HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026/04/20 - ADMIN - Minutes - City Council - Study SessionOfficial minutes
Special study session meeting
St. Louis Park, Minnesota
April 20, 2026
The meeting convened at 6:38 p.m.
Council Members present: Daniel Bashore, Jim Engelking, Tim Brausen, Yolanda Farris, Paul
Baudhuin, Mayor pro tem Sue Budd
Council Members absent: Mayor Nadia Mohamed
Staff present: deputy engineering director (Mr. Sullivan)
Guest: Jim Alexander, Metro Transit Green Line Extension project team
Discussion Item
1. Metro Green Line Extension Light Rail Construction Overview and Update
Mr. Sullivan introduced Mr. Alexander, noting their working relationship spanning
approximately 13 to 14 years across preliminary design, final design and construction phases.
Mr. Sullivan noted the council had participated in a station tour earlier that evening visiting the
Louisiana, Wooddale and Beltline stations.
Mr. Alexander provided an overview of project status and next steps. The project is
approximately 95 % complete. Civil construction is essentially finished, including stations, track,
roadways and trails. The general contractor, London Crossing Joint Venture, achieved
substantial completion in November 2025 and is expected to reach final completion in summer
2026. The systems contractor, Aldrich Parsons Joint Venture, is completing installation of
traction power, signaling and communications components, which are primarily located in
Minneapolis. Approximately 5,500 workers have been employed on the project through March
2026, with roughly 80% from within Minnesota. Transit-oriented development of
approximately $3.3 billion has been permitted or built along the alignment from 2011 through
2024, representing an estimated 9,800 residential units.
Mr. Alexander described the system integration testing (SIT) structure across three phases.
Phase 1, covering Southwest Station in Eden Prairie to Beltline Station, has been underway
since July 2025 and is projected to conclude in June 2026. Phase 2 covers the main line nearly
to the 21st Street Station in Minneapolis. Phase 3 will encompass the full line including the
Kenilworth Tunnel. SIT is projected to be completed in early December 2026, after which
operations staff will conduct their own testing and familiarization. Revenue service is
anticipated in 2027, with a specific opening date expected to be announced in fall 2026. The
Hopkins Rail Support Facility, located near Shady Oak Station, is approximately 82% complete.
Mr. Alexander noted that nearly all trails along the corridor have been restored to final
condition, with a small bypass segment just east of West Lake Station in Minneapolis expected
to be resolved by June 2026. A Trails to Rails celebration event is planned for Saturday, May 9,
2026, featuring a ribbon cutting and speaking program at 11:00 a.m. with community trail tours
in partnership with Three Rivers Park District and station activations along the corridor.
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Special study session minutes - 2 - April 20, 2026
Mr. Alexander reported that a first responder familiarization event was held in February 2026
at Southwest Station, with approximately 75 participants including lead representatives from
St. Louis Park police and fire departments. This was followed by a series of events that included
over 200 police and fire staff members from the corridor cities. Additional tabletop and on-site
mock emergency exercises are planned. Six light rail vehicles are currently in use for testing,
two of which are wrapped with safety messaging and revenue service announcements. Mr.
Alexander expressed interest in returning with Metro Transit's General Manager, the St. Louis
Park Police Chief and operations leadership to discuss the launch effort with the city council,
which he described as a deliberate "flawless launch" initiative.
Council Member Baudhuin asked whether the approximately 12% decline in Green Line
ridership from 2025 levels might be partially attributable to the expansion of rapid bus service
rather than solely to safety concerns. Mr. Alexander acknowledged the growth of the bus
network, citing the recently opened E-Line as an example, but emphasized that the rail and bus
systems function as a network with the Blue and Green Lines serving as the primary spines.
Mayor Pro Tem Budd suggested that Metro Transit's focused enforcement in transit-dependent
communities, may have discouraged ridership more broadly. Mr. Alexander added that Blue
Line state-of-good-repair work, which required service shutdowns for multiple days in 2025,
also reduced ridership opportunities on that line.
Council Member Farris expressed concern that safety issues, including visible drug use and
homelessness on trains, continue to deter riders - particularly those traveling at night. Mr.
Alexander acknowledged these concerns and noted that overall crime on the system is down
approximately 22% compared to the same period in 2025. He attributed this in part to
increased presence through the Metro Transit Police force, TRIP (Transit Rider Investment
Program) agents authorized by recent legislation to issue fare citations, supplemental security
officers under a newly signed contract, and community service officer interns working toward
police officer status.
Mayor Pro Tem Budd noted that Metro Transit's recently appointed Chief of Police has made
safety and security on the light rail system his primary focus. Mr. Alexander confirmed the chief
has approximately 20 years of transit experience and served as interim chief for an extended
period prior to his appointment.
Council Member Engelking noted that each light rail vehicle includes bike hanger facilities,
facilitating multimodal commuting.
Council Member Baudhuin expressed enthusiasm about the upcoming service and noted that
bike hangers on the trains are easier to use than front-loading bike racks on buses.
Council Member Farris asked about complimentary passes for all users at the opening of
service. Mr. Alexander indicated free rides were done for the Blue and Green Line launches and
offered that he will bring this back to Metro Transit for consideration.
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Council Member Brausen reflected on approximately 18 to 19 years of involvement with the
project and highlighted the transit-oriented development visible throughout the corridor as a
significant outcome.
Council Member Farris noted appreciation for the heated station facilities, given Minnesota's
winter climate.
Written Report
4. Housing Activity Report
There were no comments regarding the written report.
The meeting adjourned at 7:01 p.m.
______________________________________ ______________________________________
Melissa Kennedy, city clerk Nadia Mohamed, mayor
These minutes were created with the assistance of a generative AI transcript service, then edited
and finalized by a city staff person.
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