This June marks the tenth anniversary since Metro Transit's Green Line Light Rail began passenger service. The 11 mile line connects downtown Minneapolis to downtown St. Paul, traveling along University Avenue.
And at times it has struggled with a perception that it's a haven for crime. So what has been the impact on businesses along the route?
Some business owners in downtown Minneapolis commented off the record to WCCO Radio that the Green Line is a detriment to their livelihoods.
Although overall crime on Metro Transit buses and trains dropped last year, there were an average of nearly 40 drug-related arrests per month.
But for others, that Green Line is a Godsend. That includes Stanchole A. Madison, lead sales associate at DGX Minneapolis.
"Oh, very positive, yeah. Yeah. Especially during the spring, summer season when we get tourists coming through," says Madison.
More businesses seem to prosper near the University of Minnesota campus which the light rail passes through.
"Especially like Vikings games on Sunday," says La Lee, General Manager of Bruegger's Bagels near the intersection of Washington and University Avenues along the Green Line.
But that sentiment changed as WCCO's Ari Bergeron headed further east.
In 2023, ridership on the Green Line was up 19%. At the same time, drug related crimes also rose according to data provided to WCCO from the Metropolitan Council who operate Metro Transit.
Vandalism is the most prevalent safety and security issue on the Metro Transit system, followed by simple assault according to data from Metro Transit Police. In early 2023, crime numbers took a dramatic jump. And while those numbers were reduced during the year falling 25% between January and November, the numbers are still higher than 2021 and 2022. Fraud, gambling, theft, sex offenses, stolen property, and weapons offenses make up the bulk of other crimes. Metro Transit says that reduced ridership during the two years following the COVID-19 pandemic explain a lot of the differences.
But for some St. Paul businesses, the crime has still spilled over.
"Do you remember what Hennepin Avenue was before they tore it down? That's what this has become," says Jim Zango with Midway Books.
He references the days crime along a stretch of East Hennepin decades ago, a time when the New York Times dubbed the city "Murderapolis".
"We have had multiple people (overdose)," explains Sarah Szable, co-owner of Twin Cities Reptiles. "We keep Narcan on-hand."
It's not all negative, however.
"People say it's the busiest intersection in Minnesota, Snelling and University right here," says Midway Saloon's David Kelly. "In terms of foot traffic, it's really good for business."
An ambitious expansion of the line is in the works although that extension, from Minneapolis out to the southwest suburb of Eden Prairie, is fraught with cost overruns and budgeting issues. In January, project director Jim Alexander said the revised budget for the SWLRT extension is now $2.86 billion, which is much higher than the original budget of $2 billion in 2018. The Met Council and Hennepin County has continually approved more money for the project.
There is also a planned Blue Line extension into North Minneapolis. That line currently runs from MSP Airport to Downtown Minneapolis.
Metro Transit is working on increasing safety on board the trains too. Riders taking Metro Transit Green and Blue Line trains began to see an extra presence in February as 24 Transit Rider Investment Program (TRIP) Agents will work alongside Community Resource Officers (CSOs) to address issues and educate riders.
Metro Transit officials declined WCCO Radio's requests for comment on this story.