University Sues Central Corridor
Despite reports that the University and Central Corridor project (with help from the City and the County) have been nearing an agreement on vibration, noise and electromagnetic disruptions to U research on Washington Avenue, the U has decided to sue the Metropolitan Council over the project. They claim that this is due to the timing – if they don’t sue now, they’ll lose the chance, along with whatever leverage it brings.
The University appears to be the most significant potential obstacle to this important piece of environmentally sustainable transportation infrastructure. While I find it especially problematic that the University chose not to communicate with any of its partners on the Alliance – the City, the neighborhoods, or the business community – before taking this extraordinary step, I have asked for a meeting with a University Vice President to better understand the U’s perspective. I will continue to work to be a cooperative partner with all the neighborhood, community, business, governmental and institutional partners concerned with the Central Corridor.
posted by Cam Gordon @ 8:38 AM
2 Comments:
"important piece of environmentally sustainable transportation infrastructure"
Dear Mr. Gordon,
I was browsing Google search results on "Central Corridor" and thought, "Cam Gordon had something to say lately about the Central Corridor? I wonder where he stands."
I was really disappointed to read the above phrase.
But I'm not your constituent, so I guess the best I can do is write how I feel as a blogger.
Thanks for listening, Mr. Gordon.
Sincerely,
Katie
Well, if you're disappointed to read Cam referring to the Central Corridor as important and environmentally sustainable, you're likely to stay disappointed for awhile.
We need more transit in the Twin Cities. We need to make it easier for people to meet their daily needs without relying on automobiles. This means buses, light rail, commuter rail, streetcars, bicycle facilities, walkable communities, telecommuting, car sharing, bike sharing - everything.
Why do we need to do this? One major reason is climate change. World leaders are meeting right now in Copenhagen, trying to come up with ways to avoid catastrophic warming of the planet, which will (like all disasters) hit poor communities hardest. One of the major drivers of climate change is widespread use of the automobile.
The data we've got from the one train that's been built in our metro area is that when we build trains, people take them. The Hiawatha Line has greatly exceeded ridership projections, proving its detractors' predictions wrong. I expect that the Central Corridor will have the same exact effect.
The neighborhoods that Cam represents through which the Central Corridor will run (Prospect Park and the West Bank)understand all this. They support the line. They have been working for years now on plans to leverage the line into making other needed improvements - making the Washington Ave trench easier to cross, making Cedar Ave more walkable, etc.
So like I said - if you're expecting Cam not to support the Central Corridor, you're likely to stay disappointed.
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