Consider recommending City Council approval to adjust the scope of Improvement Project 25-08 to include planned 2029 concrete repairs to Sunwood Drive and Rhinestone Street, and to move the project to 2027.

Purpose:
The purpose of this case is to consider moving Improvement Project #25-08, Sunwood Drive Crosswalk Repairs, to 2027, and to consider moving the 2029 Sunwood Drive & Rhinestone Street Concrete Repairs to 2027 and combining with Improvement Project #25-08.
 
Background:
The 2025 – 2034 CIP proposed to replace the colored concrete pedestrian crossings along Sunwood Drive in 2025. The remaining concrete repairs along Sunwood Drive and Rhinestone Street are proposed for 2029.
 
Project History

• September 17, 2024, the Ramsey Public Works Committee recommended City Council order topographic survey of the project area. Additionally, the committee directed staff to bring a future case forward to compare costs of various options for replacing the colored concrete.
• September 24, 2024, the Ramsey City Council adopted Resolution #24-282 ordering topographic survey of the project area.
• October 22, 2024, the Ramsey City Council adopted Resolution #24-295, accepting and awarding a proposal from Hakanson Anderson for topographic survey of the project area.
• May 20, 2025, the Ramsey Public Works Committee recommended City Council order plans and specifications for said improvements, including replacing the colored concrete with standard concrete pavement and standard crosswalk markings.
• June 10, 2025, the Ramsey City Council adopted Resolution 25-122, ordering plans and specifications for said improvements.

 
Existing Conditions
Sunwood Drive between Zeolite Street and Rhinestone Street is a concrete pavement urban section varying between 40 and 48 feet wide with a variation of parking lanes and turn lanes along the corridor. Concrete sidewalk exists throughout the corridor, though the existing sidewalk varies between existing and proposed from block to block. The Average Daily Traffic (ADT) is 4,582 as of 2022, but is anticipated to increase due to development in the COR. Sunwood Drive is a Municipal State Aid (MSA) street and must conform to MSA design standards, including meeting a 10-ton pavement strength design.
 
Construction Plans and Field Review
Staff completed preliminary plans for the Sunwood Drive Crosswalk Repairs in late July 2025. It became apparent that plans would not be ready for bidding in time for fall 2025 bidding, and staff prioritized completing plans in time for 2026 construction. Plans were complete in January of 2026, and sent through an internal plan review. Utility Department staff performed a field review of the existing gate valves within the intersections. It was discovered that the valves cannot be operated, due to the valve extensions being broken. Though the valves are not in the crosswalks, if repaired during the proposed 2029 concrete repairs project, the excavations would impact crosswalks as well. Removing the gate valve extensions significantly changes the scope of the improvements, primarily due to the depth of the existing watermain under Sunwood Drive, which is 17 feet deep to the top of the valves. The required excavation pits to make the repairs will take out entire intersections. The repairs are also approximately 8 to 10 feet below the water table so significant dewatering will be required.
 
Resident and Property Owner Impacts
The crosswalk repairs were initially moved up, and anticipated to be a multi-week project to address safety concerns. Public Works staff can continue to monitor and repair the crosswalks until 2027.
 
The current CIP includes 2027 overlay improvements to several streets within the COR, directly adjacent to these improvements. By moving all the Sunwood Drive and Rhinestone repairs to 2027, the city can avoid multiple years of street construction in the downtown area. A map of proposed 2027 improvements is attached to this case for reference.
 
The initial project scope included intersection closures, lasting approximately 1 week per intersection. The additional dewatering and watermain repairs will extend the intersection closures to approximately 2 weeks per intersection. Traffic control staging plans are included in the plans to assure detour routes through the COR are available during construction.
 
Additional Permitting
Sunwood Drive and Rhinestone Street are MSA streets, which require review and approval by MnDOT Municipal State Aid (MSA) staff prior to bidding the project. The preliminary plans were routed through MSA and relevant comments were incorporated into the plans. Modifying the scope will require an additional review. However, staff is confident comments would be minimal.
 
Project Timelines
City Staff is proposing to prepare plans and specifications for this project in-house, as part of their normal duties. After the remaining 2026 improvements are complete, staff proposes to prioritize this project. The following are the proposed general project timelines:
 

• April 28, 2026             City Council adjust project scope to include additional concrete repairs
• Summer 2026              Staff prepares plans / MnDOT MSA review
• Fall 2026                     City Council approves plans and authorizes advertisement for bids
• Winter 2026                City Council award construction contract
• Summer 2027              Construction

 
Engineering Design
Staff does not require additional topographic survey or geotechnical work to increase the project scope. Staff does propose to televise the existing sanitary and storm sewers to verify if additional utility improvements are necessary. Staff is currently preparing request for proposals for televising 2027 Pavement Management Program projects, and can include these improvements in the proposals.
 
Staff will need to perform an intensive field review to determine the extent of concrete repairs necessary along Sunwood Drive and Rhinestone Street. Staff has obtained training in Concrete Pavement Restoration (CPR) and believe they have the knowledge and skills to perform the field review in-house.

No notifications are required with this case.

Time Frame:
Staff anticipates up to 15 minutes are required to present information on the case and respond to any questions from the Committee.
 
Observations:
Staff will work with the Parks Department to minimize impacts to planned activities within the COR.
 
Alternatives:
Alternative #1 - Motion recommending City Council approval to adjust the scope of Improvement Project 25-08 to include the planned 2029 concrete repairs to Sunwood Drive and Rhinestone Street per the 2026 – 2035 Capital Improvement Plan, and adjust the project timeline to 2027.
 
Alternative #2 – Motion of other.

Funding for this work is proposed to come from Municipal State Aid Funds.

Staff recommends Alternative #1.

Based on Public Works Committee recommendation.