Fund transit-oriented development (TOD) along the blue line light rail extension in minneapolis

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) awarded $700,000 through the Federal Transit Capital Investment Grants program (CFDA 20.500) to the Metropolitan Council Minnesota to fund transit-oriented development (TOD) planning activities along the Blue Line Light Rail Extension in Minneapolis. The award, obligated on September 4, 2025, with a completion date of September 30, 2027, will support comprehensive planning and engagement services designed to integrate land use and transportation development in corridor communities. The Metropolitan Council will serve as the primary awardee and champion of the initiative, with a subgrant agreement established with the City of Minneapolis to coordinate local implementation efforts.

The funded activities encompass community engagement and visioning sessions, affordable housing and economic development strategy creation, multimodal transportation planning, and resilience strategy development. Deliverables are expected to include a clear TOD vision document, actionable strategies for affordable housing and economic development, improved transportation infrastructure plans, and enhanced community resilience frameworks. The intended beneficiaries include the City of Minneapolis, Metropolitan Council, and Hennepin County, with outcomes focused on supporting equitable growth and improving quality of life for surrounding communities in the Twin Cities region.

Purpose

The purpose of this award is to fund transit-oriented development (TOD) along the blue line light rail extension in minneapolis.

Activities

Funding will be used for community engagement visioning for TOD development creating housing and economic development strategies designing a multimodal transportation plan and developing resilience strategies activities.

Expected outcomes

A clear vision for TOD actionable strategies for affordable housing and economic development improved transportation infrastructure and enhanced resilience to support broad growth and improved quality of life for the surrounding communities.

Intended beneficiaries

City of minneapolis metropolitan council and hennepin county.

Subrecipient activities

The city of minneapolis will champion the work with a subgrant agreement with metropolitan council.