So many people are interested in Connecting Uptown. We have a petition with over 4,000 signatures supporting an Uptown alignment. But here is what a few of you said:

JOHN ERICKSON, MINNEAPOLIS
Statements made at 9/17 Public Hearing

My name is John Erickson. I am a resident of MPLSand have been working on the issues associated with Southwest LRT since 2002. I have two more general points that I want to speak to this evening.

First, I am presuming that everyone here tonight wants the route that is chosen to be as viable and as attractive as a long term public transportation option as is possible for the citizens of the southwest suburbs as well as the citizens of MPLS. With that in mind it seems reasonable to presume that we ought to choose a route that provides transportation to work in downtown MPLS for our suburban neighbors as well as residents of MPLS........but also a route that provides transportation to work in the southwest suburbs for residents of MPLS as well as some subset of our suburban neighbors. In other words, folks can get to work or job opportunities in either direction. Additionally, if the LRT could also provide access to Orchestra Hall, the Convention center, St. Thomas University and other businesses and entertainment interests in various locations in MPLS on both nights and weekends, then that could increase ridership and make the route more viable in the long term. As you consider which route best meets the needs of everyone in the southwest corridor on a long term basis it becomes clearer that route 3C2 is the better alternative over route 3A.

Secondly, based on the questions and concerns raised both this evening and in the last few months it is fair to say that if the commissioners had to use the currently available information to make a decision on LRT their decisions would not be as informed as they should be for a decision of this magnitude. If I were in your shoes I would require more complete, up-to-date and accurate data related to this project including but not limited to ridership projections and construction costs. By requiring that information prior to making your decision you will clearly enhance the quality of your final decisions and better represent and serve all citizens of Southwest Hennepin County.

I strongly urge you to consider both of these important points in your LRT decision making process. Thank you!

LOREN AANDAHL, MINNEAPOLIS
Statements made at 9/17 Public Hearing

Good evening. My name is Loren Aandahl and I live in Minneapolis. I have 22 years of experience in the airline industry planning international networks and routes. For most of these years, I was the department leader at the world's 4th largest passenger airline and I have developed hundreds of network and route forecasts.

As a resident of Minneapolis, I believe the 3C2 route through Uptown, Lyn-Lake and Nicollet best serves our city. I also believe that it is the route that best serves our suburban neighbors - with a faster travel time to the core business district and connections to venues elsewhere in Minneapolis that you may want to patronize.

It is my opinion that the ridership forecast for the Southwest LRT examining the two options into Minneapolis is riddled with multiple flaws that deny it any credibility. It defies common sense. Let me give you some specific examples.

First, the overall ridership forecast is identical between the two options despite the fact that the Kenilworth 3A alignment runs through an ultra low density neighborhood and park whilst the Uptown 3C2 alignment runs through the busiest transit corridor (Downtown-Uptown) in the metro area. I believe the Uptown route will have at least 20% and likely 30% more ridership.

Second, the boarding forecast for the 21st Street station on the Kenilworth option is 1,000 per day compared to 1,100 for the Uptown station on the Uptown option. This is non-sensical. Anyone who has been in the vicinity of the proposed 21st Station will know it is an ultra low density neighborhood with minimal transit demand. Compare that with Uptown.

Third, the projected boardings for the 12th Street (Nicollet Mall) Station on the Uptown route is only 300 per day despite this station's prime location to serve the western side of downtown. This should be the busiest station on the entire line. By contrast, boardings for the nearby Royalston station (1/2 mile from downtown) on the Kenilworth alignment are projected at 1,900 per day despite there being no substantial housing or businesses in this area located next to the Hennepin County Incinerator. And Royalston boardings are reduced to 400 per day on the Uptown alignment but are still greater than at 12th Street. It doesn't make sense.

Fourth, the projected boarding's at all stations to the west of West Lake station are 10% higher for the Kenilworth option than for the Uptown option even though the Uptown option boasts a shorter elapsed travel time to a prime downtown Minneapolis station as well as access to the higher density stations along the Uptown route.

Fifth, there appears to be a miniscule amount of Downtown-Uptown journeys projected for the Uptown route despite this being the busiest transit corridor in the metro area. People will use rail transit.

Sixth, the forecast seriously underestimates the amount of connecting traffic between the Uptown option and the Central and Hiawatha LRT.

Seventh, the forecast is based on a peak weekday ridership patterns.
The Uptown option will generate much more traffic on weekends and in the evenings.

I believe the Uptown option has a traffic forecast that will be at least 20 and likely 30% higher than the Kenilworth option. This, in combination with capital cost reductions spoken to separately, will ensure that the Uptown option is fully competitive, if not more so, with the Kenilworth option in terms of the CEI formula to secure federal funding.

The forecast for the Southwest LRT alignment decision needs to be completely reworked to ensure it is accurate. I volunteer to lead the project to ensure a fair forecast on which to base a final alignment decision. Neither the PAC nor the Metro Council should make any final decisions until this is completed.

Rail transit is meant to serve the people. The Uptown option does this best. Thank you.

CHERYL LARUE, MINNEAPOLIS
Statements made at 9/17 Public Hearing

My name is Cheryl LaRue,  a resident of downtown Minneapolis. I am representing a group of volunteers from multiple Minneapolis neighborhoods. We believe route 3C (or 3C alternative) best serves the city as well as our suburban neighbors. This group of volunteers has been working diligently so that the sentiment of the general public can be heard. We’ve spoken to thousands of residents in BOTH Minneapolis and the suburbs…residents from Minneapolis and the suburbs who support 3C because it serves the area of most density AND which allows employment opportunities, patronage of businesses,  and enjoyment of events in MULTIPLE DESTINATIONS – Uptown, Lyn-Lake, Midtown, East Street, downtown Minneapolis – rather than JUST ONE, downtown.

Tonight I am not only representing dozens of volunteers but more than 3,700 Minneapolis and suburban residents who have signed a petition supporting route 3C.

As with the decision that was made to have SW LRT travel through the area of high density and employment in Eden Prairie, we encourage you to make the same decision in Minneapolis and select route 3C, rather than a route that diminishes vital parkland and runs through a minimally populated residential area.

Thank you.