The Land Use and Transportation team is celebrating the many historic wins for climate, energy, and clean transportation of the 2023 legislative session. Among other victories, the Omnibus Transportation Bill passed with long-term funding for clean transit, funding for the Northern Lights Express train between Minneapolis and Duluth, and funding to study the extension of the Midtown Greenway across the Mississippi River. Thank you to all who showed up at the capitol, testified, made phone calls, and advocated for this nation-leading climate legislation.
The team recently heard an update from Sheila Wiegman of the Waters and Wetlands Stewards on the progress of the Lake Hiawatha Master Plan, which is moving forward with a land use compromise that restores native wetlands and manages stormwater, groundwater, and trash while maintaining the Hiawatha Golf Course as a 9-hole course. On June 3, a new trash boom system was installed to prevent trash pollution.
LUT-ers are looking forward to the annual Sierra Club Bike Tour in the fall, which combines a fun and leisurely community bike ride with speakers and stops that highlight land use and clean transportation infrastructure in the Twin Cities. Email Risa Hustad if you have ideas for biking, walking, and transit spots to showcase.