When people begin boarding trains on the METRO Blue Line Extension in 2030, their riding experience will reflect the input of people in communities along the route.
A team of three outreach coordinators is now on the front lines to gather and gauge community feedback. The trio regularly hosts community meetings and track opinions on surveys. On a daily basis they are knocking on doors, canvassing residents and small business owners to listen to their expectations, recommendations and concerns about the project.
“We are part of a huge cultural change. In the past, projects have been put in place and built without investing in hearing from the people it touches,” said outreach coordinator Kaja Vang. “We are out in communities that are highly reliant on mass transportation to hear directly from them.”
When completed, the METRO Blue Line Extension will expand light rail heading north from Target Field and traveling through North Minneapolis, Robbinsdale, Crystal and ending in Brooklyn Park.
It’s certain to create change all along its 13 mile corridor.
“We want to make sure communities feel this is happening for them, not to them. We have our boots on the ground speaking to people directly; we are their messages back to our leadership team and the engineers who are designing the project. We are in close collaboration with city partners,” said outreach coordinator Joanna Ocasio-Maisonet.
Objectivity is built into the job description of the outreach coordinators. They do not try to persuade or push citizens to get on board and support the extension.
“We don't try to convince anyone of anything. It’s a diverse corridor so we hear diverse opinions,” explained outreach coordinator Kjerstin Yager.. “We can also answer questions, about safety, the noise and vibrations, the platforms, where are the bike lanes, what’s ahead for businesses. If we don’t know, we know who to ask and get back to them. It’s important the community has accurate, up-to-date information as we move forward.”
Hiring outreach coordinators is one part of the community engagement strategy created to open the dialogue with stakeholders along the line and invite them into the planning and decision making process.
The Met Council has established advisory committees seeking recommendations from local residents and business owners. Meanwhile, Hennepin County is contracting with almost 20 community and cultural organizations that serve the corridor in its community engagement cohort.
The outreach efforts are not window dressing, according to Kyle Mianulli, Hennepin County transit and mobility communications administrator.
He can point to adjustments that have resulted from the conversations that the outreach coordinators have had with the people in the communities where they work.
“Feedback has changed project in large and small ways. Through the daily conversations the outreach coordinators have, the community’s feedback is part of our process and it’s improving, enhancing and maximizing the benefits of the light rail line,” Mianulli said.
The outreach coordinators have divided up the communities in the corridor. Vang’s territory is Minneapolis; Ocasio-Maisonet’s assignment is also Minneapolis as well as Brooklyn Park while Yager’s focus is Robbinsdale and Crystal. The feedback they take in varies by the community where they spend time.
“For example, Brooklyn Park is onboard with project; there’s a lot of excitement that it’s going to North Hennepin Community College and the library across the street. The primary questions are, what’s the timeline and can we get get it any sooner?” said Ocasio-Maisonet. “In North Minneapolis, there’s more apprehension and more questions about how it will affect businesses during construction.”
The outreach coordinators also encourage the people they meet to expand their ideas about the possibilities the line will bring up and down the corridor.
“It’s amazing to sit in meetings and hear people’s ideas for physical space. They are asking that we invest in their dreams for the community,” said Vang. “I love the visionaries who imagine something new, like turning station platforms into gathering spots, with coffee shops and artwork and performances from local artists. We empower them so their voices matter.”
All three of the outreach coordinators find that it’s important to make time to listen to quieter voices.
“A common theme we hear is people who say, I am in support of project but I how can I support it silently. It’s that Minnesota Nice, where people don’t want to upset each other,” said Ocasio-Maisonet. “Those who oppose the project can be very verbal. We get a lot of feedback from people who think it’s going to be great but don’t want to come to a public meeting to say that.”
Anyone with thoughts, suggestions or questions about the METRO Blue Line Extension is invited to reach out to one of the outreach coordinators. One way we hear from community is through outreach coordinators.
“There are lots of decisions yet to be made,” said Mianulli. “As we get closer to construction and once the construction begins, there will be fewer opportunities to shape this investment. Now is the time to have these conversations.”
To contact the outreach coordinators with questions, comments or speaker requests for your group, you can find their contact information here.