Minneapolis — Twin Cities Study Streetcars

March 2012

As Minneapolis studies the possible introduction of modern streetcars, sister city St. Paul is about to follow the same path by launching a yearlong $$250,000 study of possible routes and benefits. St. Paul officials cite the fact that since Federal policy was changed in 2010, nine cities have received funding of at least $23 million for streetcar system construction. The cities are Dallas, New Orleans, Tucson, Portland, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Fort Worth, Texas, St. Louis and Atlanta.

Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak's aide, Peter Wagenius, told the Star Tribune the city regrets not being at the head of the line for the money. The city is just beginning a $1.2 million analysis of prospective lines on two corridors: Central and Nicollet Avenues.

After visiting Portland, St. Paul City Councillor Russ Stark took the lead in advocating a streetcar system for St. Paul as an economic development tool. Streetcars would be used to feed the Central Corridor light rail line being bult to connect Minneapolis and St. Paul. Funding for the study comes from a $91,500 federal grant, and the city and county, as well as the St. Paul and McKnight foundations.