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's Recommendations for Housing Policies to Advance Racial and Economic Justice and Benefit the Transit Corridor Communities are here.

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:
  Collaborative corridor planning for the METRO Blue Line LRT Extension
  METRO Blue Line Extension
  Bottineau Transitway Simulation Video Tour
  Bottineau Transitway Detail Video
  "With Bottineau Line, community advocates want to avoid repeating history" By Kristoffer Tigue at MINNPOST 03/15/18
  "Partnering to Fund Community Engagement" colleenoct on Blue Line Coalition 05/18/18
  Nexus Community Partners and the Jay & Rose Phillips Family Foundation of Minnesota are featured in this story about leveraging resources to support community engagement work. The video was produced by Linebreak Media.
  Also from the Blue Line Coalition: "Community Voices in Planning"
  You may also contact La Shella at lashella@micah.org.
  

• Southwest, Green Line Extension – 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 amanda@micah.org

• Hiawatha aka Blue Line – A 12-mile light rail line running south from downtown Minneapolis to the Airport and the Mall of America, opened in 2004.

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.

Dakota County

• Cedar Avenue BRT – A 16-mile busway running from the Mall of America south toBurnsville, Eagan, Apple Valley, and Lakeville.

• Red Rock – A 30-mile commuter rail corridor running north along Highway 61 from Hastings to St. Paul and on to Minneapolis.

St. Paul / Ramsey

• Central aka Green Line – 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.

• The Gateway Corridor stretches from downtown St. Paul to the St. Croix River Bridge, along Interstate 94, Hudson Road, and Highway 12. It is the doorway to and from Minnesota and Wisconsin’s diverse communities. Not only does the Gateway Corridor represent the front step to urban, suburban and rural areas, it also is an entry point to corporate campuses, educational institutions, commercial centers, and recreational destinations.

• 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.