After more than a year of studies, hearings and discussions, the Metropolitan Council voted for a final plan April 9. The group chose a shallow tunnel co-location in the Kenilworth corridor instead of a freight reroute through St. Louis Park.

St. Louis Park residents have been wary of the formerly proposed plan since it was first suggested, as various iterations of it had tracks running close to Park Spanish Immersion school and through many local houses and businesses.

Many citizens previously protested the  plan, however an advocacy group Safety in the Park warns the city isn’t out of the woods yet.

“We are concerned it seems to leave a loophole,” Jaime LaPray, co-founder of the organization said. “We think Minneapolis and the Met Council are going to negotiate an agreement to the tunnels but keep studying ways to move the freight line.”

Now that the council chose a plan, the process will move into the municipal consent phase. In this phase each city along the line will review the piece of the project they contain and give approval.

St. Louis Park is not the only city with strong feelings about the decision, and many cities will use this step to voice concerns and potentially ultimatums, Met Council spokesperson and communications manager for the project Laura Baenen.

Minneapolis is not in favor of the decision and has rejected the plan every time it has been suggested.

In many previous discussions, Minneapolis has taken the opposite stance as St. Louis Park, and the two cities consistently support plans.

Kate Brickman, communications director for Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges, described her city’s position.

“I cannot see Mayor Hodges supporting the package,” Brickman said. “The Mayor is open to conversation, however, and it is too soon to say what will happen.”

Municipal consent is an extremely important part of the process. The Met council is legally required to get approval from the affected cities before it begins projects in them. The cities’ approval is necessary and the project will halt if consent is not acquired from all of them. Baenen described the process.

“The city councils and the public can review and give input,” she said. “Each city and rail line will have a hearing and vote on the piece of the plan that concerns them.”

Baenen said the Council wants to work with each city for approval.

“We are committed to working with every city,” Baenen said.

Some students were divided over Minneapolis’ position.

Freshman Ahmed Abdullahi said he feels the plan is the better alternative.

“At least the plan won’t have people losing houses,” Abdullahi said.

Several students including freshman Anna Roethler  didn’t see the necessity of either rail plan.

“We shouldn’t do it all,” Roethler said. “The cost of any plan will outweigh the benefits.”