The Future of Transit - The Northstar Commuter Rail and the Anoka Commuter Rail Transit Village
After years of planning and failed proposals, the Northstar Commuter Rail is finally a go for development in the northern suburbs. The Highway 10/Northstar Corridor is the most rapidly growing corridor in the Twin Cities (the third fastest in the country). As expansion of highway infrastructure cannot keep pace with current population growth, the corridor also suffers from the most traffic congestion. With a 90% expected increase in corridor population by the year 2030, officials expect that accommodating transportation via roadways will be prohibitively expensive, if not physically impossible. Stakeholders hope that the Commuter Rail will not only decrease congestion, but promote development along the corridor and increase access to employment opportunities for public transit-dependent inner-city residents.(See proposed line below) |
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ANOKA'S PROPOSED COMMUTER RAIL TRANSIT VILLAGE Prior to confirmation of the Northstar Commuter Rail, Anoka began planning a transit oriented residential and commercial center, aptly named the Commuter Rail Transit Village (CRTV). In line with Anoka’s core redevelopment values, the area will house mixed-use spaces, pedestrian oriented retail, high-density residential, and community-oriented spaces. Living within walking distance of retail and mass transit, residents of the CRTV will experience a far different lifestyle than other suburban dwellers. CRTV residents could realistically function independently from a car. |
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Character sketches and map of the proposed Commuter Rail Transit Village. The plans are reminiscent of pre-auto era pedestrian-oriented residential and commercial landscapes
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