The 13-mile Blue Line Extension light rail transit (LRT) line—formerly known as the Bottineau Transitway—is currently under design by the Metropolitan Council. It will connect Minneapolis with Golden Valley, Robbinsdale, Crystal, and Brooklyn Park. Funding from the Federal Transit Administration necessitates Section 106 and NEPA compliance.
Scope
For our work on the DEIS and FEIS, we surveyed thousands of properties and completed over 50 Phase II architecture/history evaluations, as well as assessed archaeological impacts. We also developed an area of potential effect and defined research and survey methods, in close coordination with the Minnesota Department of Transportation Cultural Resources Unit (MnDOT CRU). We also facilitated consultation with MnDOT CRU and other stakeholders concerning potential impacts to historic properties and development of a Memorandum of Agreement.
Outcome
We are contributing to the development of a regional transit system, and the Minnesota State Historic Preservation Office commended our management of this large-scale survey as a model for future projects of this nature.
