Loading...
4.3. SR 07-20-1998~ity of MEMORANDUM Item #4.3. TO: FROM: DATE: SUBJECT: Mayor & City Council Pat Klaers, City Ad¢i~tor July 20, 1998 Northstar Corridor Project Update Assistant City Planner Scott Harlicker attended the Thursday, July 9, 1998, Northstar Corridor Development Authority meeting. One of the main agenda items at this meeting was a discussion on preliminary station locations. Three potential sites in Elk River had been identified as a station location with the preferred site being in or near the central business district. Attached is some agenda material from this July 9 meeting. Please note Page 2 of the June 4 minutes whereby it states that by December a specific station location should be confirmed. At this time the station locations are preliminary and are within a one to two mile range. Until more details are known about the size requirements for parking and the size of the station, it is difficult to determine if any type of redevelopment project in the central business district could work out in order to accommodate station location. Nonetheless, at this time we are trying to get an understanding of what the size requirements are for a 250 vehicle parking lot and where a lot of this size could fit in the community. Scott will be in attendance at this meeting to provide the Council with an update on the July 9 Northstar Corridor meeting. Please see his attached 13065 Orono Parkway · P.O. Box 490 · Elk River, MN 55330 · TDD & Phone: (612) 441-7420 · Fax: (612) 441-7425 ~ity of iver ITEM 4.3. MEMORANDUM TO: FROM: DATE: Mayor and City Council Scott Harlicker, Planning Assista~ July 9, 1998 SUBJECT: Update Northstar Corridor Project At the July 9th meeting of the Northstar Corridor Development Authority the Authority discussed and identified preliminary station locations along the corridor. There were 11 station locations identified extending from Rice in the north to northeast Minneapolis in the south. The 11 locations are as follows: Rice Downtown St. Cloud East St. Cloud Clear Lake Becker Big Lake Elk River Ramsey Anoka Coon Rapids Fridley Northeast Minneapolis Note: Anoka and Ramsey identified a shared location near the technical college. On Friday June 26th the Authority held an information meeting. At that meeting representatives from the various communities identified 3 potential station locations and of those three a preferred location. This information was collected by BRW, analyzed and the results presented at the July 9th meeting of the Authority. Each community had an opportunity to comment on and approve the location chosen by BRW. The chosen locations will be given to Burlington Northern to use in it's capacity analysis model. The locations are preliminary and are subiect to change. The preferred location for Elk River was downtown. Most of the communities that had an opportunity to have a station located downtown listed that as their preferred location. Each community will have an opportunity to fully analyze potential locations and come up with a final location sometime this fall. \\elkriver\sys\shrdoc\planning\scott\ncdaup 3.doc 13065 Orono Parkway · P.O. Box 490 · Elk River, MN 55330 · TDD & Phone: (612) 441-7420 · Fax: (612) 441-7425 Commuter rai moving forward Laurie Blake St. Cloud-to-Minneapolis line would run on freight tracks Will commuters find a place on the Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway's freight line between downtown Minneapolis and St. Cloud? The question will be answered by the end of the year. A $350,000 study is looking at the feasibility of using about 66 miles of the freight line for commuter trains, morning and evening. The communities along the rail line have turned to commuter rail as a possible alternative to Hwy. l0 because the area served by the highway is growing faster than any other sector of the state. Southbound morning traffic on Hwy. l0 typically is backed up from Coon Rapids Boulevard north to Anoka's Main Street. Because there are no plans to widen the high.way, someday the jam will back up as far as Elk River, said Tim Yantos, an Anoka county administrator who is overseeing the commuter rail study. The study will reveal whether the freight line can offer an alter- native to this traffic congestion, Yantos said. When the study is f'mished, it will spell out operat- ing and capital costs, predict rid- ership, locate stations, explore land use issues and lay out envi- ronmental impacts of commuter rail along Hwy. 10 through what is called the Northstar Corridor. The results will be the basis for negotiations with the Burling- ton Northern and Santa Fe rail- road on the use of the line. This commuter route is among seven whose potential is being analyzed in a separate study by the Minnesota Department of Transportation. The other routes extend to Forest Lake, Hastings, Northfield, Bethel and Young America, and one runs between Minneapolis and St. Paul. Among other things, the state study will spell out how much the state would have to invest to pro- vide commuter rail service on these routes and what the costs and benefits of that investment would be, according to Al Vogel, the department's director of the office of rail and waterways. His final report is due Feb. 1. Although no one route is offi- cially ahead of the'others at this point, the Northstar Corridor is a standout. A total of 24 cities, counties, townships and railroad authori- ties along the route from Minne- apolis to St. Cloud have joined forces to position their commuter rail project for federal and state funding by moving ahead with their own feasibility study, one that is more detailed than the one the state is performing. The mute has the blessing of U.S. Rep~ James Oberstar, D- Minn., who helped secure the federal funds for the study. And, reportedly, the railroad is · ' open to the idea. "They [Burlington Northern Santa Fei said of all the projects in the nation that they are look- ing at working on, there are only two that seem really viable to them: Seattle's and ours," Yantos said. 'Workhorses'. There are no grandiose plans for this commuter line. The pro-. motets are not claiming it will change growth patterns or draw special development to the northern suburbs. "There are show horses and there are workhorses," said Ano- ka County Commissioner Paul McCarron. "We kind of like to think we are the workhorses. What there is here is a hell of a work force,' McCarron said. "It's a matter of opportunity," Yantos said. "The track is there. It's a top-grade track. You can go as fast as you want to go on it. It's here. The growth is happening. And the question is, do you take the opportunity that's in place to make things better for people?" Star Tribune map by .lane Friedmann Move over, light rail If everything, including state and federal funding, were to fall into place for the route, commut- er trains could be rolling in three to four years, Yantos said. That timing could put it ahead of the opening of the Hiawatha Avenue light-rail line, scheduled for 2003. The commuter rail project-- estimated to cost a "couple hun- dred million," according to Yan- tos w would be less expensive than the 12-mile light-rail line between downtown Minneapolis and the Mall of America. That will cost an estimated $400 mil- lion, plus more to route it through downtown Minneapolis. If both projects are completed, · the two raiHines would connect between N. 5th Street and N. 7th Street behind the Target Center in downtown Minneapolis. g Comments are welcome. Call: 675-9016; e-mail: Gettingthere@startribune. com; fax: 673-4359, or send mail to Getting There, Star Tribune, 425 Portland Ay. S., Minneapolis, MN 55488. In order to be pub- lished, comments must include your full name, community, and day and evening phone num- hers. The column runs on Thursday. loin the Getting There discus- sion online at http://www. startribune, comlgettingthere. Northstar Corridor Development Authority Thursday, July 9, 1998 4:30 p.m. Sherbume County Government Center Elk River, MN 55330 Minutes &the June 4, 1998 Meeting* Major Investment Study a. General Discussion on Purpose and Need* b. Preliminary Station Locations* - Report from Land Use Fomrn, June 26 Recommendation for Further TEchnical Analysis (ridership and capacity modeling) c. Public Involvement Update 3. 1999 Budget* Report on Meeting with Burlington Northern Santa Fe Other Action Requested Approval Discussion Approval Information Consider Executive Committee Recommendation Information Documentation Enclosed Please Note: The joint powers agreement requires a two-thirds majority to approve the budget. Your attendance at this meeting is important. ka.i',l-I:\7-9-9 8.DOC PLEASE NOTE: THIS REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE IS IN "DRAFT" FORM AND ARE NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN ANY MANNER, UNTIL THE COMMITTEE MEMBERS HAVE REVIEWED AND APPROVED THEM NORTHSTAR CORRIDOR DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY Regular Meeting Minutes June 4, 1998 The Northstar Corridor Development Authority met on June 4, 1998, at the Sherburne County Government Center in the City of Elk River, Minnesota. The following members, alternates and citizens were present: Steve Billings, Jim Dickinson, Hank Duitsman, Gerry Donlin, Dan Erhart, Gary Erickson, Tom Gamec, Paul Goenner, Duane Grandy, Natalie Haas Steffen, Gary Hammer, Scott Harlicker, Sonja Hayden Berg, Tim Howe, Jerry Leese, Terry Nagorski, Jerry Newton, LeRoy Pauley, Ken Paulson, Tom Ryan, Lewis Stark, Mark Stenglein, Al Seppelt, Richard Turch, Betsy Wergin, Tim Yantos, Mary Richardson, David Loch, Elliot Perovich, Gary Erickson, Jim Barton, Brian Roper, Tom Cruikshank, Rick Speak, El Tinklenberg, Stephanie Eiler, Mary Beth Christensen, Mike Christensen, Lynn George, Dick Wolsfeld and Elizabeth Colburn of BRW, Inc. The following members and alternates were absent: Pete Beberg, Erv Danielowski, Walt Fehst, Roger Fraser, Mark Freeburg, Ray Friedl, Daniel Goggins, Jon Haukaas, Don-Jolly, Thomas Madigan, Paul McCarron, Robert Monk, John Norgren, Ewald Peterson o Chairperson Wergin called the meeting to order at 4:40 p.m. A motion was made by Sonja Hayden Berg, seconded by Duane Grandy and carried unanimously to ratify the Report of the Committee of the Whole from the meeting held on May 7, 1998, to the NCDA as presented. Tim Yantos updated the Committee on the status of the Federal Legislation - Transportation Equity Act - 21 (TEA 21) Bill (formerly known as the ISTEA Bill) indicating that the Bill has been passed by the House and Senate and is currently waiting for President Clinton's signature. Dick Wolsfeld, BRW, presented an overview of the Major Investment Study (MIS) conducted by BRW including the project schedule, costs, and responsible parties for the system. The project schedule was distributed. Considerable discussion was held on the amount and type of "public involvement", including the proposed City/County/Township Planning Forum. No, tastar Corridor Development Regular Meeting Minutes June 4, 1998 Page 2 PLEASE NOTE: THIS REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE IS IN "DRAFT" FORM AND ARE NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN ANY MANNER, UNTIL THE COMMITTEE MEMBERS HAVE REVIEWED AND APPROVED THEM At the July meeting of the Northstar Corridor Development Authority, Board members will be to asked recommend to BRW the approximate station locations (within a 1-2 mile range) for the planning process. the December 1998 meeting, specific station locations must be confirmed. By BRW is working toward creating a "link" to the various City/County/Township Websites to allow citizens to learn more about the transit system in addition to a public newsletter. It was the consensus of the Committee to request BRW to conduct public information meetings at three locations along the Corridor, for example: St. Cloud, Big Lake, Blain/Coon Rapids area. A motion was made by Hank Duitsman, seconded by Tom Ryan and carried unanimously to approve the Public Involvement Strategy as amended (public meetings at three locations) with the following objectives: Objective #1: Involve stakeholders in critical elements of the MIS process Objective #2: Inform general public of activities and build support BRW distributed a model entitled: "Measures of Effectiveness for Locally Preferred Vision Evaluation." Mr. Wolsfeld reviewed the model's goals, evaluation criteria and measures of effectiveness. The goals included: a. Improved mobility and safety within the Corridor, b. Minimize the adverse environmental impacts and foster positive' environmental effects, c. Create transportation supportive land use development patterns, and d. Provide a cost effective and efficient transportation investment strategy Northstar Corridor Development Regular Meeting Minutes June 4, 1998 Page 3 PLEASE NOTE; THIS REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE IS IN "DRAFT" FORM AND ARE NOT TO BE PUBLISHED 1N ANY MANNER, UNTIL THE COMMITTEE MEMBERS HAVE REVIEWED AND APPROVED THEM 10. BRW and the Project Management Team is recommending that a City/County/Township Planning Forum be held at the Sherburne County Government Center on June 26, 1998 (8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon) to introduce and review the project and to obtain input on potential station locations for the system. A speaker familiar with implementation of a transit system will be invited to speak at the Forum. BRW will mail invitations within the next two weeks. A motion was made by LeRoy Pauley, seconded by Gerry Donlin to approve the City/County/Township Planning Forum be held at the Sherburne County Government Center on June 26, 1998 (8:00 a.m. to noon). 12:00 A motion was made by Richard Turch, seconded by Duane Grandy and'carried unanimously to approve the City of Rice's request to be a member of the Northstar Corridor Development Authority with Mr. Patrick Cairns appointment as Member and Mr. Joe Voight as Alternate. Mary Richardson, legal council for the Northstar Corridor Development Authority, will provide the City of Rice with a copy of the Joint Powers Agreement. Tim Yantos provided an update on a meeting with Burlington Northern Santa Fe representatives. Mike Christenson, MnDot, provided a report on Hiawatha Light Rail Transit (LRT) Corridor projectd and the possible connection to the Northstar Corridor. A motion was made by Tim Yantos, seconded by Sonya Hayden Berg to request that the Executive Committee review the technical analysis and send a letter to Minneapolis offering comments on the preferred alignment. Brian Roper, representing the St. Cloud Area Planning Organization (APO), and Sonya Hayden Berg, an APO member, requested that the Area Planning Organization be included as an ex-officio member of the Project Management Team. The request will be reviewed by the Executive Committee. It was the consensus of the Authority that the APO is welcome and is encouraged to attend the monthly NCDA meetings and the City/County/Township Forum. The APO has held a key position in transportation and transit planning in the St. Cloud area and that information is vital fo the Northstar project. Northstar Corridor Development Regular Meeting Minutes June 4, 1998 Page 4 PLEASE NOTE: THIS REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE IS IN "DRAFT" FORM AND ARE NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN ANY MANNER, UNTIL THE COMMITTEE MEMBERS HAVE REVIEWED AND APPROVED THEM 11. 12. A motion was made by Gerry Donlin, seconded by Duane Grandy, to change the next meeting of the Northstar Corridor Development Authority to July 9, 1998 at 4:30 p.m. at the Sherburne County Government Center. The Chairperson adjourned the meeting at 6:15 p.m. Betsy Wergin, Chairperson Date Northstar Corridor Major Investment Study Purpose snd Need Subject Aress Improve Corridor Mobility Reduce Roadway Congestion Reduce Number and Severity of Accidents Containment of Sprawl Support Economic Development Provide Travel Choices Improve Intermodal Connections Improve Air Quality Improve Freight Service Northst,.. Corridor Major Investment Study Candidate Station Location Evaluation Station. Locatlon,~EIk R~ver~,.~~~~.~..~ ~,, ~:~,;~,;~:-~ .~,~,~,~.~..~ ~.~ ~, .~,~ .~ ~,.~... ~ ,:,~, .- ~ · ..... .. ~ · , Near Proctor · Fair access to IH 10 and ma]or roadways. · No. ., Avenue on west · Not close to downtown Elk River. · Room for park and ride. side of Elk River ~. Close proximity to existing residential land uses · Not many opportunities for economic development revitalization in both business and residential areas of the dty. Downtown Elk · Excellent way to revitalize downtown Elk River. · Yes - City of Elk River's preference for revitalization. River · Some room for park and ride but may have some parking issues associated with site. · Serves both business and residential uses. · Excellent opportunities for economic development in area surrounding station. County Road 13, · Not close to downtown Elk River. · No - not close to downtown Elk River. · Room for park and ride lot. north of TH 10 on · Close proximity to new roadways and good access to TH 10, east side of Elk 169 and bridge crossing. River · Near future industrial area and newly developing area on dty's eastern edge. · Good opportunities for economic development, however not near downtown Elk River. July, '1998 Page 5 ./in update on how the Northstar Corridor Development ~4uthority is working to improve transportation in our re~ion Federal Funds are in Hand, Thanks to Congressman Oberstar Congressman Jim Oberstar, with the cooperation of Sen. Rod Grams and the Minnesota Congressional Delegation, succeeded in securing funding for the Northstar Corridor Commuter Rail project as a part of a major transportation bill recently passed by Congress ~ signed by the President on June 9. As ranking minority member of the House Transportation Committee, Oberstar played a pivotal role in the passage of this legislation. He will continue to be the chief advocate for the Northstar Corridor in Washington, D.C. Grams sits on the Senate Banking Committee which authorizes transit expenditures. The new legislation, known as Transportation for the 21st Century (TEA 21), authorizes funding to complete the proposed major investment study, engineering, design, and construction of the project along Highway 10. These funds are in addition to the $350,000 in congressional funding provided earlier this year, through the effort of Congressman Martin Sabo, for the feasibility study of commuter rail, which is already underway. "The Northstar Corridor is one of the best and most needed projects I have sponsored in my many years in Congress," Oberstar said. "The transportation system in its current state simply can't accommodate the increasing demand to move people and goods in and out of the Twin Cities. We need a new approach to transportation in the Twin Cities and the northern suburbs." In addition to receiving the federal funds, NCDA will also receive $1.5 million from the state of Minnesota. This local amount was included in the 1998 metropolitan transitways bonding bill that the Minnesota Legislature passed earlier this spring, thanks to the work and support of the local legislative delegation. Oberstar is looking forward to seeing the project take shape, and to lending his continued support to the NCDA's work. Congressman Jim Oberstar "We're committed to developing a transportation system that can accommodate the corridor's accelerated growth in population and economic development, and ensure its long-term viability," he said. l~brk Has Begun on Northstar Corridor ......... 2 Resurgence of Commuter Rail ........................ 2 Meet the NCDA Executive Committee ............. 3 Thank You to Sup?orters ............................... 4 Work Has Begun on Northstar Corridor The Northstar Corridor Development Authority has selected the engineering firm of BRW, Inc. to examine the feasibility of introducing commuter rail service in the corridor. The consulting team, which also includes LTK Engineering Services, Wilbur Smith Associates, and Manuel Padron & Associates, Inc., began executing the work plan during the week of May 5. BRW's work plan covers several important areas. These include identifying the problems and needs in the corridor; investigating the potential for commuter rail service, including anticipated ridership and cost analysis; and encouraging public involvement. The first area - developing a clear definition of transportation problems in the corridor and their underlying causes - will provide key information to the BRW team as it assesses the future of commuter rail in the region. The team will look at highway and railroad facilities, bus service, land use and development patterns, and economic development issues. The team will also define other alternative transportation improvements, including safety improvements, intelligent transportation systems, and recreational trails, including connections to the Mississippi and Rum Rivers. Look for more updates on BRW's work in future issues of Northstar News. Resurgence of Commuter Rail Seen Across the Country Minnesota isn't the only state that is exploring the benefits of commuter rail. The resurgence of this transportation option is a national trend that is gaining strength from coast to coast. Here are three examples: California residents will get some relief from the state's infamous congestion. The Altamont Commuter Express - or ACE - will be the first commuter rail service between the San Francisco Bay Area and the state's Central Valley since the 1950s. It is designed to take thousands of cars off the Altamont Pass and Interstate 680 corridors. That's crucial, because in a little longer than a decade, about 200,000 cars are expected to travel through the Altamont Pass Corridor alone during peak morning rush hours. U.S. Route 7 in Vermont is a heavily traveled two-lane roadway with no public transportation along most of the corridor. It cannot provide adequate service for residents, commuters or tourists to the area. That's why, in addition to highway improvements and additional bus service, passenger rail has been proposed for a 12-mile stretch of the corridor from Charlotte to Burlington. The service will be especially important when work begins on improvements to Route 7; recent estimates suggest motorists will be delayed up to 40 minutes during construction. Seattle and the metropolitan Puget Sound region rank sixth in the nation in traffic congestion. To alleviate the area's traffic problems, the Central Puget Sound Regional Transportation Authority is implementing Sound Move, a three-county, region-wide transit system that includes commuter rail, light rail, and bus service. Sounder, the commuter rail component, will offer southern service from Tacoma to Seattle by the end of 1999, and northern service between Seattle and Everett by 2001. At full service levels, Sounder is expected to have an annual ridership of 3.2 million to 4.2 million people. Meet the Members of the NCDA Executive Committee etsy Wergin is also the Chair of Sherburne County Board of Commissioners and is a small business owner. "I represent one of the fastest growing areas - and fastest growing transportation corridors - in Minnesota. If we are to manage this growth effectively, we have to make Chair sure that we have a multifaceted Betsy Wergin transportation system which efficiently transports people, as well as goods." S t. Cloud City Council member Gerry Donlin, who also represents the Stearns County Regional Railroad Authority, works in utility services. "As someone involved in business activity throughout the state of. Minnesota and beyond, I know how important transportation is to any Vice Chair ~gion's economic health. The work Gerry Donlin on the Northstar Corridor means the St. Cloud area will be able to maintain its position as a growing and thriving center in Minnesota's economy." n addition to his involvement with the NCDA, Paul McCarron is an Anoka County Commissioner, Chair of the Anoka County Regional Railroad Authority, and a small business owner. ''As a senior citizen, I know how important transportation is for transit-dependent people, employees, employers, and commuters. The work Member on the Highway 10 Corridor is intended paul M¢Carron to help address transportation issues in the area, including the commercial industrial complex, employers, handicapped people, commuters and the fast growing senior population." Hennepin County Commissioner Mark Stenglein is a member of the Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority and a small business owner. "Hennepin County is excited to be a part of the Northstar Corridor planning process. The corridor represents an important access point Member for Minneapolis, and offers a Mark Stenglein tremendous opportunity to add to the north side's vitality." Steve is Fridley City Billings a Council Member and the owner of an accounting firm. "The city of Fridley has the largest commercial/industrial tax base in ~4noka County, and imports workers daily. In order for us to continue to attract high-quality employees, we will need to ensure that they have access Member to convenient, reliable transportation. Steve Billings Developing co~nmuter rail in this corridor seems to be one of our best long-term solutions." Lewis Stark is a Supervisor for Haven Township and a farmer. "Haven Township is pleased to be working with the Northstar Corridor to examine the future of transportation through our area. Our involvement means that rather than just reacting to the transportation needs in our community, we have a chance to plan for them in advance and create the kind of future we want." Member Lewis Stark · The Northstar Corridor is the fastest growing corridor in Minnesota and one of the fastest in the country. · The Twin Cities metro area is expected to add 25 percent more jobs and 33 percent more households by 2020. · The average Twin Cities driver is stuck in traffic for the equivalent of three full working days a year. · Growth in other communities along the corridor is also expected to explode by 2020 - 37 percent in Anoka, 72 percent in Sherburne County, 232 percent in Elk River, and 402 percent in Becker. You Made the Difference Thank you to everyone who called, wrote, faxed, e-mailed or visited your state legislators and members of Congress about funding for the Northstar Corridor. Your efforts and enthusiasm were crucial in securing the money to continue with the study, design, engineering and construction of commuter rail service in the corridor. Because of you, thousands of people in this region stand to benefit. The Northstar Corridor, Steam, which runs from Minneapolis to the St. Cloud area, was recently named the number one corridor for potential commuter rail service by Mn/DOT. In addition to commuter rail, other forms of transportation are being considered for the corridor. Isantl Wright Anoka Hennepin Brooklyn Park Ramsey · Unsafe conditions along the Northstar Corridor currently contribute to more than 1,000 accidents each year, which cost an average of $15 million annually. · The Northstar Corridor Development Authority includes nearly two dozen governmental units, from the state's largest county to townships and small cities. For more information on the Northstar Corridor, call Tim Yantos, Executive Director of the Anoka County Regional Railroad Au thorit); at 612/323-5692 or David Loch, Sherburne County Administrator, at 612/241-2701.