TOD Toolkit: Northstar Corridor Case Study

1. Developed by TOD Toolkit: Northstar Corridor Case Study Support from

2. 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

3. Characteristics of Households in Transit Zones • Characteristics of Households in Transit Zones By 2030, between 110,000 – 124,000Twin Cities’ households will have a potential demand for living near transit. Transit Dependent: • Today, 74% of households in transit zones own 0-1 cars, compared to 40% for the Region • Today, 32% of workers in transit zones walk, bike or take transit to work, compared to only 7% for the region Diversity of income levels • In 2000, 35% of households in transit zones earn less than $20,000 per year • While 57% earn less than $35,000 per year

4. Commuter Rail is a Different Transit Mode • Longer distances between stations • Shared access with Freight Lines • Less frequent service, but more competitive times with the automobile • Balance Parking Needs with Development Opportunity • Nationally, Commuter Rail Experiencing 2nd Highest Ridership Growth Rates • Choice Riders – at least 95% have access to a car but choose to ride transit for work trips. "Highway 10 is very congested and it is only going to get worse. The commuter rail is a great opportunity to take cars off the road and open up more lanes." -Bloomington resident

5. Snapshot of the Northstar Corridor • Commuter Rail corridor that runs 40 miles linking downtown Minneapolis to Big Lake • Final Design underway for initial segment. • There are some plans to extend line to the full 82-mile corridor in the future. • According to an independent analysis prepared for the Federal Transit Administration, Northstar will save commuters nearly 900,000 hours in travel time every year, compared to the next best alternative of bus transit. • Service planned to begin 2009, with an estimated daily ridership of 5,070 and a capacity of 10,000 riders/day Source: http://www.mn-getonboard.com/map.html

6. Potential Time Savings for Commuters

7. Station Typology Northstar’s 6 Stations Represent Unique TOD opportunities Every station area in the Twin Cities, existing and proposed, faces a unique set of challenges, and will require specially tailored strategies for creating high-quality TOD.

8. Station Typology for Suburban TOD Transit-Oriented Development can include all levels of density, and with careful planning is able to incorporate existing single family neighborhoods. Moderate- to high-density mix of residential, commercial, employment, and civic/cultural uses. Moderate-density mix of residential, commercial, employment, and civic/cultural uses. Low- to moderate-density, predominantly residential uses with supporting commercial and employment uses.

9. Development in the Northstar Corridor • It is projected that by 2025, more than 850,000 people will be living in the Northstar Corridor - an increase of about 200,000 people. • Many of the stations within the Northstar Corridor were approved in early 2007. Communities have already begun to plan for increased density and intensity near their stations. • Coon Rapids began looking at TOD strategies in April 2007. Previous studies of the area indicated a capacity of 125 residential units and 100,000 commercial square feet. • The Elk River Northstar Business Park is a 90 acre light industrial site walking distance from the station. • Big Lake’s TOD committee is looking at ways to maximize housing opportunities and a mix of uses around the town’s station. MPR Photo/Dan Olson

10. Need to Ensure Long-Term Affordability • Where can a 3-person household earning 80% of area median • income live in the Twin Cities? Considering housing costs Housing + transportation costs

11. Need to Ensure Long-Term Affordability Affordability in Fridley • The Johnson Family* • Three-person household living in Fridley • Annual household income: $56,690 • Annual housing costs: $7,872 • Annual transportation costs: $10,671 • Percentage of income spent on housing and transportation: 33 percent * A fictional family used for illustrative purposes.

12. Contrasting North Star with other Lines

13. Station Example: Riverdale Station Existing development pattern Existing Residential Uses The City of Coon Rapids is undergoing a Station Area planning process to determine with the community what the areas around the station will look like in the future. Considerations include land uses, connectivity, and open space networks. Existing Commercial Uses

14. Moving Forward… Partnerships – public/private and along the corridor. Leverage investment to also manage future growth in the corridor and create value. Vision: at state, regional and local levels for existing and potential stations along corridor Balancing Nodes and Corridor – parking, station area TOD, transit access and connections Northstar Supporters have worked hard to make the vision a reality.

15. 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/lrt.htm • Minnesota Department of Transportation http://dot.state.mn.us/passengerrail/commuter.html • Northstar Development Corporation http://www.northstartrain.org http://www.mn-getonboard.org/