Laserfiche WebLink
Jill Brown, Northstar Marketing Director, provided a presentation on the Northstar Line, <br />Hiawatha Line, and the Central Line that will open in several months, all coming together at the <br />Target Center Transit Station. She stated that means there will be 500 trains per day in addition <br />to 2,000 bus connection per day at the Target Center Transit Station. Ms. Brown stated people <br />now want to move in different ways, especially Millennials who are embracing transit better than <br />previous generations. She advised of the housing, commercial, industrial, medical facility, and <br />parking projects underway in Big Lake, Elk River, Ramsey, Anoka, Coon Rapids, and Fridley. <br />She reported that ridership is up with August of 2013 being the best month to- date. Ms. Brown <br />thanked City staff for its work with Northstar and provided a fact sheet relating to the Northstar <br />Commuter Rail. <br />Mr. Lenzmeier stated in 2015 he would like to work towards linking private transportation (i.e., <br />employers) to the transit stations. He described how calls about transit are handled as well as <br />dispatcher training, noting they would like to improve communication so the dispatchers get to <br />know each other personally. Mr. Lenzmeier described a program that significantly raised <br />awareness of the need for Wi -Fi on the commuter train. Wi -Fi is now available on one car so it <br />can be determined how it will work out. He stated this makes the Northstar Millennial friendly, <br />which is important as that generation supports transit. <br />Mr. Lenzmeier stated the interchange depot opens April 7, 2014, the same day as the Twin's <br />opening game and by July 15, which is the All Star game at the Twin's Stadium, all of the kinks <br />should be worked out. He noted having that transit depot will widen the opportunity for transit <br />routes. <br />Mr. Lenzmeier explained that the St. Cloud State Technological College advertising program has <br />done some high profile campaigns and taken on non - profit and government projects at no cost. <br />In addition, they will meet with North Hennepin and Anoka Ramsey to see if there is a piece for <br />those schools in the Northstar effort. Mr. Lenzmeier stated he knew he would not get additional <br />staff or funding so he is exploring those opportunities. He indicated that City Administrator <br />Ulrich has been very helpful in their efforts. <br />Councilmember Kuzma thanked Mr. Lenzmeier for doing a great job. <br />Mr. Lenzmeier stated it is exciting, especially for the apartment boom that developers claim has <br />another two years to run so he is optimistic there will be more development in Station cities. <br />Councilmember Backous noted the drop off in ridership coincides each year with the baseball <br />season and stated he thinks the new station will provide the opportunity to use other routes. <br />Mr. Lenzmeier stated it is correct that special events added a significant increase to ridership but <br />what is significant about the August figures, is that special event ridership was down <br />significantly and the core market increase is commuters. He stated another significant difference <br />between the two lines is that Hiawatha owns its right -of -way but Northstar rents its right -of -way. <br />Councilmember Backous asked whether the Twins organization participated in costs, as they are <br />a huge benefactor. <br />City Council Work Session / September 24, 2013 <br />Page 2 of 5 <br />