MICAH Regional Transit Corridor Campaigns

The Metropolitan Council’s 2025 Transit plan identified 8 dedicated transit corridors that include commuter rail, light rail and bus ways. These corridors will receive significant public investments that will shape the future residential and economic development patterns of the region.

Each corridor and transit stop is ripe with potential for additional affordable housing development as well as a mix of retail, offices and open space in a pedestrian friendly environment. MICAH has been working on policies that will create affordable housing and benefit the entire community.

Please join us in making sure that these transit lines benefit the entire community.

MICAH Transit Oriented Development Principles

Communities most impacted by the transit line need to have a substantive voice in development decisions along the transit corridor.
Existing structurally sound affordable housing needs to be preserved.
30% of the new housing needs to be affordable to people with incomes below $42,000.
Existing residents with low incomes should not be taxed out of their homes.
Secure minority participation in all jobs and contracts related to development along the transit corridors.

Transit Corridors

Hennepin County

Bottineau – A 22-mile busway from Minneapolis northwest to Robbinsdale, Crystal, Brooklyn Park, Osseo, Dayton, Maple Grove and Rogers. Any route that is chosen must produce economic opportunity for North Minneapolis. For more information, see the official line at www.bottineautransitway.org or the neighborhood view at northsidetransit.org. You may also contact La Shella at lashella@micah.org.
Southwest – A light rail corridor extending southwest from downtown Minneapolis through Hopkins, St. Louis Park, Minnetonka, and Eden Prairie. Critical planning for the station areas is taking place now. To become involved and ensure that these transit lines benefit the entire community, contact Jodi@micah.org or www.southwesttransitway.org.
Hiawatha – A 12-mile light rail line running south from downtown Minneapolis to the Airport and the Mall of America, opened in 2004. For a report on the effect of the line on job access for low-wage workers, see www1.umn.edu/news/news-releases/2010/UR_CONTENT_182737.html

Anoka County

Northstar – A 40-mile six-station commuter rail corridor linking downtown Minneapolis to Big Lake is now in operation. Affordable housing is being developed in Big Lake and possibly in Anoka. For information on the train, see www.northstartrain.org.

Dakota County

Cedar Avenue – A 16-mile busway running from the Mall of America south to Burnsville, Eagan, Apple Valley, and Lakeville. The official word from Dakota County is available at http://www.co.dakota.mn.us/EnvironmentRoads/Transit/Cedar/default.htm
Red Rock – A 30-mile commuter rail corridor running north along Highway 61 from Hastings to St. Paul and on to Minneapolis. In initial planning stages.

St. Paul / Ramsey

Central – An 11-mile light rail line connecting downtown St. Paul and downtown Minneapolis by way of University and Washington Avenues. Affordable housing has already been built on the west end of the line (Episcopal Homes and Carlton Place Lofts).
MICAH is championing homeowners and renters who might be pressured out of their neighborhood as well as pushing for groundbreaking targets for affordable housing development. Details from the met council at www.metrocouncil.org/transportation/ccorridor/centralcorridor.asp
Rush Line– An 80-mile corridor connecting downtown St. Paul with Hinckley is underway with a commuter coach demonstration service. Cities along the Rush Line are already looking forward to developing with transit in mind. White Bear Lake is building 60 units with Transit Oriented Development bonuses.

MICAH

"Do justice, love mercy, walk humbly with God." MICAH 6:8