Author: Richie Song

Richie Song

Pronouns: he/him

Richie is a resident of Brooklyn Park, serves on the city's planning commission and an advocate for transit and the developments of better cities. You can email him anytime at [email protected].

After years of advocacy to establish east-west crosstown transit service in the northwest suburbs, Metro Transit answered the calls made by local leaders and community members to close transit gaps and better serve the community years before the opening of the Blue Line Extension. I took a ride on this new bus line to see what it’s like onboard and see what could change. Author Photo.

Meet Route 725: A new Crosstown Bus Line for the Northwest Suburbs

• March 13, 2026

A new crosstown route demonstrates how to provide quick, efficient service in the suburbs while connecting riders to commercial, business and transit hubs.

In the face of an economic woe and tax base uncertainty, the city of Brooklyn Park needed a way out to encourage continued growth of the city. After nearly a year, the city has identified a plan to develop over 700 acres of largely undeveloped land in the northwest corner of the city. This could be the key to help solve these issues. Author photo.

Brooklyn Park Adopts the Ambitious Northwest Growth Area Development Plan

• October 9, 2025

Brooklyn Park approved a 700-acre Northwest Growth Area Plan to spur biotech, housing, and transit-oriented development amid economic challenges.

The Blue Line will provide a strong north-south connection to the northwestern suburbs, but how will riders travel east or west from their destination? A new Bus Rapid Transit line could fix this last-mile problem, and expand the train's usefulness. Photo by Jaron McNamara on Flickr.

Blue Line Extension Part 3: A BRT Proposal

• March 29, 2024

The Blue Line extension project promises to increase transit connectivity in the northwest suburbs, but only north-south. Our writer proposes a line running east-west.

The Metropolitan Council plans to extend the Blue Line north to Brooklyn Park. Let's look at the land use in the areas it will pass through.

Blue Line Extension Part 2: Land Use Problems

• March 15, 2024

The Blue Line extension’s route through the northwestern suburbs is more or less settled. Let’s look at the existing and future land use on that corridor.