[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6155843,"mediaKeyId","5473300-fa5663aceb1f47e16c703751eaa551c5","parentId",5473300,"title","Council approves Blue Line station renovation contracts and awards East Metro transit service contract to Transdev","audioSeconds",555,"startMs",1070000,"endMs",1625000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5473300-fa5663aceb1f47e16c703751eaa551c5&start=1070&end=1625","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5473300-fa5663aceb1f47e16c703751eaa551c5/thumbnail_1070000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6155843/Minnesota/Council-approves-Blue-Line-station-renovation-contracts-and-awards-East-Metro-transit-service-contract-to-Transdev","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6155843-90bf8cd230e8f14fa66d1b3860b623c2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770857880&Signature=l~28qBeFQYWD6NtzZwKxMmikfNRViKqfGP1EJ-1aXedNNTF1rWKc1OtEokSLgW0CYC1ZhycyGb7p8V91FmWmJB3MhhWHuRNtwcvIsjg8cYsgKLPjc0U~KH0L-KStpWsLXiNoFSMHOO6fLDLLiBuILZuY5I8TC2S~rLdBHqcOn87oLMOHhqbzs44dRnoeUmIqZMRb6i0hx2TWJEMvOW~INPYVgRJ5xbiyk6nURZgRtsEdLxhzHMfFnCadAQZki7JQoJZgf~wpsdlmV7glipV-JM6m2kB0YcwtBiZhHMgqQYCNl4Uox3tNAOVgwV1KD890ENSYTVL2QIqCNaJER~TsLA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Minnesota Metropolitan Council","date","2025-07-25T00:00:00Z","article","The Metropolitan Council on July 23 approved multiple transportation procurements: amendments and new contracts for Blue Line station renovations and a multiyear regular-route service contract in St. Paul and Anoka County.

Design and construction support: the council authorized an amendment to contract 23P050 with 4RM + ULA Architects for design and construction support on the Metro Blue Line Lake Street Midtown station renovation, increasing the contract by up to $1,245,107 to address stakeholder-driven scope changes and unforeseen conditions such as an underground storm sewer system. The council noted the project’s DBE (disadvantaged business enterprise) goal of 12% and that current spend is about 40% DBE.

Franklin Station: the council authorized contract 25P213 with Kimley-Horn for design and construction services for Franklin Station renovation, not to exceed $3,299,839. The renovation includes elevator tower work, platform replacement, shelter and canopy updates, improved wayfinding and multimodal access; the office of equity and equal opportunity established a 12% DBE goal and staff determined the proposer met DBE requirements.

Transit operations contract: the Metropolitan Transportation Services package for St. Paul and Anoka County regular-route service (contract 25P010) was awarded to Transdev North America. Staff reported a base value of approximately $46.9 million and a not-to-exceed contract amount of $56.2 million to allow up to 20% additional revenue hours under contract terms. An evaluation panel recommended Transdev’s proposal as advantageous to the council.

Council discussion: members cited community coordination and pedestrian access issues at Franklin Station, including fencing under Highway 55 and coordination with MnDOT and local partners to reopen pedestrian paths. Council members emphasized aligning station redesign with adjacent roadway and pedestrian improvements.

What the council did: motions to authorize the contract amendment and to approve the new contracts were moved, seconded and carried; the transit services contract award to Transdev was approved on an aye vote.

What to watch: staff said they will continue community engagement around station design, furnish construction schedules and coordinate with MnDOT and other roadway partners on pedestrian access and concurrent roadwork.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Metropolitan Council July 24, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Metropolitan Council authorized contract amendments and new contracts for station renovations on the Metro Blue Line and approved a multiyear regular-route transit contract in the East Metro and Anoka County to Transdev North America.","taxTitle","Metropolitan Council, Agencies, Boards, & Commissions, Executive, Minnesota","taxId",36731,"location","Minnesota","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6155849,"Metropolitan Council approves 5.8% wastewater rate increase; SAC fee held flat",217,551000,768000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5473300-fa5663aceb1f47e16c703751eaa551c5&start=551&end=768","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5473300-fa5663aceb1f47e16c703751eaa551c5/thumbnail_551000.jpg","/articles/6155849/Minnesota/Metropolitan-Council-approves-58-wastewater-rate-increase-SAC-fee-held-flat","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6155849-8dd13895d894f112caf658eb606ff69d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770857880&Signature=YYL23aTmmlT1wgkK8EQHq9dWCY6Rn82xnpu0JRZAJO3XcvLSPxuECQu-RG8uVKbu73mDnzgdTLoUpbQuQ3YK0U-EZFCyQoIYYDkwZDRLbQst3wBRsbyQgHgeKnlMENT50OAlhruUnOZVv5jfYx7K7NdttWMWZDr4dgilWVHBvtAmf5t2P9iuoz-zgzUxigbHH5rtvqP3cRMVO~VnmS9pxH2yqByKyloQ3dq3l1XXPoo4Mm-OhL7BSxyiiUkb1gGiWBrrgGC-U2v3Nv~VyCz21~kVb6NPXFef49HV6Xvrq8AYhTHyXMTo~QtcIbtOhcrLu07a5hKbeRzCwgNScHrg7g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Metropolitan Council on July 23 approved a 5.8% increase in Environmental Services wastewater rates and charges and kept the System Development Charge (SAC) unchanged at $2,485 per SAC unit.

Council Member Wolf, presenting the Environment Committee report, said staff held public forums in May and June with about 50 attendees from 30 communities and that feedback was “overall positive.” Wolf said SAC rates will remain at $2,485 per unit, the same amount for the twelfth consecutive year, and credited a healthy development environment and cost control for that stability.

Council discussion noted benchmarking comparisons of council rates to national averages. One member observed the council’s rates were well below reported national averages but cautioned that some utilities with high rates do not report, which biases comparisons.

Board action: Council Member Wolf moved adoption of business item 2025-157 (adoption of Metropolitan Council Environmental Services wastewater rates and charges); a second was made, and the motion passed on an aye vote with no recorded dissents.

What it covers: staff said the increase is based on cost of service and wastewater flow allocation to customers. Council members discussed climate-driven infrastructure stress and the need to communicate how heavy-short-duration rainfall and aging local infrastructure can change cost burdens and repair needs.

What to watch: rate schedules and customer notices will follow; staff will continue committee briefings on climate impacts to wastewater infrastructure.","The Metropolitan Council approved a 5.8% increase to Environmental Services wastewater rates and charges and kept the System Development Charge (SAC) at $2,485 per SAC unit for the 12th year in a row, council members said during the July 23 meeting.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6155854,"Metropolitan Council releases 2024 population estimates showing slower, less geographically balanced growth",1968,4102000,6070000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5473300-fa5663aceb1f47e16c703751eaa551c5&start=4102&end=6070","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5473300-fa5663aceb1f47e16c703751eaa551c5/thumbnail_4102000.jpg","/articles/6155854/Minnesota/Metropolitan-Council-releases-2024-population-estimates-showing-slower-less-geographically-balanced-growth","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6155854-9e69ee8d0929fa8fc1c39a9ac1732435/orig.mp4?Expires=1770857880&Signature=baMjLYV5MnrkgvPL5mjSkyI-KMIY-iA9qeFUeayeDJRtlhqpwUDhA4RhaR~C4uguH9i7o2spfqJL9JmkvcfJG0vG~FS~G~5P-GFqSy6FjMCMARu3a8BInSoiOWIhzNG1HoXNCmJjgADJ7SIPyCgBMN9yLel6JCCmYdluz2EWKCcx~95Xq3bUSjezska9hrERqrhzX3XFSZqfeqHVXTYdzIYKF85UE-S3gsgdzJgJzvJPc6LanFVpT17hz~lQFK4XhF82NKrq2CQ8Mf0~anuT4cgm4HxwPfBrbHd2K-4ggHqlDwJvqUh-kqUKhsVi5mqUGipBrjEhDO8GzxpoJ7o79A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Metropolitan Council staff presented 2024 population estimates on July 23 that show slower overall population growth than the prior decade and a shift of more growth to the region’s developing edge.

“ We just released our estimates for 2024 last week,” said the presenter, who summarized the methodology and main findings. Staff reported the 2024 estimate at about 3,248,000 people — an increase of about 85,000 (2.7%) since 2020. By comparison, the 2010s added roughly 313,500 people over that decade.

Key findings staff emphasized: housing production has remained strong — adding roughly 21,000 housing units per year on average since 2020, nearly double average annual unit production from the prior decade — but occupancy rates fell as vacancy increased, especially in the multifamily sector. Staff reported the region’s household occupancy rate declined from 95.7% in 2020 to 94.5% in 2024, producing a gap between units built and occupied; staff said about 84,000 housing units have been added since 2020 while households increased by roughly 64,000, leaving a net of about 20,000 more vacant units.

Household size fell: average household size reported fell from about 2.503 in 2020 to 2.445 in 2024, a drop staff tied in part to fewer children per household and to “empty nest” households as younger adults establish separate households. Natural population change also weakened: staff reported births down from about 39,000 per year pre-2020 to about 36,000, while deaths rose by roughly 3,400 per year — a net swing of roughly 6,400 people per year when comparing births minus deaths.

Methodology and review: staff described estimates as a synthesis of census counts, a local building-permit survey and other administrative inputs; the council sent preliminary estimates to local governments for review and received feedback from 12 communities, of which five resulted in revisions. Staff then transmitted the finalized estimates to state agencies for allocation uses such as local government aid and state transportation aid.

Council members asked for more granular analysis and comparisons to other metro areas. Members also raised housing-market details — including differences by housing type, affordability tiers and the role of immigration — and staff said more detailed breakdowns are available on the council’s website at metrocouncil.org/populationestimates.

What the council did: the item was presented as information and there was no council vote. Staff signaled follow-up briefings and noted permitting trends and immigration changes will affect future estimates.","Council staff presented 2024 population estimates showing regional population estimated at about 3.248 million, slower growth than the 2010s and a larger share of growth on the region’s developing edge; staff cited household size declines, higher deaths and lower births as contributing factors.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6155858,"Metropolitan Council advances 10 arterial BRT corridors for detailed study; public engagement opens",1069,1771000,2840000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5473300-fa5663aceb1f47e16c703751eaa551c5&start=1771&end=2840","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5473300-fa5663aceb1f47e16c703751eaa551c5/thumbnail_1771000.jpg","/articles/6155858/Minnesota/Metropolitan-Council-advances-10-arterial-BRT-corridors-for-detailed-study-public-engagement-opens","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6155858-7886efe51645ec2e43d88f0bc7f502cb/orig.mp4?Expires=1770857880&Signature=iMIIUPJWduNTt4bLmS-nLkOY2nnYhq5bAFpjHew8sgMN~VHlZf9dJxKok0fZHrHffeLBp4E0ow97iuuviAUtDOMfzeSaPNe8U7ku2E7tgC~jFGFx4fd-0UgtcuGww~J-9CJLTSRBwQQ4vg1f8LbUXyXNQW69cOjI2~3sPSFbwGkINXovWQyeuJ9ksdz1AUsn-YcP8cuREHt20opa3yO1EET4aTYJa5Kmr1IZxGBWNbX-yuBqagftLfdYE1DKfm8ni4~TiAcdgupLx5ddQv3e0osjTGTRiCZw5zJZ8l8LO2G-MbnCN5jjCDnZ6wcdPELF1GmNTyikpYfUrxgr5PvI8g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Metropolitan Council voted on July 23 to accept a staff update identifying 10 arterial bus rapid transit (BRT) corridors that will advance to more detailed study and public engagement.

Metro Transit planner Kyle O’Donnell Burrows told the council the screening narrowed an initial list of 17 candidate corridors down to 10 “to identify the next programmed arterial BRT lines to be implemented in the 2030s.” He said the work will feed into the 2026 regional solicitation and an amendment to the region’s 2050 transportation policy plan.

Why it matters: arterial BRT is the council’s ridership-focused arterial bus investment. Staff said arterial BRT has the region’s highest productivity target — about 25 or more riders per in-service hour — and should be prioritized in transit market areas with the strongest ridership potential. The screening used four goals — building on success, advancing equity, balancing investment, and connecting transit-supportive land uses — and applied 2–4 criteria per goal.

What staff presented: the screening scored corridors on existing ridership and productivity, transit demand, presence of essential destinations, projected bus delay, and readiness where roadwork or development already scheduled could align with transit upgrades. Staff reported that natural breaks in the screening results produced a clear cutoff at 10 corridors advancing to step three, the detailed evaluation.

Public engagement and next steps: staff opened a comment period beginning July 24 and running through Sept. 1 and said outreach will include an interactive online map, pop-up events at transit centers and major stops on advancing corridors, onboard surveys and targeted outreach with municipal partners. After engagement, staff will perform a technical evaluation that pairs technical scores with readiness and partner coordination to help select the next lettered arterial BRT lines (the J, K and L lines).

Council discussion and context: members welcomed the narrow set and emphasized coordination with roadway partners and local municipal planning. Council Member Wolf flagged the importance of aligning corridor work with roadway projects and community plans; Council Member Lindstrom and others urged local partners to resolve outstanding local issues that could delay delivery. Several members noted that past selections of lettered lines did not correspond strictly to top screening scores and that readiness and partner alignment matter for final selection.

Public comment that day included a rider, Leah Mathis, who credited the Beeline BRT with saving time on her commute: “With this new beeline my commute to work takes 15 minutes… That means I get an extra hour every morning,” she said during the public comment period. Chair Zelle asked staff to ensure planners and marketing capture rider impacts such as time saved.

What the council did: the presentation was received as an information item; staff will use feedback from the public and partner agencies to refine concept station locations, potential local-service changes, and to produce the more detailed technical evaluation later this year.

What to watch: staff said they will submit a proposed priority line into the 2026 regional solicitation and will seek adoption of corridor outcomes into the 2050 transportation policy plan via amendment.","Metro Transit and Metropolitan Council staff narrowed 17 candidate arterial bus rapid transit corridors to 10 that will advance to detailed evaluation and public engagement; the work will inform the 2026 regional solicitation and a future amendment to the region’s long-range transportation plan.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council approves Blue Line station renovation contracts and awards East Metro transit service contract to Transdev

Metropolitan Council approves 5.8% wastewater rate increase; SAC fee held flat

Metropolitan Council releases 2024 population estimates showing slower, less geographically balanced growth

Metropolitan Council advances 10 arterial BRT corridors for detailed study; public engagement opens