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Will the Purple Line come to Mahtomedi?
PAUL DOLS | PRESS PUBLICATIONS
America’s Night Out Night to Unite, also known as National Night Out, happens annually on the first Tuesday of August. This year that falls on Aug. 2. Night to Unite is a nation-wide program, which aims to strengthen neighborhood spirit, improve police-community relationships and spread awareness of crime prevention. Neighborhoods celebrate by organizing events and activities such as block parties and cookouts, visits from law enforcement and fire departments, and outdoor light displays. To learn more about what is happening in your neighborhood, check with your local police department, Sheriff’s office, or city website.
After the White Bear Lake City Council voted in March to nix the Metropolitan Council's plans to build a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) station within the city as the turnaround point for the Purple Line, project movers and shakers turned to Mahtomedi for approval of a possible Plan B. Representatives from the Metro Transit Purple Line BRT presented a revised proposal to the Mahtomedi City Council at its July 19 meeting. The Purple Line BRT would start at Union Depot in downtown St. Paul and end at one of three places in the north metro. The terminus could be in Vadnais Heights between Highway 61 and I-35E, at the Maplewood Mall Transit Center or at Century College. The White Bear Lake City Council at its March 8 meeting found a terminus at Century College to be acceptable if the bus route followed the shoulders of eastbound I-694 and turned north onto Century Avenue. The new terminal at Century College would serve both campuses and use the footprint of Line
219 currently in use today. A new Purple Line station could also be built at Century Avenue and Long Lake Road. The Purple Line BRT, as proposed, would be a 15-mile long route with 11 dedicated guideway miles, 21 stations, three park-and-rides, a fleet of 17 electric buses and an estimated 6,900 daily riders. Metro Transit Purple Line Project Director Craig Lamothe said that the Purple Line BRT would be a dedicated BRT. Essential features would include a dedicated right of way, as bus-only lanes make for faster travel and avoid mixed traffic congestion. Passengers will pay for their fares at the station, instead of on the bus. BRT vehicles will also receive priority at intersections. The raisedplatform boarding will allow wheelchairs, strollers and carts to board with minimal delays. Construction is expected to begin in 2024 or 2025. Purple Line BRT representatives presented their proposal to council and asked the city to appoint SEE PURPLE LINE, PAGE 9A
School’s capital project levy renewal will be on ballot in November BY NOELLE OLSON SHOREVIEW PRESS EDITOR
purchased according to the district's curriculum replacement cycle. • Transportation: Purchase additional buses and vans for student transportation. “We have a replacement cycle for all of our transportation vehicles, and some of the fleet's getting pretty old,” Johnson said. “So it's important that we continue to maintain that so we have safe vehicles out on the streets.” School board member Kathleen Daniels said she is glad that the the capital projects levy renewal is a flat rate, and that it makes sense to her and will be good for the district. “We know that inflation in all of
these areas has really gone up in 10 years, or even in the last couple of years, so I appreciate that the district is mindful that they're going to keep that rate flat,” Daniels said. “Also, I think about how important these areas are to our students and our families.” Information about the district’s capital projects levy is available on the district’s website at isd624.org/ capitalprojectslevyrenewal. In other board action, the district is extending its agreement with First Student as its primary provider in transportation, with an increase of 5% for the upcoming 2022-2023 school year and 3% for the 2023-2024 school year.
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The White Bear Lake Area Schools District (WBLAS) School Board is asking district voters to consider renewing the existing capital projects levy in a special election Tuesday, Nov. 8. According to Andi Johnson, director of finance, the capital project levy is scheduled to expire after taxes payable in 2023. The renewal of the levy is projected to generated $2.6 million annually for an additional 10 years beginning in 2024. “This levy is really critical for us to
be able to meet all of our capital needs throughout the district,” Johnson said at the July 11 school board meeting. “We're really focused on four areas of spending.” Funding will be used for: • Safety and security: Maintain and increase safety and security measures throughout the district. • Technology and related services: Provide classroom technology, software and computers for students. Related services include the maintenance of equipment and technology staff. • Textbooks, curriculum materials and equipment, and musical instruments: These items would be
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