Ramsey Resident - 2009 - March/April

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Development ~ Ramsey Makes Push for Northstar Commuter Rail Stop City working to be part of Phase I to begin service in 2009 Much excitement is building around the start-up of the Northstar Commuter Rail proj ect that is set to begin service in late 2009. With the federal full funding agreement in place, the city of Ramsey has begun efforts to secure a rail station on the first phase, with hopes to have a rail station for the Northstar Com- muter Rail's maiden voyage. Currently, the first phase is proposed to have stations in Big Lal(e, Ell( River, Anol(a, Coon Rapids and Minneapolis. Trains will use existing Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) tracks. According to the Northstar Commuter Rail website, "The Northstar Corridor from the St. Cloud area to downtown Minneapolis is one of the fastest growing transportation corridors in the state. Increased traffic congestion is forcing many residents to spend too much time in traffic and it's slowing the flow of commerce for area businesses. Northstar Commuter Rail will add much- needed transportation capacity to this region and will offer an easy, reliable and affordable way for people to travel." On January 22,2008, the city of Ramsey presented a resolution to the Northstar Commuter Development Au- thority (NCDA) seeking support to be included in the first phase of the project. "There is no doubt in my mind the Anoka County Rail Authority, and the NCDA, recognizes, and is cer- tainly in a position that they want a rail station in the city of Ramsey," according to Dan Erhart, chair of the NCDA, who was in attendance to receive the resolution on behalf of the NCDA. Natalie Haas-Steffen, Metropolitan Council Repre- sentative, stated that "the city of Ramsey had the foresight to put transit oriented development around the rail station" and that "Ramsey also had the foresight to apply for a grant to build a parking ramp that is not going to be in the Northstar budget and stands ready to serve." The Ramsey Municipal Parking Ramp is a unique element, already completed, that Ramsey could offer as a rail stop. This secure location offers protection from snow, rain, sun and other elements, while providing ease of mind lmowing that vehicles will be kept safe by security cameras and the adjacent Police Department. The city of Ramsey was successful in securing approximately $2.6 1( million in federal and state ~ grant funding to help pay for construction of the ramp with the balance paid by Ramsey Town Center area assess- ments. An additional $3.5 million in federal grant funding for a planned future expansion of the parl(ing ramp was also acquired. Service of the Ramsey Star Express, an express commuter coach service, has just completed its first year of service from the facility and has already doubled the ridership numbers since launching. Ramsey Star Express service is proposed to conclude when the Northstar Com- muter Rail commences. For questions about the Ramsey Star Express, please call 1-888-528-8880, e-mail commutercoach@commutercoach.org, or visit www.commutercoach.org. Several businesses and community members have already sent letters of support for the proj ect. Your support in favor of securing a stop on the Northstar Commuter Rail is greatly appreciated. Others are en- couraged to write the NCDA and the Anol(a County Rail Authority, as well as your elected representatives, in favor of a rail station in Ramsey. For more information on the city of Ramsey's efforts to secure a rail station on the Northstar Commuter Rail, visit www.ci.ramsey.mn.us/northstar. For informa- tion regarding the Northstar Commuter Rail project, visit www.mn-getonboard.org. You can also contact Heidi Nelson, Assistant City Administrator at 763-433-9817 or hnelson@ci.ramsey.mn.us for further information. New in Town? If you are a new resident of the city of Ramsey, please visit the Municipal Center, also known as city Hall, between 8:00 am and 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday to picl( up a new resident packet. The Municipal Center is located at 7550 Sunwood Drive. NW, east of Co born's grocery store. If you would lil(e a new resident packet mailed to you, please call Pam or Kathy at 763-427-1410. www.ci.ramsey.mn.us 3