Light Rail as Engine: Churning or Not?

The following commentary by Adam Platt, executive editor of Twin Cities Business, was published in the May 3, 2015 issue of the Star Tribune.  (There is a reference to this commentary in a June 10 Star Tribune commentary by Kim Crockett titled Southwest LRLT: It’s Not Too Late to Back Away.  That commentary has been posted on Park Watch.)

Light Rail as Engine: Churning or Not?

The Blue Line was built along Hiawatha Avenue using right of way that had been cleared for road expansion. That was the easiest and cheapest way to locate the train, but not the ideal strategy for promoting development. The proposed Southwest line — troubled as it is — is more promising on that front given its proximity to underused land and the corridor’s affluence.

Star Tribune: Jim Gehrz

The Blue Line was built along Hiawatha Avenue using right of way that had been cleared for road expansion. That was the easiest and cheapest way to locate the train, but not the ideal strategy for promoting development. The proposed Southwest line — troubled as it is — is more promising on that front given its proximity to underused land and the corridor’s affluence.

Existing lines are popular. Proposed lines are not. So it’s a good time to assess what we’ve learned.

To continue reading, click on the link to the Star Tribune

http://m.startribune.com/opinion/commentaries/302251691.html