Metro briefs : Music, food to mark transit hub's grand opening

Target Field Station's ceremonial grand opening will start at 1 p.m. Saturday with food, festivities and test train runs, followed by a Minnesota Twins game.

Choo-Choo Bob and the Gear Daddies will provide music. The formal ceremony begins at 3 p.m.

The station will eventually be the confluence of several light-rail lines and the Northstar Commuter Rail. Formerly called the Interchange, the station is at 5th Avenue N. and 5th Street N., or 435 5th St. N. in Minneapolis.

The project features an amphitheater, a large video screen and eventually shops and restaurants. It was built to be not only a transit hub but a gateway to the North Loop Neighborhood.

Hennepin County led the way on the $80 million development, which serves in some ways as a front porch to Target Field. The Twins also are partners in the deal.

ROCHELLE OLSON @rochelleolson

The County Board has approved up to $175,000 to keep bicycle and pedestrian trails open in St. Paul's Payne-Phalen neighborhood, where construction projects along Interstate 35E threaten to cut off local access.

St. Paul has decided not to contribute to the project cost.

The work on I-35E includes construction of a new MnPass lane and interchange at Cayuga Street. The trail improvements will be made between Cayuga and Arlington Avenue.

The county will loan the money to its wheelage tax fund and repay the general fund with wheelage tax proceeds.

KEVIN DUCHSCHERE @KDuchschere

The City Council has retooled a resolution that created a "Clean Zone" during this summer's Major League Baseball All-Star Game.

The new language, which passed unanimously Friday, says the city will not grant such permits or licenses "without conferring with Major League Baseball."

The timeline of the "Clean Zone" was also shortened from 15 days to 6 days, starting on July 10.

Additionally, the language makes clear that the city retains the full authority to grant or deny temporary permit or license applications.

"It is the city's intention that constitutional rights will pre-empt other considerations," the resolution says.

Eric Roper @Stribroper

The City Council, sitting as the Economic Development Authority, recently voted 5-2 to build the 5,000-square-foot shelter on a site just east of W. Broadway Avenue on 76th Avenue N. The project, to cost up to $950,000, still needs rezoning approval. Meanwhile, community fund raising continues to generate money to help cover annual operating costs

State officials have hailed the project as a model of cooperation by city officials, church and civic groups, noting it would be the first suburban youth shelter to offer emergency beds in addition to transitional housing.