Agenda - Council - 03/24/2009 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Councilmember ,introduced the. following resolution and moved for its adoption: RESOLUTION # 09-03-XX RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE ANOKA COUNTY REGIONAL RAIL AUTHORITY AND NORTHSTAR CORRIDOR DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY TO INITIATE THE FINAL DESIGN AND ENVIRONMENTAL DOCUMENTATION TO PROVIDE A FULLY FUNCTIONING RAIL STATION IN THE CITY OF RAMSEY. WHEREAS, the City of Ramsey has long recognized and supported the role of the Northstar Corridor Rail project to both reduce congestion on Trunk Highway 10 and create unique development opportunities along the corridor; and WHEREAS, the City of Ramsey has planned for and is implementing amaster-planned transit oriented development along the corridor in the Ramsey Town Center project; and WHERES, the Ramsey City Council took action on March 17~', 2009 to settle litigation between the City and MinnWest Bank Central and to purchase 150 acres of commercial, residential, and park land that will free this land for private development as atransit-oriented mixed use project; and WHEREAS, the addition of a Rail Station in Ramsey Town Center furthers the economic development opportunities in the Highway 10 Corridor that benefit Anoka County and the north metro region; and WHEREAS, the City of Ramsey is committed to the success of the Northstar Commuter Rail project, demonstrated by its investment in infrastructure including pedestrian connections, road improvements, civic facilities, and a municipal parking ramp created intentionally to connect to and enhance the Northstar Commuter Rail service; and WHEREAS, the City of Ramsey has been successful in garnering fmancial support for transportation improvements in the TH 10 Corridor via grants from the Metropolitan Council and the Federal Transportation Administration to include the construction of the Municipal Parking Ramp, implementation of a new express commuter coach bus service, and construction of a new east/west connection through Ramsey Town Center that will serve the Northstar Commuter Rail project; and WHEREAS, these investments, made not only by the City of Ramsey, but also by state and federal government .agencies, clearly demonstrate that the City of Ramsey is ready, willing and able to contribute to the immediate success of the Northstar Commuter Rail service; and WHEREAS, the ridership along the Northstar corridor has been enhanced with the addition of the Ramsey Star Express by adding over 42,000 riders in 2008; and WHEREAS, with the addition of a station in Ramsey, significant additional ridership and. capacity to serve the Northstar Commuter Rail project will be immediately available to support the new service. -128-