Ward 9 Environmental Projects, Economic Development and Land Use Planning
Minnesota’s first light rail line opened in 2004 and runs through the heart of the Ninth Ward. The Hiawatha Line is twelve miles long and connects some of the Twin Cities most popular destinations: downtown Minneapolis, Historic Fort Snelling, The Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport and The Mall of America. The Hiawatha line provided 9.1 million rides in 2006, an average of 27,000 per weekday. In the first half of 2008, Metro Transit reports a 16.2% increase and an average of 32,000 rides per weekday. Ridership levels have already exceeded the pre-construction estimate for the year 2020. To learn more about the Hiawatha Light Rail Transit line, see a map of the entire line and additional links to other LRT related sites visit the Metro Transit website.
Follow these links to learn about neighborhood approved land use plans to encourage transit oriented development:
The two-year transformation of the former Sears property on Lake Street into the Midtown Exchange was the result of more than 12 years of effort by the City of Minneapolis, neighborhood groups, other local government entities and private-sector leaders. The vacant mega-site in the Minneapolis’ 9th Ward was reborn as a vibrant, mixed-use urban hub. The Midtown Exchange features 88 for-sale historic lofts, 219 rental units and 52 for-sale condos; the headquarters of Allina Hospitals and Clinics; a Hennepin County service center; the Sheraton Midtown Minneapolis Hotel; and the Midtown Global Market, which will be the city's largest public market. The development also includes a new transit facility.
A complete renovation of East Lake Library was completed with a grand re-opening on March 3, 2007. The refurbishing of the entire area is spurred on by the Hiawatha Line LRT, which began service in June 2004.The library's renovation and expansion will ensure that it continues to enhance life within this vibrant and dynamic community for generations to come.
The Midtown Greenway is a publicly funded nonstop bicycle highway and walking path within a wider Greenway corridor, parallel to and north of Lake Street. The Greenway connects the Chain of Lakes with the Mississippi River. West of Hiawatha Avenue, this corridor runs along 29th Street. East of Hiawatha Avenue, its runs along 27th Street.
The CMC Heartland Lite Yard site is located on 5 acres at the northwest corner of the intersection of Hiawatha Ave and 28th St. Several companies produced pesticides at the plant from 1938 to 1968. When arsenic was discovered at the plant site, health agencies suspected that the wind might have blown contaminated dust into nearby Phillips, Powderhorn and Corcoran neighborhoods. Yards were sampled north and west of the plant site. When the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) confirmed that arsenic was present on some properties, the agency asked for help from EPA in cleaning up the contamination. See a map of sample locations with concentrations at a 0-10 mg/kg level. Other maps can be found on the EPA Web site.
The Hiawatha Lake Area improvement project is a multi-faceted process involving the City Planning Department, Artist-in-Residence Seitu Jones and the Hennepin County Transit & Community Works. Part of the project has been funded through a grant from the Federal Transit Administration. See the Hiawatha Lake District Connectivity Plan, or learn more about the Hiawatha Lake Station Area Master Plan.
The 2008 city budget included more funds for a proposed East Phillips Park Cultural and Community Center. The complete $6.1 million center will include gathering spaces, indoor recreation space, and a children’s play area. A field house is proposed for a future expansion, allowing wintertime athletics. The Council action adds $319,000 in earmarked capital funds, in a motion made by Council Member Gary Schiff. Previously the state legislature authorized $3.50 million. In February of 2008 the Minneapolis Park Board passed a request for action that the Board seek federal funding through the appropriation process for the future East Phillips Park Cultural and Community Center project. See the MPRB resolution to seek federal funding.
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