Consider Authorization for the Submission of a Grant Application to Metropolitan Council for the Mississippi Skyway.

The purpose of this case is to request City Council authorization to apply to the Transportation Advisory Board of Metropolitan Council for $3.2M in Federal funding for the extension of the skyway over Veteran's Drive to cross over Hwy's #10 & #169 and Riverdale Drive, to 'touchdown' at the Mississippi River Trail, adjacent to the Regional Park.


In April of this year, City Council was provided a summary update on the on-going Mississippi Skyway project; and staff received authorization to proceed to prepare an application that this case would approve.  That case included the following text:

"Since 2012, the City of Ramsey, with its regional partners, has made significant and progressive improvements on many aspects of the pedestrian bridge planned for over Hwy 10.  A summary includes:

• Receiving a $100,000  Transit Oriented Development grant—resulting in Preliminary Design.
• Completion of the Regional Mississippi River Trail—at the south touchdown point of the proposed bridge.
• Securing the 100' x 100' foot touchdown easement adjacent to Riverdale Drive—a contribution by a private developer, with a value in excess of $100,000.
• Receipt of $490,000 in National Park Service funding—resulting in the development of Final Plans and Specifications, making for a 'shovel-ready' project.
• Level 2 Layout approval by MnDOT and the official assignment of Bridge #02053
• Removal of the overhead three phase power line between Riverdale Drive and Hwy #10, reducing the project cost in excess of $235,000.
• *Realignment of the Central Anoka County Regional Trail (pending final approval by Met Council) to Center Street, the Northstar rail station, and crossing Hwy 10 with the completed skyway."

* The following is the rationale for Anoka County initiating the realignment of the regional trail to the location of the extension of the skyway:  "Currently the City of Ramsey [and regional trail users] has limited access to the Mississippi River and Mississippi West Regional Park because Highway 10 is a large barrier for bicycle and pedestrian access. This amendment proposes to change the alignment of the Central Anoka County Regional Trail within the City of Ramsey to better connect with local parks, trails, restaurants, businesses and transit, while still providing a [safe] connection to the river and Mississippi West Regional Park."


 

No public notification for this case is required.

Observations:

Within the April 24th, 2018 Council case authorizing the preparation of the grant application, staff indicated two other action items would occur relating to the final authorization to apply for the grant—seeking Anoka County's support, and also defining a 'list' of potential local share funding sources (the 20% of the $4,050,00 project construction cost).  On the first item, Anoka County has confirmed they will be issuing a letter of support to accompany the grant application.

As for the local share of the construction cost (estimated to be $810,000), the following options are listed below. 

NOTE: None of these sources of funding have been committed.  The proposed city funds have noted competing future year projects and needs, that also may be proposed from these same sources.  Additionally, budget discussions including policy direction involving the various use of city funds has yet to occur as of this case preparation.

Potential Local Share Funding Sources

• Park Trust Fund—approximate balance after 2018 Parks Capital Improvement Projects, $2.6M
• Landfill Trust Fund—fund allows for capital expenditures that are outlined in the annual Capital Improvement Plan and authorized by City Council.  Current fund balance is approximately $2M.
• Anoka County Parks—monies allocated to implementing agency's for regional parks and trails.
• Metro Transit—a special appropriation as the Mississippi Skyway is also a rail station enhancement.
• Anoka County EDA—as the pedestrian bridge aligns with the tenets of providing equitable access to employment, business, transportation and housing.
• New TIF District—if a major development opportunity on the south side of Hwy 10 warranted it as a financing tool, and catalyst for a desired project.
• Other

Three additional items should be noted here; the first is that if successful in the grant application, funding would not be available until 2022 (or thereafter). Secondly, the funding source being applied for, are  monies only available for bicycle and pedestrian facilities like the Mississippi Skyway.  And third, and perhaps most importantly, seeking funding for the pedestrian facility does not compete for surface transportation improvements to Hwy #10—but rather is an integrated, multi-modal highway safety improvement that effectively supplements desired improvements to the Hwy #10 corridor.  Elements of this last point are also discussed in the first attachment, which is a summary 'one-pager' that will be submitted as part of the grant application.


 

Funding is not authorized as part of this case.  However, if awarded the grant, a local share of 20% of the construction cost would be required to be developed four to five years into the future (estimated at $810k), and in additon there would be 12-15% in construction engineering costs.


 

Staff recommends applying for approximately $3,240,000 dollars in Federal funding through Metropolitan Council's Regional Solicitation grant program, due July 13, 2018.  (Note: this funding opportunity will not occur again until 2020.)
 

Motion to authorize/not authorize the application of approximately $3,240,000 dollars in Federal funding through Metropolitan Council's Regional Solicitation grant program for the Mississippi Skyway.