Some lively conversation going on at my local
NextDoor page on this topic.
I know people in the community who are certainly concerned about the possibility of the Rush Line coming through the neighborhood and it not being something they want or believe is good for the community. But it is good to keep in mind there are others in the Frost Lake community who would see this as a good opportunity for economic development, a great chance to meet transportation needs, and a means to help revitalize our community.
it is less than 100' from my back door.
The fact that it is an old railroad bed doesn't seem to be relevant since there have been no trains through there for decades.
I'm glad to see there is discussion on this but where some of us live on the trail there is no buffer. No trees to block anything plus it could run right behind our property lines. This trail is heavily used & there is an elementary school that buts right up to the trail. I would worry about kid, pets & everyone that uses this trail & the Gateway trail that crosses the Vento trail. Plus keep in mind most of the homes along the northern Maplewood end of the trail were built long after trains were long gone from that line.
I believe that there is no economic benefit for anyone if it's on the trail whereas WB Ave or 61 make much more sense to benefit business & residents. No one wants this in their frontor back yard & you cannot convince me that property values in these residential areas will rise. In urban areas where people may not have cars, then maybe, but not in quiet suburban locations with a beautiful trail. I hope everyone that is able will attend or do research about this. Thank you.
My own post in response:
When I was looking at homes in the area, I purposefully wanted to be as close to the Vento & Gateway intersection as possible (I ideally wanted to be adjacent, but nothing was available) -- I am a bike commuter and while I like my car I would rather hop on a train or bike to get most places for my daily errands. I was personally more concerned about living on White Bear Avenue than about having a train in my backyard...
I have a hard time seeing how replicating the problems of the Green Line in an even narrower corridor is even a feasible option. How exactly would LRT down White Bear Ave be safer than along the railway ROW? And US Hwy 61 is a hostile road to pedestrians who would need to access stations and businesses, so I don't see how that is any safer than the existing railway ROW.
