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AGENDA RECOMMENDATION |
Consent Calendar 5.D.
City Council Regular Meeting
- Meeting Date:
- 11/24/2025
Agenda Item:
Resolution authorizing the City Manager to submit a grant application for a Local Road Improvement Project (LRIP) for Capital Improvement Project 11121; Long Street and Emerson Lane.
Recommendation/Action(s):
Adoption of attached resolution.
Summary:
The Local Road Improvement Program (LRIP) provides agencies with financial assistance for road construction or reconstruction projects with local, regional, or statewide significance. The program is defined in Minnesota Statute 174.52 and intends to provide funding for capital construction costs only. Project costs relating to engineering, right of way, or other non-construction related costs are non-eligible for grant funds. Eligible applicants include Counties, State Aid Cities, Small Cities, Townships, and Federally Recognized Indian Tribes. Awards are geographically distributed by MnDOT District and goals are established across the different range of applicants (e.g. 30% of available funds to state aid cities).
Within LRIP, the type of project that fits the proposed Long Street Reconstruction project is the routes of local and regional significance. The recently adopted Hilltop Planning Area Study and ongoing feasibility study have provided insight that a comprehensive improvement of Long Street between Main Street and Madison Avenue is necessary. The issues and concerns along Long Street that are proposed to be evaluated for improvement consist of aging and deteriorating underground utilities, high traffic volumes, substantial cut-through use, frequent pedestrian activity, unpredictable driver behavior, speeding, stop-sign violations, and low visibility at intersections. Long Street and Emerson Lane are adjacent to other recent reconstructed projects and is anticipated to be the first recommended improvement in the comprehensive capital improvement plan for the local Hilltop Neighborhood.
The rough estimated cost of the proposed LRIP project of Long Street and Emerson Lane is $4.1 million, which will be refined with the final feasibility report. LRIP funding has no minimum award size and a maximum award of $1.5 million. If awarded, improvements are expected to be constructed between 2026 and 2028. The LRIP application is due December 12, 2025, and successful awards are anticipated to be announced in spring 2026. The application package includes, but is not limited to, the following:
Within LRIP, the type of project that fits the proposed Long Street Reconstruction project is the routes of local and regional significance. The recently adopted Hilltop Planning Area Study and ongoing feasibility study have provided insight that a comprehensive improvement of Long Street between Main Street and Madison Avenue is necessary. The issues and concerns along Long Street that are proposed to be evaluated for improvement consist of aging and deteriorating underground utilities, high traffic volumes, substantial cut-through use, frequent pedestrian activity, unpredictable driver behavior, speeding, stop-sign violations, and low visibility at intersections. Long Street and Emerson Lane are adjacent to other recent reconstructed projects and is anticipated to be the first recommended improvement in the comprehensive capital improvement plan for the local Hilltop Neighborhood.
The rough estimated cost of the proposed LRIP project of Long Street and Emerson Lane is $4.1 million, which will be refined with the final feasibility report. LRIP funding has no minimum award size and a maximum award of $1.5 million. If awarded, improvements are expected to be constructed between 2026 and 2028. The LRIP application is due December 12, 2025, and successful awards are anticipated to be announced in spring 2026. The application package includes, but is not limited to, the following:
- Narrative including project description and summary
- Supporting graphics including a project area map
- Anticipated study scope and schedule
- City resolution
- Letters of support