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Regular City Council Meeting Monday,July 21, 2014 Page 6 educational institutions along that extended area to determine their needs and the role of transit. As part of that working group, Ms. Roth advised that ridership evaluations and technical concept evaluations would be performed, with participa- tion by staff in affected communities along Snelling Avenue North. However, Ms. Roth clarified that there was no timeline for implementation of that future ex- tension available at this time. Ms. Roth reviewed the next steps in the process as it moves forward, including seeking approval by MnDOT for the Snelling Avenue layout and modification plans: Ms. Roth advised that, while the Roselawn station is not included in these most recent plans, it did not mean that it was precluded from future construction, as construction costs were reviewed and could be incorporated into the available budget and funding. However, Ms. Roth noted that revenues could not grow, and therefore the intent was to look to tighten versus expanding the scope of the over- all project. Ms. Roth advised that the final design was intended for completion this fall for submission to MnDOT; and construction anticipated in the spring of 2015 and opening by year-end 2015. Discussion Councilmember McGehee noted that, when this BRT route along Snelling Ave- nue was originally planned, the light rail Green Line was not in play. However, she noted that she was aware of interest from potential riders in her immediate ar- ea desiring a Roselawn stop to get them to the U of MN Minneapolis campus. While understanding the rationale in needing a stop by the Job Corps office, Councilmember McGehee opined that by now having the potential for the BRT to the LRT it would make a significant difference in ridership being served; and of- fered her strong support for a station at Roselawn and Snelling Avenues. Coun- cilmember McGehee stated she was not aware of the financial, shelter costs, and/or time cost to the line for this stop, she noted the number of riders of which she was aware who currently relied on walkers or were otherwise handicapped, opining that this station and ten minute service would be an opportunity for those riders to have appropriate shelter versus the current bench situation. In addition, since the BRT line will mix with arterial traffic, Councilmember McGehee questioned how those buses could or would control traffic signals along Snelling Avenue. In addressing Councilmember McGehee's comments related to connection to the Green Line, Ms. Roth advised that ridership forecasts had been included in the planning process, and while current ridership was expected to increase, the cur- rent low density of riders in the Roselawn area didn't not indicate the need now or in the future—with projections out to the year 2030—for providing a station there even with rail service in place.