West Armstrong Redevelopment Area Update and Approval of Topographic Survey

The purpose of this case is to:
1)  Receive West Armstrong Redevelopment Area Update
2)  Consider approval of Topographic Survey
3)  Consider a recommendation to the City Council to fund the Proposal for Engineering Services (i.e., feasibility, preliminary design, plans and specs) for West Armstrong Redevelopment Area

Background: 

In May of 2021, the EDA and City Council reaffirmed the vision of the West Armstrong Redevelopment Area (Industrial and COR zoning) and to asked Staff to put together a plan to identify project costs and design to:
1) Reconstruct 146th, 147th and Ferret Street 
2) Extend Ferret St. to Bunker Lake Boulevard
3) Install City Sewer, Water and Storm Sewer

Development Update in West of Armstrong Redevelopment Area and Bunker Lake Business Park
Industrial development and demand remains strong in the City of Ramsey. Recent in-fill Development (65,000 SF - Anderson Dahlen - AEC Energy Park) and developments in Bunker Lake Industrial Park (Oppidan - 405,000 SF and BLIP 4 - 67,000 SF) have reduced the available industrial land to approximately 20 acres. Staff and PSD LLC have been working with an unidentified user to acquire approximately 10 acres and to construct a 100-150,000 SF industrial warehouse building in Bunker Lake Industrial Park.  If this project is completed that would leave approximately 10 acres of shovel ready land available for industrial development. 

In May of 2021 the City Council and EDA affirmed to land use vision in the West Armstrong Redevelopment area identifying the land west of Ferret St as Commercial / Industrial and the land east of Ferret Street as Retail / Office (COR). Staff has been approached by smaller industrial users and other commercial/industrial projects that have interest in locating to that area if City utilities are available. The City Council directed staff to bring forth a proposal to obtain design and costs to reconstruct and design roadways and to install City utilities.

The Proposed City Road and Infrastructure Project
In 2017-2018, the City began planning for the reconstruction of 146th Avenue, 147th Avenue and Ferret Street. In January of 2019, the City tabled the project with the support of the adjacent private property owners until future land use planning and visioning were complete. With the completion of the 2040 Comprehensive Plan Update, that visioning and land use planning is now complete and the City should be able to move forward with this needed pavement management plan without interfering with the redevelopment vision. In fact, investment in basic infrastructure in this area likely will leverage interest in private redevelopment.  This proposed project expands sewer and water in the area and also connects Ferret Street to Bunker Lake Boulevard (new infrastructure in addition to reconstruction of existing infrastructure).  

City Staff has worked with Bolton and Menk to put together a phased approach that will ultimately provide a cost and preliminary design of improvements in the area.  A topographical survey and borings are needed prior to putting together a design and cost estimate for the project. A copy of the proposal for the Topographical Survey is attached to this case.  Staff is proposing that this cost be paid for out of the EDA Professional Services Fund (9230.6315). Once the Topographical Survey is complete, Bolton and Menk can begin work on the Engineering Services for the West Armstrong Redevelopment Area.  The Proposal for Engineering Services (i.e., feasibility, preliminary design, plans and specs) for West Armstrong Redevelopment Area is attached to this case and would need City Council Approval. 

Staff is asking for action by the EDA on both of these proposals.
 

Notification is not required. 

Observations:
The proposal for the Topographic Survey is for $7,955.00. Staff is recommending that the EDA authorize funding this out of its Professional Services (9230-6315. the EDA does not need City Council approval for this expenditure as it is within the the EDA annual approved budget.

The proposal for Engineering Services for West Armstrong Redevelopment Area (Design / Plans and Specs and Updated Bunker Lake Blvd Feasibility Study) is $49,835.00.  It should be noted that the Topographical Survey referenced in this proposal has been removed and is included in the $7,955.00 Topographical Survey above. In this proposal there is also a proposed Feasibility Report Update at the line item cost of $8,160. Staff has spoken with City Engineer Bruce Westby and this feasibility update could be performed in-house by the City Engineering team if there is available staff capacity.  Staff would ask for flexibility from the EDA and a recommendation the the City Council to fund the entire cost of the study (including the Feasibility Report Update) with the ability to reduce it if the work can be done internally. This item cannot be authorized by the EDA and will need City Council approval.

Proposal for Engineering Services for West Armstrong Redevelopment Area Topographical Survey - $7,955.00 - 
Alternatives: 

1) EDA authorize funding and order report of Engineering Services for West Armstrong Redevelopment Area Topographical Survey as presented ($7,955.00)
2) Something else

Proposal for Engineering Services for West Armstrong Redevelopment Area (Design/Plans and Specs and Feasibility Update) - $49,835
Alternatives:

1) EDA recommend to City Council to Authorize the Funding and Order Engineering Services for West Armstrong Redevelopment Area (Designs/Plans and Feasibility Update) as presented ($49,835)(Staff Recommendation)
2) EDA recommend to City Council to Authorize the Funding and Order Engineering Services for West Armstrong Redevelopment Area (Designs/Plans and Specs) excluding the Feasibility Report Update ($41,675)
3) Something else

 

Engineering Services for West Armstrong Redevelopment Area Topographical Survey
The funding is proposed to come from EDA professional services line item budget 9230-6315.

Engineering Services for West Armstrong Redevelopment Area (Designs/Plans and Feasibility Update) 
The funding for this action would be determined based on consultation with Finance Director and City Council direction.

1. PIR Fund
2. EDA Fund Balance
3. Anoka County HRA (Housing and Redevelopment Authority) Fund
4. TIF (Tax Increment Financing) (Expenses incurred prior to November 28, 2023)

EDA authorize funding and order report of Engineering Services for West Armstrong Redevelopment Area Topographical Survey as presented ($7,955.00)

and;

EDA recommend to City Council to Authorize the Funding and Order Engineering Services for West Armstrong Redevelopment Area (Designs/Plans and Feasibility Update) as presented ($49,835)(Staff Recommendation)

Motion to authorize funding and order report of Engineering Services for West Armstrong Redevelopment Area Topographical Survey as presented ($7,955.00)

and;

Motion to recommend to City Council to Authorize the Funding and Order Engineering Services for West Armstrong Redevelopment Area (Designs/Plans and Feasibility Update) as presented ($49,835)