Part of an identity and campaign for the Central Corridor Business Resources Collaborative, a group of civic, business, and community organizations that are supporting businesses along the future light rail line that will connect downtowns Minneapolis and Saint Paul.

1. How to get your business ready
for the Central Corridor Light Rail Transit Line

2. NO ONE KNOWS But with the coming of light
rail to the Central Corridor,
MORE ABOUT YOUR you may have to do more.
By taking some steps now, you
BUSINESS OR WANTS can make sure your business
is ready for rail — so it remains
IT TO SUCCEED vital during construction and
is set to thrive after the line
MORE THAN YOU DO. is completed.
Daisy and Thomas Haung, owners of Shuang Hur
Supermarket on University Avenue in St. Paul
Photo © Metropolitan Council

3. The Business Resources Collaborative created the Now is the time to understand
Ready for Rail Action Pack to help corridor area what’s ahead, assess your
businesses and property owners: business, and take action.
PREPARE for the impact of Light Rail Transit
SURVIVE during periods of construction
THRIVE after the line becomes operational in 2014.
Yes, light rail construction will bring some challenges. But the project
also is bringing increased public attention to the entire corridor, plus
greater-than-ever resources to aid corridor businesses.
Although many non-profit groups and government agencies offer free
or low-cost services to help small businesses, you should know about
the resources (included in this packet) that are specifically focused on
the Central Corridor and the challenges you face.
We’re here to help you
GET READY FOR RAIL:
OUTREACH BUSINESS BUSINESS
COORDINATOR CONSULTANT ORGANIZATIONS
Construction Management, Joint action
information marketing, and Corridor marketing
Liaison between planning assistance campaigns
businesses and Loans and Referrals to business
construction crews matching grants support services

4. WHAT’S AHEAD TO THRIVE IN TIME
The Metropolitan Council has a staff of Outreach Coordinators, Business Consultants are available across the corridor to Many of the actions we recommend here are simply good
organized by local area. Their job is to keep you informed and help small business owners improve their marketing, obtain business practices. You would do them anyway to strengthen
help you address issues related to design, construction, and training and technical advice, and identify sources of loans, and grow your business. But because of potential disruptions
operation of the Central Corridor LRT Line. matching grants, and other financial assistance. during construction, it’s important for you to act now.
Downtown Minneapolis (connection to Hiawatha Line) Minneapolis
CHECKLIST
Joey Browner 651-602-1953 joey.browner@metc.state.mn.us Natalia Pretelt 612-789-7337 ext. 10 npretelt@mccdmn.org
Set up financial record keeping and reporting to demonstrate
West Bank, East Bank, Stadium Village, 29th Avenue Saint Paul, University Avenue West (Emerald to Hamline) construction impact
Jessica Hill 651-602-1840 jessica.hill@metc.state.mn.us Marilyn Porter 651-230-1020 marilyn@aurorastanthony.org
Establish a construction savings account and start saving now
Westgate, Raymond, Fairview, Snelling, Hamline Saint Paul, University Avenue East (Hamline to Rice) Create a customer database — addresses, e-mail, etc.
Rita Rodriguez 651-602-1805 rita.rodriguez@metc.state.mn.us Sia Lo 651-291-8436 sialo@ndc-mn.org
Develop marketing materials (website, Facebook, Twitter)
Lexington, Victoria, Dale, Western, Rice, Capitol East University Avenue Business Association
Business Information Center Consider customer incentives/promotions for construction phase
Shoua Lee 651-602-1014 shoua.lee@metc.state.mn.us
Linda Winsor 651-647-2276
Notify customers about access during construction
10th Street, 4th & Cedar, Union Depot 712 University Avenue, Suite 105
Dana Happel 651-602-1954 dana.happel@metc.state.mn.us Participate in future corridor campaigns and local market branding
Rondo Community Outreach Library
Business Resources Center 651-357-4620
461 Dale Street (free parking in underground lot)
CHECKLIST
Meet your Outreach Coordinator and ask to receive Construction Updates CHECKLIST
Find out when construction is scheduled for your block (see Review the business resources available in your city (see Small Business
Construction Timeline ) Support Services information sheet)
Watch for a local Construction Communication Committee to form as con- Attend small business workshops or request a one-on-one consultation
struction date approaches Complete a street-view and in-store self-assessment
Make sure contractors understand your access issues — customer Calculate and plan for a “worst case” financial impact of construction
access, loading, delivery
Reduce overhead and operating costs in advance of construction
Make sure you have emergency contact information for construction
manager (see Construction Communication brochure)
Consider staffing and scheduling adjustments before, during, and
after construction
WATCH FOR more community and grassroots
Work with neighboring businesses to develop interim parking plans
efforts as construction nears your area, including:
Schedule an energy audit
Campaigns to market, promote, and encourage support for
Consider replacing sewer connections if the roadway in front of your
businesses affected by the construction
building is excavated
Contractor/community committees that provide quick
resolution of local parking and construction concerns
Call the construction hotline with construction
related comments or to report an incident: 651-602-1404

5. The Business Resources Collaborative For more information about us and our
(BRC) is a partnership of business coalitions, efforts in the Central Corridor, visit
nonprofit community developers, and
local governments that bridges various ReadyForRail.net
community-led planning efforts addressing
Call the construction hotline with construction
business and economic development in the
related comments or to report an incident:
Central Corridor.
The BRC includes the business organizations 651-602-1404
most active in promoting the interests of
businesses and property owners in the
Central Corridor. Their informational pro-
grams, marketing campaigns, and other
joint efforts will help you get ready for rail.
BRC Members:
African Development Center
Asian Economic Development Association
City of Minneapolis
City of Saint Paul
Metropolitan Consortium of Community
Developers
Metropolitan Council
Midway Chamber of Commerce
Minneapolis Regional Chamber
of Commerce
Neighborhood Development Center
Saint Paul Area Chamber of Commerce
Southeast Business Association
Stadium Village Commercial Association
University Avenue Business Association
University Avenue Business Preparation
Collaborative (U-7)
West Bank Business Association