Transit Access Expansion for Marshall St NE
Since my election as a Hennepin County Commissioner in 2018, expanding transit access, frequency, comfort, and reliability has been a top priority for my office. Affordable and accessible transit leads to more equitable health access, educational opportunity, career pathways, connections to human services, as well as dining, retail, entertainment, and family & civic celebrations. Every resident deserves access to safe, affordable, and reliable public transit across Hennepin County.
Recent Development (Marshall Street/Route 852)
I am thrilled to share that Metro Transit has agreed to expand bus service to Marshall Street NE through the planned Route 852 realignment. This expanded route will finally connect the thousands of Northeast Minneapolis riverfront residents to stronger and more reliable transit options. Thank you to the Metropolitan Council and to Metro Transit for this commitment to expanded transit service, this is a win for equity, opportunity, and increased connectivity.
Upcoming County Public Works Investments
Hennepin County plans to reconstruct Marshall Street NE (CR 23) between 3rd Avenue NE and Lowry Avenue (County Road 153) beginning in 2028. This reconstruction will create improved sidewalks, separated bikeways, and accessibility upgrades. Thanks to this service expansion that Metro Transit is implementing, our infrastructure investments will now be paired with reliable and convenient transit service.
Project goals based on community engagement include:
Creating safe spaces for all users.
Planning for accessible, continuous, and separated bikeways and sidewalks.
Developing sustainable parking solutions.
Strengthening connections to Marshall Street businesses and destinations.
Balancing the needs of all modes of transportation.
Improving access to the river and green spaces.
Enhancing transit connections.
Route 852 Amenities
With its expanded service, Route 852 will connect riders directly to:
Health care access through Neighborhood HealthSource – Sheridan Clinic (13th Ave NE, a short walk from Marshall), and other nearby providers offering family medicine, therapy, and other recovery services.
Community and education programs at East Side Neighborhood Services, offering youth programming, adult education, and senior services just off Marshall.
High-frequency transit connections at Lowry Avenue (Route 32 crosstown) and Broadway Street, with links to the Blue and Green Lines downtown.
Green spaces such as Marshall Terrace Park, Boom Island Park, and a number of others along with access to the Mississippi River trail system.
Dining and entertainment options such as Aster Cafe, the Main Cinema, the Buttered Tin, and Mojo Coffee Gallery.
Transit Advocacy Wins
This milestone builds on years of advocacy and leadership in transit including:
Advancing the Blue Line Extension through municipal consent and federal environmental review and approving $173 million in funding.
Co-creating and funding the Blue Line Anti-Displacement Workgroup
Co-authored a budget amendment to place $500K into the Affordable Commercial Incentive Fund to fund economic development, stimulate investment, and advance anti-displacement initiatives along the BLRT corridor.
Supporting transit-oriented communities with more than $20 million invested in housing and commercial developments near high-frequency transit routes.
Chairing the Regional Railroad Authority, where I have pushed for a high-quality, equity-driven regional transit system.
Advocating to prioritize and advance planning for Bus Rapid Transit routes on Highway 55 and Lowry Avenue.
Securing study dollars for Highway 55 BRT ($250K from the State of Minnesota and $150K from Hennepin County)
Advocated to increase wheelage tax from $10 to $20 per vehicle, generating approximately $10 million more annually for multimodal infrastructure.
Approving funding to finish the Green Line Extension.
None of this work happens alone. Community advocates and leaders, like Amity Foster and former Ward 3 Councilmember Steve Fletcher have pushed tirelessly for better service along Marshall Street and beyond. I want to thank them for their dedication, as it shows what’s possible when government and community leaders work together.
