Authorize Application for Federal Funding, and Consider Final Design for the Mississippi Skyway

Purpose:
The primary purpose of this case is to authorize staff to apply for Federal funding (due on December 16th, 2016), for the extension of the existing skyway at the rail station over Hwy 10 and Riverdale Drive.  Additionally, staff recommends advancing to Final Design for the 'Mississippi Skyway' at this time, utilizing the previously awarded $490,000 in National Park Service monies for the pedestrian bridge.

Background:
The proposed Mississippi Skyway, a pedestrian bridge over Hwy #10 has been identified within the City's Capital Improvement Plan for many years, and remains within the CIP.  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, including as a rail station enhancement, and 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 Final Design (engineering/construction). This money may also be eligible to serve as a partial 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 and 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-led infrastructure improvements along the Highway 10 corridor. Notably, the Armstrong interchange, the Riverdale Drive extension, the Northstar Rail Station with existing skyways, the Mississippi River Trail, the regional park boat landing along the Mississippi—all had multi-jurisdictional funding.

At the October 15, 2015 work session, staff reviewed with City Council the model of collaborative investments mentioned above in delivering regional infrastructure, and its application to the pedestrian overpass.  At that time the list of potential partners discussed for the project included Ramsey, Anoka County, the County Transit Investment Board (CTIB), the National Park Service (NPS), the Metropolitan Council (including perhaps Metro Transit), State of Minnesota (MnDOT, DNR), and other state and federal grants. 

Also included within that work session discussion was the following statement: 

"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 included 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."

Especially in light of the above local priorities, it would seem important to apply for each funding opportunity for the pedestrian bridge, especially when they are available for transportation infrastructure connecting to Federal lands (the skyway's role in accessing the MRT, Mississippi West Regional Park and other areas of the National Park)—and not available for other City transportation projects.  

Federal Grant Application:
The due date for the submission for a competitive grant application to the Federal Lands Access Program is December 16th, 2016.   Staff recommends applying for one million dollars.  (An estimated $2.4M is available state-wide.)  Staff recognizes that a million dollars is far short of the estimated $4.6M estimated construction cost, but feels that full funding of the skyway will be successful with a patch-work of funding, similar to the Armstrong Interchange.

Another likely funding source would be the next call for proposals in 2018 from Metropolitan Council's Transportation Advisory Board program, whereby individual multiuse trail/bridge projects are funded at up to $5.5M.  Other funding sources are mentioned in the beginning of this section.  Unknown calls for projects may be available if Congress develops additional funding for infrastructure projects.  So-called 'shovel-ready' projects may have a distinct advantages, should this occur—which leads to one of the advantages of authorizing Final Design at this time.

Final Design for the Mississippi Skyway:
As indicated, Staff is recommending developing final plans and specifications at this time, summarized as Final Design.  Attached is a scope of services proposal from Bolton & Menk Inc. for this work.  Staff recommends Council authorize up to the full $490,000 appropriated to this project for Ramsey, which would include Bolton & Menk's work, and any other eligible activity relating to Final Design or consulting services for subsequent grant applications.

It may be clarified here, that the NPS monies sunset in December of 2017, and the complexity of the Final Design work, together with submissions to MnDOT (to review for consistency with their requirements, as well as Federal funding associated with bridges), will require many months to complete.  Bolton & Menk has the expertise to perform this work, and effectively manage the process.  Additionally, the Project Manager offices across the street from City Hall, adding efficiencies from the City's perspective.
 

Applying for $1,000,000 from the Federal Lands Access Program at this time does not require the appropriation of money per se.  As indicated above, generally for a project such as the pedestrian bridge, Federal awards may be matched with other Federal funding, with the stipulation that other 'local' monies (usually 20%) are included in the total project costs. 

The required local funds ultimately required, may be from the potential partners mentioned above. Another option for local funding would be Municipal bonding, with the annual payments from the Park Trust Fund.

Staff recommends both proceeding with the Federal grant application and Final Design as presented.

Motion to approve the application for funding in the amount of one million dollars from the Federal Lands Access Program, and authorize the application of $490,000 in National Park Service funds for Final Design services by Bolton & Menk Inc.