Earlier this year, the owners of Northtown Mall notified Metro Transit that it would need to re-locate the bus station to the southernmost border of the mall property so the existing location could be redeveloped in hopes of drawing in another retail or even dining establishment closer to the mall near Home Depot.
Spring Lake Park is in the picture because the new station will go in an existing little-used mall parking lot directly across Sanburnol Drive, which is along the northernmost border of the city. Residents there are worried about excess noise, fumes, and light pollution from the station. So, Metro Transit officials have been reaching out to those homeowners in recent weeks to hear their concerns about the move.
“Without those voices, it’s just us throwing darts and trying to find out what we think (the move) might be best for” said Metro Transit Spokesperson Howie Padilla. “Part of being a good neighbor is being factual about what’s happening. If you’re not giving good information and you’re not hearing good information, and making that a two-way communication, you’re not being a good neighbor.”
To that end, Metro Transit will host two open houses for residents to attend and to hear from company officials about the move. Those sessions are Wednesday, October 23, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Spring Lake Park City Hall and Thursday, October 24, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Northtown Mall in the Community Room.
“We absolutely understand that this not something that’s going to affect people for a week or two and be an inconvenience for even a month or two,” said Padilla. “This is something that’s going to be long-lasting. We want people to understand that we understand that.”
Anyone with questions can find information here.
