Star Tribune
Maplewood vote puts Purple Line bus rapid transit project at risk
The fate of the $445 million Purple Line bus rapid transit project in the east metro is unclear after the Maplewood City Council on Monday reversed its earlier support of the line.
Studied for more than three decades, the Purple Line was slated to link Union Depot in downtown St. Paul to Maplewood beginning in 2029, using dedicated lanes for buses along much of the route.
But at a workshop meeting earlier this month, the City Council voted on a measure directing staff to prepare resolutions rescinding previous support of the line in favor of “dynamic, flexible” modes of public transportation, such as door-to-door micro-transit buses and autonomous vehicles.
On Monday, the majority of the council said the cost to build the Purple Line is too expensive and construction would disrupt businesses along White Bear Avenue, part of a possible new route being studied by the Metropolitan Council. The regional planning body would design, build and operate the line.
The City Council also questioned whether post-pandemic ridership on the line would justify the cost, and if electric buses would be used, as promised.
On Monday, the council voted 3-2 to formally rescind its support. The council chambers, overflowing into the lobby of City Hall, erupted in applause following the vote.
“This is about common sense; we need to come up with alternatives,” Mayor Marylee Abrams said. “It’s not the end of transit. It’s the end of the Purple Line.”
But council members Chonburi Lee and Nikki Villavicencio argued that the Purple Line would help meet Maplewood’s future public transit needs and stem climate change.
A: Well, if I’m doing a book like “Lost [Twin Cities],” I’m researching a lot of different places. I’m looking at old newspapers, old magazines. I’m looking at architects and architectural styles, looking at the history of how things were developing in downtown Minneapolis or St Paul. When I do research for one of my novels, I did one called “Sherlock Holmes and the Ice Palace Murders,” I’ll research things like the Winter Carnival. It’s set in 1896, and I was hoping I could use a real ice palace. But turns out, the 1896 Ice Palace, melted before it was done. So, I made up an ice palace.
You’ll find the name of a certain well-known person who was in town. And you start digging into that, seeing if you can maybe insert them into the book. I insert a lot of real people into my books. James J. Hill is in a lot. I look for real places and people to incorporate into the novel to make it feel more real.
Mel Northway, a three-year starter for the Gophers men’s basketball team, died Monday.
Northway, who lived in Hartselle, Ala., was 81.
After moving into the Gophers’ starting lineup as a sophomore in the 1962-63 season — freshmen were ineligible for varsity play then — the 6-8 center from Minneapolis Henry High School averaged a double-double in points and rebounds in each of his three seasons as a starter for coach John Kundla.
Northway, who was an Academic All-American in 1964, averaged 13.6 points and 11.7 rebounds in 72 games for the Gophers. He is sixth on the Gophers’ career rebounding list with 841 rebounds.
Northway was drafted by the St. Louis Hawks in the 1965 NBA draft but started the basketball program as coach and athletic director at Anoka-Ramsey Junior College.
After two years at Anoka-Ramsey, he played and coached professionally in Belgium for three seasons. He was named the top player in the Belgium League in 1968 and 1969.
He returned to Minnesota and served as an assistant to Gophers coach Bill Fitch while completing a master’s degree. He then started the basketball program at Inver Hills Junior College. After two years as the Inver Hills coach and athletic director, he became the basketball coach at Blaine High School.
After Blaine, Northway spent 20 years as athletic director and assistant principal at Neenah (Wis.) High School. He was named to the Wisconsin Athletic Directors Association Hall of Fame in 2022.
Metro Transit fares will be lowered and simplified after the new year after a series of changes were approved by the Metropolitan Council on Wednesday.
The changes, which take effect Jan. 1, include:
Additionally, at some point in 2025, people who qualify for the Transit Assistance Program, an income-based program, will pay $1 fares for up to two years before re-applying is necessary.
Metro Transit said in a news release the price changes are expected to draw an additional 926,000 rides in 2025, which will offset some of the costs associated with lower fares.
Through September this year, ridership has increased 8% compared to last year.
“Making transit easier to use is key to growing ridership, and we believe simplifying fares will help do just that,” Metro Transit General Manager Lesley Kandaras said. “These changes also support our belief that cost should not be a barrier for those who want or need access to our services.”
Journalist and author Larry Millett highlights St. Paul history
Pete Hegseth, Trump’s pick for defense secretary, was investigated for alleged sexual assault in 2017
Pete Hegseth, Trump’s pick for defense secretary, was investigated for alleged sexual assault in 2017
Journalist and author Larry Millett highlights St. Paul history
Pete Hegseth, Trump’s pick for defense secretary, was investigated for alleged sexual assault in 2017