Ramsey Resident - 2008 - March/April

Home

Efwfmpqnfou Ramsey Makes Push for Northstar Commuter Rail Stop City working to be part of Phase I to begin service in 2009 Much excitement is Ramsey was successful in building around the start-up securing approximately $2.6 of the Northstar Commuter million in federal and state Rail project that is set to begin grant funding to help pay for service in late 2009. With the construction of the ramp with federal full funding agreement in place, the city of Ramsey the balance paid by Ramsey Town Center area assess- has begun efforts to secure a rail station on the ﬁ rst phase, ments. An additional $3.5 million in federal grant funding with hopes to have a rail station for the Northstar Com-for a planned future expansion of the parking ramp was muter Rail’s maiden voyage. Currently, the ﬁ rst phase is also acquired. proposed to have stations in Big Lake, Elk River, Anoka, Service of the Ramsey Star Express, an express Coon Rapids and Minneapolis. Trains will use existing commuter coach service, has just completed its ﬁ rst year Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) tracks.of service from the facility and has already doubled the According to the Northstar Commuter Rail ridership numbers since launching. Ramsey Star Express website, “The Northstar Corridor from the St. Cloud area service is proposed to conclude when the Northstar Com- to downtown Minneapolis is one of the fastest growing muter Rail commences. For questions about the Ramsey transportation corridors in the state. Increased trafﬁ c Star Express, please call 1-888-528-8880, e-mail congestion is forcing many residents to spend too much commutercoach@commutercoach.org, or visit time in trafﬁ c and it’s slowing the ﬂ ow of commerce for www.commutercoach.org. area businesses. Northstar Commuter Rail will add much- Several businesses and community members have needed transportation capacity to this region and will offer already sent letters of support for the project. an easy, reliable and affordable way for people to travel.”Your support in favor of securing a stop on the Northstar On January 22, 2008, the city of Ramsey presented Commuter Rail is greatly appreciated. Others are en- a resolution to the Northstar Commuter Development Au-couraged to write the NCDA and the Anoka County Rail thority (NCDA) seeking support to be included in the ﬁ rst Authority, as well as your elected representatives, in favor phase of the project.of a rail station in Ramsey. “There is no doubt in my mind the Anoka County For more information on the city of Ramsey’s Rail Authority, and the NCDA, recognizes, and is cer-efforts to secure a rail station on the Northstar Commuter tainly in a position that they want a rail station in the city Rail, visit www.ci.ramsey.mn.us/northstar. For informa- of Ramsey,” according to Dan Erhart, chair of the NCDA, tion regarding the Northstar Commuter Rail project, visit who was in attendance to receive the resolution on behalf www.mn-getonboard.org. You can also contact Heidi of the NCDA.Nelson, Assistant City Administrator at 763-433-9817 or Natalie Haas-Steffen, Metropolitan Council Repre-hnelson@ci.ramsey.mn.us for further information. sentative, stated that “the city of Ramsey had the foresight to put transit oriented development around the rail station” New in Town? and that “Ramsey also had the foresight to apply for a grant to build a parking ramp that is not going to be in the If you are a new resident of the city of Ramsey, Northstar budget and stands ready to serve.” please visit the Municipal Center, also known as city Hall, The Ramsey Municipal Parking Ramp is a unique between 8:00 am and 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday element, already completed, that Ramsey could offer as to pick up a new resident packet. The Municipal Center a rail stop. This secure location offers protection from is located at 7550 Sunwood Drive. NW, east of Coborn's snow, rain, sun and other elements, while providing ease grocery store. of mind knowing that vehicles will be kept safe by security If you would like a new resident packet mailed to cameras and the adjacent Police Department. The city of you, please call Pam or Kathy at 763-427-1410. www.ci.ramsey.mn.us 3