Adopt Resolution #21-349 Authorizing Funding and Ordering Engineering Services for West Armstrong Redevelopment Area (Plans, Specs and Feasibility Update)

The purpose of this case is to:
1)  Receive West Armstrong Redevelopment Area Update
2)  Consider adoption of Resolution #21-349 Authorizing Funding and Ordering Engineering Services for West Armstrong Redevelopment Area (Plans, Specs and Feasibility Update)

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. On December 9, 2021 the Anoka Ramsey Athletic Association (ARAA) announced that they have secured site in the West Armstrong Redevelopment to erect a sports dome and other facilities.  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 and the heighten level of interest in this area certainly supports this action.

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.  Topographical survey and soil 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.  The EDA approved this expenditure at the December 9, 2021 Meeting.  

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 City Council to authorize Engineering Services for West Armstrong Redevelopment Area (i.e., feasibility, preliminary design, plans and specs) outlined in the Bolton and Menk proposal.
 

Notification is not required. 

Observations:
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 which was already approved by the EDA. 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 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. 

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

Alternatives:

1) Adopt Resolution #21-349 Authorizing Funding and Ordering Engineering Services for West Armstrong Redevelopment Area (Designs/Plans and Feasibility Update) as presented ($49,835)(EDA Recommendation)
2) Adopt Resolution #21-349 Authorizing Funding and Ordering 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 (Designs/Plans and Feasibility Update) 
The funding for this action would be the PIR Fund.

The EDA met on December 9, 2021 and passed a unanimous motion to recommend to the City Council to Authorize the Funding and Order Engineering Services for West Armstrong Redevelopment Area (Designs/Plans and Feasibility Update) as presented ($49,835)

Motion to Adopt Resolution #21-349 Authorizing Funding and Ordering Engineering Services for West Armstrong Redevelopment Area (Designs/Plans and Feasibility Update) as presented ($49,835)