Ramsey Rail Station Safety Railing

The City has been requested to consider the installation of fencing atop the parking ramp adjacent to the skyway.  This is a part of the project that was not identified nor approved with the original plans.  However, due to the proximity of the skyway to the gap in the parking ramp railing, it has been identified as a potential safety issued that should be considered as an addition to the skyway project.

Following is a summary of the three options that have been considered and priced for the railing that could be provided on the top level of the Ramsey Municipal parking Ramp at the location where the skyway from the Ramsey Station connects to the parking ramp.

Option 1: Extend concrete wall height to match wall to the west and add railing to match existing on south and east side of ramp.

Details: Preferred by original ramp architect; matches the height of the existing parapet

Cost: $37,000

Option 2: Add railing (only) on south (only) side of ramp.

Details: Not preferred by original ramp architect

Cost: $16,000

Option 2A: Add railing (only) on south side of ramp and east side of ramp

Details: Not preferred by original ramp architect.

Cost: $19,600

The skyway part of the budget is independent of the Station budget. It is up to the City to determine the railing option and related costs. 

The City has the option of doing nothing as the fence is not required by building code.  However, some barrier is recommended to eliminate the "attractive nuisance" liability of people climbing the wall and getting onto the skyway.  The City current has a sign in place indicating that climbing is prohibited.  The City installed additional safety fencing in the last couple of years in different portions of the ramp for safety reasons.


Attached to this report are several photos which have been rendered to show what each of the options would generally look like after being installed.

For safety reasons, it is recommended that one of the three options be selected to provide a barrier to the roof of the skyway.  As population and activity increase in the ramp, this issue will just become more prevalent. 

For architectural and aesthetic reasons, and the prominence of the ramp, the higher priced options are preferred. 

Currently, the station project has an identified contingency surplus for the City of $375,633.  It is proposed that these funds be used to fund the railing as part of the rail station skyway project.

Approve Option 1 and extend the concrete wall height to match wall to the west and add railing to match existing on south and east side of ramp, as preferred by  ramp architect, at a cost not to exceed $37,000.