Transit Dispute: Saint Anthony Park Blocks Como Avenue for H Line Station Protest
Local owners and residents mark off the proposed bus rapid transit site, citing threats to parking and foot traffic for small businesses.
By Charles Reed ·
Residents and business owners in St. Paul’s Saint Anthony Park neighborhood took to the streets on Friday to oppose the planned location of a new Metro Transit H Line station. The group gathered at the intersection of Como and Doswell avenues, using chalk and hazard tape to outline the footprint of the proposed infrastructure. They also marked at least four trees that they believe will be removed to accommodate the project.
The H Line is a bus rapid transit route designated to run along Como Avenue. The new stations will be larger than existing bus stops, featuring real-time arrival displays, ticket machines, and expanded passenger space. Protesters argue that this increased size, combined with the specific location, will create parking difficulties and reduce the number of customers visiting nearby shops.
Austin Johnson, owner of The Little Wine Shoppe located next to Lanna Thai, expressed concern that the new station could divert foot traffic. "So now if you put another bus stop here, we’re not sure if the community is going to be able to support us because the bus could take away foot traffic," Johnson said. He noted that many customers walk their dogs or children, or are elderly, and prefer not to park a block away from their destinations.
Lanna Thai, a restaurant with an outdoor patio near the proposed site, is a central figure in the dispute. Opponents worry the construction will interfere with the patio and make access to the storefronts more difficult. Residents stated they have proposed alternative locations that would minimize impact on local commerce but feel their concerns have not been fully addressed by planners.
The Saint Anthony Park Community Council has formally recommended moving the station from Doswell Avenue to Carter Avenue. The council cited potential losses of parking, mature trees, and negative impacts on storefronts and outdoor seating as primary reasons for the recommendation. Protest organizers are now pressing Metropolitan Council leaders to reconsider the site selection before the project advances.
Metro Transit states the H Line aims to provide faster and more reliable service along the Como and Maryland Avenue corridor, linking downtown Minneapolis with the Sun Ray Transit Center on St. Paul’s East Side. According to the agency, construction for the route is scheduled to begin in 2028 and continue through 2029. The Metropolitan Council has not yet provided a response to the concerns raised during Friday’s demonstration.
