Star Tribune from Minneapolis, Minnesota • Page N1

(DC) StarTribune dakota WWW.STARTRIBUNE.COMSOUTH SECTION SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2011 Extra-large windows everywhere front, sides and back. A BUS THAT MIMICS A TRAIN Giving passengers a bus ride that feels more like a trip on the light rail is one of the pillars of bus rapid transit. National experts say that the design and feel of the vehicle itself weighs heavily on the success of any busway. The exterior paint scheme and interior design are still in the works, but here are some of the features Dakota County hopes will help its new buses stand out on Cedar Avenue: A sleek exterior with swooping design, especially up front, reminiscent of light rail. River trail continues its growth Construction on the Mississippi River Regional Trail coming to Rosemount.

rLovaBUS And on the inside Space for onboard bike racks, wheelchairs and strollers. An interior configuration that allows for sitting or standing. Technology to allow electronic fare payment and real-time access to schedule information. Front and back doors for quick entry and exit. Level boarding that allows passengers to walk aboard without climbing steps.

ALL ABOARD By LAURIE BLAKE lblakestartribune.com A new segment of the 27-mile Mississippi River Regional Trail, being built through Dakota County communities along the river, is set for construction next year along the eastern edge of Rosemount. The bike-and-walking trail from South St. Paul to Hastings is so eagerly awaited that people are practically "following the paving machine," said Bruce Blair, manager of facility development and natural resources for the Dakota County park system. When it's finished in 2014 or 2015, "We will have a really high-class, non-motorized transportation route," he said. Although Rosemount abuts the Mississippi, the land closest to the river is owned by private industry, so the city's 3.8-mile trail segment will be routed quite a distance from the water through an industrial area along Hwy.

55. It will be the most industrial segment of the trail, Blair said. "However, the industries and the trail occupy a dramatic landscape of bluffs along the river so this trail segment actually becomes quite interesting." From a high perch on the bluffs, the design of the trail "seeks to create long views of the river and valley," Blair said. "Also, there may be future opportunity to create a spur trail or two out to a bluff edge that would provide a fantastic view." Rosemount's portion of the trail, estimated to cost $3 million, will begin at 117th Street on the Inver Grove Heights border and end at Spring Lake Park Reserve, on a bluff directly overlooking the river along the Pine Bend Trail road near Hastings. Trail continues on N3 Bus rapid transit relies on sleek, modern buses.

For Cedar Avenue, those buses have been revealed. Two bus stations for the new BRT line don't come with any parking, worrying some in Apple Valley. By JIM ADAMS jadamsstartribune.com "We're taking as quick action as possible to get the buses here," said Joe Harris, the Dakota County Board chairman. "We fully realize our decision was backed up by a couple of months." The operating funds, in particular, have been a sticky issue, as the original allotment from the Met Council disappeared when the Legislature axed $51.8 million from the transit budget. That prompted the Met Council to delay the Cedar Avenue bus purchase until more money could be found to pay for service.

A new funding plan that relies on shifting a federal grant from Interstate 35W to Cedar Avenue and Bus continues on N4 station, which is surrounded by businesses. "We will keep raising the concern" about errant parking, said Mayor Mary Hamann-Roland. She said she has talked about the business parking issues with the city Chamber of Commerce president. She noted, however, that the MVTA has the final say on the matter. Those who want to drive to the bus line and park will have other options: The two new stops are near a two-level, 486-space parking ramp at Apple Valley's big transit station at 155th Street.

There is also a park-and-ride stop at Cedar Avenue and Palomino Drive, but that won't be a stop for bus rapid Transit continues on N4 By KATIE HUMPHREY katie.humphreystartribune.com The search for a bus that looks like a train is over. Dakota County Board members have chosen a sleek bus with many windows for the new bus rapid transit system planned to launch on Cedar Avenue in 2012. The design prompted a "wow" from at least one selection committee member. Now it's just a matter of getting the vehicles here on time. The order of seven buses from Nova Bus still is contingent upon the Metropolitan Council's final approval in December of the bus choice and operating funds for Cedar Avenue.

Two more rapid-transit bus stops will be built next year in Apple Valley along Cedar Avenue, but neither will have a parking lot, creating worry that riders will clog up side streets and business parking lots with their cars. Planners envision that the transit line, being built by the Minnesota Valley Transit Authority (MVTA), will attract commuters who walk or are dropped off at the stops at 147th Street and near 140th Street. But some members of the Apple Valley City Council aren't convinced, saying they're especially concerned about the 147th Street Farmington plans own military memorial nothing brings it home to us like a local memorial that we can see each day and remember the human sacrifices that have been made for us by our own young people from the Farmington area" Part of a trend Farmington is one of at least nine Twin Cities suburbs that is either planning or has just completed a veterans memorial, including nearby Rosemount and Eagan. The patriotism inspiring these tributes may feel bountiful as veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan return home, but in this lagging economy, the money Memorial continues on N4 morial installation at Farmington's Rambling River Park. The City Council approved a plan for the memorial in November and now a group of veterans shepherding the project needs to raise $208,000 to pay for it.

They've already received a $10,000 anonymous donation. They hope to unveil the memorial on Veterans Day 2012. "We see their clean-cut faces in photos in the news media as each one is killed," said Dave Metzger, vice chairman of the memorial committee, speaking to the Farmington City Council. "It is so very appropriate that we never forget their sacrifice. There are national and state memorials, but Supporters will need to raise nearly $200,000 in a year if the monument is to be unveiled for next Veterans Day, as planned.

By SHANNON PRATHER Special to the Star Tribune He's most often a young man in his late teens or early 20s. He wears both the infantry uniform and the weight of America's freedom on his back. Historically, this is the profile of the U.S. soldier most likely killed in action. A bronze statue representing such an infantryman will stand near the center of a permanent veterans me PAUL THIERRY Lakeville veteran Dave Rausch built a model of the veterans memorial proposed for Farmington.

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