On the Way
Volume 2, Issue 1
December 2007/January 2008

Bicycling and Walking in Winter: Tips for Getting Around
Did you know that (in most cities in our region) property owners are required to remove snow from sidewalks within 24 hours of a snowfall? Did you know that you can enforce this? There are oh-so-many tips for walking and bicycling in winter...check them out.



Dave Van Hattum Provides Press Comments on Northstar Rail Funding
Dave Van Hattum, Policy & Advocacy Program Manager at Transit for Livable Communities, was recently quoted in the Associated Press and several other news sources about the Northstar Commuter Rail securing federal funding. "It's great that Governor Pawlenty is on board with the Northstar line, but this line is only one piece of our transportation puzzle," says Van Hattum. "We need a stable, secure source of funding to make sure that we can pay for the growth in the existing system and to build new commuter and light-rail lines. Northstar shouldn't be the endgame; it should be the catalyst for a 21st century transportation system in this state."

What's Happening to the Old Ford Plant Site?
For the past 80 years, 125 acres in the bustling Highland Park neighborhood of St. Paul have been home to an assembly plant operated by Ford Motor Company. In 2008, that will change when Ford closes the plant. What will happen to the former Ford Site? There may be opportunities for transit, walking, and bicycling...

Access Minneapolis: 2nd and Marquette
The City of Minneapolis’ 10-year transportation plan, Access Minneapolis, prioritizes transit, walking, and bicycling in the downtown area. The goal is a livable, walkable city that is easily accessible to residents and visitors...but everyone has a different idea of what this means. Want some of the nitty-gritty?

Roadguy Tours the Midtown Greenway Bridge
If you haven't checked out the Minneapolis Star Tribune's Roadguy blog, you should. It's chock-full of fun transit, walking, bicycling...and yes, even road news. Roadguy (also known as Jim Foti) has some videos up, including touring the new bike/pedestrian bridge, watching the hybrid bus parade, and actually driving a bus.

Events
The Metropolitan Council is sponsoring public update meetings on the Central Corridor light rail tranit line. The purpose of the meetings is to engage the public by presenting current information about the project. Attendees can listen to a brief project update and talk directly to staff working on the project.

• Thursday, Jan. 24 – 8-9:30 a.m., Lao Family Center, 320 University Ave., St. Paul.  (Free parking and accessible by bus via routes 3, 16, 50 62, 67 and 94B)
• Monday, Jan. 28 – 5:30-7 p.m., Buetow Music Auditorium, Concordia College, 300 Hamline Ave. N., St. Paul. (Free parking and accessible by bus via route 21)
• Monday, Jan. 28 – 7-9 p.m., Prospect Park United Methodist Church, SE Malcolm & SE Orlin Ave., Minneapolis.  (Free parking and accessible by bus via routes 16 and 50)
• Wednesday, Jan. 30 – 11 a.m. - 1 p.m., Downtown St. Paul Alliance Bank Center Food Court, 55 E. 5th St., St. Paul. (Accessible by bus via routes 3, 16, 21, 50, 53, 54, 62, 63, 64, 65, 67, 70, 74, 75 and 94)
• Thursday, Jan. 31 – 6-8 p.m., Central Corridor Project Office, 540 Fairview Ave. N, Ste. 200, St. Paul.  (Free parking and accessible by bus via routes 16, 50 and 67)
• Tuesday, Feb. 5 – 8-9:30 a.m., Central Corridor Project Office, 540 Fairview Ave. N., Ste. 200, St. Paul. (Free parking and accessible by bus via routes 16, 50 and 67)

For more cool events, check out Transit for Livable Communities' calendar.

Unny Nambudiripad and Jan Lysen Join Transit for Livable Communities
Unny Nambudiripad started working as the Community Organizer at TLC in November 2007, having worked closely with TLC’s Transit Partners coalition through his organizing work at the Alliance for Metropolitan Stability. He has also organized for the Sierra Club’s North Star Chapter and the Minnesota Public Interest Research Group (MPIRG). Unny specializes in volunteer leadership development, public outreach, and event planning.


Jan Lysen joined Transit for Livable Communities' board in November 2007. Jan was previously Vice President for Provider Relations at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota, with over 20 years of experience in health plan management. Now a candidate for a MPA degree from the Humphrey Institute at the University of Minnesota, Jan is planning a concentration related to livable cities, bringing her experience in health care and interest in non-motorized transportation to the TLC board. She previously served on the boards of Twin Cities Academy, a St. Paul based charter school, and the Minnesota Institute of Public Health.

The Details
If you would like to subscribe or unsubscribe to this newsletter, please contact Katie Eukel at 651-767-0298 x115 or KatieE@tlcminnesota.org. Also, if you have questions, comments, or story ideas, please let Katie know.