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Overview <br />The Town Center is designed to be 'transit ready' in a variety of <br />ways that go beyond providing a walkable public realm and <br />connected street grid. The Master Plan also includes a multi- <br />modal transit station, with dedicated commuter parking, <br />integrated with other uses at the heart, of the retail, restaurant and <br />entertainment district. This station functions as a hub where local <br />circulator .transit comes together with regional transit service and <br />the Northstar Corridor. This station is designed to meet the short <br />term needs of the Northstar Commuter Coach service, and also - <br />the long term objectives for proposed commuter rail service in <br />the future. Transit components include the following: <br />- North Star Commuter Coach service provides peak period, <br /> peak direction bus service between downtown Minneapolis · <br /> and Elk River <br />· North Star Commuter Rail will provide train service between <br /> St. Cloud and downtown Minneapolis <br />· 400 park and ride parking spaces are provided for <br /> commuters adjacent to the transit station <br />· Pedestrian and bicycle connections are emphasized in the <br /> Master Plan as major links between the transit station, <br /> various districts within the Town Center and into the <br /> surrounding .neighborhoods <br />· The Town Center can accommodate Metro Mobility, citywide <br /> circulator bus or town trolley connections as part of local and <br /> regional service to the transit station <br /> The Town Center also uses a Travel Demand Management <br />(TDM) program to both assist and encourage residents and <br />visitors to take advantage of the various modes available for <br />their commuting and travel needs. This TOM program draws' <br />from incentives and services available through Anoka County <br />and Metro Commuter Services that match riders with carpools <br />and vanpools, provide discounted transit passes and manage <br />work hours among other functions. The Town Center will use a <br />coordinator to manage the delivery of these services and to <br />promote and market the TDM program. <br /> <br />¸:'4 <br /> <br />Guideline Recommendations <br />Transit is an important component of the overall plan, with <br />expectations for more ridership, using a greater range of transit <br />options as they become available. More people, together with <br />the mix of activities and amenities in the Town Center, <br />encourages better designed, better connected transit service. It · <br />is a shared responsibility between city, county and developer to <br />promote transit use, with both policy and bricks-and-mortar <br />attention to the following guidelines: <br />· Understand and take advantage of opportunities to use <br /> existing and proposed transit components <br />· Provide transit related facilities specifically linked to uses and <br /> character within each Town Center district, including signage <br /> and lighting for way-finding and bicycle amenitiess <br /> <br />Examples' <br />The primary objective is to provide a balance of transit service,. <br />bicycle and pedestrian connections and lanes to move traffic. <br />Guidelines for the Town CenLer promote public transportation <br />as part of the solution and suggest a variety of street <br />improvements and other amenities to invite increased use. <br />Photographs on this page (and throughout these guidelines) <br />suggest some of the many possibilities. <br /> <br />:' ::i: '/: <br /> <br /> <br />