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AGENDA RECOMMENDATION |
Consent Calendar 4.H.
City Council Regular Meeting
- Meeting Date:
- 01/08/2018
Agenda Item:
Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute Limited Use Permit (LUP) Number 0704-0009 with the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) for the purposes of constructing and maintaining military service stone columns and supporting structures within the Trunk Highway (TH) 22 corridor.
Recommendation/Action(s):
Adoption of the attached resolution.
Summary:
Highway 22 starting in Mankato at the intersection of Highways 14 & 60 and extending south to Mapleton was designated as “Victory Drive” following WWII in honor of local veterans. The local community, including the Mankato Garden Club, Maple River High School students, numerous volunteers, MnDOT, and countless others have contributed to the tree plantings that are located along this section of highway since 1948 as a means to beautify the corridor with a living memorial to honor local veterans.
The 2017-2018 Highway 22 Road Improvement Project includes or has included reconstructing the highway to meet current design and safety standards which has or will result in the removal of over 600 trees along this corridor. The Victory Drive landscape memorial project will take place in 2019 or earlier and is meant to continue to honor the legacy and history of this corridor in a manner that is respectful of the memorial design intent while working within the current constraints of the corridor.
A total of ten monuments, each reaching approximately eight feet in height are being planned for each end of the segment of Highway 22 designated as Victory Drive or Victory Memorial Highway. There will be five, one for each branch of the military (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard) placed in Mapleton at Mapleton Park at the intersection of Highway 22 and Central Avenue North and in Mankato along TH 22 near the terminus of South Victory Drive.
Fundraising is already under way for the monuments and the city will likely need to spend approximately $10,000 to $20,000 to add walking paths and other improvements to facilitate access to the monument site, which will also require city staff to maintain the area to a higher standard once the project is complete. Once staff understands what the financial commitments are for the project, we intend to approach the Grants Committee for funding for the improvements.
The 2017-2018 Highway 22 Road Improvement Project includes or has included reconstructing the highway to meet current design and safety standards which has or will result in the removal of over 600 trees along this corridor. The Victory Drive landscape memorial project will take place in 2019 or earlier and is meant to continue to honor the legacy and history of this corridor in a manner that is respectful of the memorial design intent while working within the current constraints of the corridor.
A total of ten monuments, each reaching approximately eight feet in height are being planned for each end of the segment of Highway 22 designated as Victory Drive or Victory Memorial Highway. There will be five, one for each branch of the military (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard) placed in Mapleton at Mapleton Park at the intersection of Highway 22 and Central Avenue North and in Mankato along TH 22 near the terminus of South Victory Drive.
Fundraising is already under way for the monuments and the city will likely need to spend approximately $10,000 to $20,000 to add walking paths and other improvements to facilitate access to the monument site, which will also require city staff to maintain the area to a higher standard once the project is complete. Once staff understands what the financial commitments are for the project, we intend to approach the Grants Committee for funding for the improvements.