urbanMSP

Doyle Lonnegan might have a thing or two to say about this faux-branding

Very similar to the old county courthouse in my hometown of Sioux Falls as well.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Minne ... Courthouse

Does anyone know if the BNSF property in question is the entirety of the proposed BNSF co-location, or only a portion of it? It seems to be like all alternatives considered originally require some amount of BNSF co-location, especially in the vicinity of downtown Robbinsdale. I guess my dream outcom...

Yep, I think SW Station is envisioned by the planners to be a "funnel" terminus for the SW suburbs along highways 5 & 212. I'm guessing, for gamedays, it will draw riders from Mankato and beyond who would rather park for free in EP than deal with traffic and parking in downtown Mpls. Of course, one ...

Has there been any news on the FFGA? Seems like the timeline keeps slipping, but they stay optimistic that it will be signed soon. With construction in full swing, I'm sure that the $900mm will be needed sooner or later.

Interesting about the EP Penney's store. I think they had already started their going-out-of-business sales - must be awkward to walk those back.

The second rendering makes it look like a big sibling and a little sibling, gazing at the skyline, with an arm around the little one. If this gets built, that's how I'll always view it. Minnie with an arm around Paul

In case anyone was confused (like me), I sent an email to someone on the SWLRT team inquiring about the status of the EP Town Center station. I had heard through media reports that the City of Eden Prairie had contributed funds to include the station during construction and be ready when the line op...

Not that I necessarily disbelieve the rumors being mentioned on the thread, but has there been any objective reporting on the supposed mothballing of this project? Or is it just on the level of hearsay at the moment?

Startribune is reporting that the borrowing bill got punted to next session, likely due to Kurt Daudt's objections.

Link

Weekly Construction Update

Looks like most of the initial heavy construction is focused on the Eden Prairie end of the line, including demolition of the old Culver's at SW Station, and starting work on the bridge over 494.

There is a crane on-site at Southwest Station, which is being used to drive sheet piles up against the US-212 exit ramp. I'm assuming that will be a retaining wall allowing the LRT tracks to leave the station and snake around the Elevate apartment building and then on to the Prairie Center Drive ove...

4/26/19 Construction Update Interesting that rail will be delivered already starting May 13-14. Seems a little early to need the physical rails, without any grading or earthworking having been completed, but given the sheer length of the line, maybe they need to start deliveries ASAP to keep up whe...

I know the groundbreaking already happened and construction has "begun", but is there anywhere along the route where actual activities are happening? I haven't seen anything at all, other than some utility markings, from the EP terminus to about Louisiana station. I imagine with the weather warming ...

Assuming it stays a 34-33 GOP majority, I think you'd actually just need 1 Republican defection because of the odd number of seats. Basically the situation in the US Senate while McCain was absent. The dynamics you pointed out are still definitely going to be interesting to see. Are there any modera...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asteroid_mining

If we get lucky and a rare-metal-rich asteroid passes near earth, then we're set for life!

The Culver's location at Southwest Station is relocating to an outlot in the nearby Lund's & Byerly's parking lot. The current Culver's location is planned to be demolished for the SWLRT project, so this seems like an indication that ROW acquisition is moving forward, at least.

Metropolitan Council Invests in Job Growth, Development, and Housing Near Transit https://metrocouncil.org/News-Events/Communities/Newsletters/Metropolitan-Council-invests-in-job-growth,-develo.aspx Elevate, Eden Prairie - $750,000 to assist with site acquisition and preparation, and stormwater man...

Sort of related: Does anybody know if the SWLRT project includes a delivery track for new LRT cars into the system? To replace the one that would be lost if this rail link went away? The 100% engineering plans show that the SWLRT O&M facility is directly adjacent to the CP Bass Lake spur, but I don...

Not to mention that the street re-orientation that occurred when TCF Bank Stadium was built created an awkward bit of unused land on the northeast corner of the strip mall block. It looks like that bit of ROW is still city-owned, but I'm sure a redevelopment proposal could turn that land into a more...