Rail to Where? Storytelling in Twin Cities Planning and Policy

Abstract

Southwest LRT is a light rail expansion project in Minneapolis, set to be completed in the late 2020’s. When deciding the alignment of the route, planners in Minneapolis had to decide whether to build the alignment near areas of the city that had already been developed, or those that could undergo transportation oriented development in response to the project. After long deliberation, they chose to build the alignment away from existing development, with access to recreation and potential transportation oriented development highlighted as reasons why. In this thesis, I ask if it is better for light rail transit to serve areas that have already been developed, or areas that have the potential for development, and how has this thought process changed over time for government officials and community members? Furthermore, if government agencies were to choose to build in developed areas, what measures should be taken to prevent displacement? To answer this, I used archival research such as government documents (environmental impact statements, policy suggestions) and news articles to paint a picture as to what planners were thinking at the time of project development. I also interviewed multiple stakeholders across Minneapolis, including those in surrounding neighborhoods of light rail projects as well as workers at various government entities in the area. Lastly, I conducted personal observations of numerous neighborhoods throughout the Twin Cities region, both where light rail had already been constructed or was currently being constructed. Through this research, I attempted to visualize a story from the beginning of light rail expansion in the Twin Cities to now to understand the thinking of planners in where they chose to build their alignments, how potential conflicts with community members may have shaped their choices, and if certain policies have been created to address potential conflicts. Through this analysis I found that differing priorities and lessons learned from past projects have led to differing outcomes in current projects. Projects such as 2014’s Central Corridor connecting Minneapolis and St. Paul had mixed results, with undeveloped areas growing into thriving communities, while already developed areas suffered from gentrification. Projects since the Central Corridor, including Southwest LRT and the Blue Line Extension, have focused on building transit in areas of least resistance, but displacement issues remained. Once the Blue Line Extension was rerouted through higher density areas though, anti-displacement policies began to be brainstormed with the help of community stakeholders, providing an example for other cities across the country in how to build transit without inducing gentrification.