| Author |
Message |
< Infrastructure ~ Future expanded rail service threatens Cedar Lake Bike Trail |
|
ChrisAdyNelson
|
 Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2012 3:04 pm |
|
|
 Regularly rides in ShelbyvilleJoined: Tue Nov 30, 2010 1:04 pmPosts: 1218Location: Wild Wild West
|
http://www.minnpost.com/two-cities/2012/04/future-expanded-rail-service-threatens-cedar-lake-bike-trailQuote: By Karen Boros | 08:40 am
The Cedar Lake Bike Trail could be squeezed out of the transit trench between Target Field and Washington Avenue unless Hennepin County and the developer of a proposed apartment project can reach agreement.
Both sides have been in negotiations this spring and Thursday asked the Minneapolis City Council Zoning and Planning Committee for two more weeks to see if agreement can be reached.
The proposed Dock Street Apartments at 333 Washington Ave. N. would abut the transit trench and offer 185 rental units and commercial space. The developer, Hines Northstar Crossings, has plans that include one bike rack for each rental unit and facilities for bike storage.
Hennepin County, which is responsible for the Cedar Lake Trail and serves as the Regional Railroad Authority, is concerned that future expansion of rail service would leave no room for the bike trail. Making the trench wider after construction of the Dock Street Apartments would not be possible.
Two weeks ago Hennepin County and Hines asked for two more weeks to continue talks. On Thursday they asked again for two more weeks to continue negotiations.
“We have been negotiating in good faith and we want to continue good faith negotiations,” said Steve Luthman of Hines, who expressed some frustration that the bar seemed to be raising higher and higher and the rules re-written. “But we are more than happy to sit down and roll up our sleeves,” he added.
“The single most important thing is keeping the bike trail,” said Council Member Lisa Goodman, to which her colleagues concurred. The committee approved a two-week delay to allow for continued negotiations.
“This is one of the premier bike trails in the United States,” said Hennepin County Commissioner Peter McLaughlin after the meeting. He expects more development along the transit trench in the future, which is why he thinks it’s important to “get it right now.”
“Lets lay the groundwork now for the three things we believe in: development, the bike trail and rail in the future,” said McLaughlin, who is optimistic about reaching an agreement with the developer. “We think there’s a solution.”
_________________
I didn't say it's your fault, I said I'm blaming you, there's a difference. |
|
|
Top
|
 
|
|
|
Antonmn
|
| Posted: Thu May 03, 2012 10:20 am |
|
|
| Pedal PusherJoined: Thu Dec 13, 2007 1:39 amPosts: 22Location: Harrison
|
Has there been any update? It boggles my mind that such a vital, celebrated, and expensive link could be wiped out so thoughtlessly.
When this article first appeared at MinnPost, I assumed it was being used as leverage by the developer to get something from the county. Having heard nothing since, I assume they got what they wanted.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
Frenchy
|
| Posted: Mon Jul 09, 2012 3:08 pm |
|
|
 Spoke TwiddlerJoined: Tue Sep 06, 2011 3:52 pmPosts: 173Location: Minneapolis
|
There was a groundbreaking ceremony for The Interchange project today. I mentioned this in another post that the developer of the Dock Street apartments said the issue threatening the CLT was resolved, but I wanted to make sure. Hennepin County Commissioner Peter McLaughlin told me the same thing: the issue has been resolved and the Cedar Lake Trail is safe.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
ChrisAdyNelson
|
| Posted: Mon Jul 09, 2012 3:21 pm |
|
|
| Regularly rides in ShelbyvilleJoined: Tue Nov 30, 2010 1:04 pmPosts: 1218Location: Wild Wild West
|
Frenchy wrote: There was a groundbreaking ceremony for The Interchange project today. I mentioned this in another post that the developer of the Dock Street apartments said the issue threatening the CLT was resolved, but I wanted to make sure. Hennepin County Commissioner Peter McLaughlin told me the same thing: the issue has been resolved and the Cedar Lake Trail is safe. Great news! I expected they would work it out. Thanks for the update!
_________________
I didn't say it's your fault, I said I'm blaming you, there's a difference. |
|
|
Top
|
|
|
Frenchy
|
| Posted: Mon Jul 09, 2012 4:13 pm |
|
|
| Spoke TwiddlerJoined: Tue Sep 06, 2011 3:52 pmPosts: 173Location: Minneapolis
|
No prob. But just so no one freaks out when they see it: there WILL be some construction on the CLT at some point in the relatively near future. To accommodate the trail, The Interchange and the Dock Street development, the trail will have to be shifted slightly. Sounds like it'll be moved about six feet east in the section we're talking about here.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
hokan
|
| Posted: Mon Jul 09, 2012 8:08 pm |
|
|
|
|
It'd sure be nice if the Interchange connected to the Cedar Lake Trail, right across the tracks. But that's not in the current plans.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
Frenchy
|
| Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2012 9:39 am |
|
|
| Spoke TwiddlerJoined: Tue Sep 06, 2011 3:52 pmPosts: 173Location: Minneapolis
|
During the groundbreaking, there were a couple passing references to the CLT and how it relates to The Interchange. Dunno how officially connected the trail will be to The Interchange, but it could happen - the project is being constructed in a "design/build" process, meaning it's being built and designed at the same time, so linking the CLT and The Interchange could happen even if it's not explicitly being talked about now.
|
|
Top
|
|
|
|
|
