Recommendation to begin the Public Engagement and Alternative Analysis for the Mississippi Skyway

The purpose of this case, is to consider a Park and Recreation Commission recommendation to the City Council in regard to the Public Engagement and Alternative Analysis process; as part of the Request for Proposals for permitting, geotechnical engineering and final design services for the Mississippi Skyway

In 2012, the City was successful in receiving two Transit Orientated Development (TOD) grants from Metropolitan Council, one of which was for the Mississippi Skyway.  The pedestrian bridge, when funded, will connect residents and regional facilities on both sides of U.S. Hwy's #10 & #169 from the existing trail at Mississippi West Regional Park directly to the Northstar Station.

Certainly the skyway will be the nexus of the regional trail and recreation systems - but it also provides connectivity for residents on the south side of the highway directly into the COR's existing and future retail and commercial destinations, and as such, promotes economic development and jobs, and thus a substantial part of the justification for the TOD investment.  Additionally, using the established formula for determining the ridership ' travel-shed' the Mississippi Skyway will add more than 8 resident commuters for the Northstar train from the south side of the highway. 

Ramsey is unique in having the most renown river in North America as its southern border - and this corridor along the river is also a very unique National Park in the United States known as the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area.  The City continues to work with the Park Service and other public agencies in developing recreational amenities that serve all residents, like trails to and along the river as well as parks. 

Presently, the National Park Service's focus is building a network of 'Alternative Transportation' system for accessing parks; which includes trail networks, Nice Ride bikes, water access and water trails, electric vehicle charging stations and of course the Metropolitan Transit system which includes busses and the Northstar commuter rail.  As the proposed Mississippi Skyway literally connects, or will connect all these systems and amenities, it has 'risen to the top' of all the proposed Alternative Transportation projects within the 72-mile National Mississippi River and Recreation Area.

As Congress regularly appropriates funds for National Parks (specifically for parks, and not available to be used for streets, roads and highways), the TOD grant's deliverables will position the City of Ramsey, Anoka County and Metropolitan Council to partner with the National Park Service to access this funding - as a project that is truly shovel-ready.


 

At the same time as the proposed Mississippi Skyway demonstrates all the connections, access, safety benefits, and choices for mobility in the center of Ramsey and The COR; it is also apparent that this project requires a great degree of planning and coordination to be ultimately constructed efficiently, at the best cost, and with the greatest utility - such that the pedestrian overpass adds value to all the transportation systems with which it interfaces.

So as to meet the goals of the Transit Orientated Development grant and deliver the myriad of permitting, soil condition information and all the engineering and design required, staff has developed the attached Request for Proposal.  The RFP is approximately 95% complete, with additional review required from various City Staff members and also subject to review and approval by Metropolitan Council's staff as well.

The other purpose of this case is for the Commission to review the scope of work the 25-page RFP outlines, such that Staff may complete the document, forward it to City Council for approval; and issue it for consultant and engineering firm consideration.

Key deliverables of the RFP (summarized) are:
 

• Engage the Public in design as well as a Alternatives Analysis
• Design Coordination
• Geotechnical Engineering
• Structural Design (Structural design will include an Independent Design, Detail, and Quantity Check per MnDOT   Bridge Design)
• Civil Engineering (Roadway and Drainage)
• Site Development / Urban Design
• Traffic Engineering
• Right-of-Way analysis
• Utilities mapping
• Electrical Engineering
• Project and Structure Phasing
• Final Proposed Plans (not Bid docs), Specifications and Cost Estimate
• Final Design Review Meeting with affected agency representatives
• Written authorization from MnDOT and BNSF Railway for future construction based upon Final Design; (and document that the final design ensures the skyway will work upon construction without amendments, with BOTH the existing highway footprint and that of future upgrades to freeway status)
• Detailed Engineer’s cost estimate for 2016 construction

The final design process includes coordination and permitting from all stakeholders and agencies in the vicinity of the proposed Mississippi Skyway, with MnDOT clearly being the most critical agency involved.  Because there will be substantial discourse with MnDOT on all aspects of the skyway's siting, Staff anticipates there will be ample opportunity to make progress on the question of the future footprint for U.S. Hwy's #10 & #169 (deliverable highlighted above, verbatim from page 9 of the RFP).

In summary, Staff feels that the outcomes of the TOD funded planning and design for the pedestrian overpass accomplishes or addresses many overlapping municipal goals, including boosting economic activity and improving transportation safety for both motorists and pedestrians when constructed.


 

Funding for the engineering and design services for the pedestrian overpass are from Metropolitan Council's Transit Orientated Development grant program in the amount of $100,000 dollars.

Above it is stated that the RFP includes approximately 95% of the detail and content.  It should be mentioned here, that one amendment to be added to the RFP process will be instructions to proposers to break-out the major category deliverables by cost, such that if all qualified proposers exceed the available $100,000 (a likely scenario), the City can identify those tasks that are critical to the TOD grant's intent, and also assemble the best palate of those deliverables that are in the City's best interest. Staff recommends advancing this project as presented, with Commission input on the RFP and process.

Motion to recommend to City Council that the Public Engagement and Alternative Analysis process begin; as part of the Request for Proposals for permitting, geotechnical engineering and final design services for the Mississippi Skyway.