10-11-2023 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Prepared by: Bolton & Menk, Inc. Pedestrian Improvements 2024 Country Drive Improvements ǀ 0N1.125375 Page 4 filled with sediment will be cleaned and re-graded with the project as well. V. Pedestrian Improvements Country Drive is included in the City’s Sidewalk and Trail System Map as the location of future sidewalk or trail to provide an off-street amenity for pedestrians. The feasibility of adding a sidewalk along Country Drive was investigated during the preparation of this Report. Additionally, sidewalk extension was further vetted during the early stages of preparing a grant application to Ramsey County’s 2023 Community Development Block Grant Program solicitation. Refer to Figure 1 in Appendix D for a depiction of the proposed sidewalk location. Figures 2A through 2C in Appendix D show a more detailed depiction of the proposed sidewalk improvements. As shown in the detailed cost estimate provided in Appendix D, the estimated cost to include the sidewalk extension is approximately $480,000. Funding for this work is not currently programmed within the City’s Capital Improvement Funded and would likely need to be funded with grant funding. As such, costs for this work have not been included in the Estimated Costs and Financing sections of this Report. Due to the nature of the work, sidewalk installation could happen in conjunction with or after the proposed pavement improvements on Country Drive. Ramsey County Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) The Ramsey County CDBG program is one possible funding source for the sidewalk extension project. In reviewing this project with Ramsey County staff it is apparent that much of the front -end project design and approvals would need to occur prior to submitting a grant application so that the project can be completed within the timeline set forth within the grant agreements. These activities would generally include: • Topographic Survey • Preliminary & Final Design Engineering • Wetland Delineations • Agency Reviews and Approvals o Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed (Grading Permit, Wetland Buffers) o State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) • Secure Necessary Easements The estimated cost to perform the required front-end work is approximately $50,000. The 2024 CDBG solicitation will likely occur in February of 2024. If the project is selected, construction funds would be available after July 1, 2024 and 80% of funds would need to be expended by June 2025. If the project is not selected in the 2024 CDBG solicitation, applications to other grant programs or future CDBG solicitations could be made. Typically, agency reviews and approvals are good for a period of up to 5 years.