Twin Cities Case Study Hiawatha Corridor Twin Cities

Twin Cities Case Study: Hiawatha Corridor

Twin Cities Regional Transit Vision ● By 2030, region expected to grow by nearly 1 million, with 91% to 95% of new growth forecast to be located in the urban area ● In a 2003 regional survey, metro area residents listed traffic congestion as the region’s top problem ● Combination of Light Rail, Commuter Rail, and Busways to provide a comprehensive transit network ● Encourage development and reinvestment in centers that combine transit, housing, offices, retail, services, open space and connected streets that support walking and bicycle use ● Improve access to jobs and choices in housing

Ridership in Transit Zones Transit Dependent: ● 74% of households in transit zones own 0 -1 cars, compared to 40% for the Region ● 32% of workers in transit zones walk, bike or take transit to work, compared to only 7% for the region ● Even before the light rail line, transit ridership, walking, and biking were substantially higher in the Hiawatha corridor than in the region Diversity of income levels ● 35% of households in transit zones earn less than $20, 000 per year ● 57% earn less than $35, 000 per year ● Hiawatha median income was $31, 000 in 1999 as compared to regional median of

Demand for Housing Near Transit ● By 2030, between 110, 000 – 124, 000 Twin Cities’ households will have a potential demand for living near transit (roughly 6% of region’s households) ● Nationally, demand for housing near transit could double to over 15 million households. ● Household size is shrinking, with singles and couples without children being the new majority. ● 49% of the households with a potential demand for living near transit qualify as Low Income ● 4, 000 -9, 000 new housing units could potentially be located on underutilized sites in the Hiawatha corridor to accommodate projected future demand

Snapshot of the Hiawatha Corridor ● Light Rail corridor that runs 12 miles and includes 17 stops. ● Connects multiple regional destinations and residential neighborhoods between downtown Minneapolis and the Mall of America in Bloomington. ● Service Began in 2004, with over 30, 000 riders reported in June 2006 – well exceeding forecasts. ● Residents Within ½ Mile Radius – – ● Population – 42, 377, Households – 17, 870 Residential Density: 18 Dwelling Units per Residential Acre ● Median Income in 1999 – Corridor (1/2 mile radius of stops) - $30, 571 – Region - $54, 304 ● Strong neighborhood organizations

Tremendous Development Response in Last 3 Yrs. ● 11, 931 housing units and 1, 054, 436 square feet of commercial space have been built, are under construction, planned or proposed within a half mile of the 17 stations. ● 7, 000 units of housing have already been either proposed or built within a half mile of the Hiawatha Line since 2000. ● The majority of these projects, (65 out of 108 total projects and 45 out of 72 residential and mixed use/residential projects), are within the half-mile areas surrounding the four Downtown stations ● Transit investment has leveraged higher -density TOD in historic industrial areas Recent Planned and Proposed Development, since 2003 ● “Hot Market” for Downtown station areas

Courtesy Metropolitan Council

Need to Ensure Long-Term Affordability ● Corridor has a median household income of $31, 000, versus $54, 000 for region ● Only 37% of units are owneroccupied (versus 70% for the region) creating potential for displacement ● Out of 72 new residential projects since 2003, only 25% (18) are affordable or mixed income Residential Development along Hiawatha since 2003

Land Constraints in the Corridor ● Variety of distinct land uses and development types ● Civic uses (i. e. airport, VA Hospital, Fort Snelling) dominate the corridor at 54% of total land uses and limit redevelopment potential ● Multiple funding sources and jurisdictions, including Federal, impede coordination

Lessons & Opportunities ● Little coordination of housing and transit policies have resulted in missed opportunities ● 504 underutilized acres identified as potential redevelopment sites along the corridor ● Many new development projects outside downtown are smaller infill projects and not the larger “catalytic” projects necessary to promote a rider-transit link

Station Example: High Lake ● Located roughly mid-point on the Hiawatha line, divided by transportation infrastructure, with a number of large underutilized sites. The majority of households are low-income (median income in 1999 of only $23, 342) and transitdependent. ● Available sites are being bought up by speculators or developers building small projects that are not making highest and best use of property near the station. ● Plans for improvements and connections are now in place or moving forward but better coordination during initial planning and design would have ensured critical development. 2001 preferred concept

Moving Forward… ● Market response is strong and positive ● Clear need for increased coordination to link housing and transportation ● Multiple jurisdictions require greater regional coordination ● A variety of tools and interest exists at local, county, regional and state level – how to leverage? ● Need to address infrastructure, clean-up, and pedestrian issues at future redevelopment sites ● Capitalize on market strength to achieve community benefits

Breadth of Policies at Work Housing – Unified Housing Policy – Inclusionary Housing Account Grants – Family Affordable Housing Program – Local Housing Incentive Account Transit Oriented Development – Livable Communities Funding – POD overlays and station area planning – Hennepin County TOD program

Lessons from Other Regions for the Twin Cities ● Boston – power of local community development corporations joining together to address and create corridor opportunities ● Denver – power of a regional TOD framework to guide investments and change zoning ● Charlotte – power of incentives to create affordable housing and infrastructure upgrades ● Portland – power of large scale development sites to achieve broad community benefits Government leadership is key.

To Learn More. . http: //www. reconnectingamerica. org Local Resources: ● The City of Minneapolis http: //www. ci. minneapolis. mn. us/cped/ ● Hennepin County http: //wwwa. co. hennepin. mn. us/portal/site/HCInternet ● The Metropolitan Council http: //www. metrocouncil. org/transportation/lrt. htm