Complete Streets means
that our streets and roadways are designed and operated
to be safe and accessible for pedestrians, transit
riders, bicyclists, and drivers -- all users, regardless
of age or ability.
Goals of the Coalition:
1. Work to foster ongoing statewide implementation of Complete Streets processes across all jurisdictions.
2. Partner with the Minnesota Department of Transportation to fully implement the 2010 state Complete Streets law.
This
is not necessarily a picture of a complete street.
Archive
Capitol event planned Posted 4/1/2010
As the Complete Streets bill takes its final steps at the State Capitol, the Coalition is planning a grassroots event to celebrate the progress and show the broad and diverse support for the effort. The event will include a "parade" and a delivery of more than 5,000 postcards of support to Governor Tim Pawlenty, who will have the final task of signing the bill into law.
The event is tentatively scheduled for Monday, April 19th at noon (this could change depending on the legislative schedule) and will start at the Minnesota Environmental Partnership offices at 546 Rice Street and continue 3 blocks to the Governor's office in the Capitol.
Check back here for updates. We hope that you can join us!!!
Progress update and likely timeline Posted 3/18/2010
Committees passed
House Transportation Finance and Policy—2/25 on unanimous voice vote
House Finance—3/8 on split voice vote
Senate Transportation—3/2 on unanimous voice vote
Senate Transportation Budget—3/16 on unanimous voice vote
Steps remaining
House Ways and Means Committee
Senate Finance Committee
House and Senate Floor
Conference Committee (if needed to work out differences between House and Senate version); would require a final vote in House and Senate
Governor signature
Timing
The very latest word is that House Ways and Means and Senate Finance are focused on the budget, and likely won’t start cranking through bills for another week or two. With the legislature on break from March 30 through April 5, it seems unlikely that the bill will be heard before April 6. These things can change quickly though!!!
Once it passes the final two committees, it could go to the floors very quickly (within a week) or relatively slowly depending on the work load at that time. There is really no way to estimate that at this point, but it seems most realistic to think that the bill would be heard on the floor sometime between the 2nd and 4th weeks of April.
We'll keep you posted here as things will surely change a few more times before the end! In the meantime, please use the extra time to contact your legislators and engage your family and friends.
Fiscal note Mn/DOT has estimated that the bill will cost $41,000 over the next three years in their final fiscal note. These costs are for the reporting requirements of the bill. The agency has agreed to absorb those costs within their existing program budgets. The bill will not cost any General Fund money. We do not anticipate that this small fiscal note will be a problem, although a couple members of the House Finance Committee mentioned it in negative comments.
US Dept of Transportation releases Complete Streets-like policy! Posted 3/17/2010
“…transportation agencies should plan, fund, and implement improvements to their walking and bicycling networks, including linkages to transit. In addition, DOT encourages transportation agencies to go beyond the minimum requirements, and proactively provide convenient, safe, and context-sensitive facilities that foster increased use by bicyclists and pedestrians of all ages and abilities, and utilize universal design characteristics when appropriate. Transportation programs and facilities should accommodate people of all ages and abilities, including people too young to drive, people who cannot drive, and people who choose not to drive.”
And you can read more from USDOT Secretary Ray LaHood’s blog, including video from his speech to the National Bike Summit last week.
But work certainly remains!
“While DOT leads the effort to provide safe and convenient accommodations for pedestrians and bicyclists, success will ultimately depend on transportation agencies across the country embracing and implementing this policy.”
Congrats to the National Complete Streets Coalition and all of our other partners who have worked hard to get to this point. Let's keep the momentum going!
Bill passes Senate Committee; second House hearing on March 8 Posted 3/4/2010
The Complete Streets bill passed its second committee on Tuesday--this time the Senate Transportation Committee on another unanimous voice vote! The next stop in the Senate is the Finance Committee. Janelle Waldock from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota and Gary Anger, the principal at Red Pine Elementary School in Eagan, provided fantastic supportive testimony. Several committee members spoke about various positive elements of the bill.
On the House side, the bill will be in the Finance Committee on Monday, March 8. The expectation is that this hearing will be quick and focus solely on the $50,000 from MnDOT's budgets for reports. Given that the amount is relatively low and that there is no general fund money involved, we are not anticipating serious concerns. This should be the final House committee stop before a vote on the floor.
You can read the current version of the House bill here. This version reflects the amendments that have been made to appease the county engineers. Despite removing the state aid flexibility pilot program, we are still confident that this bill sends a clear signal for change, and will pave the way for successful implementation at the state level.
Bill passes House Committee; Senate hearing on March 2 Posted 2/26/2010
The Complete Streets bill passed the House Transportation Finance Committee yesterday on a unanimous voice vote! The bill was amended slightly to reflect input from county engineers. The fiscal note for the current version of the House bill is an estimated $50,000 over four years within MnDOT's budget--so no general fund money.
The Senate bill is confirmed to be heard in the Transportation Committee on Tuesday, March 2 at 12:30pm in Capitol Room 15. Join us if you can!
Senate hearing likely March 2 Posted 2/23/2010
The Complete Streets bill will likely be heard in the Senate Transportation Committee on Tuesday, March 2 at 12:30pm in Capitol Room 15. Join us if you can and we will make sure to let you know when it is finalized.
Capitol Update Posted 2/22/2010
The Complete Streets bill will be heard again in the House Transportation Finance and Policy Division on Thursday, Feb 25 at 4:30pm in State Office Building Room 10. This hearing will be short as this committee already had more than an hour of testimony and discussion on the bill Feb 16. At that time the committee decided to await the final fiscal note before voting on the bill.
The final fiscal note is in now, and estimates that the bill will cost the Minnesota Department of Transportation $200,000 spread over 4 years at $50,000 per year. This estimate is to manage the pilot program and meet the reporting requirements in the bill. This money would be absorbed within MnDOT's regular budget and would not require any General Fund money.
The House bill now has 7 more co-authors bringing the total number of House co-authors to 22! The new authors are:
Rep. Brynaert (Mankato)
Rep. Slocum (Richfield)
Rep. Rosenthal (Edina)
Rep. Paymar (St. Paul)
Rep. Gunther (Fairmont)
Rep. Lillie (North St. Paul)
Rep. Morrow (St. Peter)
The Senate bill is still awaiting its first hearing in the Senate Transportation Committee, which may be as early as Thursday, Feb 25.
Complete Streets bill in House Transportation Committee 2/16/2010 Posted 2/17/2010
The Complete Streets bill--H.F. 2801--was heard last night in the House Transportation Finance and Policy Division. After a little more than an hour of discussion, the bill was laid over for the Committee to revisit once a final fiscal note is available. We expect that will be soon--maybe as early as next week.
Most of the discussion focused on a few technical points rather than on the nature or value of the policy as a whole. If you are interested, the video of the hearing is archived online.
Hearing Set for February 16; New House Co-authors Posted 2/12/2010
The Complete Streets bill will make its first--and only--House committee stop in the Transportation Finance Committee on Tuesday, February 16 at 4:30 in State Office Building Room 10. Join us if you can!
While the bill is mostly about policy not finance, it was referred to the Transportaiton Finance Committee because it includes reporting requirements. The reports are important and will not require any general fund money to complete. The rest of the bill will not have a fiscal impact.
As it heads to committee, the bill has gained 10 co-authors! The original House authors--Rep. Obermueller (Eagan), Rep. Lieder (Crookston), Rep. Norton (Rochester), Rep. Severson (Sauk Rapids), Rep. Sterner (Rosemount)--have been joined in sponsorship by
Rep. Persell (Bemidji),
Rep. Greiling (Roseville),
Rep. Jackson (Milaca),
Rep. Hornstein (Minneapolis),
Rep. Hortman (Brooklyn Park),
Rep. Ward (Brainerd),
Rep. Loeffler (Minneapolis),
Rep. Reinert (Duluth),
Rep. Kahn (Minneapolis), and
Rep. McFarlane (White Bear Lake).
Make sure to thank your representative if they have signed on as a co-sponsor. Check here for more details on contacting your legislator today!
Welcome to 4 new Coalition members! Posted 2/12/2010
Now Bikes and Fitness
Preservation Alliance of Minnesota
Hennepin County Commissioner Gail Dorfman
Hennepin County Commissioner Peter McLaughlin
Complete Streets bill introduced at Capitol press conference Posted 2/8/2010
The Minnesota Complete Streets Coalition held a press conference today with Rep. Mike Obermueller (Eagan) and Sen. Tony Lourey (Kerrick) to announce the introduction of state Complete Streets legislation. H.F. 2801 and S.F. 2461 will be heard in the transportation policy committees this month.
Precinct
Caucus Resolution for Complete Streets Posted 2/1/2010
Precinct
caucuses are Tuesday, February 2 at 7pm. They provide
a great opportunity to build support for Complete
Streets. Here
is a sample resolution that can be introduced
as well as some background information to help
answer questions that might come up.
Complete
Streets momentum builds Posted 1/26/2010
Complete Streets was a hot topic
at two events on Monday, January 25.
First, the U.S. Department of Transportation
hosted a listening session related to a new federal
transportation bill with USDOT Secretary Ray LaHood,
Senator Klobuchar, and Representatives Oberstar,
Ellison, and McCollum. Complete Streets was a central
point of conversation throughout the day. Barbara
McCann from the National Complete Streets Coalition
participated on the main panel of the day, and Mn/DOT
Commissioner Tom Sorel talked extensively about Mn/DOT's
work to create a Complete Streets partnership to
implement a state policy. Coalition members Barb
Thoman (with Transit for Livable Communities), Michael
Huber (with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota),
and Ethan Fawley (with Fresh Energy) all participated
on an afternoon panel on safety, livability, and
sustainability. There is clearly a lot of interest
in a new federal Complete Streets policy!
Later in the day, the Coalition
was a co-sponsor for a gubernatorial candidate forum
on transportation, land use, and the environment.
10 candidates participated from the three major parties
in Minnesota, and more than 500 people came to watch.
Complete Streets was mentioned by several candidates,
and most candidates in attendance expressed strong
support for walking, biking, and transit.
January
15 Coalition Update Posted 1/15/2010
Several members
of the Coalition had a very good meeting recently
with Mn/DOT staff to discuss next steps on Complete
Streets. Their work plan is very encouraging and
we will likely have a full Coalition meeting soon
for Mn/DOT to present their vision for moving forward
with Complete Streets implementation.
Complete
Streets legislative language is nearly finalized.
Thanks to our chief authors Sen. Tony Lourey (Eagan)
and Rep. Mike Obermueller (Eagan) for their great
work. Thanks also to the numerous Coalition members
who have been involved with policy discussions
that began back in August! We will post the language
here once we receive the final version that will
be introduced at the legislature.
A big welcome
to our newest members:
Saint Paul Riverfront Corporation
Shifting Gears Bicycles
Parks & Trails Council of
Minnesota
Pates Planning and Design
AARP
Tell
us your Complete Streets story! Posted 1/5/2010
We know that
Complete Streets will help make our roads safer,
give people more transportation options, and help
make our communities better places to live. But
we also know that it is individual stories that
help people understand what Complete Streets is
really about.
Two examples
to get you started: Gina, a nine-year-old who rides
her bike to school in a bike lane – except
for the last two blocks, where she must ride in
traffic that includes parents dropping their kids
off at school.
And Marcia, a blind woman who must
decide how she and her guide dog will get safely
to the state fair since the stop for city buses (not
the park and ride buses) has no sidewalk to guide
them to the entrance.
Why do you
support Complete Streets? Is there an "incomplete" street
that makes it hard for you to get where you need
to go safely? Is there a really good "complete" street
in your neighborhood that helps support successful
businesses and better connections with your neighbors? Share
your story today with this easy form! We will
soon add a story section to the website to highlight
why safe, "complete" streets are important
for Minnesotans.
Mn/DOT
Commissioner speaks in support of Complete Streets Posted 12/15/2009
At a December
14 event of the Regional Council of Mayors, Mn/DOT
Commissioner Tom Sorel told 30 Twin Cities mayors
about the agency's work on Complete Streets.
He reitterated
that "we [Mn/DOT] are trying to re-craft our
work to be more multi-modal" and said that "to
have a world class transportation system, we need
Complete Streets." He sees "Complete
Streets as a change in culture" and that "to
be truly transformational, we need to work in partnership." He
described how Mn/DOT has already started to work
on that partnership because "we recognize
how important Complete Streets is."
The Minnesota Complete Streets Coalition
applauds the leadership of Commissioner Sorel on
Complete Streets and is very much looking forward
to continue to work with him and Mn/DOT on the implementation
of this important policy.
Mn/DOT seeks to form Complete Streets
partnership! Posted 12/11/2009
In late November,
several representatives from the Minnesota Complete Streets
Coalition met with Minnesota Department of Transportation
Commissioner Tom Sorel. Commissioner Sorel is very supportive
of Complete Streets and Mn/DOT staff are now actively
working with the Coalition to create a partnership with
relevant state agencies, local governments, and other
stakeholders to move forward with Complete Streets.
This is a very exciting opportunity!! We will keep you
updated as things progress.
Coalition update December 11 Posted 12/11/2009
There has been lots of action since our
last update here. The Coalition now has 41
official members and supporters. Welcome to our newest
members:
Blue Zones--Dan Buettner
City of St. Paul
Friends of Washington County
Joe Urban, Inc.
Local Initiatives Support Corporation
Lutheran Coalition for Public Policy in Minnesota
Red Wing Housing and Redevelopment Authority
The Arc of Minnesota
We are also very excited to be working with Sen. Tony Lourey
(Kerrick) and Rep. Mike Obermueller (Eagan), who will be
the lead authors on Complete Streets legislation in 2010.
Work continues with key stakeholders to craft the best
possible Complete Streets legislation.
There will be a full Coalition meeting on Thursday, December
17 from 1:30-4:30 in Minneapolis. If you are interested
in attending, please contact Ethan Fawley at fawley@fresh-energy.org for
complete information.
Complete Streets Grassroots training
session Nov. 21 Posted 11/21/2009
Join us!
Find out how you can work for legislation to make Minnesota's
streets safer for everyone, regardless of age or ability.
Transit users, bicyclists, children, seniors, people
with disabilities: everyone deserves to be able to safely
arrive at their destination.
Learn about policies being proposed to require planners
to consider the needs of all users when designing or
re-designing a street in Minnesota. Share your story
and collect others' stories to strengthen the case for
this legislation!
Comment on Mn/DOT's draft Complete Streets report by Nov.
9!!! Posted 11/2/2009
On Oct 16, Mn/DOT posted
a revision of their Complete Streets Feasibility Report.
We are also very pleased that the current draft recommends
Complete Streets! "Mn/DOT
should build on existing CSS practices and develop and
implement a
statewide Complete Streets policy..."
You can view
this important and valuable report on Mn/DOT's website.
The main part of the report is a quite manageable 25
pages (do not be overwhelmed by the 136-page PDF document,
which also includes lengthy appendices).
Mn/DOT has also
created a public comment period, which runs through 4:00PM
on November 9. The Coalition is very excited that Mn/DOT
is offering this opportunity to get more good ideas in
that can only benefit the report.
Now, we need your help!!
Please take a minute to offer positive
comments before Nov. 9 by filling out the online
feedback form or by mailing a letter to:
Minnesota Department of Transportation
395 John Ireland Blvd. – M.S. 500
St. Paul, MN 55155 Attention: Complete Streets
Here are some potential talking points.
Please make sure to CUSTOMIZE your letter
to offer your important perspective. You can check out
Coalition member Fresh
Energy's detailed comment letter for more ideas as
well.
Thank you for the opportunity to comment
on this important study.
We are glad that the report includes
a recommendation to move forward with a Complete Streets
policy.
We also support Complete Streets
(offer specific reasons from your perspective)
We hope that MnDOT will actively
support a Complete Streets policy at the legislature
in 2010.
We look forward to seeing the results
of future Complete Streets work and we hope that you
will move quickly to implement a Complete Streets policy.
I’d be interested in knowing more specifics
about when this will be implemented and who will
help make it happen.
Offer specific results that you hope to see from
your perspective. For example:
Improved safety for walking or biking and/or
transit
Improved accessibility for children, seniors,
and people with disabilities
We have had three new organizations join in the last
month: Minnesota Environmental Partnership, Minnesota
Public Interest Research Group, and the Minnesotans for
Healthy Kids Coalition. Welcome!
New Coalition Members
Sept 25 Posted 9/25/2009
Welcome to our newest members: HealthPartners and
Transportation for America's Minnesota Coalition! The Coalition
is now at 30 members.
Complete Streets
News Sept 25 Posted 9/25/2009
The Minnesota Complete Streets Coalition is tweeting
away on Twitter at MN_CompleteSts!
Below is a list of our latest tweets to Complete Streets
news in Minnesota and beyond. Check back next Friday for
another update! Check below for last week's update.
Minneapolis
using technology to encourage kids to walk and bike to
school: http://bit.ly/XM3XO
Momentum growing
for Complete Streets policy in Duluth (great work Fit
City Duluth!): http://bit.ly/7xAGI
A sad tragedy on an incomplete street
in Oakdale, MN sees a mother killed while pushing stroller
with baby: http://bit.ly/uqt8u
Update on Mn/DOT Complete Streets study--Thanks for your
comments! Posted 9/23/2009
Mn/DOT recently released the first
draft of their Complete Streets feasibility report.
The Coalition is happy that Mn/DOT is doing this important
study and is looking forward to the final release in December.
Mn/DOT and the consultants for the study--SRF--are
doing a good job of reviewing these comments and are making
significant changes to the study.
There was a meeting of the advisory groups
that have been working on the study on Monday, Sept 21.
There was some good discussion and a general consensus
to move forward with some significant positive changes.
The consultant and the members of the Project Management
Team will finalize updates and submit the committee draft
of the report to Commissioner Sorel on Oct. 15. There will
not be any public process ahead of that release, but we
hope that Commissioner Sorel will provide an opportunity
after that point.
Check back here after Oct. 15 for more
information.
The
four Coalition sub-groups are busy working on promoting
a statewide Complete Streets policy. Check out the Upcoming
Events tab for more details. Contact Ethan
Fawley if you are interested in being involved with any of these groups.
The Minnesota Council of Nonprofits has joined the Coalition this week. Welcome!
Albert Lea has passed a Complete Streets subdivision policy! That makes 3
local policies in Minnesota!
Complete Streets News Sept 18 Posted 9/18/2009
The Minnesota Complete Streets Coalition is tweeting away
on Twitter at MN_CompleteSts!
Below is a list of our latest tweets to Complete Streets
news in Minnesota and beyond. Check back next Friday for
another update! Check below for last week's update.
Good article on the forthcoming Minneapolis
bike sharing program: http://bit.ly/KsiFd
Community building mural project on
a bike trail in Shoreview, MN: http://bit.ly/wElM7
Downtown Minneapolis to see some "new" features
to make it safer for bicyclists: http://bit.ly/NPRtS
Draft Complete Streets feasibility study released Posted 9/11/2009
In 2008, the Minnesota Legislature required the Minnesota
Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT) to perform a study of the cost, benefits,
and feasibility of Complete Streets (Mn/DOT
web page for the study). Last Friday, the consultant for the project released
a first draft of the study (link
to the document and link
to the appendices).
For this first draft, comments will only be accepted through Thursday, Sept
16, so there is a very short window to comment! Check back on this page on
Wednesday for more information about how to comment and some basic notes
about the initial draft. This study has the potential to be very important
for Complete Streets and we hope that you will take the time to offer some
comments.
If you have a chance to review the study and have some thoughts, please send
them to Ethan Fawley at fawley@fresh-energy.org.
He will be collecting ideas and impressions.
New Coalition members Sept 11 Posted 9/11/2009
Within the last couple of weeks, several new partners
have joined the Coalition. Welcome to: Fit City Duluth, Conservation Minnesota,
Bloomington City Councilmember Steve Elkins, and the American Council of the
Blind of Minnesota!
Also, 42 individuals joined the Coalition last week!
If you, your organization, or your business might be
interested in supporting a statewide Complete Streets policy, please contact
Ethan Fawley at fawley@fresh-energy.org.
The Coalition held a half-day Complete
Streets strategy session on August 24. More than 40 people
attended to begin work to promote a statewide policy
for the 2010 legislative session.
The Coalition decided that work will continue in groups
focused on four campaign areas: 1) Coalition
Building and Grasstops; 2) Communications; 3) Grassroots
Outreach and Engagement; and 4) Legislative Work and
Policy Development. Each of these groups is open to
anyone that wants to work to promote a statewide Complete
Streets policy.
The overall direction of the Coalition will be supported
by a steering committee lead by Fresh Energy, Transit for Livable Communities,
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, and the Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota.
Complete Streets
News Sept 11 Posted 9/11/2009
The Minnesota Complete Streets Coalition is tweeting away
on Twitter at MN_CompleteSts!
Below is a list of our latest tweets to Complete Streets
news in Minnesota and beyond. Check back next Friday for
another update!
Minnesota Complete Streets Coalition
News Aug 20 Posted 8/20/2009
On July 30th, forty people came out for an introductory
coalition meeting that hailed the beginning of the Minnesota
Complete Streets Coalition. This formative session was
co-hosted by Fresh Energy, Transit for Livable Communities,
and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota. Since then, over
20 organizations and elected officials have joined the
Coalition, and the group is moving forward toward
successful passage of a strong statewide Complete Streets
policy in the 2010 Minnesota legislative session.
On August 24, Coalition members and supporters
are meeting to plan for this campaign. The Coalition will
also be a part of many upcoming events that help foster
more and safer travel options for Minnesotans. (See Get
Involved)
If working toward these goals is important
to you or your organization, we’d love to hear from
you—whether by formally joining the effort or by
helping let others know about us or upcoming events.
We’ll be updating these pages regularly
as the work unfolds, new events are lined up, members join,
and to share information about progress toward Complete
Streets that’s being made in Minnesota and elsewhere.
