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Bill would support anti-displacement, community prosperity along Blue Line Extension

Proposed legislation at the Minnesota Capitol would establish and fund a Blue Line Extension Anti-Displacement Community Prosperity program.

A hearing on the bill (SF 4719) is scheduled to take place at the Minnesota Senate Transportation Committee:

If approved as written, the program would provide at least $10 million per year starting in 2024 through 2030 to support a wide variety of anti-displacement and community prosperity strategies including:

  • Preserving and enhancing affordable housing
  • Small business support
  • Job training and placement
  • Economic vitality
  • Community ownership and development

The proposed legislation would also create a governing board to direct funding that would include local policymakers, residents, businesses, and community leaders.

Language in the bills is strongly rooted in recommendations put forth by the community-led Blue Line Extension Anti-Displacement Workgroup in a comprehensive report last year.

Bill sponsors

The Senate Bill (SF 4719) is sponsored by Sen. Scott Dibble, Sen. Ann Rest, Sen. Susan Pha, and Sen. John Hoffman. A companion bill in the House (HF 4683) is authored by Rep. Esther Agbaje, Rep. Cedrick Frazier, Rep. Frank Hornstein, Rep. Mike Freiberg, Rep. Michael Nelson, Rep. Samantha Sencer-Mura, and Rep. Fue Lee.


“Now is the time to be bold with our investment and policy actions to support proven strategies that build prosperity and prevent displacement. The Blue Line Extension will bring light rail service to communities of color that rely on transit every day, and who have been historically underinvested in.

By pairing this transit investment with intentional strategies and investments to prevent displacement and grow shared prosperity, we can create a more inclusive and prosperous future for some of our state’s most diverse communities whose enormous potential has been hindered by historic systemic barriers.”

- Irene Fernando
Chair, Hennepin County Board of Commissioners


“Anti-displacement is a priority for the communities along this line. We want and need this critical transit investment, but without strong anti-displacement strategies and investment, we fear it will be those who displace us that experience the many benefits of this project. This proposed legislation is an important first step that shows what is possible to make sure our communities share in the abundance these projects can create.”

- Ricardo Perez
Coalition organizer, Blue Line Coalition
Anti-Displacement Workgroup member

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