Authorize Staff to Solicit Bids for Improvement Project 10-22 Ramsey Municipal Parking Facility Phase II

In January of 2011, City Staff was given direction to submit the design modifications to MnDOT for the successful integration of a transit oriented residential project with the 200 stall expansion of the existing parking facility. The existing ramp has 150 dedicated park and ride stalls and are being used by transit riders.

Ramsey was granted Congestion Mitigation/Air Quality funds for an expansion of 200 additional park and ride stalls because this location was selected by the Met Council in their Regional Park & Ride Study as needing expansion of park and ride.

Northstar Commuter Rail and the Anoka County Regional Rail Authority have a high priority to build ridership on the Northstar rail and a rail station at Ramsey would immediately add over 50,000 or more trips annually to a $330 million transit investment.

Safe convenient and DEDICATED parking is a requirement of the City of Ramsey to receive a new Northstar Rail Station.

Staff will attempt to bring forward an agreement before the bids are awarded that summarizes the approval of the Anoka County Regional Rail Authority and the Metropolitan Council of a Ramsey Rail Station. In the specifications of the parking ramp contract we have 60 days after opening bids to award the Contract and utilize the $3.5 million grant.

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Staff recommends that the City Council make a motion to authorize Staff to solicit bids for Improvement Poject 10-22, Ramsey Municipal Parking Facility Phase II.