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<br />Boulevard including Rhinestone Street. He stated that the initial engineering estimates for this <br />project are around $2.4 million. He stated that he thinks it is possible to move forward, but the <br />process will need to move quickly. <br /> <br />Councilmember Elvig asked if the Met Council would accept this alternate use for the grant <br />money. <br /> <br />Public Works Director Olson stated that they seemed supportive at a recent meeting, but <br />understands that more recently, there has been discussion about whether they would allow the <br />money transfer. He stated that the only action he is looking for tonight is to advertise for bids, <br />which does not necessarily mean the project will move forward, but if it does, it will keep things <br />on schedule. <br /> <br />Councilmember Elvig stated that he is concerned that if the City moves forward with the <br />streets cape plans, the work will eventually be cut into as the RTC moves forward. He asked if <br />the City could construct a moveable amphitheater in an alternate location that would be moved to <br />the R TC site when possible. <br /> <br />Public Works Director Olson stated that he thinks the odds of that being approved are few. <br /> <br />City Administrator Ulrich stated that another option was to build a theater or gazebo east of the <br />office building across the street from City Hall and while the Met Council felt this was a good <br />alternative, they liked the idea of sidewalks better. He stated that an extension would give us the <br />most flexibility because the money could be held and used for its original purpose. <br /> <br />Councilmember Look stated that he would like to lobby for the extension of the grant. <br /> <br />Public Works Director Olson stated that he thinks it is important that the City move forward and <br />reviewed some of the plans for the sidewalk widths and streetscape plans. He stated that the <br />Council should also know that in the current 2008 LCDA grant, amphitheaters are not an <br />acceptable improvement. He stated that the City can always scale back the streetscape <br />improvements plans if it needs to. He stated that he received an e-mail from Amy Geisler stating <br />that she does not have a clear impression which way the Met Council is leaning regarding this <br />issue. He stated that he understands that there will be portions of this that will end up being <br />temporary and is doing everything the City can to keep the $2.4 million cost down, such as <br />looking into buying plants and putting them in ourselves. <br /> <br />Mayor Gamec suggested that the corrections facility crew could be used for the plantings and <br />that the garden club has also been looking for a project. <br /> <br />Public Works Director Olson stated that Connexus also has 45 lights in stock that could be put <br />up immediately. <br /> <br />Councilmember Look asked what kind of staff time would need to be put into advertising and <br />planning for this streets cape project. <br /> <br />City Council Work Session / March 11,2008 <br />Page 5 of7 <br />