Consider Funding Strategy for Rail Station Enhancements and Pedestrian Bridge Over U.S. Hwy's #10 & #169

The proposed Mississippi Skyway, a pedestrian bridge over Hwy #10 has been identified within the City's Capital Improvement Plan for many years, and is presently represented in 2017.  It is believed that the pedestrian bridge exemplifies Strategic Imperative II: A Connected Community - 'Ensure that the city is a connected city that is part of a comprehensive regional transportation system that enables all citizens to easily navigate the community and attracts business development'.

Indeed, the bridge will connect many aspects of the regional transportation system as well be an asset to various retail businesses.  It is the regional nature of the pedestrian overpass that has yielded $100,000 in Transit Oriented Development funds from Metropolitan Council for the preliminary engineering for the project.  Likewise, the National Park Service has granted $490,000 to the City of Ramsey for engineering and construction. This money is eligible to serve as a local match.  Further, Anoka County Park's shows the elevated pedestrian crossing as an element of Mississippi West Regional Park's phased development. 

The proximity of the project to a US Highway, a regional commuter rail facility, a regional park, a national trail corridor, a National Park Recreation Area, and a transit-oriented development make this a project that is well-positioned to receive outside grant funding.

In fact, collaborative efforts by regional entities and jurisdictions has already resulted in the funding of various City infrastructure improvements along the Highway 10 corridor.  Notably, the Armstrong interchange, the Riverdale Drive extension, the Northstar Rail Station,  the Mississippi River Trail, the regional park boat landing along the Mississippi, all had multi-jurisdictional funding.

The purpose of this work session topic, is to review the model of collaborative investments mentioned above in delivering regional infrastructure, and apply it to the pedestrian overpass. Also, the purpose of this session is to discuss what, if any, additional funding the City is willing and able to put toward this project.  The total cost of the walkway is estimated at $3.6 million in the current CIP, and the funding source is listed as grants and aids.  

The list of potential partners on this project would include the City, Anoka County, the County Transit investment Board (CTIB), the National Park Service, the Metropolitan Council (including Metro Transit), State of Minnesota (MNDOT, DNR), and other state and federal grants.

Additional funds from City sources is extremely limited and there are many competing priorities.  Principle among these priority obligations are the comprehensive road reconstruction program of the City,  the completion of the road system for the COR which includes the completion of the Armstrong interchange, and the upgrading of Bunker Lake Road, and the development of infrastructure for the proposed Armstrong business park.  These projects are a higher priority for local dollars, and do not have the broad base of funding opportunities evident with the walkway project.

 
 

 

Estimated 20 minutes.

Staff recommends soliciting all potential partners and funding sources (i.e., Anoka County, the County Transit investment Board (CTIB), the National Park Service, the Metropolitan Council (including Metro Transit), State of Minnesota (MNDOT, DNR), and other state and federal grants) in an effort to eliminate, or minimize local funding.

Mark Riverblood will summarize recent collaborative transportation successes in Ramsey and update the Council on the status of the Mississippi Skyway planning, as well as review the forecast for Federal funding.

 

Develop a strategy for the construction of the pedestrian overpass that minimizes local funding, and delivers multi-agency and Federal funding for the project in 2017.