Ramsey Town Center:Northstar rail could open link to futureThe advent of East Coast-style commuter rail service in the northern metro area would give commuters new travel choices. It also could offer cities along the 41-mile route a chance to develop in ways that depart daringly from conventional suburbia.Ramsey, in northern Anoka County, has charged ahead, creating an ambitious new town center from scratch on farmland along Hwy. 10. Hundreds of units of two- to four-story housing, including townhomes and row houses, are to form a sinuous line along open green space within walking distance of a skating park, ice arena, community center, restaurants, movies, a "civic square" with city offices, and other amenities. Officials in Elk River and other cities along the line are watching, and forming their own plans. "Coon Rapids has significant acreage close to their station site," said John Kari, a Metropolitan Council analyst, "and I have heard good things about the planning for a station stop in Anoka. Several areas are getting ready for Northstar or at least looking at the development potential." For now the proposed line would extend north only as far as Big Lake. It could eventually stretch not only to St. Cloud but to the lakes country further north, allowing the cabin crowd an escape route from increasingly suffocating weekend congestion. Opponents, however, fear the noise and congestion the train and associated development could bring to their quiet countryside. ©2005 Star Tribune, David Peterson
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