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1 <br /> <br />CITY COUNCIL <br />REGULAR MEETING STAFF REPORT <br />AGENDA ITEM 7A <br /> <br />STAFF ORIGINATOR: Michael Grochala, Community Development Director <br /> <br />MEETING DATE: November 24, 2025 <br /> <br />TOPIC: I-35E Corridor Cooperation Agreement <br /> <br />VOTE REQUIRED: Simple Majority <br />______________________________________________________________________________ <br /> <br />INTRODUCTION <br /> <br />Staff is requesting City Council consideration to approve a Cooperation Agreement between the <br />cities of Lino Lakes, Columbus, Forest Lake, and Hugo, along with Washington County and <br />Anoka County. The agreement outlines collaborative efforts and shared responsibilities among <br />the participating jurisdictions. <br /> <br />BACKGROUND <br /> <br />The Minnesota Technology Corridor is a collaborative economic development initiative for <br />development areas in the I-35E and I-35W corridors. First initiated in 2018, this collaboration <br />between the cities of Blaine, Centerville, Columbus, Forest Lake, Hugo, and Lino Lakes, along <br />with Washington County CDA, Anoka County Economic Development and Connexus Energy, <br />creates a unique corridor spanning more than 1500 acres of future development potential. <br />Regional assets include proximity and visibility from the I-35 corridor, fiber-optic backbone and <br />two electric transmission lines. All partners believe that a regional strategy will yield higher <br />quality development compared to each entity operating independently or a completely hands- <br />off approach. <br /> <br />The core development area of the Minnesota Technology Corridor is along the eastern side of I- <br />35E, straddling both sides of Elmcrest Ave/24th Ave/Hornsby St. This road stretches from Cty <br />Hwy 14/Cty Hwy 8 on the south side and proceeds 6.5 miles north to State Hwy 97. Currently, <br />most of this road is unimproved and not suited for business use. The road centerline also serves <br />as a jurisdictional boundary between six of the governmental entities. <br /> <br />The plan identified is to create a corridor study for Elmcrest Ave/24th Ave/Hornsby St., to be <br />completed by an outside professional engineering firm to ensure impartiality and accountability <br />for the product. This plan will identify the best design for the corridor, factoring in each city’s <br />unique Comprehensive Plans, land-use goals and growth ambitions. <br /> <br />Page 358 of 406