08-23-2000 Council Agenda - Laserfiche WebLink

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Smart Growth Twin Cam c Rice Street Crossings Redevelopment Natural features within the project area include a small lake basin, wetlands, steep slopes and wooded areas. Area of Influence. The project area influences and is influenced by activities in the vicinity. This region is shown as the area of influence on Attachment B. The area of influence includes a broader mix of land uses, housing types, employment options and transportation choices. Land uses include residential, commercial, industrial and public /semi- public. The residential land uses provide a variety of housing densities, types, ownership /rental options and costs. Housing types include single- family residential, townhomes, apartments and mobile homes. Employment options and connections to employment centers are similar to that found in the project site. However, an older industrial park located south and east of the project area consists of low- intensity industrial uses — an underutilization of the land. The Vadnais -Snail Lake Regional Park is also within the area of influence. This regional park is a destination point and is a valuable asset. The southern portion of the park is connected to the project area by the existing roadway network. Lake basins and wetlands within the park are near or adjacent to the project area. In addition, Ramsey County's Lake Owasso Park and Beach is located just west of the influence area. Potential.. . The established land use pattern and transportation network .for this site.:will undergo a transformation within the next five to six years. This transformation will create opportunities to integrate land use and transportation, provide for a mixture of uses, support transit and improve connections both within and outside of the project site. The scheduled improvements include the following: Year Improvement 2004 Ramsey County — Reconstruction of interchange ramps, bridge and access roads. 2005 Ramsey County — Vacate Public Works maintenance site and release surplus vacant land on Rice Street. MetroTransit — Begin construction of transit hub and park- and -ride facility. 2006 Minnesota Department of Transportation — Lane widening of I -694. Unknown Establishment of a commuter rail line — Forest Lake /St. Paul/Minneapolis Route. Roadway Improvements. Planned roadway improvements within the project area include the expansion of Interstate 694 from four lanes to six lanes. This expansion is necessary to relieve congestion, especially during peak hours. This project also includes the reconstruction of the highway's interchange ramps onto Rice Street, reconstruction of the Rice Street bridge and realignment of a portion of the local road network that provides access to Rice Street. Vadnais Boulevard will be rerouted, requiring access modifications or relocation of existing businesses. Ramsey County will be coordinating this portion of the project. This project is in the planning stage. Concepts have been drafted for this project, but final designs have not been approved. Page 96