So this is a subject I'll probably come back to a lot. University Avenue is one of the main streets in the Twin Cities, starting near downtown Minneapolis, running through the University of Minnesota, and ending at the State Capitol. After a decade-long battle, a light rail project was finally approved, and construction began last year. It's due to be completed in 2014, which is extremely exciting.

The Twin Cities already have one light rail line, but building the University line (we call it the Central Corridor) was always going to be the biggest challenge because the amount of people affected was much more massive than the first line, which runs mostly through no-mans land connecting tourist attractions, the CBD, and the airport.

The Central Corridor is key though, for that reason. The potential effect of the line is tremendous. University has seen much less investment than it should, and has been pockmarked by empty storefronts and vacant lots for years. Building the light rail is expected to revitalize business and residential neighborhoods up and down the line, which will be tremendous. It's also hoped that the line will bring the Twin Cities even closer together, and help the ongoing restoration and revitalization of Saint Paul's old warehousing downtown. It's such an exciting project! This is looking West across the construction back at that weird building I shot a few days ago.