Agenda - Parks and Recreation Commission - 02/13/2014

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Section IV. What specific outcomes will be delivered to the region as a result of activities directly associated with the proposed TOD Proiect? 1. Provide a description of the TOD Project. Coefficient convergence of connectivity characterizes this pedestrian overpass . This TOD project will position the Met Council, Ramsey and the National Park Service to compete sucessfully for the 'Paul S. Sarbanes' grant - a Federal Transportation program specifically for multi -modal connections to National Park destinations. The bridge will quite literally connect the rail station and parking ramp to Ramsey's trail and sidewalk system, to National Park, the Mississippi River Trail, and the Central Anoka County Regional Trail. Further, creating efficient pedestrian access to Mississippi West Regional Park, the COR and transit - will allow and encourage residents throughout the Metro to access this 273 -acre natural resouce- based park and pristine 'headwaters' of the 72 -mile National Park. Additionally, by providing access to the COR from the south side of the highway, it is forecasted that Ramsey's ridership at the Northstar stop will increase due to connectivity by bicycle from the existing townhomes and single family dwellings. 2. Describe the qualities of this TOD Project that make it a good demonstration that can be replicated in other TOD Areas. These qualities include the TOD Project's design, its compactness, mix of uses, the anticipated FAR, the functions it provides, how it connects with other functions inside and outside the Named TOD Area, its financing partnerships, etc. In addition to the significant economic impact and job creation the pedestrian overpass will cause, this improvement will demonstrate that trails and parks are an essential element of Livable Communities and sustainable economies. The Mississippi Skyway will connect the Mississippi River Trail (*MRT), a 3,000 mile, world-class bikeway to the Northstar Communter rail station - providing opportunities for region -wide tourism using this multi -modal facility. Focusing on bicycle and pedestrian connections to the MRT will be a valuable demonstration for other TOD Areas in the transitway, as the Northstar rail line parallels perfectly the MRT from Ramsey to Minneapolis, and through St. Paul. The project is compact and 'mixed use' as it adds another layer of transportation by utilizing existing space OVER the highway and rail ROWs. Additionally, the Skyway will expand the TOD functionally by effective connection of the Regional Park across the Highway to the rail station and the COR. * http://www.dot.state.mn.us/bike/mrt.html 3. Provide a description of the requested grant funded activities: i.e., for what purposes does the applicant propose to use TOD grant funds? The TOD Pre -Development funds will be used to collect and prepare all remaining information and approvals for the 'Mississippi Skyway' (except the actual Bidding Documents) for submission for Federal Funding (see Sec. IV, 1 above). To include: A) Base information gathering required to perform final design process: $45,000 - geotechnical, survey & project team site analysis. Create documents (with graphics to clearly present and communicate design ideas), and establish professional direction and permitting required to perform geotechnical, soil borings, and surveys.