politics stories
Pawlenty trying to plant his name with Iowans - November 8, 2009
Pawlenty trip to meet with Mexican president delayed - November 8, 2009
Pawlenty trip to meet with Mexican president delayed - Adios, Mexico. More
- Backed by House, 6 patients sue Pawlenty, state officials
- As commission presses, Vikes will 'move on'
- Minn./Wis. reciprocity: Will workers be torn between two tax bills?
- Lowry Bridge, Saints, Como Zoo fighting for your money
- Minn. GOP biggest user of tax break Pawlenty axed
- Sowing survivalism seeds on talk radio
- Vikings: Plan to extend Dome lease 'a non-starter'
- Did stimulus money go to 'phantom' districts in Minnesota?
- Is Quist too conservative to beat foe he calls too liberal?
Current state office holders
Governor: Tim Pawlenty
One of only a few prominent Republicans to win a competitive re-election contest in the Democratic sweep of 2006, Tim Pawlenty is widely seen as politically shrewd and naturally likable.
- Lt. Governor: Carol Molnau
- Secretary of State: Mark Ritchie
- Attorney General: Lori Swanson
- State Auditor: Rebecca Otto
Minnesota's political giants: Learn more about the men and women who have shaped Minnesota's political history.
 Open House ShowcaseThousands of homes open this weekend!View all open houses >> View all homes for sale >> |
Win tickets to see Brett Dennen at Pantages Theatre.Vita.mn presents Brett Dennen with Grace Potter and The Nocturnals at Pantages Theatre on Nov. 27. |
Comment on this story | Read all 2 comments | Hide reader comments