In This Issue:
- Metropolitan Council Accepting Public Comments on Draft 2020 Transportation UPWP
- EVENT: Brownfields Funding Resources Workshops
- Local Housing Trust Fund Manual Released; Webinar Scheduled for August 19
Metropolitan Council Accepting Public Comments on Draft 2020 Transportation UPWP
The Metropolitan Council is receiving public comments on the draft 2020 Transportation Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP). To view the draft, click here. The UPWP outlines and documents the proposed transportation-related planning activities in the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area for the upcoming year. The work program promotes a regional approach to transportation planning in order to achieve regional objectives. The UPWP also documents proposed federal, state and local transportation planning expenditures for the upcoming year. It also serves as the Metropolitan Council’s application for US DoT planning funds.
The work plan will be considered by the Transportation Advisory Board (TAB) on Wednesday, August 21. The Council plans to consider final adoption of the program on September 25. The Council will receive public comment until 5 pm, Monday, September 9.
Comments can be submitted in the following ways:
- Mail: Metropolitan Council, 390 Robert St. N., St. Paul, MN 55101
- E-mail: [email protected]
- Public Comment Line: 651-602-1500
For more information, contact Senior Highway Planner David Burns at [email protected] or 651-602-1887.
EVENT: Brownfields Funding Resources Workshops
DEED, the Metropolitan Council, and Hennepin and Ramsey Counties have scheduled two metropolitan region presentations to help cities and development partners apply for brownfield redevelopment grants. Cities can attend to learn more about grant programs that assist with the costs of investigating and cleaning up contaminated sites known as brownfields. The goal of these programs is to help redevelopment that will yield jobs, increase the local tax base, and leverage private investment.
An overview of the DEED grant programs is available at Contamination Cleanup and Investigation Grant Program along with applications, forms, and instructions. Applications are due by 4:00 PM on Friday, November 1, 2019.
DEED will be hosting/participating in two metro region workshops.
August 20, 8:00 AM – 9:30 AM in St. Paul
Terracon Consultants, Inc.
955 Wells Street, Suite 100
St. Paul, MN 55106
There are multiple opportunities for funding to remediate contaminated sites in the metropolitan area. This workshop will be held in partnership with the Metropolitan Council, Hennepin County, and Ramsey County. A tour of the Beacon Bluff Business Center will follow the workshop. Registration is not required.
September 5, 9:15 AM – 11:15 AM in Minneapolis
Walker Library
2880 Hennepin Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 5540
There are multiple opportunities for funding to remediate contaminated sites in the metropolitan area. This workshop will be held in partnership with the Metropolitan Council, Hennepin County, and Ramsey County. A tour of the Sons of Norway mixed-use development will follow the workshop. For more information, visit https://metrocouncil.org/News-Events/Communities/Events/Local-Grants-for-Cleaning-Brownfields-Sept-2019.aspx
Please register for this workshop by contacting Marcus Martin at [email protected] or 651-602-1054
Local Housing Trust Fund Manual Released; Webinar Scheduled for August 19
A new resource for cities with local housing trust funds, or cities considering creating a fund, has been released. The Local Housing Trust Fund Manual for Minnesota contains information from how to create a local fund to choosing eligible uses to determining revenue sources. The manual was created by Minnesota Housing Partnership.
Metro Cities supports authority for cities and regions to create housing trust funds. Metro Cities advocated for a state match for local housing trust funds in the 2019 legislative session. Funding was included in the House budget, but not included in the final budget signed by Governor Walz.
A webinar on local housing trust funds has been scheduled by MHP:
- August 19, 12 PM – 1 PM
The webinar will be conducted by Jeff Hess, Executive Director, Alexandria HRA and Kayla Schuchman, Housing Director, City of Saint Paul. Registration details are not yet available; information will be included in next week’s newsletter.