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| |  | Estimated costs for extending the Blue Line are now more than three times higher than the original project cost. (Adam Sage / City Cast Twin Cities) |
| Blue Line Extension Costs Jump Another $336 Million | A new report from the Metropolitan Council estimates that the cost of extending the light rail's Blue Line to Brooklyn Park has increased by another $336 million, bringing the total project cost estimate to $3.58 billion. Alternatively, creating a new bus rapid transit (BRT) line to Brooklyn Park could cost a total of $120 million, but would delay the project by years. [Star Tribune] | - Costs off the rails: The project was originally projected to cost only $1 billion, but costs ballooned when the original proposed route for the train was amended. The recent increase stems from several changes to the plan since 2024. House Transportation Chair Jon Koznick, R-Lakeville, wants to "scrap this next boondoggle," and says "to pursue the Blue Line train is an abuse of taxpayers." Critics of the Blue Line extension point to the fact that ridership is lower anyway, and say that we could build several new BRT lines for the cost of the project. [Star Tribune]
- The case to continue: While a BRT line would be less expensive, it would delay construction by at least three years, it would be less accessible for people with disabilities, and it would not support as high of ridership as the light rail. A spokesperson from Hennepin County said that light rail is still the right choice for the community as it spurs "four times more investment per mile" in the neighborhoods that it serves than BRT lines, citing $14 billion in development investment and 36,300 new housing units that have been built along existing infrastructure. [KARE 11 / KSTP]
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| | | Celebrate the World Cup and community at the Vida y Deportes World Cup Street Fair on July 4 at Utepils Brewery! Enjoy live match viewing on a massive screen, international food vendors, live music, family activities, youth soccer, giveaways, and cultural celebrations. Proudly supported by Medica, Plunkett’s Pest Control, Minnesota United FC, Latino Radio, Amor, and the Latino Chamber of Minnesota. Admission is free — bring your family, friends, and community spirit for an unforgettable day |
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| What the Cities Are Talking About |
| Leashes required: The Minneapolis Park Board voted 8-1 to close the Minnehaha off-leash dog park following a tense, packed community meeting. Dogs will still be allowed at the park going forward, but they will need to be on a leash by Dec. 31. The park board plans to identify a replacement off-leash recreation area with similar amenities, but discussions will likely go into next year. [KARE 11] |
| "An insult to democracy": Many demonstrators believe the federal government is attempting to intimidate activists with the indictment of 15 anti-ICE protesters announced on Tuesday. Bruce Nestor, a lawyer who defended protesters charged earlier this year said "this is not about law enforcement. This is an act of political repression." Prior to this week's indictments, the federal government has brought charges against 36 people for assaulting or impeding immigration agents. Half of those cases have been dropped. [MPR News] | | H Mart incoming: We might finally be getting an H Mart in the Twin Cities. H Mart is the most popular Asian supermarket chain in the U.S., and a buyer with ties to the company has just purchased the Midway Marketplace in St. Paul. [MSP Business Journal / Bring Me The News] |  | Only 30% of Minnesotans approve of the state flag design. (Tim Evans / City Cast Twin Cities) |
| Is the flag a flop? The Minnesota state flag is deeply unpopular, according to a new poll. Only 2% of folks who identify as Republicans approve of the design, while 55% of DFLers approve. Statewide approval sits at 30%. I was kind of shocked to see these results, as the people I usually interact with all seem pretty pro-flag – do you have a different take? I would love to hear more opinions on this, so please respond to this email to let me know what you think. [Star Tribune] | | Free coffee: We're sponsoring free coffee every day next week at Pilllar Forum in Northeast Minneapolis. Stop by on Monday morning to grab a cup and say hi to me, as I'll probably be sitting in there writing this newsletter. 🙂 [City Cast Twin Cities] | | Midsommar strike: Cafe and catering workers at the American Swedish Institute have unanimously voted to enact a 1-day strike on June 20. The group voted to unionize in September, but they have yet to reach an agreement with Texas-based employer Culinaire. The strike is timed to coincide with the American Swedish Institute's annual Midsommar Celebration. The American Swedish Institute contracts with Culinaire and does not directly employ the workers, and they said the celebration will proceed as scheduled. [Bring Me The News] |
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| | | Thursday, June 18 | | | Friday, June 19 | | | Saturday, June 20 | | | Sunday, June 21 | | | |
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| | | A family-friendly and/or date-night appropriate, spectacular concert featuring the Twin Cities Gay Men’s Chorus, celebrating LGBTQ+ life, love, family and pride. This show draws musical inspiration from iconic Disney films including The Little Mermaid, The Lion King and Mary Poppins to modern classics such as Coco, Zootopia and others with curated video clips from the Disney vault, all interwoven with universal storytelling. Kids’ ticket discount available. June 20-21 at Orchestra Hall; get your tickets now! |
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There won't be a new newsletter or podcast episode tomorrow as we will be closed for Juneteenth. Have a great long weekend, and we'll see you on Monday! |
| — Adam | Anna Weggel, Sean McPherson, and Elissa Castles edited the City Cast Twin Cities newsletter this week. Feedback? Email twincities@citycast.fm. |
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