Loading...
6.1. - 6.3. SR 1-08-1996'ty of iver ITEMS 6.t . 6.3. MEMORANDUM MAYOR & CITY COUNCIL FROM: DATE: WILLIAM RUBIN, ED COORDINATO~5~ ~.~ JANUARY 8, 1996 SUBJECT: INTERMODAL SURFACE TRANSPORTATION EFFICIENCY ACT (ISTEA) GRANT APPLICATION TOPICS/ISSUES Introduction At its meeting on January 8, the Elk River City Council will be asked to consider three matters concerning the ISTEA Grant Application relating to the Mississippi Riverfront Pathway Project: To consider source(s) for the non-federal share of the project costs; To consider a presentation by Hoisington Koegler Group concerning the contents of the ISTEA Grant application; and, To consider a resolution of support of the ISTEA Grant application. Background Since its formation in August of 1994, the HRA's Riverfront Corridor Committee has diligently participated in the development of concept plans for the Mississippi Riverfront Pathway Project in downtown Elk River. In October of 1995, the concept plans were approved by the HRA and City Council. As a result, this enabled the Riverfront Committee to advance the project to its next phase. A component of this phase is the preparation of a grant application for Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) funds. The ISTEA funds only cover a portion of a project's total costs. In fact, the average federal funding request has historically been approximately $258,000 per project. As a result, each applicant, known as the sponsoring agency, is required to secure and guarantee the local share of costs associated with their respective project. On a separate attachment, a variety of sources has been identified for this exercise. 13065 Orono Parkway · P.O. Box 490 · Elk River, MN 55330 · (612) 441-7420 · Fax: (612) 441-7425 Assuming the non-federal shares can be agreed upon, the City Council will next hear a presentation on Elk River's ISTEA grant request. The ISTEA request is for a transportation enhancement project. While bicycle facilities and pedestrian facilities are examples of eligible enhancement projects, a decision has been made to pursue the historical component of the Mississippi Riverfront Pathway Project. This was done in order to potentially score higher points in the application. Mr. Bruce L. Chamberlain, RLA, will be in attendance to provide an overview of Elk River's ISTEA grant application. Following this presentation, the last action item for the City Council is the adoption of a resolution of support concerning Elk River's sponsorship of an ISTEA grant for a transportation enhancement project. A component of this resolution is a document entitled Agreement to Maintain Facility. Under this agreement, the City of Elk River agrees to assume full responsibility for the operation and maintenance of facilities related to the transportation enhancement project (Mississippi Riverfront Pathway Project). Action Requested The Elk River City Council is asked to: 1. Identify and finalize various sources of the non-federal local share of the Mississippi Riverfront Pathway Project costs not funded by ISTEA dollars; 2. Hear a presentation from Hoisington Koegler Group concerning the details of Elk River's ISTEA grant application; and, 3. Adopt a resolution of support of an ISTEA grant for a transportation enhancement project. MISSISSIPPI RIVERFRONT PATHWAY PROJECT FINANCING ILL US TRA TIO N Elk River Municipal Utilities $200,000 Elk River HRA $150,000 1996: 1997: 1998: 1999: 2000: $50,000 Cash $25,000 Levy $25,000 Levy $25,000 Levy $25,000 Levy Tax Increment (District No. 2 & District No. 3) $ 50,000 (No. 2) $150,000 (No. 3) Other Local Sources Including, but not limited to: Park Dedication Fees Liquor Store Revenues NSP Contribution Equipment Reserves and/or Capital Project Reserves In-Kind Contributions (Civic Clubs & Organizations) ISTEA Grant $200,000 $200.000 $950,000 RESOLUTION 96 - A RESOLUTION FOR THE CITY OF ELK RIVER A RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT FROM THE CITY OF ELK RIVER CONCERNING ITS SPONSORSHIP OF AN INTERMODAL SURFACE TRANSPORTATION EFFICIENCY ACT (ISTEA) GRANT FOR A TRANSPORTATION ENHANCEMENT PROJECT WHEREAS, the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) of 1992 allocates approximately $7 million in Federal Transportation Funds for qualifying projects in Minnesota; and, WHEREAS, the City of Elk River has prepared an application for ISTEA funding consideration; and, WHEREAS, the application seeks ISTEA grant funds for transportation enhancements; and, WHEREAS, the ISTEA grant funds will be incorporated into the Mississippi Riverfront Pathway Project in downtown Elk River. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Elk River act as the sponsoring agency for a transportation enhancement project identified as the Mississippi Riverfront Pathway Project and acknowledges herewith that it is willing to be the project sponsor, knowing full well that such sponsorship includes a willingness to secure and guarantee the local share of costs associated with this project and responsibility for seeing this project through to its completion, with comphance of all apphcable laws, rules and regulations. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that William Rubin, Economic Development Coordinator, is hereby authorized to act on behalf of this applicant. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Agreement to Maintain Facility attached hereto is incorporated into, and made a part of, this Resolution. Passed and adopted by the City Council of the City of Elk River this 8th day of January, 1996. Henry A. Duitsman, Mayor ATTEST: Sandra A. Thackeray, City Clerk AGREEMENT TO MAINTAIN FACILITY WHEREAS, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) requires that states agree to operate and maintain facilities constructed with federal transportation funds for the useful life of the improvements and not change the use of fight-of-way acquired without prior approval from the FHWA; and, WHEREAS, transportation enhancement projects receive federal funding from the Surface Transportation Program (STP) of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) of 1991; and, WHEREAS, the City of Elk River is the project sponsor for the transportation enhancement project, identified as the Mississippi Riverfront Pathway Project. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Elk River, Minnesota, hereby agrees to assume full responsibility for the operation and maintenance of facilities related to the aforementioned transportation enhancement project. SIGNED: (Signature) Mayor (Title) (Date) (Signature) WITNESSED: City Administrator (Title) (Date) (Signature) City Clerk (Title) (Date) Creative $olutioas for Land P]unaing and Dcsign I-loisington Koegler Group Inc. MEMO January 3, 1996 To: BHI Rubin From: Bruce Chamberlain Re: ISTEA application for the riverfront project. In preparation of an ISTEA application for a trail project in Elk River, this memo describes the extent of the project we suggest and how the project can be best positioned to score as high as poss~le. The riverfront pathway project from King Avenue to just east of the Otsego bridge, in our view, will be viewed strongly ia the ISTEA "historic" category based on information sent by the Sherburne County Historical Society. Due to the short length of the improvements though, I suggest that we request a smaller amount oflSTEA funds - no more than $200,000. The reason Ibr this is that the scoring process uses a cost/benefit ratio and I'm not sure we can justify more than this amount for a trail segment this short even with the strong historic features. The project can be best positioned as an interpretive river walk depicting the historical transportation systems of early pioneer trade and how those systems came together to create the settlement of Elk River. The historical strength lies in a number of areas including: · log booms passing through Elk River on the Mississippi; · ferry crossing at the Otsego bridge; · ox cart trail along the alignment of Jefferson Highway; · river boat which docked in Elk River; · military road which came into Elk River from the north; · commerce which occurred as a result of these transportation systems converging. The Elk River Interpretive Trail (as the project could be titled for the ISTEA application) should be described as a component of the larger riverfront project. The elements which would be part of the ISTEA application should minimally include trail construction, landscaping, construction of a pier or dock and interpretive elements that tell a story of local h.Lqtoric transportation. The story can be told through depictions in paving, story boards, construction materials used and so on. The project should also be described as a piece ora larger future trail network which connects to significant transportation and historicaI sites such as the Oliver Kelly Farm. The application must be 10 pages or fewer and include a project description, response to a a£ 7300 Metro Boulevard. Suite 525, MinncapollL Minnesota 55439 (612) 835-9960 Fax (612) 835-3160 96, EM NWl 20d T82 M399BOM NOIgNISIOH 09T£-g£8-~T9 Memo. Biff Rubin January 3, 1995 Page 2 number of criteria, cost estimate, project timetable and a description of local funding. I also like to include a short segment on project context to paint a picture of why this project is significant within a larger framework, Exhibits can go beyond the ten pages. The exhibits we should consider include the resolution of support, the riverfi.ont pathway concept plan, the City trail map and historic photos & maps. We have located a number of photos fi.om the Historical Society but il' you know of any which pertain to the riverfront and especially historic transportation, please let me know. Paul Paige mentioned that there is a photo of a steamboat in the basement of the bank and we were wondering if we could loan it for a short time to make a print. The application generally scores points based on the project's significance and relationship to transportation. One criteria asks if the project demonstrates more than a local impact or benefit. This could be a stretch for our project so if you or others in Elk River can describe ways the project has regional or statewide significance, we welcome your input. Since ISTEA is about transportation, it is to the City's benefit to demonstrate that the project revolves around transportation as much as poss~le. To that end, them may be some components of the project worth adding to or modifying slightly including: · naming the plaza identified near the Otsego bridge "Ferry Boat Plaza" to signify the historic ferry crossing, · including some etched paving stones in the plaza ti'om Main Street to the riverwalk which depict local history and especially historic transportation, · adding some historic story-boards which tell the early history of Elk River, · adding a function to the dock to include interpretation of how the environment and ecology of the river has changed since pioneer settlement and the impact log booms and other forms of transportation had on the river. Paul and I will be at the Riverfront Commission meeting this evening to discuss ISTEA and answer any questions the Commission may have. If you have any questions, please give me a call. M:X,F-.LKRIVER~9$.2..qiSTF_.At~O$,M£M E£:SI 96, £0 N~£ £0d ~SE ~B]gBO~ NOIgNISIOH 09~£-S£8-~9 612-8~5-~160 HOISINGTON KOEGLER 585 PO1 JAN 88 '96 i6:2@ ISTE. A. Transportation Enhancement - Elk River Interpretive Walk January 16, 1~96 Page 3 Project Context During early European settlement, several forces of transportation converged at a bend in the Mississippi River to create the beginnings of a village called Elk River. The earliest Europeans to arrive ia the Midwest were trappers and fur traders. This became an important economy prior to Minnesota statehood and continued to be until the latter part of the 19th Century. Furs were trapped in abundance ia the Red River Valley, primarily by the Hudson Bay Company, and brought to market in Mendota and later St. Paul. The route taken between these two points was an ox cart path known as the Red River Trail used as early as the 1840s. The trail followed the Mississippi River and passed through Elk River. There, several businesses established themselves to support the traders. In 1860 alone, 1400 carts passed along the trail. By 1858 a new military road was constructed to provide access to the Minnesota Territory hinterlands where forts were to be constructed including Fort Ripley. The road followed the ox cart trail and the Elk River House, an early hotel, was a designated stopping place along the route. The Mississippi was obviously an important transportation route in the early years. By 1851 Steamship traffic was common on the upper Mississippi carrying dry goods, hardware and furniture as far as St, Cloud and Elk River became a regular docking place for the steamers. There was also a ferry established in I856 to cross the Mississippi at Elk River. Ferry service was short lived but provided an important crossing before the first bridge wa.q constructed in 1906. Perhaps the most significant transport which shaped the community of Elk River and much of Minnesota was logging. Log boorrkq were prevalent from the 1840s to the turn of the Century on the Mississippi from its upper reach to St. Anthony (now Minneapolis). Virgin timber was cut in the pine forests of the upper Mississippi and floated to mills downriver. Elk River had its own sawmill which drove much of the early development of the community. "Teamsters serving the pinery camps brought business to Sherburne County taverns and many of the pioneers of the county were able to earn a cash income by working in the woods during the winter season.''m By 1856, Elk River boasted a lumber mill, ferry service, a school, two general stores, the Elk River House and a door & sash factory? all driven by the development and use of the various routes of transport through the community which converged at the downtown riverfront. Today, Elk River's downtown riverfi-ont plays little importance in the everyday life of the community. Main Street buildings back up to the river and parking lots consume the landscape. Them are few remaining clues that this place was once the stopping point of travelers, the driving force of the economy and the heart of community life. The community would like to change that. Last year the Elk River City Council adopted a concept plm~ for the Riverfront Pathway project, an important component of which is the Elk River Interpretive Walk depicting the early transportation history of the region. (1) History of.?joneer Lumbering. on the Up.r~r Mississippi and It~ Tributaries, Daniel Stanchtield, St. Paul, 1901: Collections of the Minnesota Historical Society. (2) Historical Sketch; Sherbume County Historical Society. 61~-8J5-~160 HOISINGTON KOEGLER ]0~ PO~ JAN 08 '96 16:~9 ISTEA - Trampor~6on Enhancement - Elk River Interpretive Walk January 16, 1996 Page 4 Project Description The Elk River Interpretive Walk is an important component of the community's Riverfront Pathway project anticipated to be constructed over the next few years. The interpretive walk will be a several block long stretch of pathway, landscaping and historic elements depicting the historical transportation systems of early pioneer trade and how those systems came together to create the settlement of Elk River. As discussed earlier, there are a number of significant historical transportation systems which will be depicted in the interpretive walk including: · log booms passing through Elk River on the Mississippi; · ferry crossing at the Otsego bridge; · ox cart path (Red River Trail) along the alignment of Jefferson Highway; · river boat steamboats which docked in Elk River; · military road which traveled through Elk River from Fort Ripley to Twin Cities. The City of Elk River is applying for ISTEA Enhancement funds to assist with the following: 1) Construct a 1,000 foot long interpretive walk and plaza connecting Main Street with the new improvements at the riverfront along with necessary retaining walls. 2) Construct a I/4 mile bike trail with necessary retaining walls along the riverffont which will eventually connect to the regional trail system. 3) Provide landscaping 'along the length of the interpretive walk and trail. 4) Install a dock in the Mississippi River to interpret the river's environmental history and river transportation's impact on ecological systems. 5) Install pedestrian and bicycle facilities including bike racks, benches and trash receptacles. 6) Install murals, etched pavers and story boards throughout the project to tell the history of transportation systems listed above. Project costs are: Interpretive walk ................................................... Bike trail ................................................................ Landscaping ........................................................... River dock ............................................................. Pedestrian and bike facilities ................................... Historical interpretive elements ................. . .............. Subtotal (ISTEA eligible) .......... Design/Administration (22%) ................................. Total ........................................ $90,000 $40,000 $48,000 $38,000 $20,000 $261,000 $57,000 $318,000 The City of Elk River is applying for $198,000 of ISTEA funds (76% of eligible project costs). The City has identified the necessary funds in the amount of $120,000 which czm be used to pay the remainder (see Exhibit 1).