Five Blocks: Milton to Dale St.

Abstract

This research project seeks to investigate how the installation of the light rail extension along University Avenue in St. Paul is affecting the surrounding community. The light rail extension, known as the Central Corridor (Green) line, was designed to connect downtown Minneapolis and downtown St. Paul. The Central Corridor has currently moved through all of its planning stages, its construction and is scheduled to open in June of 2014. Built to primarily run along University Avenue, the installation of the light rail extension inevitably has, and will continue to have, an effect on the surrounding communities. In addition to the changes that took place throughout the duration of the construction period, the surrounding community will face changes as it becomes a transit hub with the possibility of gaining an influx of new residents and businesses once the light rail opens. Through interviews with current businesses and community organizations as well as current market value data analysis, our research project aimed to indicate how the Frogtown/Rondo Community along the corridor is changing and how the current residents and businesses expect to be affected in the future. Our research gathered information during the construction phase to indicate future potential change in the focus area of University Avenue from Milton to Dale Street.