Southeast Como Improvement Association (SECIA)
May 6, 2008

IMPACT OF LIGHT-RAIL ROUTES ON TRAFFIC DISCUSSED
In light of plans by the Metropolitan Council to build a Central Corridor light-rail transit line across or around the U of M campus, SECIA invited the council to present its plans to the board.

The board sent a letter in March to the Met Council Central Corridor Project manager stating, “A more comprehensive examination of the multiple layers of capital projects and roads planned for SE Minneapolis needs to be undertaken.” The letter points to projects that include the proposed Grand Rounds Parkway “missing link,” construction of Granary Road in the Southeast Minneapolis Industrial Area (SEMI), the campus football stadium under construction, entrance and exit ramps planned for the I-35W bridge under construction, and neighborhood parking concerns.

Jessica Hill, community outreach coordinator for the Central Corridor project, presented a study of current and project traffic volume for roads and intersections in the east and west bank areas near campus. Traffic counts for 2030 were based on construction of a pedestrian/bike/light-rail transit mall planned for Washington Avenue. Traffic would be eliminated from Washington Avenue and diverted to campus locations or around the campus. The Met Council determined that a light-rail tunnel proposed under Washington Avenue would be too costly.

In addition, the university is studying an alternative light-rail campus route that would go north of the campus through a railroad trench in Dinkytown.

Responding to questions, Hill said the Grand Rounds parkway “missing link” proposed through SE Como, connecting Northeast and Prospect Park, was not considered in the traffic volumes study. Hill said the route is not yet in the city plan.

Board President Wendy Menken raised a question about future traffic on the Franklin Avenue bridge, which would become part of the Grand Rounds route. Hill said there is more traffic on the bridge now because of the collapse of the I-35W bridge than there will be if there is a transit mall on Washington Avenue. Board member Jeff Haberer noted that the Park Board is considering a roundabout intersection at the east end of the bridge.

Hill reported that traffic at the Cedar-Riverside intersection would be heavily affected by the closing of Washington Avenue for a transit mall. As a result, the intersection would need to be upgraded. At present, the intersection is classified as “failed,” and it is considered the most dangerous intersection in the city to cross, Hill said.

Hill also reported that the Stadium Village Business Association would be meeting May 7 to consider if it would want the Washington Avenue transit mall extended in front of the businesses.

Board member Connie Sullivan pointed out that there is erosion during winter and spring along the river bluff on East River Road. The road is one of the routes proposed for redirecting traffic from a Washington Avenue transit mall. Sullivan asked, “How much traffic can it take?”

Wendy Menken said the board is concerned about the “layering of several projects” in the area and their impact. Menken said the northern alignment alternative light-rail route might possibly have less impact, and she wants to see the results of the study of the route.

In response to questions, Hill said September is the deadline for the Met Council to submit the Central Corridor plans to the Federal Transit Administration. “State funding looks ‘go’ now,” she said. The governor had line item vetoed $70 million in state funding toward the project.

Board member Connie Sullivan called the deadline an “artificial urgency,” adding, “I don’t think September is the only time the Met Council can apply for funding.” Sullivan said Minnesota has been playing games with the project, “from the governor on down,” and, “It’s not just the U saying there is something fishy here.” Wendy Menken said, “We divided and destroyed neighborhoods in the 60s with the building of freeways with urgency.”

Hill said the Met Council could wait a year, but inflation would add $40 million to the project. Cost estimated for the project is close to $1 billion.

Lynn Anderson, SECIA representative to the Central Corridor committee, said the university predicted $100 to $200 million in traffic and road mitigation costs if traffic is rerouted from a transit mall on Washington Ave. Anderson, a former SECIA board member, said the northern alignment favored by the university likely wouldn’t cost as much. However, Hill noted the northern route would require a $200 million insurance policy because of the closeness of light-rail and freight-rail lines.

Board member Tedd Johnson said using the #9 former railroad bridge for the northern alignment route is “a no-brainer.” Hill responded that the bridge would need to be rebuilt, the route on the West Bank would go through Section 8 housing, and go through a baseball field. The field is a contaminated oil plant site that would be costly to clean up. In addition, the route would require a deep trench for the line in front of the law school building.

In response to a question, Hill said the cost for reinforcing the Washington Avenue bridge to carry light-rail would be less than the #9 bridge route costs. Also, reinforcements are needed for the Washington Avenue bridge whether or not it will carry light-rail trains.

Board member Bill Dane said the university is “legitimately panicked” because the university expects the impact of routing light-rail on a Washington Avenue transit mall without traffic would greatly affect access to the university hospital. “It will be too hard to get there,” Dane said. Sullivan said the impact might kill the hospital.

Sullivan told Hill, “We appreciate your spending the time with us.” Hill said everyone is invited to a May 21 Met Council meeting, noon to 4, at the St. Paul council office. She invited questions by email at: Jessica.Hill@metc.state.mn.us.

NORTHERN ALIGNMENT LRT STUDY, MITIGATION SUPPORTED
Wendy Menken said university officials are concerned that the Met Council will not consider the results of a university study of a northern alignment north of the campus for the Central Corridor light-rail route.

The board voted in favor of sending a letter encouraging the council to take into consideration the results of the northern LRT route study. The study is also looking at the traffic mitigation measures that would be needed if Washington Avenue is converted to a transit mall and traffic is redirected. The motion said the letter should request the Met Council to consider the northern alignment a viable alternative to a surface line on Washington Avenue.

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL BACKS OUT OF TUTTLE RENTAL
Board president Wendy Menken reported that the Nacel International School, a private high school located on the Hamline University campus in St. Paul, backed out of a proposal to rent space in the former Tuttle Elementary School building.

Menken said that puts another school proposal back on the table. The Oh Day Aki, Heart of the Earth, K-12 Minneapolis charter school and Center for American Indian Education, located in Dinkytown, needs to move, she said. Menken said the building was condemned by the state for use as a school. Problems include mold.

Menken said the school, started in the mid-70s, became a charter school in 2001. Enrollment is 97 percent Native American and 3 percent other. Menken said the school has a history of not controlling students on the campus, and communities don’t want kids wandering into the neighborhood. But, the charter school is trying to operate and manage the school differently, she said.

Menken said the positive note is that the school district wants to keep the Tuttle building. Menken said SECIA could again ask the university about locating day care facilities in the building.

“MISSING LINK” DOCUMENTATION TO BE REQUESTED
The board voted to request documentation from the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board for the proposed Grand Rounds “missing link” route connecting Northeast and Prospect Park through SE Como.

Board member Connie Sullivan, one of two SE Como representatives on the missing link citizens advisory planning committee (CAC), said she was disturbed by revisions in the final CAC report. It recommends the park board consider two potential east side routes for the missing link. However, she understood the CAC recommended only one route, the one furthest east. The report and its recommendation will go to the park board for approval on May 23.

Board member Jeff Haberer, and the other CAC representative from SE Como, said he believes there is “a lot of conjecture” in the CAC report. “To have my name on it, I have a problem,” Haberer said. Sullivan said she and Haberer would confer. Haberer said he would send an email to the park board.

GETTING WORD OUT ABOUT SAFETY AFTER ASSAULT
Board President Wendy Menken reported that a 20-year-old female was sexually assaulted at her residence near 15th and Talmadge Avenue in the early hours of May 4. Menken said the next step was to get word out about safety, and that she had started knocking on doors.

BUILDING WITH SECIA OFFICE MAY BE SOLD
Wendy Menken reported that the building where the SECIA office is located is closer to being sold. Menken said SECIA isn’t able to buy it, adding, “We haven’t won the lottery yet.”

There are two potential buyers and Menken will schedule a meeting with one ASAP. In addition, the SECIA staff will be asked to get information about a business location available at 15th and Como Avenue.

NEW CITY ATTORNEY WANTS TO MEET COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS
Wendy Menken said Susan L. Segal, a new city attorney, wants to meet with community organizations. “We definitely will take her up on it.”

STAFF SALARY INCREASE, BENEFIT CHANGES APPROVED
The board voted in favor of salary and benefits changes for SECIA staff. They include a 4 percent salary increase and the option to choose pretax health insurance or extended vacation time.

BOARD MEMBER RESIGNED, VACANCY OPEN
Board president Wendy Menken announced that board secretary Marilyn Burns would leave the board after this meeting. Menken said Burns has a time conflict with a new job, and commented, “We’ve got a strong board.”

GLOBE TOOL SIGNS “GOOD NEIGHBOR AGREEMENT”
Wendy Menken reported that the May 2 signing ceremony for a Good Neighbor Agreement “was great.” It was signed between Globe Tool, 730 24th Ave. SE; SE Como, Prospect Park, and the St. Anthony Park Community Council. Menken said Rep. Phyllis Kahn was interested and wanted to meet with SECIA as a follow-up.

In the agreement, the company agrees to take steps to improve the community, including a reduction of Trichloroethylene emissions from its plant.

OBENTO-YA BEER, WINE LICENSE GRANTED
Council member Gordon in a report said the city granted the Obento-Ya Japanese Bistro in Southeast Como a Class E wine and strong beer license. The SECIA board supported the restaurant’s application.

YOUTHLINE STAFF HIRED FOR PARKS; BOARD THANKED
The city park and recreation board has hired Steve Zimmer as a Youthline worker for Van Cleve and Logan parks, reported Scott Krueger, Van Cleve Park contact person. Zimmer’s hours until summer are Monday, Wednesday, Friday nights.

Krueger thanked the SECIA board for its emails to the park board in support of hiring a Youthline worker. Board President Wendy Menken said the hiring is good news.

NEXT MEETING: Tuesday, June 3, 6:30 p.m., 2008, Van Cleve Park building.

REGULAR MEETINGS: 1st Tuesday of the month, 6:30–8:30 p.m. Van Cleve Park, 901 15th Ave. SE.

CONTACT: Office, 837 SE 15th Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55414, phone 612-676-1731, James De Sota, neighborhood coordinator, secomo@secomo.org, website: http://secomo.org/drupal/index.php?q=home.

last revised: June 6, 2008

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