State Funds To Incentivize Blue Line Extension Infrastructure Projects
As the possibility of light rail construction through Robbinsdale, Crystal and Brooklyn Park gets closer, a coalition is hard at work to prevent displacement and promote prosperity along the Blue Line Extension corridor.
Money from the state will help achieve that goal.
The state legislature awarded $10 million to the Anti-Displacement Community Prosperity Program Board (ACPP) to help with infrastructure surrounding the Blue Line Extension.
“For us, it’s not about the train, but what happens to the people when you announce that a train is getting built? What happens to the businesses,” said Ricardo Perez, chair of the ACPP Board. “And the question we’re trying to answer is, how can we help people and businesses to not only survive possible construction, but to thrive after that thing gets built?”
The Anti-Displacement Community Prosperity Board consists of residents, business owners and government leaders from cities along the Blue Line route.
A Metro Transit Blue Line train prepares to depart in downtown Minneapolis.
The group is asking real estate developers, nonprofits and community-based organizations (in partnership with local governments), to submit applications for projects that will benefit folks living near the line.
For every dollar requested from the board, the applicant must have an equal amount of matching funds.
“We’re prioritizing housing stabilization, small business support, land acquisition and workforce development as the buckets that we want to allocate dollars to pay for those activities on the ground,” said Perez.
There will be an informational webinar about the initiative on Thursday, June 26, from 9:30 to 11 a.m.
A community meeting will take place in Minneapolis at the University of Minnesota Urban Research and Outreach-Engagement Center, located at 2001 Plymouth Ave. N.
Additional community meetings will happen in Minneapolis and Brooklyn Parks at future dates.
The application deadline is Sept. 2, 2025.
Related: Blue Line Extension Project Office Hosts ‘DREAM Sessions’
