Along the Green Line, lives and businesses changed for good and bad
Much like Portland and Seattle, where studies show that widespread development have raised costs, the new transportation corridor linking Minneapolis and St. Paul is experiencing economic pressure. It comes on top of the burdens they shouldered during building of the Green Line, when the disruption of construction hit businesses hard.
A 2013 court-ordered report by Metro Transit found that along the central corridor during construction, businesses that participated in the Business Support Fund "saw a range of losses from 2 to 84 percent of average monthly revenues,'' with a mean average sales losses of 30 percent.
For many, the troubles continue. Photojournalist Will Matsuda took a look at some of the lives that have been changed by the Green Line.
Disclosure: Minnesota Public Radio and the Metropolitan Council are negotiating ways to reduce noise and vibrations from the newly built light rail line outside MPR headquarters under a contract agreed to in 2009.
Create a More Connected Minnesota
MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.