Agenda - Economic Development Authority - 03/15/2015

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ACG Prospect Limitations Imposed by Location It is important to keep in mind that the array of prospects for a business park is more limited if the park is located immediately adjacent to a rail line. This is a direct result of vibration caused by moving freight and passenger trains. Vibration sensitive industries such as precision manufacturers may be concerned about quality control if the site on which they locate is subject to ground vibration. Low frequency vibrations caused by slow moving or heavily weighted trains are generally the most severe. In many cases, vibration - sensitive facilities can be built near operating rail lines if proper design considerations are implemented. These considerations include field vibration measurements to determine levels of vibration at the surface and below grade as appropriate, allowance for building suppression effects, and internal building vibration mitigation. In some circumstances, it is practical to modify the impacted building to reduce the vibration levels. Vibration isolation of buildings basically consists of supporting the building foundation on elastomer pads similar to bridge bearing pads. When vibration - sensitive equipment such as CNC machines will be affected by transit vibration, specific modifications to the building structure may be the most cost - effective method of controlling the impact. For example, the floor upon which the vibration sensitive equipment is located could be stiffened and isolated from the remainder of the building to reduce the vibration. Alternatively, the equipment could be isolated from the building at far less cost. According to studies conducted by the US Department of Transportation, sites located within 100 yards of the centerline of a rail line tend to experience the most vibration. In general, sites that are 300 or more feet from the centerline often experience little or no impact and can be considered by vibration sensitive industries as a site location option. Further study of the Ramsey location as it relates to current vibration levels is encouraged. It should be noted that there are numerous examples of industry located in close proximity to rail lines in the Ramsey industrial market. In some instances precision manufactures have located within 100 feet of the centerline and operated successfully using vibration mitigation techniques. There are some industrial prospects who are not vibration sensitive who will not consider Business Parks located adjacent to rail. Distribution centers would fall into this classification. Distribution centers prefer locations near a major highway with no impediments to access. Under most circumstances a rail line would be considered an impediment even if at grade rail crossings provide access to the site. Recent action taken by the City of Ramsey, the State of Minnesota and the federal government to improve the intersection of Armstrong Boulevard and Highway 10 with a new overpass will allow distribution centers to consider the site for future facilities. Ramsey Business Park Phase I Research Report 6