Suburbs - General Topics

[DanPatchToget]

I would just like to point out that Amazon's distribution centers in Shakopee and (in the near future) in Lakeville are pretty close to existing rail lines that could have regional rail service. Just saying. [hint hint]

[QuietBlue]

I'm not sure where else something like this could go besides a suburb with a lot of open space left. Finding a site large enough with sufficient transportation access further in would be difficult, and besides, with the emphasis on converting industrial space to other uses, it's not like they're being encouraged to locate there either.

[VacantLuxuries]

If Amazon is willing to foot the bill to have the rail stop at their doorstep, that'd be cool since they can afford it. Otherwise I think we'd be better off investing our transit dollars elsewhere.

[DanPatchToget]

Will Target be footing the bill for a stop on the Blue Line Extension? Will the companies in Minnetonka be footing the bill for the Opus and City West stations? Would be nice if they did but I highly doubt it.

[Tiller]

Where else to you suggest besides Lakeville that has room for a 750,000 square foot distribution center with associated truck parking? The former Apple store in Uptown?

There have been different locations all over the place they've internally and externally talked about potentially building this warehouse, including Bloomington, Woodbury, Brooklyn Park, etc. Instead they stuck it out in Lakeville, probably hoping it will draw a more white/conservative workforce that's less likely to try and unionize.

[VacantLuxuries]

Will Target be footing the bill for a stop on the Blue Line Extension? Will the companies in Minnetonka be footing the bill for the Opus and City West stations? Would be nice if they did but I highly doubt it.

Target definitely should be. Though I would say there is a significant difference between ending at an office park with lots of developable land for transit-oriented development, and an industrial warehouse park that's largely built out, especially when the industrial park would require an expensive and environmentally challenging river crossing to reach.

[DanPatchToget]

Will Target be footing the bill for a stop on the Blue Line Extension? Will the companies in Minnetonka be footing the bill for the Opus and City West stations? Would be nice if they did but I highly doubt it.

Target definitely should be. Though I would say there is a significant difference between ending at an office park with lots of developable land for transit-oriented development, and an industrial warehouse park that's largely built out, especially when the industrial park would require an expensive and environmentally challenging river crossing to reach.

Have you been to the area where this warehouse is being built? Because there's plenty of undeveloped land surrounding it, plus Downtown Lakeville is a mile away.

As for the river crossing, assuming you're referring to the Minnesota River, there's already a rail line and trestle across the river. It would definitely need to be replaced, but it wouldn't be like Highway 169, I-35W, Highway 77, etc. where they had to mow down forests and move massive amounts of dirt to build those gigantic river crossings.

[Mdcastle]

I can guarantee you there's no way this would have ever been built in Bloomington. The only vacant land in the city is in the South Loop, where the city would in no way allow it. They were reluctant to even allow Sick in until they made promised that it would be primarily their offices rather than manufacturing. Buying and clearing some existing industrial area is going to be a lot more expensive than some cornfield next to the freeway in the exurbs.

You recall that it was the backlash from area residents in Brooklyn Park that killed the project there, and I doubt the demographics of Woodbury are that much different from Lakeville.

[SurlyLHT]

Amazon will through the years replace these workers with robots. So unless robots are going to start commuting via rail let's put our transit dollars where people are.

[DanPatchToget]

Amazon will through the years replace these workers with robots. So unless robots are going to start commuting via rail let's put our transit dollars where people are.

No, people will be working with robots. Optimally in a harmonious way, but so far the results have been so-so. https://www.latimes.com/business/story/ ... an-workers

[QuietBlue]

Doesn't Amazon already run charter buses to their Shakopee distribution center for their employees? I imagine they'd do that for this one too if the need arose.

[HiawathaGuy]

This 750,000 sq ft warehouse is for larger items that need special storage, like mattresses, grills, exercise equipment - that can be shipped in a 30-45 min radius. This is not to be confused with the 2 million secretive warehouse that people were speculating Amazon was looking to build in Brooklyn Park.