Agenda - Parks and Recreation Commission - 05/13/2010

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Transportation Enhancements Category Criteria (800 points) • Bicycle and Pedestrian Pathway Group (Qualifying Activities 1, 2, and 8) 1. Urgency/Significance (250 points). Discuss how the project proposes or addresses each of the following: • Takes advantage of atime-sensitive opportunity, e.g., a willing landowner, cost savings, affiliation with another project, competing development opportunities RESPONSE: There are several favorable project affiliations. One is the 2009 investment of $41,173 in irrigation and benches scheduled for Riverdale Park in Ramsey. This 4+ acre park will serve Regional Trail users with the rest facilities the Transportation Enhancements will incent. After irrigation, the space will be comfortable and aesthetically pleasing, adding measurable value for trail users; consistent with Minnesota Statutes Chapter 116D. The cost of the shelter with restroom and drinking fountain proposed above is in excess of $81,709. Also occurring in 2009, will be the construction of one quarter mile of 10' foot trail with river overlook and access within Mississippi West Park, north to the future pedestrian overpass, connecting to Ramsey's parkingramp and future commuter rail station. This project funded by the city of Ramsey, includes significant native plantings, species appropriate rain gardens, and bolder seat walls and represents $130,000 in value. The $145,000 rail station preliminary design and environmental review was also completed in 2009. The final design, and environmental approval is anticipated to be complete in 2010, and will be funded by the city of Ramsey and the North Star Regional Rail Authority. This project alone represents over one million dollars in additional value to the Mississippi River Trail and the region. The county and municipal connections exhibit reveals the trail's proximity to Ramsey Town Center and this Transportation Enhancement project. Addresses a significant opportunity, un-met need or problem as relates to the development of an integrated bicycle or pedestrian transportation network; or providing asafe/enjoyable bicycle or pedestrian route. RESPONSE: In addition to the anticipated trails in Mississippi West Regional Park, the half mile of trail within King's Island will be unprecedentedly scenic along this Regional Trail on the Mississippi. 2. Impact (250 points). Discuss how the project addresses each element below (respond as appropriate to A. or B., not both): A. Bike/Ped Infrastructure (QA #1, and QA #8): • Fills gaps, overcomes barriers, connects system segments and/or otherwise seizes on a significant opportunity in pedestrian bicycle network. The applicant should provide a map showing the location of the project within the context of an existing and planned bicycle or pedestrian network. If the project is removing a barrier, the applicant should demonstrate the magnitude of the barrier (number of lanes, average daily traffic, posted speed, etc.) and how the proposed project will improve travel across that barrier. RESPONSE: The trails funded by this project will fulfill the most critical missing segment in the north metro. This project is a Metropolitan Parks and Open Space Commission Regional Trail, and a trail ranked as one of ]0 `High Priorities' of the National Park Service's Trails and Open Space Partnership. This trail is also a valuable component of the 10-state Mississippi River Trail, from the Headwaters in Minnesota to New Orleans. (Please reference attached exhibits) • Project provides ahigh-demand facility or program. Relative levels of demand will be determined using population density and connections to significant travel attractors. Metropolitan Council staff will determine population density using 2000 residential population within one mile of the project. The applicant should also list below significant destinations that are near the facility or that the facility provides close connections to. Destinations can be recreation areas such as parks, beaches, rivers, lakes, etc; or commercial or mixed-use districts, major employment areas or other major cultural destinations. RESPONSE: The 2000 census data will underreport the existing the benefiting users within one mile of the approximate one and half mile of improvements. The image below, as one example, depicts a townhome