Consider Resolution #14-05-096 Advancing the Alternatives Analysis, Engineering Design and Funding Plan for the Mississippi Skyway, Bicycle and Pedestrian Bridge.

The City of Ramsey's 5-year Capital Improvement Plan includes a proposed project entitled 'Mississippi Skyway', shown for year 2016.  The bicycle and pedestrian bridge, if constructed, will connect residents and regional facilities on both sides of U.S. Highways #10 and #169 from the existing trail at Mississippi West Regional Park, directly to the Northstar Station, Parking Ramp and Municipal Center.  The skyway will be the nexus of the regional trail and recreation systems - and also will provide access 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.  Indeed, the project embodies Strategic Imperative II:  A Connected Community.

In 2012, the City was successful in receiving a Transit Orientated Development (TOD) grant from Metropolitan Council for the proposed Mississippi Skyway.  This $100,000 will fund the preliminary engineering and design services for the pedestrian/bicycle bridge.  On Friday, May 23rd, two separate consulting engineering firms that prepared a response to the City's formal Request for Proposals will be interviewed by a panel comprised of regional stakeholders in addition to City staff.  One firm will be brought forward as the recommended consultant at this May 27, 2014 Council meeting.

The non-staff interview panel participants were organized to provide additional expertise in evaluating the engineering firm's capacity to deliver the best value for the bridge project - but moreover to establish representatives from several agencies that may become involved in future maintenance and operations of the Mississippi Skyway.  Some of these same agencies may be envisioned to participate in a funding or operations collaborative for what s clearly a regional facility.  The panel included  BNSF Railway, MnDOT, Metropolitan Transit, Anoka County Parks, and the National Park Service.

At the March 11th, 2014 City Council meeting it was iterated that:

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

As Congress regularly appropriates funds for Alternative Transportation in National Parks (specifically for parks, and not available to be used for streets, roads and highways), the TOD grant's deliverables of site investigation [and preliminary engineering design] 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".

The National Park Service unit MNRRA, has learned the results of their funding request on behalf of Ramsey's proposed pedestrian bridge, and Staff will make this announcement at the Council meeting.  The recommended engineering firm for the Mississippi Skyway design will also be brought forward at the meeting, together with a summary of their qualifications and the scope of work that will occur, funded by the TOD grant award.  Additionally, Staff will highlight a plan to build an effective collaborative of regional agencies to seek Federal funding for the bicycle and pedestrian bridge this case discusses.

The expenditure to be approved within Resolution #14-05-096 is the not-to-exceed amount of $100,000 for the engineering design services for the Mississippi Skyway, which is funded by the Transit Oriented Development grant.

Staff recommends approval of Resolution #14-05-096.

Motion to Adopt Resolution #14-05-096 Advancing the Alternatives Analysis, Engineering Design and Funding Plan for the Mississippi Skyway, Bicycle and Pedestrian Bridge.