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<br />Councilmember Dehen stated that the issue he had - and he was one of the advocates - is <br />to go ahead and bump Armstrong 71 feet to the northwest and fix that intersection - it <br />seems if we ramp up by Coborn's as we are going west, that whole Coborn's pond area <br />will be looking at one big structure. That would probably be bad for business. That's <br />why he advocated pushing it back. The second reason is now we have a new business <br />sitting on that area - US Bank. He felt it would be better to come around back. <br /> <br />Director of Public Works Olson stated that if that's the direction, that's what staff will <br />explore. He talked about MnDOT and that we would have to agree to get rid of the <br />westerly ramps and that MnDOT will be part of the discussion. He added that we did not <br />lose Comfort Suites as part of that design. We go through the process and try to come up <br />with the most cost effective solutions. <br /> <br />Councilmember Dehen talked about the visioning, etc. and mentioned that there is a 35- <br />year plan and a five to 10 year plan and they seem to be somewhat conflicting. If there is <br />going to be an error - error on the five-year plan. <br /> <br />Mr. Olson added that we will be asked if we are willing to give up some local access <br />perspective to get whatever interchange is proposed. Mr. Olson stated he thought we <br />would lose two westerly ramps west of the bridge. <br /> <br />Discussion ensued relating to long-term visions. The City may be asked what we would <br />be willing to give up in 25 years. Mr. Olson thought we could talk them into getting <br />these two ramps permanently. The further you move it to the west, the harder it will be to <br />get even this one ramp. <br /> <br />A comment was made about the lack of flexibility the City will have. The question was <br />asked can we tighten this up a bit - put retaining walls in and another comment made was <br />that this will not save the bank. <br /> <br />Councilmember Wise stated that Councilmember Dehen's concerns about looking down <br />on Caribou - Ridgedale Mall is elevated on two of the highways and he felt that <br />improved visibility. Any options farther west will not take care of the Town Center now. <br />He felt that some of the other options talked about are not really options. We will have a <br />mess to deal with in the not too distant future. <br /> <br />City Engineer Himmer stated that in one of the proposals there were some exhibits of <br />virtual drawings over by Coborn's. There is better visibility coming over and looking <br />down. <br /> <br />Councilmember Wise stated the retailers are looking for more visibility. <br /> <br />Councilmember Look stated he did not know if he would oppose an above grade <br />overpass at Armstrong but he didn't know if he wanted to pay for it. It's part of the <br />freeway status plan to include that. If that includes the bank, it includes the bank. To try <br />to light a little fire under the bridge concept - that seems to be moving all over the map <br /> <br />City Council Work Session - September 29,2009 <br />Page 3 of 11 <br />