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How do we get cites of Minneapolis and Saint Paul, and their neighbors, as well as Hennepin and Ramsey counties, to work more closely together? How do we overcome the constraints of our unique geography and history to develop a more vibrant, connected, poly-centric core in our amazing “city”?

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There is so much work to be done in the core around housing, housing, development, transit, traffic safety, bicycle connections, public health, community cohesion. We need to be doing this work as one team, with a common vision, coordinated policies, and shared resources.

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The same can be said for Hennepin and Ramsey counties. Two VERY different entities that each represent and serve a piece of the core of the region.

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The core cities have separate planning processes and comp plans, separate public works departments, separate community services. And it’s not just that they are separate, there appears to be almost no coordination or collaboration among them at the policy or planning levels.

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We are fortunate the legislature acted in the 60s to address this, establishing the Met Council, and creating a regional approach to land planning, transit and sewers. But the Council today is more of an enabler and defender of our fractured policy and planning landscape than a champion to fix it.

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The event last night was so much fun. I was happy to see another win for the good guys. But let’s be serious for a moment. As much as we enjoy the friendly banter between Minneapolis and Saint Paul, the fact that our region has two central cities is a big hinderance to achieving shared goals...

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We need to find better works to work in coordinated and collaborative ways to build more transportation options, more housing, and more economic activity across the entire “city”.

This issue is also a good reminder that the structure of our region, with two core cities in two core counties, and dozens more small cities with dense urban neighborhoods, is a very real problem when it comes to working on projects like this.

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I also hope that @metcouncilmn will see this as an opportunity leverage their role and resources to solve regional issues. They declined to do so when NiceRide was sinking and it’s gone. I fear we will just hear more excuses, from them and everyone else, rather than genuine problem solving.

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MaryMM @marymm.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Current CEO is Amanda LaGrange www.linkedin.com/in/amandalag... Until recently interim CEO *was* Amy Brendmoen www.linkedin.com/in/amybrendm... Amy was indeed a Saint Paul Council Member. I'm sure there are some who didn't agree with her, but I wouldn't say she was "highly disliked"

linkedin.com

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Reposted by John Levin

As the founding executive director of HOURCAR, let me say that it is imperative someone steps forward to rescue car sharing AND bike sharing in the Twin Cities. HOURCAR, Evie and Nice Ride--all community-led nonprofits--were beautiful systems that allowed so many of us to live nearly car free.

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News — HOURCAR & Evie

Stay updated with the latest news, updates, and stories from HOURCAR and Evie carshare services in Minnesota and the Twin Cities.

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Yes! I emailed my City, County, and Council reps!

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MaryMM @marymm.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

💯 @metcouncilmn.bsky.social: You messed up not saving NiceRide. Please don't do it again with HOURCAR! #SaveHOURCAR

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Reposted by John Levin

And I'm going to state unequivocally that the @metcouncilmn.bsky.social should provide annual operating funds to @hourcar.bsky.social, and it should be far in excess of a million dollars. This was true in 2002 when we first asked them for support and it's more true today after proof of concept.

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Reposted by John Levin

Pedaling Professor @pedalingprof.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Less than the likely cost of two lawsuit settlements against a current StP city council member.... Seriously, this is a pathetically small amount in the scheme of budgets and sadly reminiscent of Nice Ride getting shut down because the core cities don't back up policy with budget support.

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Reposted by John Levin

BΔTBΔRΔ @marteani.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

This gap is less than it cost the mayor to put a bounce house in the warehouse district for a summer. This is 1/33 the cost of MPS's surprise overtime. They renovated Target Center in part by making us, the citizens, pay $74 million via a sales tax. WE. HAVE. MONEY. We can spend it in better places

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John Levin @jlstp.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

This is an absolute travesty. The leadership of Minneapolis and Saint Paul and the Met Council should be SCREAMING! Services like Hourcar and Evie are ESSENTIAL to their vision for our region.

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This x 💯. The prep really isn't that bad! And the procedure itself is no big deal. (Coming from someone with a history of enormous medical anxiety.) If you are on the fence, do it! And if it helps, I will gladly take any mutuals out for a post-procedure meal (you will be ravenous), my treat!

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John Levin @jlstp.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Just three days until the Midway Music and Arts Festival. This Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in the Midway. So much music! So much art! This will be a not to miss event! www.midwaymusicandart.org

midwaymusicandart.org

Midway Music and Arts Fest

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John Levin @jlstp.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

The real trick today would be to dress like someone in 1947 (79 years ago) dressing like someone in ~1900 (47 years prior) to be an extra in a movie about the making of "The Great Dan Patch"...

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John Levin @jlstp.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Sigh. Hoping this isn’t real.

Screenshot of Transit app screen showing A Line buses departing in 0 minutes and 30 minutes.

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Noted. Amending Article XIV of the state constitution would solve that in Minnesota. Can’t speak for other states.

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The result of serious mistakes in the past. They should also go, of course.

Serious question*: Why do non-freeway state highways in urbanized areas exist at all? #TurnThemAllBack * Seriously...What is the argument in favor of retaining this model?

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John Levin @jlstp.bsky.social · 18/08/2026

As we contemplate how we will fill in the trench when we remove the freeway, I'd like to suggest that we start with the rocks from all the horrible gabions that sprang up over the past few years. They are truly eyesores that makes lovely spaces ugly.

Photograph of a gabion made of gray wire filled with large gray rocks.

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I’d say cross Franklin Avenue bridge then 27th Ave SE to the U of M Transitway. I haven’t done it before but I’d probably skip the transitway bridge this time of year and take Energy Park for one block to Raymond to Como.

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John Levin @jlstp.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

Just to be clear, those are not sparkling water, but they are *delicious*. That’s not a bad price.

John Levin @jlstp.bsky.social · 09/08/2026

I dont have good info. I have not biked there but I do see a lot of bikes locked everywhere when I walk to the train. Savannah Bananas are at Target Field today so the racks on that side may be more full.