Agenda - Council - 04/25/2017 - Laserfiche WebLink

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Central Anoka County Trail will provide several direct regional connections to: » Bunker Hills Regional Park Project Need and Intent » Coon Creek Regional Trail The Mississippi Skyway pedestrian bridge will provide a critical » Cities of Anoka,Blaine and Coon Rapids park and trail systems direct pedestrian and bicycle connection between the City of » City of Ramsey s 50 miles of trails Ramsey's 400-acre pedestrian-oriented'COR'development,the Rum River Central Regional Park Ramsey Northstar Station,Ramsey Park&Ride and the resources associated with the Mississippi River and attendant regional City of Ramsey,or the Center of Ramsey referred to as The COR amenities. Currently,Trunk Highway 10(TH 10)and the parallel The City of Ramsey, with the Metropolitan Council, has BNSF Railway Company and Metro Transit Northstar Commuter envisioned a multi-modal town center entitled The COR with Rail railroad corridor are barriers to safe pedestrian and bicycle access via commuter rail, car, bicycle, and on foot. The 'COR' access between The COR and the river. development is a planned 400 acre mixed-use and transit- At its heart, the project is about overcoming boundaries to oriented development site located north of TH 10 between safe bicycle and pedestrian circulation while expanding and CSAH 83 and CSAH 56. In the next years, the site is projected enhancing multi-modal transportation,economic development to add 6,550 people and 2,830 jobs. The COR includes a mix of and recreational options to promote a livable, vibrant region residential housing choices for people of all incomes. and community. Establishing parks and creating quality recreational and open space opportunities remains a high priority for the City.The CITY Regional Amenities and Connections OF RAMSEY 2030 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE identifies The Mississippi Skyway provides the connection between the need to "Create vehicular and non-vehicular linkages to regional amenities creating an effective nexus between housing, neighboring communities and between city neighborhoods, transportation, employment and recreation. The Mississippi trails, recreation, work and shopping"as a component of their Skyway will link existing and future public investments with a future planning checklist. This project serves to continue to single project,enhancing the value of each. develop non-vehicular modes of transportation, and link all of the area's transportation systems in the spirit of that goal. Mississippi River Ramsey Northstar Commuter Rail Station and Park&Ride The Mississippi River, known as America's Treasure, is a vital ecological feature on a global,national,and regional scale. The The Ramsey Northstar Commuter Rail Station and Park & stretch of river from Ramsey and Dayton down through theTwin Ride facility, equipped with publicly available Electric Vehicle Cities area to Hastings is designated as a National Park entitled charging stations, provide accessible, affordable and quick the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area (MNRRA). transit access to the larger metro region. The station is adjacent The river within Ramsey is also a part of the State's Wild and to The COR and would be directly connected to the Mississippi Scenic River system. A prominent part of the MNRRA is the 273- Skyway pedestrian bridge,enhancing ridership and accessibility. acre Mississippi West Regional Park in Ramsey, which includes Opened in November 2012, the Northstar Station provides a an existing trail from the river to the touchdown point of the 35-minute ride to the region's largest job center, downtown proposed skyway. The master plan for the park forecasts an Minneapolis. Furthermore,at the Northstar's terminus at Target interpretive center to compliment the native plant community Field Station in downtown Minneapolis, Blue Line light rail restorations and recreational river access. transit connections are available to the airport,Mall of America, and scattered employment sites in Minneapolis neighborhoods. Regional Trail Connections The Green Line provides additional access to the University The Mississippi River Regional Trail from Mississippi West of Minnesota, Downtown Saint Paul, and many Saint Paul Regional Park to Anoka will be complete in the Spring of 2015. neighborhoods. The Mississippi Skyway will expand access to This trail is also designated US Bikeway#45 with attendant trail these publicly funded investments. connections to the entire Metropolitan Park and Trail system. The Mississippi Skyway will also allow the Central Anoka County Trail to be re-aligned through Ramsey's COR to the Mississippi River Trail and Mississippi West Regional Park. i I Mississippi Skyway Over TH10 Preliminary Engineering Report December 2014