03-14-2001 Council Agenda - Laserfiche WebLink

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.MAYOR Michael I. Fahey COUNCIL Beverly Scalze Jim LaValle Matt Anderson Rick FIontour 515 Little Canada Road, Little Canada, MN 55117 -1600 ADMINISTRATOR (651) 766 -4029 / FAX: (651) 766 -4048 Joel R. Hanson Email: cityhall@ci.little- canada.mn.us MEMORANDUM TO: Mayor Fahey & Members of the City Council FROM: Joel Hanson, City Administrator DATE: March 9, 2001 RE: Rice Street Crossing Redevelopment RFQ Last summer, we were a joint sponsor of an application for planning funds through the Metropolitan Council. This application addressed redevelopment needs at 694 and Rice Street associated with the County's planned vacation of their public works site and the reconstruction of the Rice Street Bridge over 694. This application was not successful. Since then, MnDot and Metro Transit have agreed with the need for this planning effort to proceed given the implications for transportation issues including the possible location of a new transit hub at the Public Works site. Those agencies, together with the cities of Shoreview, Vadnais Heights, and Little Canada, have continued to meet to discuss ways to approach a collective planning effort. Attached is a Request for Qualification (RFQ) that is proposed to be submitted by the above named organizations. The impacts to Little Canada are not as great as to the other entities. Even so, the following are the reasons I believe our participation makes sense: • 694 /Rice Street Bridge project will impact businesses in the area due to a lengthening of the bridge span to meet design parameters. (This may result in Hardees having no Rice Street access. The Vadnais Inn may have to be acquired by the County.) • Transit implications to the area. (This will impact the existence of the temporary transit hub on First Bank Drive. Commuter rail is also considered.) • Pedestrian access across 694. With our planned link of the Water Works trail to Shoreview and Vadnais Heights, this process may influence the connection points. • Development of the vacant County land south of Taco John's in a manner consistent with other properties. (I'm not sure if this will be a big impact or not assuming Mr. Ficek continues with the Blacktem Development on this property.) Page 30