Community Investment

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Investing in the physical environment can help established community members maintain a sense of belonging and ownership over their community through times of change. Empowering communities to advocate and advance their own vision for the future is critical to creating and maintaining a sense of belonging and ownership. Strategic investment by project partners in existing cultural assets will also help preserve a sense of community and belonging that is resilient to broader change throughout the design, construction, and operation of the Blue Line Extension.

1. CONNECT people to anti-displacement efforts.

Focused Navigation & Outreach:

Hennepin County will contract with community-based organizations that operate in the corridor to provide outreach, services and support in partnership with county navigators. Partners will continue to target outreach through county navigators, community-based organizations, and community networks within the corridor as well as invest in marketing to connect people to services. Outreach partners will engage community members to ensure their voice is incorporated throughout anti-displacement planning and investment.

Status: In development
Owner: Hennepin County
(Before, during and after construction)

2. EMPOWER community members and organizations.

Cultivate Arts:

A collaborative effort by Hennepin County to engage community members along the METRO BLE corridor to “activate spaces, build connections, celebrate diversity, and promote opportunity through local artist-led creative placemaking projects.” The program includes opportunities for community ownership and encourages community members to play a primary role in decision making.

Status: In place
Owner: Hennepin County
(Before, during and after construction)

Cultural districts:

Cultural districts provide funding and support for cultural activity within a community. Minneapolis' Cultural Districts Program helps establish cultural districts, including one along West Broadway. Minneapolis also has a policy in its 2040 Comprehensive Plan regarding the use of cultural districts and actions the city takes to support those designated areas. Robbinsdale, Crystal, and Brooklyn Park could establish cultural districts where applicable along the BLE corridor.

Status: In place in Minneapolis, Under consideration in other jurisdictions, may be eligible for ACPP funding
Owners: Cities
(Before, during and after construction)

Community Organization Capacity Building:

Corridor communities already have a strong network of community and cultural organizations, as well as local nonprofits that provide a wide variety of services and supports. Helping these existing institutions and organizations grow their capacity to deliver services and connect residents to existing and new resources and support would help communities build capacity to organize, influence, and guide human and built outcomes. Partners are considering various opportunities to support organizations and engage them in anti-displacement efforts.

Status: Under consideration
Owner: TBD
(Before, during and after construction)

Commercial Memorandums of Understanding:

These agreements seek to secure commitments from businesses to work within the community in good faith in exchange for community support of the business. These agreements can include hiring community members, providing multi-lingual menus or signage, and services that directly benefit the community.

Status: Under consideration
Owners: Cities
(Before, during and after construction)

3. REFLECT the community in the built environment.

Station Design, Architecture, & Programming:

The BLE Project Team will design stations with local customization in mind. Several elements on each station will be customizable (e.g., color, texture, and canopy facia size) and designed with the community. Station display monitors (alternating with train information) could be used to display art from students at local schools and promote local public events, as two potential examples. The cities, Metropolitan Council, Hennepin County, and neighborhood organizations can also host public events using the stations as anchors for the events, which would both help familiarize residents with the stations and improve access to public events for attendees visiting the neighborhood. This strategy was employed successfully on the Green Line and can be adapted to fit the BLE corridor's needs.

Status: In development, may be eligible for ACPP funding
Owner: Metropolitan Council
(Before, during and after construction)

West Broadway Improvements:

Although the BLE will not be running on West Broadway in Minneapolis east of James Avenue North, the Metropolitan Council will improve West Broadway infrastructure from James Avenue North to Lyndale Avenue through a full street reconstruction. Improvements on West Broadway, as shown in the Metropolitan Council's current design, include widened sidewalks, curb bump-outs at intersections to reduce pedestrian crossing space, lane reductions, and new medians. Final designs for West Broadway will be informed by community input.

Status: In development, may be eligible for ACPP funding
Owner: Metropolitan Council
(Before, during and after construction)

Streetscape Improvements:

The BLE project will improve other spaces along the BLE corridor. Street furniture, bicycle parking, landscaping, and pedestrian lighting will be added at key locations throughout the corridor. Several streets will be rebuilt, allowing for improvements to traffic design, pedestrian safety, and utilities.

Status: In development, may be eligible for ACPP funding
Owner: Metropolitan Council
(Before, during and after construction)

City-Based Station Area Planning:

Station area plans are being developed or considered for adoption by the corridor cities. Station area plans recommend actions to address access improvements, future developments, public spaces, pedestrian and bicycle realm improvements, climate change resiliency, and other improvements.

Status: In development
Owners: Cities
(Before, during and after construction)

Public Realm Creation:

Areas around the new BLE stations and along connecting existing streets will be designed with community to create and enhance the public realm, offering new opportunities for the community to gather and connect. When property is purchased, some unused portions of it may be retained and converted into public space. The opportunity will vary based on technical, space, and place requirements.

Status: In development, further investments under consideration, may be eligible for ACPP funding
Owners: Metropolitan Council, Cities, Hennepin County
(Before, during and after construction)

Public Art Funding:

Suburban cities for the Green Line Extension are considering a Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) to raise funds for public art on sites adjacent to station sites. This is especially useful as federal funding for public art is not available through FTA’s Capital Investment Grant program, and not able to be included in the BLE project. A similar approach could be taken by the BLE corridor cities. The City of Minneapolis already has a planned art installation south of West Broadway at North Commons Park, anticipated to be completed in late 2024.

Status: Under consideration, may be eligible for ACPP funding
Owners: Cities
(Before, during and after construction)

4. PROMOTE community-oriented development.

Leverage Community-Oriented Development Programs & Resources:

Communities along the corridor will become better connected to the region’s transportation network through the Blue Line Extension, which means there may be increased development within the corridor to take advantage of the benefits of light rail. Leveraging community-oriented development services, resources, and policies can ensure that development and increased investment are designed and implemented to benefit existing businesses and residents in the corridor.

Status: See section below for programs in place or under consideration; further investments will be continuously developed
Owners: Metropolitan Council, Hennepin County, Cities, Partners
(Before, during and after construction)


Support for developers or cities

Community-Oriented Development Programs & Resources

Transit Oriented Development: The Metropolitan Council’s Transit Oriented Development program provides funding for moderate- to higher-density projects located within easy walking distance of a major transit stop, which typically include a mix of uses.

Status: In place
Owner: Metropolitan Council

Joint Development Program: Once the Blue Line Extension is built, this Federal Transit Administration program enables the Metropolitan Council to use excess property that was purchased for BLE with FTA dollars for public or private real estate development. The real estate development must provide both an economic and a public transportation benefit to the community. Metropolitan Council must protect the transit purpose of the property, the entity(s) occupying the property must pay their fair share of the facility costs (if applicable), and a fair share of the revenue generated by the property must be used for public transportation.

Status: In place
Owner: Metropolitan Council

Transit Oriented Communities: The Hennepin County Transit Oriented Communities program invests in public infrastructure improvements adjacent to transit-oriented development projects. Transit oriented development projects and adjacent public realm infrastructure incorporate details that prioritize people, supporting or creating walkable, mixed-use, human-centered communities that leverage transit service.

Status: In place, may be eligible for ACPP funding
Owner: Hennepin County

Bottineau Community Works Investment Frame-work and Capital Budget: Bottineau Community Works is a Hennepin County program that partners with corridor cities to improve policies and infrastructure surrounding the BLE. Community Works has identified a list of potential infrastructure projects in their investment framework that relate to improved access. These include upgraded bicycle and pedestrian trails, shared mobility options, connectivity to existing station areas and trails and new signage and wayfinding to community assets. The Bottineau Community Works capital budget is a potential source of funding for implementation of these access improvement projects.

Status: In place, may be eligible for ACPP funding
Owner: Hennepin County

Affordable Commercial Space Development:

Minneapolis’s Commercial Property Development Fund provides funding to support development projects that provide affordable commercial spaces or targeted commercial development in economically challenged areas. Hennepin County’s Affordable Commercial Incentive Fund was a one-time pilot program that accomplished similar ends. These programs can help reduce the risk of developing affordable commercial spaces in underserved areas.

Status: In place in Minneapolis, Under consideration in Hennepin County; may be eligible for ACPP funding Owner: Minneapolis, Hennepin County

Business District Development: Hennepin County’s Business District Initiative offers suburban cities resources and funding for façade improvements, wayfinding, marketing, technical improvements, financial and legal resources, and other actions to improve business districts. Minneapolis’s Great Streets Program offers grant and loan opportunities for business district revitalization. These programs can provide resources to develop well-maintained business districts that welcome and sustain a customer base.

Status: In place, may be eligible for ACPP funding
Owners: Hennepin County

Developers Technical Assistance Program (DTAP): A City of Minneapolis program that offers free classes, workshops, and advice for small and emerging real estate developers. The program encourages community-oriented development.

Status: In place
Owner: Minneapolis

Green Zones: A City of Minneapolis policy initiative that seeks to help communities that face adverse effects of pollution and other issues, including social and economic vulnerability. Communities in Green Zones receive support to improve health and support economic development. The initiative helps foster sustainable and resilient community and economic development.

Status: In place
Owner: Minneapolis

Community Land Trusts (CLTs): CLTs are community-based organizations that create and preserve affordable ownership options for residents and business owners. CLTs acquire land and remove it from the speculative, for-profit real estate market. CLTs retain ownership of the land in perpetuity, then convey an existing or developed commercial or residential building to an owner based in the community as a long-term affordability strategy that survives changes in building ownership. Community Land Trusts create perpetually affordable homeownership and business space ownership opportunities and several currently operate within the corridor. The City of Lakes Community Land Trust provides homeownership opportunities in Minneapolis, the West Hennepin Affordable Housing Land Trust provides homeownership opportunities in suburban Hennepin County, and the Partnership in Property Commercial Land Trust (PIPCLT) holds commercial land in trust so that the properties remain affordable for small business owners

Status: In Place, may be eligible for ACPP funding
Owner: Land Trusts, Hennepin County, cities

Land Banks: Land banks offer opportunities for ownership by allowing additional time to compile resources to purchase a property, such as Land Bank Twin Cities, which is a non-profit organization that strategically purchases, holds, and maintains properties for prospective buyers, then sells it to them after a specified amount of time. Land bank properties can include residential homes, multifamily properties, commercial buildings, and vacant lands for development.

Status: In Place, may be eligible for ACPP funding
Owner: Land Bank Twin Cities

Community Development Corporations (CDCs): These community-based organizations acquire, develop, and rehab land and property in collaboration with community members, and/or to achieve community-defined objectives. Hennepin County provides competitive funding opportunities to CDCs.

Status: In place, may be eligible for ACPP funding
Owner: Community Development Corporations

Community Benefits Agreements (CBAs): These contracts are developed by communities with developers seeking to build/develop within said communities. These agreements consist of clearly defined commitments for the developer to include things that benefit the community in their proposed development, such as public art, public space, and dedicated commercial space for local businesses. Corridor cities could help establish CBAs between local communities and future development efforts.

Status: Under consideration
Owners: Cities, community-based organizations

Land Disposition Policy: Corridor cities, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, and Hennepin County have the opportunity to prioritize uses that benefit the community, such as affordable housing or community-serving projects, on publicly-owned vacant lots. On previous infrastructure projects, Hennepin County has conveyed excess land to cities for development or has issued RFPs to developers with required actions to meet County goals. Developing or modifying existing land disposition policies would support county- or city-owned land to be used to fit the unique needs of a community.

Status: Policy development/modification under consideration by jurisdiction
Owners: Hennepin County, Cities, MPRB

Investing in the physical environment can help established community members maintain a sense of belonging and ownership over their community through times of change. Empowering communities to advocate and advance their own vision for the future is critical to creating and maintaining a sense of belonging and ownership. Strategic investment by project partners in existing cultural assets will also help preserve a sense of community and belonging that is resilient to broader change throughout the design, construction, and operation of the Blue Line Extension.

1. CONNECT people to anti-displacement efforts.

Focused Navigation & Outreach:

Hennepin County will contract with community-based organizations that operate in the corridor to provide outreach, services and support in partnership with county navigators. Partners will continue to target outreach through county navigators, community-based organizations, and community networks within the corridor as well as invest in marketing to connect people to services. Outreach partners will engage community members to ensure their voice is incorporated throughout anti-displacement planning and investment.

Status: In development
Owner: Hennepin County
(Before, during and after construction)

2. EMPOWER community members and organizations.

Cultivate Arts:

A collaborative effort by Hennepin County to engage community members along the METRO BLE corridor to “activate spaces, build connections, celebrate diversity, and promote opportunity through local artist-led creative placemaking projects.” The program includes opportunities for community ownership and encourages community members to play a primary role in decision making.

Status: In place
Owner: Hennepin County
(Before, during and after construction)

Cultural districts:

Cultural districts provide funding and support for cultural activity within a community. Minneapolis' Cultural Districts Program helps establish cultural districts, including one along West Broadway. Minneapolis also has a policy in its 2040 Comprehensive Plan regarding the use of cultural districts and actions the city takes to support those designated areas. Robbinsdale, Crystal, and Brooklyn Park could establish cultural districts where applicable along the BLE corridor.

Status: In place in Minneapolis, Under consideration in other jurisdictions, may be eligible for ACPP funding
Owners: Cities
(Before, during and after construction)

Community Organization Capacity Building:

Corridor communities already have a strong network of community and cultural organizations, as well as local nonprofits that provide a wide variety of services and supports. Helping these existing institutions and organizations grow their capacity to deliver services and connect residents to existing and new resources and support would help communities build capacity to organize, influence, and guide human and built outcomes. Partners are considering various opportunities to support organizations and engage them in anti-displacement efforts.

Status: Under consideration
Owner: TBD
(Before, during and after construction)

Commercial Memorandums of Understanding:

These agreements seek to secure commitments from businesses to work within the community in good faith in exchange for community support of the business. These agreements can include hiring community members, providing multi-lingual menus or signage, and services that directly benefit the community.

Status: Under consideration
Owners: Cities
(Before, during and after construction)

3. REFLECT the community in the built environment.

Station Design, Architecture, & Programming:

The BLE Project Team will design stations with local customization in mind. Several elements on each station will be customizable (e.g., color, texture, and canopy facia size) and designed with the community. Station display monitors (alternating with train information) could be used to display art from students at local schools and promote local public events, as two potential examples. The cities, Metropolitan Council, Hennepin County, and neighborhood organizations can also host public events using the stations as anchors for the events, which would both help familiarize residents with the stations and improve access to public events for attendees visiting the neighborhood. This strategy was employed successfully on the Green Line and can be adapted to fit the BLE corridor's needs.

Status: In development, may be eligible for ACPP funding
Owner: Metropolitan Council
(Before, during and after construction)

West Broadway Improvements:

Although the BLE will not be running on West Broadway in Minneapolis east of James Avenue North, the Metropolitan Council will improve West Broadway infrastructure from James Avenue North to Lyndale Avenue through a full street reconstruction. Improvements on West Broadway, as shown in the Metropolitan Council's current design, include widened sidewalks, curb bump-outs at intersections to reduce pedestrian crossing space, lane reductions, and new medians. Final designs for West Broadway will be informed by community input.

Status: In development, may be eligible for ACPP funding
Owner: Metropolitan Council
(Before, during and after construction)

Streetscape Improvements:

The BLE project will improve other spaces along the BLE corridor. Street furniture, bicycle parking, landscaping, and pedestrian lighting will be added at key locations throughout the corridor. Several streets will be rebuilt, allowing for improvements to traffic design, pedestrian safety, and utilities.

Status: In development, may be eligible for ACPP funding
Owner: Metropolitan Council
(Before, during and after construction)

City-Based Station Area Planning:

Station area plans are being developed or considered for adoption by the corridor cities. Station area plans recommend actions to address access improvements, future developments, public spaces, pedestrian and bicycle realm improvements, climate change resiliency, and other improvements.

Status: In development
Owners: Cities
(Before, during and after construction)

Public Realm Creation:

Areas around the new BLE stations and along connecting existing streets will be designed with community to create and enhance the public realm, offering new opportunities for the community to gather and connect. When property is purchased, some unused portions of it may be retained and converted into public space. The opportunity will vary based on technical, space, and place requirements.

Status: In development, further investments under consideration, may be eligible for ACPP funding
Owners: Metropolitan Council, Cities, Hennepin County
(Before, during and after construction)

Public Art Funding:

Suburban cities for the Green Line Extension are considering a Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) to raise funds for public art on sites adjacent to station sites. This is especially useful as federal funding for public art is not available through FTA’s Capital Investment Grant program, and not able to be included in the BLE project. A similar approach could be taken by the BLE corridor cities. The City of Minneapolis already has a planned art installation south of West Broadway at North Commons Park, anticipated to be completed in late 2024.

Status: Under consideration, may be eligible for ACPP funding
Owners: Cities
(Before, during and after construction)

4. PROMOTE community-oriented development.

Leverage Community-Oriented Development Programs & Resources:

Communities along the corridor will become better connected to the region’s transportation network through the Blue Line Extension, which means there may be increased development within the corridor to take advantage of the benefits of light rail. Leveraging community-oriented development services, resources, and policies can ensure that development and increased investment are designed and implemented to benefit existing businesses and residents in the corridor.

Status: See section below for programs in place or under consideration; further investments will be continuously developed
Owners: Metropolitan Council, Hennepin County, Cities, Partners
(Before, during and after construction)


Support for developers or cities

Community-Oriented Development Programs & Resources

Transit Oriented Development: The Metropolitan Council’s Transit Oriented Development program provides funding for moderate- to higher-density projects located within easy walking distance of a major transit stop, which typically include a mix of uses.

Status: In place
Owner: Metropolitan Council

Joint Development Program: Once the Blue Line Extension is built, this Federal Transit Administration program enables the Metropolitan Council to use excess property that was purchased for BLE with FTA dollars for public or private real estate development. The real estate development must provide both an economic and a public transportation benefit to the community. Metropolitan Council must protect the transit purpose of the property, the entity(s) occupying the property must pay their fair share of the facility costs (if applicable), and a fair share of the revenue generated by the property must be used for public transportation.

Status: In place
Owner: Metropolitan Council

Transit Oriented Communities: The Hennepin County Transit Oriented Communities program invests in public infrastructure improvements adjacent to transit-oriented development projects. Transit oriented development projects and adjacent public realm infrastructure incorporate details that prioritize people, supporting or creating walkable, mixed-use, human-centered communities that leverage transit service.

Status: In place, may be eligible for ACPP funding
Owner: Hennepin County

Bottineau Community Works Investment Frame-work and Capital Budget: Bottineau Community Works is a Hennepin County program that partners with corridor cities to improve policies and infrastructure surrounding the BLE. Community Works has identified a list of potential infrastructure projects in their investment framework that relate to improved access. These include upgraded bicycle and pedestrian trails, shared mobility options, connectivity to existing station areas and trails and new signage and wayfinding to community assets. The Bottineau Community Works capital budget is a potential source of funding for implementation of these access improvement projects.

Status: In place, may be eligible for ACPP funding
Owner: Hennepin County

Affordable Commercial Space Development:

Minneapolis’s Commercial Property Development Fund provides funding to support development projects that provide affordable commercial spaces or targeted commercial development in economically challenged areas. Hennepin County’s Affordable Commercial Incentive Fund was a one-time pilot program that accomplished similar ends. These programs can help reduce the risk of developing affordable commercial spaces in underserved areas.

Status: In place in Minneapolis, Under consideration in Hennepin County; may be eligible for ACPP funding Owner: Minneapolis, Hennepin County

Business District Development: Hennepin County’s Business District Initiative offers suburban cities resources and funding for façade improvements, wayfinding, marketing, technical improvements, financial and legal resources, and other actions to improve business districts. Minneapolis’s Great Streets Program offers grant and loan opportunities for business district revitalization. These programs can provide resources to develop well-maintained business districts that welcome and sustain a customer base.

Status: In place, may be eligible for ACPP funding
Owners: Hennepin County

Developers Technical Assistance Program (DTAP): A City of Minneapolis program that offers free classes, workshops, and advice for small and emerging real estate developers. The program encourages community-oriented development.

Status: In place
Owner: Minneapolis

Green Zones: A City of Minneapolis policy initiative that seeks to help communities that face adverse effects of pollution and other issues, including social and economic vulnerability. Communities in Green Zones receive support to improve health and support economic development. The initiative helps foster sustainable and resilient community and economic development.

Status: In place
Owner: Minneapolis

Community Land Trusts (CLTs): CLTs are community-based organizations that create and preserve affordable ownership options for residents and business owners. CLTs acquire land and remove it from the speculative, for-profit real estate market. CLTs retain ownership of the land in perpetuity, then convey an existing or developed commercial or residential building to an owner based in the community as a long-term affordability strategy that survives changes in building ownership. Community Land Trusts create perpetually affordable homeownership and business space ownership opportunities and several currently operate within the corridor. The City of Lakes Community Land Trust provides homeownership opportunities in Minneapolis, the West Hennepin Affordable Housing Land Trust provides homeownership opportunities in suburban Hennepin County, and the Partnership in Property Commercial Land Trust (PIPCLT) holds commercial land in trust so that the properties remain affordable for small business owners

Status: In Place, may be eligible for ACPP funding
Owner: Land Trusts, Hennepin County, cities

Land Banks: Land banks offer opportunities for ownership by allowing additional time to compile resources to purchase a property, such as Land Bank Twin Cities, which is a non-profit organization that strategically purchases, holds, and maintains properties for prospective buyers, then sells it to them after a specified amount of time. Land bank properties can include residential homes, multifamily properties, commercial buildings, and vacant lands for development.

Status: In Place, may be eligible for ACPP funding
Owner: Land Bank Twin Cities

Community Development Corporations (CDCs): These community-based organizations acquire, develop, and rehab land and property in collaboration with community members, and/or to achieve community-defined objectives. Hennepin County provides competitive funding opportunities to CDCs.

Status: In place, may be eligible for ACPP funding
Owner: Community Development Corporations

Community Benefits Agreements (CBAs): These contracts are developed by communities with developers seeking to build/develop within said communities. These agreements consist of clearly defined commitments for the developer to include things that benefit the community in their proposed development, such as public art, public space, and dedicated commercial space for local businesses. Corridor cities could help establish CBAs between local communities and future development efforts.

Status: Under consideration
Owners: Cities, community-based organizations

Land Disposition Policy: Corridor cities, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, and Hennepin County have the opportunity to prioritize uses that benefit the community, such as affordable housing or community-serving projects, on publicly-owned vacant lots. On previous infrastructure projects, Hennepin County has conveyed excess land to cities for development or has issued RFPs to developers with required actions to meet County goals. Developing or modifying existing land disposition policies would support county- or city-owned land to be used to fit the unique needs of a community.

Status: Policy development/modification under consideration by jurisdiction
Owners: Hennepin County, Cities, MPRB

Page last updated: 27 Sep 2024, 07:55 AM