Minneapolis St. Paul 2010
For more than four decades, the Twin Cities have functioned under a regional government, the Metropolitan Council, that operates the regional wastewater and transit systems and develops long-range plans integrating land use and transportation. While the Twin Cities region is home to almost double the population of Central Texas, traffic congestion is no worse there as measured by the Texas Transportation Institute. Additionally, Minnesota has been at the leading edge of medical research and health care as the home to many bio/life science companies and the Mayo Clinic. As the site of the nation’s first charter school, the Twin Cities have pioneered innovative strategies for education, teacher preparation, and student success. Minneapolis continues to implement ambitious plans transforming its once-industrial riverfront to a vital, mixed use downtown offering employment, residential, and recreational opportunities for residents at all income levels.
The 2010 InterCity trip highlighted the best practices of the Twin Cities region of Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota. As named by Forbes magazine, Minneapolis is America’s most affordable place to live well.
Presentations
Metropolitan Council: A Regional Government at Work
- Peter Bell, Chairman, Metropolitan Council
- Douglas L. Wood, M.D., Medical Director, Quality Academy Chair, Division of Health Care Policy Research, Mayo Clinic
Metropolitan Transit System Planning and Funding
- Abby McKenzie, Director, Office of Investment Management, MNDOT
- Peter McLaughlin, Hennepin County Commissioner
- Tom Weaver, Regional Administrator, Metro Council
Regional Mayors Perspective
- Mayor Chris Coleman, City of Saint Paul
- Mayor James Hovland, City of Edina
- Mayor Elizabeth Kautz, City of Burnsville
Growing the Bio Life Sciences Sector
- Jay Schrankler, Executive Director, University of Minnesota Office of Technology Commercialization
- Jeremy Lenz, Vice President Operations, BioBusiness Alliance of Minnesota
- Paul Knapp, President and CEO, Space Center Ventures, Inc.
- Jay Schrankler, Office for Technology Commercialization
Building a Vibrant Downtown to Live, Work & Play
- David Frank, Principal, Schafer Richardson
- Cathy Polasky, Director of Economic Policy & Development, City of Minneapolis Community Planning & Economic Development Department
- Robert Lilligren, Council Member, City of Minneapolis
Corporate Engagement in Community Issues
- Mary Brainerd, President & CEO, HealthPartners; Chair Itasca Group
- Charlie Zelle, President & CEO, Jefferson Lines; Co-Chair, Itasca Transportation Initiative
- Jay Cowles, President, Unity Ave; Co-Chair, Itasca Transportation Initiative
Guaranteeing Teacher Success and Managing Tough Choices in K-12
- Peter Hutchinson, President, Bush Foundation
- Don Samuels, Council Member, City of Minneapolis
- Sandra Vargas, President, Minneapolis Foundation
- Melissa Krull, Superintendent, Eden Prairie Public Safety
The Fabric of America's 'Most Affordable Place to Live Well'
- Tom Streitz, Director of Housing and Policy Development, City of Minneapolis
- Todd Klingel, President & CEO, Minneapolis Regional Chamber of Commerce
- Sheila Smith, Executive Director, Minnesota Citizens for the Arts
