Coalition Formation and Metropolitan Contention: An Analysis of the Politics of Light–Rail Transit in the Twin Cities of Minnesota

Abstract

This article, by examining the planning, development, construction, and operation of the Hiawatha light-rail transit line in the Twin Cities of Minnesota, attempts to further the understanding of coalition-building between lawmakers in urban and suburban areas, as well as those at the local, state, and federal levels, and how this cooperation affects metropolitan areas. The analysis relies on primary and secondary data from local newspapers, radio transcripts, and organization websites and materials from 1995 to 2007 to examine the political processes surrounding the project. Previous research on coalition-building strategies and regionalism informs the theoretical approach of the article. Key findings suggest that traffic congestion acts as a powerful motivator for uniting urban and suburban interests. The research also supports previous findings that big-city mayors seldom take the lead in promoting regional cooperation. In addition, findings suggest that governor-brokered coalitions can be relatively unstable, and that the possibility for receiving federal funds promotes regional cooperation along the lines of transportation issues.

Regional Planning as Mediation: Inside Minnesota's Metropolitan Twin Cities Regional Plan Implementation

“…New Regionalism and Political/Regimes (Leo 1998;Knudson, 2009) Housing, environmental, and social justice coalitions accomplished by regional and local planners, political leaders, and civic leaders using communicative and strategic actions that are supported by policies, laws, and incentives as shown in Table 1.…”

“…The two major cities and older suburbs were natural partners in the implementation of the Regional Growth Strategy as they sought transit services and funding for their redevelopment projects. For developing suburbs that were developing in a pattern inconsistent with regional policies, sector representatives were to negotiate and persuade, but were expected to avoid a legal showdown with a local government (Goetz, 2000;Knudson, 2009).…”

“…At the same time, Blaine was a transitional city that included older suburban areas as well as a large series of rural wetlands that it wanted to develop. The Design Center and I-35W Coalition helped lead a corridor-based land use and transportation strategy, which also included designs for mixed use development along the Hiawatha light rail corridor in Minneapolis, which opened in 2004 (Knudson, 2009), and for six suburban transit-oriented development designs.…”

Light rail routing: do goals matter?

“…In practice, however, the choice of goals is often political, as it frames the project in the public discourse, and hence affects the political power play. Knudson (2005) shows how the definition of congestion alleviation as the goal for an LRT project in Minneapolis served as the basis for forming a coalition of supporting interests that ultimately drove the project forward, despite its high cost. Hence, the definition and promulgation of goals for a project often affects the chances that the project will eventually be funded, particularly as the goals are a means to align the proposed project with the agenda of the funding agency.…”

“…Such systems have often been rationalized and justified by creating myths regarding the purported benefits of rail (Richmond 1998;Siemiatycki 2006). These, in turn, help to form and maintain the political coalitions needed to push the light rail projects forward (Knudson 2005).…”