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AUTHORIZATION TO APPLY FOR A DEVELOPMENT GRANT THROUGH THE <br /> LIVEABLE COMMUNITIES DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM, <br /> CASE OF CITY OF RAMSEY <br /> By: Patrick Trudgeon, AICP, Principal Planner <br />Background: <br /> <br />The Metropolitan Council recently opened up a new round of funding for Development Grants <br />through the Livable Communities Demonstration Program. The grant program was created to fund <br />and assist local communities in projects that are ready for construction. The Metropolitan Council <br />has a total of $7.9 million in grant money available to disperse to metro area communities, with at <br />least 30% of the funds targeted for cities located in the developing portion of the region (which <br />includes Ramsey). There are no minimum or maximum awards as part of the grant process and there <br />is no local match required for the Development Grant. The funds can be used for hard costs such as <br />site assembly, land acquisition, demolition of existing buildings, new streets and sidewalks, and for <br />structured parking. <br /> <br />Observations: <br /> <br />Last year, the City was awarded $800,000.00 in LCDA Development Grant funds to assist in the <br />construction of Sunwood Drive through Town Center. <br /> <br />The deadline for the grant applications is June 30, 2003. Metropolitan Council staff has indicated <br />that they expect to award the grants on December 10, 2003. Included with this case cover sheet is a <br />proposed resolution that authorizes Staff to apply for the Development Grant. <br /> <br />Staff is still working on completing the application and is proposing to apply for funds to assist in <br />the construction of a parking ramp near the future multi-modal transit facility and possible City Hall <br />site in the Town Center. This parking ramp is expected to cost slightly more than $5 million. Staff is <br />anticipating requesting approximately $2.6 million, which is roughly half of the cost of constructing <br />the parking ramp near the multi-modal transit facility. Staff is also investigating using Park and <br />Ride funds received from MnDOT to assist in the funding of the parking ramp. <br /> <br />Recommendation: <br /> <br />City Staff recommends adoption of the resolution authorizing staff to apply for an LCDA <br />Development Grant. <br /> <br />Council Action: <br /> <br />Motion to adopt Resolution #03-06- authorizing staff to apply for a LCDA Development Grant. <br /> <br />Review Checklist: <br />City Administrator <br />Community Development Director <br />Principal City Engineer <br /> <br />CC: 06/24/03 <br /> <br />-297- <br /> <br /> <br />