01/08/2007 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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• Anoka County Multi -- Jurisdictional All Hazards Mitigation Plan efforts. These redevelopment efforts involve residential, commercial, and industrial property. Original or older residential structures are or will be refurbished and brought up to modern standards. Some commercial and industrial uses are changing to residential use. In the central portion of the county, local communities are engaged in both redevelopment as well as first time residential development. However, the development that is occurring now is not just single family residential. More lifestyle type developments that offer a multitude of living arrangements and options are being built. These include town homes, patio homes, senior housing, as well as multi - family housing. In the northern third of the county the development is still dominated by single family housing units on large multi acre lots, however town homes and /or patio homes are being built around amenities such a water features or golf courses. The northern part of Anoka County is expected to experience significant residential development in the coming years. Infrastructure and Infrastructure projects - Anoka County is planning a number of major capitol improvement projects that will have positive long -term benefits for the State of Minnesota, the Minneapolis -St. Paul Metropolitan Area, Anoka County, and the local communities in Anoka County. The largest of these projects is a proposed joint public - private venture with the City of Blaine, the State of Minnesota, the Minnesota Vikings, and Anoka County. The project is called The Preserve at Rice Creek. This is a 1.5+ billion dollar master planned community development that includes an entertainment and sports center, a corporate center, a hotel and convention venue, commercial and retail space, and a lifestyle residential component. The project will be developing over a 15 year time period. The project is located in the City of Blaine adjacent to Interstate Highway 35W. The project will encompass some 740 acres and will preserve 250 acres of wetland in the Rice Creek Watershed District. The project is near three other major amenities, the Blaine Anoka County Regional Airport, the National Sports Center, and the Tournament Players Club of the Twin Cities. The location of the project allows it to take advantage of the infrastructure that is already in place and to build additional infrastructure that will benefit all four venues. Another major initiative in Anoka County that will have statewide, metropolitan -wide, and countywide significance is the North Star Commuter Rail Project. Anoka County is partnering with the State of Minnesota, the Metropolitan Council, and other counties and local communities to bring commuter rail service to the area. Commuter rail service will run along the existing Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad tracks from Minneapolis through Anoka County and initially terminate at the City of Big Lake in Sherburne County. The long -term goal is to eventually extend service to St. Cloud in Benton and Stearns County. This is a $289 million dollar project that has been in planning and development since 1997. Operation of the commuter line is expected to begin in 2009. The project will help relieve traffic congestion along the Highway 10 and Interstate 94 travel corridors. The Anoka County communities of Fridley, Coon Rapids, Anoka, and Ramsey that will have commuter rail stations are already seeing development in anticipation of this project. The North Star Rail Project is expected to generate approximately $4 billion in development. The two projects outlined above are of state and regional significance and will have Tong -term benefits for all living in the state and the metropolitan area. Of more immediate impact to Anoka County residents is the capitol improvements planned for the next 5 years in the county. $247 million in capitol improvements are planned. The bulk of this activity will be for transportation improvements. Approximately $189 million (76 %) is slated for road and bridgework. The range is from just over $50 million to $29 million per year for improvements to the highway infrastructure in Anoka County. Many of these projects involve significant local participation. The