University proposes West Bank LRT station to serve both Cedar Avenue and campus

Robert Baker, director of university parking and transportation services, told the university regents in May that the university proposes locating the West Bank Light Rail Transit 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 from a possible skyway over Washington Avenue between the law school and the Humphrey Center buildings. The station location is part of the university’s recommendations to the Metropolitan Council for the university portion of the proposed Central Corridor Light Rail Transit Line. Kathleen O’Brien said the council is ready to start preliminary engineering work for the line and that the university is collaborating with the council. The council, however, has statutory responsibility for the project, she said.

The university originally proposed locating the LRT station at Blegen Hall, the current bus stop. However, West Bank groups objected that the Blegen location would not serve the West Bank business and residential community. The new 19th Avenue Bridge location is intended to reconnect the campus to the West Bank community, Baker told the regents.

U of M transportation department considers light rail tunnel a must

A regents’ committee in May heard a staff update on plans for the campus segment of the proposed 11-mile Central Corridor Light Rail Transit Line between Minneapolis and St. Paul. The update is part of the university’s recommendations to the Metropolitan Council, which is in charge of the project.

The council 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, vice president for university services, told the regents. Completion of the line would be in 2014.

Current plans call for a tunnel for the light rail line under Washington Avenue where it crosses the campus. Placing the line on the surface along Washington Avenue, however, might reduce costs.

“We think it’s got to go in the tunnel,” Robert Baker, director of university parking and transportation services, told the regents, considering safety, traffic congestion, and other concerns about running light rail on the surface. Regents David Metzen, John Frobenius and Linda Cohen agreed with the concerns. Metzen said he didn’t want the university to stop the project but said a surface line would pose a safety hazard to those using the street. Therefore, it would be difficult for the regents to vote in favor of a surface line, which he called “a deal-breaker today.” Baker said the university could propose design modifications that could reduce the cost of 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 Street and Huron Avenue.

Campus master plan forums

How campus borders are defined was one of the questions raised recently by campus planners at one of three forums, which kicked off the campus and neighborhood consultation process intended to update 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 to 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 to 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 for 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 issued in 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–$75,000 in interest proceeds is expected to be available each year.

For further information, contact University Relations Director Jan Morlock, at 612-624-8318 or by email at jam@umn.edu

U buying JPI student housing site, transit 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 SE Fourth St. 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 faced an uphill battle to rezone the property. JPI did obtain rezoning on a similar site nearby in St. Paul, where construction of student housing is underway.

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.

For information about bus stop changes or closures related to the construction, go to www.metro transit.org transit.org and click on “rider alerts” under the “Routes” tab. Stadium and construction information is available at www1.umn.edu/stadium/index.php or by contacting Brian Swanson, stadium project coordinator, at 612-625-6665 or 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, 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 S. Fourth St.

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.

U of M info

University of Minnesota information, directories, maps and parking information 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: June 14, 2007

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