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UP F�T Update Stopped Dead in its Tracks Without White.3ear Lake, ridership numbers can't support federal fund ingi for the Bus: Rapid Transit Project. There have been sev- eral major developments regarding the Purple Line Bus Rapid Transit projewl since it was Featured in our summer 2022 Thinkih UtirteTola issue, Tim.David and his grassroots organization known. as the No flush Line Coalition did.not rest oil their laurels after successful ly convincing the White Bear Lake.City Council. to pass a resolution against the:Rtwh Line Bus Rapid Transit project. That resolu- tion caused the Metropolitan Council to announce that several new routes were being considered: and none ofthem would encroadmipon the city limits of White Bear. Like. 10 FALL2G22 THINX:NGS.i;'.. After the While Bear Lake Victory; David and his.crew orvoluntecrs turned their attention to the.City of ivfaplewood, focusing on how the: Purpte..Line. (renamed by the Met Council to bet- ter fit into their systern) would drastically change the Bruce Venter frail. The. Bruce Vento Trail is a popular biking mid walking trail that begins in downtown St. Paul andtravcls.through.Map lewood on abandoned railroad right-of-way. The aotTidor is currently lined with trees and prov'idim a wooded path, making visitors: forget they are in the middle. of the city. The plan for the Purple Line was to cc -locate the bus route :n the same comdor as the cli=nr trail. That would require bulldozi„ , i1Undreds.of trees Oil either side: of th r path to. make room: for two bus lakes and a rebuilt bituminous bike pa'11. The coalition organized the "Rally to Save Bruce. Vento Trnl" on July 21, 2022, at the Pbalen Park. Payilion:in St. Patti. According to Aavid,.abotit.150 people.attended, completely filling the parking :area, with some attendees walk- ing several blocks to the event. After a. brief presentation on the project, the floor wasopen to citizens in. similar fashion to fhe town meeting held in White Bear Lake in October 2021 'Vc Wanted people to understand that the project was. not.a done. den). just be- cause Vlct.Council and. Ramsey.County leaders supported it," says David. "While Bear Lake stood up and said 'no' acid Maplewood can do the same thing" The event took on: the atmosphere'of a pep .rally as people clapped and cheered the idea that citizens, not bureaucrats, can decide how their;9mmunitics can and should operate. Residents also spoke passionately about their opposi- tion to the bus line and what it would do faYlie-Brtici..Vento Trail,.%,hich many descril*d as an essential part of Maplc- wood. The coalition brought 50 "Stop. the.Rush.Line". yard. signs to.bc given out for a.$5..donatiom The signs sold otit and a waiting list was formed with additional signs on. back-order..OrganiZ- ers.were amazed at the attendance and. passion against this project..