The Northstar Commuter Rail line isn’t just attracting more commuters this year.
The 40-mile line between Big Lake and downtown Minneapolis is also drawing more private development, with apartments and businesses being built near several stations on the Northstar corridor.
The Star Tribune featured the developments in a story this week, highlighting projects in Fridley, Big Lake, Elk River and Ramsey, where the 230-unit Residence at the COR recently opened. The Residence at the COR is connected to the Ramsey Station by a skyway, proving residents direct access to the train.
COR residents Dave and Donna Heinrich told The Star Tribune they expect to use Northstar to get to Fridley, where Dave has an internship, and Target Field. The couple also plans to ride the commuter train to connect to the METRO Blue Line.
“We thought we can hop the train and go downtown. My wife wants to go to Ikea and the Mall of America,” Dave Heinrich said.
In August, more than 82,500 passengers boarded Northstar -- the highest monthly total in the history of the commuter train. Year-to-date, there have been 538,000 passenger boardings on Northstar, up 16 percent compared over 2012.
> Star Tribune: Northstar line yields dividends
> Finance & Commerce: Projects near completion along Northstar Commuter Rail line
> Finding a home on the METRO Blue Line
> Star Tribune: Northstar Commuter Rail Line ridership increases 15 percent in first six months of 2013
> Metro Transit: Mid-year 2013 Metro Transit ridership: 40 million