Robbinsdale Gives Municipal Consent to Blue Line Extension in 3-2 Vote
Following years of discussion and planning, the Robbinsdale City Council gathered Tuesday night for a historic vote.
The vote was whether to approve the design of the Metro Blue Line Extension, which would bring light rail transit through north Minneapolis, Robbinsdale, Crystal and Brooklyn Park.
“We all agreed earlier, a few weeks ago, to vote no with conditions,” Robbinsdale City Council Member Regan Murphy said during Tuesday’s meeting. “And I hope we will do that this evening.”
Council members had raised traffic and safety concerns, including how light rail would impact North Memorial Health ambulances.
However, at the “11th hour,” the light rail project office met most of Robbinsdale’s demands.
“After receiving further information and through several discussions, the project office has provided commitments that directly address the majority of these concerns,” said Robbinsdale City Council Member Mia Parisian.
Page one of a letter directed to the city of Robbinsdale from Nick Thompson, the interim Blue Line Extension project director, outlining the commitments the project office is making to the city.
While the vote wasn’t on light rail itself, Council Member Aaron Wagner touted its benefits.
“The Blue Line Extension is a near-term solution to address one of the greatest causes of global warming emissions: passenger vehicles,” Wagner said. “We need fewer drivers and more people using all electric options, like light rail.”
Council Member Jason Greenberg wanted more concrete answers from the project office.
“There are still a bunch of questions that I think denying municipal consent will help us get more concrete answers to,” Greenberg said. “It doesn’t mean that I don’t believe in the project.”
Mayor Bill Blonigan said he would have voted ‘no’ a week ago, but was satisfied with what the project office agreed to.
“They’ve committed in writing, the project will design and construct station platforms to accommodate the potential future addition of turnstiles or other station barricades,” Blonigan said.
After more than an hour of discussion, the council took the long-awaited vote.
Regan Murphy: No
Jason Greenberg: No
Mia Parisian: Yes
Aaron Wagner: Yes
Bill Blonigan: Yes
“So that controversial, hard thing, passes on a three-to-two vote,” Blonigan said.
A “no vote with conditions” would have triggered a hearing with the Metropolitan Council. Robbinsdale City Council Member Aaron Wagner said that no vote could have led to months of delays and increased costs.
