Eye on U Eye on U, U of M campus, neighbors
TUNNEL FOR LIGHT RAIL CONSIDERED A MUST
A regents’ committee in May heard a staff update on planning for the campus segment of the proposed 11-mile Central Corridor light rail transit line between Minneapolis and St. Paul. The Metropolitan Council is in charge of the project and has said it needs to cut costs for the line from the current estimate of $935 million to $800 million to qualify for federal funds, Kathleen O’Brien, university vice president, told the regents. Completion of the line would be in 2014.
Plans call for a tunnel for the light rail line under Washington Avenue where it crosses the campus. But, placing the line on the surface on Washington Avenue is an alternative that might reduce costs.
Director of university parking and transportation services Robert Baker told the regents that, taking into consideration safety, traffic congestion, and other concerns about running light rail on the surface, “We simply conclude it doesn’t work. We think it’s got to go in the tunnel.”
Baker said costs for running trains at-grade on Washington Avenue would be significant and that additional right-of-way needed might require removal of buildings on the north side of Washington Avenue between Oak and Huron Avenue.
WEST BANK LRT STATION DESIGN SERVES CEDAR AVENUE AND CAMPUS
The university regents were told in May that the university proposes location of the West Bank light rail station closer to Cedar Avenue. The station would be under the 19th Avenue Bridge. The station would be long enough for access from a tower from Cedar Avenue, as well as access from a possible skyway over Washington Avenue between the law school and the Humphrey Center buildings.
CAMPUS MASTER PLAN FORUMS SEEK COMMENTS
“Is Dinkytown on campus when a student lives there?” The campus borders and how they are defined is one of the questions raised recently by campus planners at one of three campus forums that kicked off a nearly two-year long campus and neighborhood consultation process. It is to up-date the 10-year old campus master plan. An updated plan is expected to go to the university regents in the fall of 2008. The forum was held at the Humphrey Center and attracted 70 people.
Neighborhood residents, business owners, and others will be able comment on the update at future meetings, which will likely include neighborhood association meetings. In addition, a website is being established. Questions may be referred by Sally Westby, vice president’s office for university services, at 612 626-5057.
$1.5 MILLION STADIUM GOOD NEIGHBOR FUND PLAN APPROVED
The university’s Stadium Area Advisory Group (SAAG) recently approved a policy statement and operations plan for the Stadium Good Neighbor Fund. Projects paid through the fund are intended to mitigate unforeseen neighborhood and business impacts of the operation of the Gophers TCF Bank Stadium. The first request for proposals will be January 2008 with proposals due in May.
A deposit of $1.5 million will be made July 1 from the Gopher stadium budget to inaugurate the Stadium Good Neighbor Fund. Approximately $65,000 to $75,000 in interest proceeds is expected to be available each year.
For further information, contact University Relations Director Jan Morlock, 612 624-8318, and jam@umn.edu.
U BUYING JPI STUDENT HOUSING SITE, TRANSITWAY STOP PLANNED
The regents in May reviewed a proposal to purchase 5.375 acres of vacant land behind the KSTP TV studios in Prospect Park for $3.5 million. Regents said the price was high and noted that the university used to own the land. The regents will take action in June.
The university wants to purchase the property, located at 3141 Eustis St. and 3245 4th St. SE and owned by St. Croix Partners, LLC, to replace parking lost for 500 cars due to construction of the on-campus football stadium and development of the East Gateway District. An estimated 1,000 jobs are projected for the district. The university would consider building on the site in the future.
JPI, a housing developer based in Texas, had earlier considered developing student housing on the location. But, JPI faced an uphill battle to rezone the property. However, JPI did obtain rezoning on a similar site next to it in St. Paul where construction of student housing is underway.
Vice President for University Services Kathleen O’Brien told the regents there would be a stop on the university’s intercampus transitway for the parking lot. The stop would also be open for public use, she said.
“BACK ROUTE” OPEN BEHIND STADIUM SITE
Traffic is slow in the road construction zone around the university’s Gopher football stadium site. But, through-traffic in both directions can again travel 6th Street, north of the site. The street was closed for road construction.
For information about bus stop changes or closures related to the construction, go to www.metrotransit.org/serviceInfo/riderAlerts.asp. Stadium and construction information is available at www1.umn.edu/stadium/index.php. For further information, contact Brian Swanson, stadium project coordinator at 612 625-6665 and bswanson@umn.edu.
“51ST DREAM STATE,” PERFORMANCE BY SEKOU SUNDIATA
Sekou Sundiata will present excerpts from his acclaimed production “51st Dream State” followed by conversation with the audience. Free, Friday, June 1, 2007, 8 p.m., Thrust Theater, Rarig Center, West Bank campus. Contact: Institute for Advanced Study, 612 624-2921.
WHAT COLOR IS YOUR PARACHUTE? AUTHOR ON CAMPUS
What Color is Your Parachute? author Richard Bolles and the U of M’s Richard Leider, Center for Spirituality and Healing, will discuss the question of essential survival skills, 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, June 5, at Ted Mann Concert Hall, 2128 Fourth St. S.
Single tickets are $28.50, or $23.50 for university faculty, alumni, students and staff. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.cce.umn.edu/conversations or call (612) 624-2345.
—By Bill Hoffmann
U OF M INFO
University of Minnesota information, directories, maps, and parking, can be found at www1.umn.edu/twincities/. Also see news at http://events.tc.umn.edu/ and events at http://events.tc.umn.edu/. University information by phone is at 612 625-5000.
last revised: May 11, 2007