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City of Mounds View Staff Report September 4, 1997 Page 2 • To continue with the process to obtain approvals from MnDot for the proposed signal and preliminary realignment additional work will need to be done in the following areas: • a Signal Justification Report(SFR) is required for written approval from MnDot. This report will also help MnDot in determining the possibility of providing funds for the signal. SEH indicated that it is possible that MnDot would fund 50%of the signal. • formal preliminary Road Alignment Plan will need to be developed for MnDot to obtain any cost sharing commitments and to allow Anthony Properties to complete their final plans for submission to Planning Commission as part of the development review process. • submission of Cooperative Agreement Program to allow MnDot to estimate cost sharing as part of their 1999 fiscal year. If approved funds are available in July of 1998. City engineers from SEH have done excellent work in gaining preliminary verbal support from MnDot for the signal. They have prepared a work program to continue with obtaining approvals for an estimated fee of$11,900. Because time is of the essence to meet MnDot budget deadlines and future construction season time table SEH is already working on the SJR. They need to submit the SJR information to MnDot by mid September so they have adequate time to review prior to submission as part of the Cooperative Agreement. Continuing with this process is critical to both the City and Anthony Properties. With the increased traffic and community activity that will be generated by the Community Center the signal would provide a much safer crossing and smoother flow of traffic. If the Council wishes to proceed with • the ring road concept integrating that portion into the Theater project is critical. Anthony Properties has been very patient and supportive of the City's vision. Anthony Properties has already missed their goal of opening the Theater in the summer of 1998. They now need to open in the fall of 1998. There is no doubt that an intersection will provide value to Anthony Properties but a road through their development is seen as more of a City benefit since Anthony Properties will be losing a developable commercial parcel. The signal also provides benefit to the H2 neighborhood in that there will be less of a tendency for traffic from the Theater to use H2 if they are able to travel west on 10 directly from the Theater. By proceeding with this work plan the City is not approving in any way the realignment or signal. Part of the additional task for SEH is to evaluate the costs of such a project. In discussion with Glen Van Wormer he noted that it is possible to change the realignment of the road and location of the signal as proposed. I will have a memo from Glen explaining the reasons behind the alternatives that they are working from for the meeting on safe crossing and traffic flow. Even if the ring road concept does not meet by the increased the needs of the community the signal would provide traffic generated by the Community Center and the Theater/Office development. Reccomendation: Staff is requesting authorization to use Tax Incrment Funds in an amount not to exceed$12,000 for the c l%tin a ion a work on this project. `S C • Cathy B ennevg irector of Economic Development