Agenda - Planning Commission - 05/04/2006

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70+ properties that need to be purchased. An additional 8 are very interested in being bought. While we have a long way to go, it is noteworthy to mention that we currently have more requests to purchase than there are funds available from Met Council. It will be a long process, but eventually the City will be a great position to receive funding. The City was also able to secure federal funds, through the help of Representative Kennedy, to start the preliminary planning for interchanges with Hwy. 10 at Sunfish Lake Blvd., Ramsey Blvd. and the Armstrong Blvd./Northwest Bridge Crossing. We have conducted an outreach program with the affected property owners and have put a lot of resources on the City website. You cnn check http://www.ci.mmse¥.mn.us/th 10.asp to take a look at potential interchange designs. We are also working collaboratively with the City of Anoka to secure additional federal funding to help the Hwy I0 corridor. Stay tuned! Congestion Mitigation Air Quality (CMAQ). The City recently received great news that they have received a federal grant award of $4.5 M to fund the construction of the second phase oft_he Municipal Parking Ramp as well as to pay for the leasing of two Northstar Commuter Coach buses. The second phase of the parking ramp will construct 200 additional stalls bringing the total number of parking space to nearly 800. With funding secured to lease two commuter coach buses to operate in the Hwy. 10 corridor, the City hopes to provide a transportation option for its residents and create built-in rider ship for the future Northstar Rail. The buses will provide express service directly from Ramsey to Downtown Minneapolis. At this point, we are hoping to have the service start on October I, 2006. Ramsey Crossings: The City expects to receive several RFP responses on May 5th for the Ramsey Crossings project. Ramsey Crossings, to be located west of Armstrong Blvd. along Hwy. I0, is anticipated to develop as. big box retail center. The City has received several inquire~2from interested developers in the past few 'weeks. At the June meeting, Staff will be bringing forward a new zoning district that is intended to be applied to the Ramsey Crossings area. The new zoning district will allow for "big box" retailers. Skyline Point: Staff has received word that the developers of the Skyline Point subdivision (across from the current City Hall) have arrived at a purchase agreement with the property located at the comer of Nowthen and Alpine Dr. This will allow a second access to be provided for this development. Staff is expecting that the Skyline Point subdivision will be on the June Planning Commission agenda. PC: 05.04.06 41