Transit expansion is transforming the Twin Cities, but it's not without its challenges for local businesses. In areas like 50th and France and east St. Paul, construction has disrupted daily operations and customer flow. This article explores the effects of these projects on businesses and the efforts to balance growth and disruption.

Unraveling the Transit Construction Conundrum for Businesses

50th and France: A Case Study of Construction Disruption

Shops at 50th and France, a walkable shopping district spanning Edina and Minneapolis, faced a tough year due to orange cones and bus rapid transit construction. Originally, the construction of two rapid transit bus stops for the E Line was expected to last a maximum of six weeks per stop and wrap up around Labor Day. However, it extended to six months, finishing in late November. This prolonged disruption had a significant impact on businesses in the area, causing major hardships. Customers were deterred, and sales suffered. The lack of resources to help businesses survive during this time added to the frustration.

East St. Paul: Gold Line Construction Closures and Shopper Access

In east St. Paul, Gold Line construction closures made it difficult for shoppers to reach businesses off Interstate 94. This limited access had a direct impact on business operations and customer traffic. Businesses in the area had to find ways to adapt and attract customers despite the construction barriers. It became a challenge to maintain a steady flow of customers and keep the business running smoothly.

West Metro: Green Line Extension and Detours for Commuters

In the west metro, the construction of the Green Line extension has prompted detours for cars and cyclists. These detours created inconvenience for commuters and affected the accessibility of businesses in the area. Businesses had to deal with the added hassle of customers having to navigate through detours to reach them. It also posed challenges in terms of logistics and delivery for businesses that rely on smooth transportation routes.The Metropolitan Council's director of community relations, Sam O'Connell, noted that in the early 2000s, there were not many transit construction projects. But now, with plans and funding coming together, a major transit line is opening roughly every 18 months, significantly filling out the Twin Cities' transit network. This growth connects growing communities to jobs, educational opportunities, and daily needs like healthcare. However, business districts affected by these builds are facing major hardships due to the lack of resources to help them survive the disruption. Rebecca Sorensen, director of the 50th and France Business Association, has been sounding the alarm about the difficulties faced by businesses during these construction periods.Construction work continues to shape the Twin Cities, and it's essential to find ways to balance the benefits of transit expansion with the challenges faced by local businesses. Only by working together can we ensure a sustainable future for both transit and local economies.

When it comes to choosing a new wireless mic, you're spoilt for choice. Among my recent favorites is the DJI Mic 2, which stands out as one of the best on the market, offering pro-quality features like 32-bit float audio. However, for many content creators, especially those who primarily use a smartphone, the Mic 2 might be overkill. This is where the DJI Mic Mini comes in. It's a smaller, simpler, and more affordable alternative, yet it retains the same DJI reliability that I've come to trust over the years.

Unbeatable Value and Reliability in a Compact Wireless Mic

Design and Size

The DJI Mic Mini is incredibly tiny, weighing just 0.35oz / 10g (without the magnet). Its compact size makes it highly portable and easy to carry around. It comes in two colors, Infinity Black and Arctic White, allowing you to blend it seamlessly with your clothing. The mics attach easily to your clothing using a built-in clip or a magnetic mount. One half of the magnetic mount fixes to the back of the clip, while the other half attaches inside your jacket or similar. This ensures a reliable hold and a discreet look in your shots.When using the Mic Mini with a camera, you can slot the receiver into the camera's hotshoe / coldshoe and connect it using a 3.5mm jack. The receiver is a good fit for cameras, but it can be a bit awkward when attached to a phone via the phone's USB-C / Lightning port as it sticks out a lot and the connection feels a bit loose.

Price and Availability

The DJI Mic Mini is available at a very reasonable price. The complete kit, which includes 2x mics, a receiver, and a charging case, costs $169 / £145 / AU$245. Components can also be bought individually. The transmitters (mics) cost $59 / £49 / AU$69 each, a transmitter with a receiver costs $89 / £79 / AU$125, and the receiver alone costs $39 / £39 / AU$69. The list price for the kit is similar to that of the Rode Wireless Micro, despite the Mic Mini's greater versatility. It's roughly $15 / £10 / AU$20 more than Rode's offering but around half the price of the DJI Mic 2.

Connectivity and Battery Life

The DJI Mic Mini offers multiple connectivity options. The receiver supports USB-C / Lightning and a 3.5mm jack, making it compatible with a wide range of devices. It also has Bluetooth connectivity, which is convenient for pairing with smartphones. In terms of battery life, the transmitter lasts for 11.5 hours, the receiver lasts for 10.5 hours, and with a fully charged case, it can last up to 48 hours. This ensures that you can use the Mic Mini for extended periods without worrying about running out of battery.

Audio Quality and Noise Reduction

The audio quality captured by the DJI Mic Mini is excellent. It offers omnidirectional audio and has a range of up to 400m (with a clear line of sight). In various environments, including the quiet indoors, outdoors in the wind, and noisy places, the Mic Mini captures clear audio. It has two-level noise reduction and automatic limiting to prevent audio clipping. While the vocal quality isn't quite as rich as with the DJI Mic 2, for 99% of people, the difference won't be noticeable. When connected via Bluetooth, the audio drops from 24-bit to 16-bit, but it still provides good quality.

Performance and Versatility

I've been using the DJI Mic Mini for several months and have found it to be completely reliable and glitch-free. It pairs easily with cameras and smartphones using both Bluetooth and receiver connection methods. Whether you're shooting with a mirrorless camera like the Panasonic Lumix GH5 or a smartphone like the Google Pixel 6, the Mic Mini performs well. It's a versatile device that can be used for a variety of shooting scenarios, making it a great choice for both beginners and professionals.Compared to its competitors, the Rode Wireless Micro and the DJI Mic 2, the DJI Mic Mini has its own unique advantages. While the Rode Wireless Micro is only for smartphones and has a smaller receiver, the DJI Mic Mini can be used with cameras as well. And although the DJI Mic 2 offers more advanced features like a display to monitor audio levels and built-in storage, the Mic Mini's simplicity and affordability make it a great option for those who don't need all the bells and whistles.In conclusion, the DJI Mic Mini is a reliable, versatile, and affordable wireless mic that offers excellent audio quality. Whether you're a content creator shooting with a smartphone or a camera, the Mic Mini is definitely worth considering.