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Reposted by MplsGlen

Katie Jones @katiejonesmpls.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

This is unacceptable AND solvable. While we work to fix the immediate issue, please make sure to contact your electeds to let them know having community based carshare matters to you.

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MplsGlen @mplsglen.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

I’m unclear what exactly is being offered here. HCMC is very far from Loring Park. And by patrols is that walking around or something else?

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MplsGlen @mplsglen.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

The F Line project on Central, and Nicollet Mall downtown, would be a significant source of additional funds to augment the $20 million to move transit downtown. MnDOT is starting work on Central Ave in 2028, so the timeline to pedestrianization is now after 2029 if it happens

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MplsGlen @mplsglen.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

The downtown transit improvements project was pushed back a year in the proposed 2027 CIP to 28/29 ($10 million each year) but the Nicollet pedestrianization project isn't anywhere I've seen yet CLIC again recommended $0 for the transit project but the mayor included it in the proposed CIP

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Twin Cities Documenters @twincitiesdocs.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

🧵Tomorrow, the Minneapolis Board of Estimate & Taxation will vote on the amount Minneapolis property taxes can go up in 2027. Here's a preview from Documenter @mplsglen.bsky.social:

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MplsGlen @mplsglen.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Yeah the way this is written is very confusing since these are the exceptions. So 'not allowed unless...' but I am not an expert on ordinances. I DO have two example properties nearby me with these aggressive warnings so I'll report them as soon as the ordinance goes into effect to test the limits

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MplsGlen @mplsglen.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

I'm trying parse this one. Property boundaries don't extend to the street, and the sidewalk is public right of way, so it seems like we can still make complaints about announcements loudly saying we're on camera while walking by

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MplsGlen @mplsglen.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

I'm making a bus transfer through downtown tonight (and running a couple errands) and only found out about the Nicollet closure through this post. It's a massive inconvenience to transit riders. Nicollet closures should be very rare but are common. Plenty of other places to hold events downtown!

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MplsGlen @mplsglen.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

I'm glad the vaccine is still covered, but I had zero clue they ended pharmacy coverage. I was scheduled for Friday at CVS, but obviously a surprise charge would be frustrating! Also incomprehensible to dig through the insurance docs to figure out the change. Appreciate you sharing your experience!

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Reposted by MplsGlen

David Brauer @dbrauer.net · 28/08/2026

Minnesota voters should have an early-voting strategy this year, and to help I made this FAQ. Feedback/questions encouraged. It’s aimed at Democracy Defense trainers who are informing/organizing voters, but we want everyone to do this work & uphold voting rights! docs.google.com/document/d/1...

docs.google.com

Nov 3 2026 voting FAQ

This Frequently Asked Questions document is for Democracy Defense facilitators to better understand how early in-person and mail voting works as of August 28, 2026 for the 2026 general election in Min...

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MplsGlen @mplsglen.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

Can't say enough good things about the Twin Cities Documenters program! Coverage of local meetings is generally light (or nonexistent) unless something controversial comes up. LOTS of things come up at these meetings that are worth reporting on. If you can donate, it's much appreciated!

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MplsGlen @mplsglen.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

As one of those 900 people, I can attest to your fantastic work leading that org. I wouldn't have been shocked to learn you've headed several orgs by now and led them all well. I'm trying to fathom the thought process of this person to even reach out if this was the ask

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MplsGlen @mplsglen.bsky.social · 10/07/2026

yeah, that's exactly it. I read faster and can go right to the thing I want because there are usually headers in big documents. Video it's having to watch all of it just in case. Tradeoffs!

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MplsGlen @mplsglen.bsky.social · 10/07/2026

I admittedly struggle with the shift to short video format as a way to get info out. I REALLY respect an elected official figuring out ways to reach out to constituents I liked Jazz Hampton's daily explainer videos during the mayoral campaign! In both cases, I got a sense of personality too

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MplsGlen @mplsglen.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

I was also confused by this. Was she referring to medians without curb cuts? Which wouldn't happen at a crosswalk. The county has to build to ADA standards. I wasn't following it at all

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MplsGlen @mplsglen.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

Timeline October October 21st: BLE project Decision Board approves final scope/schedule/budget, submits October 28th: Met Council approves Right of Way purchases, submits to FTA

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MplsGlen @mplsglen.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

Timeline September and October September 30th: FTA legal review of railroad agreements October 14th: Met Council approves railroad agreements

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MplsGlen @mplsglen.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

Timeline August and September August: Hennepin County board approves pledged funds Note: no actions past this point can occur until all funding identified September 10th: Corridor Management Meeting

Timeline August and September

August: Hennepin County board approves pledged funds
Note: no actions past this point can occur until all finding identified
September 10th: Corridor Management Meeting

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MplsGlen @mplsglen.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

Timeline June and July July 15th: reduced project scope to $3.85 billion and total gap submitted to FTA for approval July 31st: Submit remaining management plans to FTA and FTA approval of scope changes

Timeline June and July
June 11th: Budget set at $3.58 billion. County pledges additional $1.619 billion, funding gap reduced to $474 million
July 15th: reduced project scope to $3.85 billion and total gap submitted to FTA for concurrence and communication with Brooklyn Park
July 31st: Submit remaining management plans to FTA and FTA concurrence on scope efficiencies

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MplsGlen @mplsglen.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

Federal 5307 formula funds - Met Council funding allocation policy in 2025 does not allow spending federal formula funds on transit guideway projects - Policy in response to 2023 transit funding law to ensure the Council can cover all operations and long-term maintenance responsibilities

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MplsGlen @mplsglen.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

Capital Grant Agreement from 2023 Agreement between Met Council (grantee) and Hennepin county (grantor) laid out funding responsibilities that does not require Met Council to contribute any funds towards the transitway project

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MplsGlen @mplsglen.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

Other Met Council Funds considered Using Motor Vehicle Sales Tax, Regional Sales Tax, or 5307 federal formula funds for capital use is prohibited by state constitution and state statute

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MplsGlen @mplsglen.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

Potential reduction in cost by moving some train purchases from project: budget shift - Could reduce train purchases for BLE project 33-100%, maximum $177 million - Trains not purchased would still be needed by Blue Line so still purchased, but not on BLE budget - Legislative Auditor advised against

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MplsGlen @mplsglen.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

Met Council estimating $3.4 billion over 32 years of operation covering 100% of those costs - $2.4 billion for 30 years of operations and maintenance - $500 million for capital maintenance - $500 million for fleet replacement

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MplsGlen @mplsglen.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

Evaluating whether the contingency fund of 32% ($877 million) can be lowered - Started at 30%; FTA evaluated risk and set the contingency to 32.5% (up $92 million) - If scope reductions accepted lowers to $846 million (32.5%) - Further ask to lower contingency to 26-30% would save $60-180 million

Evaluating whether the contingency fund of 32% ($877 million) can be lowered
- contingency set at 30% in 2025, but FTA added $160 million after risk assessment (now 36%)
- Mini-risk assessment done in April 2026; reduced by $68 million (32.5%)
- If scope reductions accepted lowers to $846 (32.5%)
- Further ask to lower contingency to 26-30% saving $60-180 million

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MplsGlen @mplsglen.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

Working project funding gap of $279 million Expected to become the official project funding gap in August, but before submitting application for federal funding would need to close the gap with unidentified funds

Working project funding gap of $279 million after including all funds committed and project cost reduction

The working project funding gap is expected to become the official project funding gap in August To submit the application for federal funding would need to close the gap with unidentified funds

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MplsGlen @mplsglen.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

Other scope adjustments and project savings - $195 million - $80 million in reduced system costs - $75 million in reduced financing costs - $35 million from removing ped bridge at 63rd Station and changing to surface parking at Oak Grove Station (Both in Brooklyn Park) - $5 million in startup costs

Current status of funding

Other scope adjustments and project savings - $195 million to reduce project to #3.385 billion
- $80 million in reduced system costs
- $75 million in reduced financing costs
- $35 million from removing ped bridge at 63rd Station and changing to surface parking at Oak Grove Station (Both in Brooklyn Park)
- $5 million in startup costs

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MplsGlen @mplsglen.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

Additional funding committed Reduces funding gap to $474 million - $1.519 billion additional funds from Hennepin county - assumes $67 million in hoped-for sales tax reimbursement that needs to be authorized by the state legislature

Actual gap includes Hennepin county commitment of additional $1.519 billion
Also includes a hoped-for sales tax refund of $67 which requires state legislative authorization

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MplsGlen @mplsglen.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

Project cost: $3.58 billion Current Funding gap of $1.993 billion Fully authorized funds of $1.586 billion - $762 million, Hennepin county - $752 million, Federal CIG program - $41 million, State of MN - $31 million, Other local sources

Current Project Cost of $3.58 billion
Official funding gap today is $1.993 billion
Fully authorized funding
$762 million Hennepin County
$752 million from federal CIG Program
$41 from state of Minnesota
$31 million from other local sources

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MplsGlen @mplsglen.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

Update: the presentation was shared but it's a pdf not a link. 😑 I'll add relevant images with alt text as I find time today

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MplsGlen @mplsglen.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

I did my best recapping as I went, but it was 40 minutes of presentation (with no slides to preview) and then 35 min of Q&A If you spot anything I got wrong, glad to correct it and I'll doublecheck against the slides whenever I have them! I'm unsure if any media outlets were in attendance

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MplsGlen @mplsglen.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

Met Council Transportation Chair Chambliss expressed support for the project and confidence the funding gap will be resolved quickly in order to submit. Also called for a Corridor Management Committee meeting to happen very soon

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MplsGlen @mplsglen.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

Mayor of Brooklyn Park Hollies Winston also supports BLE and expressed worry that any delay in the application for federal funding could mean dealing with new more restrictive requirements from the federal side, at best delaying the project for the NW suburbs or even causing it to not happen at all

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MplsGlen @mplsglen.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

Speakers during Q&A included County commissioners Lunde, Fernando, and Green who all expressed continued support for the project but concerns about notice of this meeting and the Corridor Management Committee (CMC) not meeting for months metrocouncil.org/Transportati...

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MplsGlen @mplsglen.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

I'd share the presentation or video for this meeting, but neither is available. I expect to receive the presentation slides, but they were not posted with the agenda, which only had "Blue Line Extension Project Update – Information and Discussion" metrocouncil.org/Transportati...

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MplsGlen @mplsglen.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

Met Council will spend $3.4 billion on operations (100% of the operation costs) through the first generation of the BLE (I think meaning until the new trains would be replaced) They say they are constrained from spending transit sales tax or other funds due to state law and policy agreements

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MplsGlen @mplsglen.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

Met Council shared some strategies for tackling the funding gap including trying to negotiate for a lower contingency fund to save $60-180 million but requires federal signoff Some train purchases could be shifted from this budget as some would need to be bought for existing blue line anyway

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MplsGlen @mplsglen.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

Total project cost of almost $3.6 billion Hennepin County has committed $2.2 billion per Chair Fernando Federal match would be $752 million, but is only 21% of project costs. Originally that was anticipated to cover 50% The state committed $41 million and other local sources at $31 million

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MplsGlen @mplsglen.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

I attended the Blue Line Extension update hosted by Met Council today. Main focus was funding: what's committed so far and the gap remaining to submit the app $279 million is the working funding gap that needs to be filled before filing for federal funds this summer metrocouncil.org/Transportati...

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Reposted by MplsGlen

BikeMN @bikemn.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

The onus is on drivers to keep people safe in individual situations. But is on city leaders to design roadways so that these types of incidents are less common. Minneapolis is targeting zero traffic deaths by design. Helsinki hasn't had one in 21 months, by design. St Paul, it's time to commit.

startribune.com

Bicyclist dies after getting ‘doored’ while passing driver exiting parked SUV, St. Paul police say

The driver stayed at the scene and cooperated with police.

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MplsGlen @mplsglen.bsky.social · 03/07/2026

This remains one of the sore spots for me with local transit. We missed such an opportunity here But the change from the railroad trench to the Broadway routing is going to be so much better for North when built (with new antidisplacement funds to help during construction)

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MplsGlen @mplsglen.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

I was sad when my neighborhood brewery with a nice patio closed, but even more so when the space was repurposed for private event use We're down to a couple coffee shops with limited hours and no other social spots (I'll still go further than a few blocks to see friends, but its not great)

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MplsGlen @mplsglen.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

I spotted this on Monday. My guess is the Hiawatha LRT detours were approved without consideration of other closures, so contractors put them up as laid out This is mainly due to the MnDOT closure(s), but the bigger issue seems to be a complete lack of coordination between agencies and departments

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MplsGlen @mplsglen.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

I'll admit I'm looking forward to the upgraded 94 amenities in downtown Mpls more since it's where I hop on, but the stops at Snelling are such an opportunity

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MplsGlen @mplsglen.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

I am anxiously awaiting the Gold line extension next year. Yes, one seat ride from St Paul out to Woodbury, but just the BRT shelters at Snelling will be a massive improvement

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taylr @taylordahlin.com · 10/06/2026

you can see the new franklin ave street design with a dedicated bike path coming together east of 35, to match and link up to what exists currently on franklin west of lyndale ave. another piece of great bike infrastructure and safer streets coming to minneapolis!

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MplsGlen @mplsglen.bsky.social · 10/06/2026

No promises but Labor Day has been discussed. The big difference is no utilities are being moved just surface stuff

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MplsGlen @mplsglen.bsky.social · 10/06/2026

Thanks for covering the groundbreaking! I’m really excited for my neighborhood park to shine. Project should be done by *fall* which is huge

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MplsGlen @mplsglen.bsky.social · 09/06/2026

This and a few other small projects came out of a budget amendment Wonsley got passed that took money from the MPD training facility in the capital budget BIK28, amendment 7 lims.minneapolismn.gov/Download/Fil...

lims.minneapolismn.gov

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MplsGlen @mplsglen.bsky.social · 05/06/2026

The area around Hiawatha now has three blocked off pedestrian connections, all listed as 'temporary' despite one going for several years and blocking off sidewalks to the Franklin Ave light rail station A mile plus detour for people walking and rolling is unacceptable. Send in your comments

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