Agenda - Council - 10/14/1997 - Laserfiche WebLink

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I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I NORTHSTAR CORRIDOR DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY BETSY WERGIN, CHAIR 8HERBURNE COUNTY GERRY DONLIN, VICE CHAIR. ST. CLOUD CIT~ EX~,C~ COMMI l-lk,E: PAUL MCCARRON ANOKA COUNT~ MARY TAMBOKNIN 0 I-IENNEPIN COUNTY STEVE BILLINGS CITY OF FRIDLEY LEWIS STARK HAVEN TOWNSHIP BETSY WERGIN SI-IERBURNE COUN'I~ GERRY DONLIN ST. CLOUD CiTY 21 O0 3~Avenue Anoka, M3155303 (612) 323-5680 Fax: (612) 323-5682 September 25, 1997 The Honorable Tom Gamec Mayor, City of Ramsey 16021 Neon Street NW Ramsey, MN 55303 Dear Colleague: I am writing to update you on several important developments concerning our Northstar Corridor project. First, thank you for your involvement and support for the Flexliner demonstration event. I cannot recall another transportation related activity that generated so much excitement - with the public, with elected officials, and with the media. We demonstrated not only how well the train could work, but how well we could work together - and in terms of the future of our counties, our communities, and our corridor, that may be the most important accomplishment. The event was a success, and we should be proud of that. Our challenge now is to turn a demonstration event into our transportation future. Our application for federal funding is moving along in Congress, and it's important to remember that the application is for a multi modal study of the corridor. As successful as the demonstration was, commuter rail is only one improvement among many that we intend to consider. The good news is that there is an opportunity for a $500,000 grant in the appropriations bill, as well as the $6 million request we have proposed to be included in the ISTEA legislation. Right now, the prospects of the House passing a multi-year reauthorization of the ISTEA bill seem to be improving, although this changes daily. Many of the decisions affecting our project will be made this week, and we all need to be making phone calls, writing letters and doing our part to deliver our message. As was reported at one of our NCDA meetings, Mn/DOT has been authorized to conduct a study of potential commuter rail corridors out of the Twin Cities. That effort is underway and we will be monitoring it closely to assure that the Northstar Corridor gets adequate and positive attention.