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City of Mounds View Staff Report <br /> Highway 10 Pedestrian Bridge <br /> February 6, 1997 <br /> Page 2 <br /> IIIand between various community facilities such as schools, parks,,the Ramsey County library and <br /> shopping centers, which does not now exist. It would add to the City's trailway system. It would <br /> be a landmark. The pedestrian bridge project offers the City the opportunity to receive grant <br /> funding from an outside source(federal transportation funds) to pay for 80% of the cost of the <br /> bridge construction($480,000) in exchange for the community contributing 20% of the <br /> construction cost($120,000)and an additional amount to cover engineering design and <br /> inspections which have been estimated at$70,000. There have been some additional costs <br /> identified since the grant application was prepared, and we have obtained more information on <br /> costs since our last report. Sources of funds have been identified for most of the costs not covered <br /> by the federal grant; sources have been suggested for the remainder. This information is presented <br /> under"Costs and Funding Sources"later in this report. <br /> There has been demonstrated community interest in having a pedestrian bridge, and it is regarded <br /> by those who have supported the project as a community improvement. Steps were taken to <br /> acquire grant funding for a specific bridge project, to locate where the bridge should be built,to <br /> select a design and retain consultants to prepare plans for the bridge, and to identify local funding <br /> sources for the City's share of the project cost. It appeared evident at the work session that there is <br /> now some question whether to proceed with the pedestrian bridge project. We assume there are <br /> concerns with aspects of the bridge project or it would not now be an issue. <br /> We would suggest the questions listed below as a springboard for the discussion on the pedestrian <br /> • bridge, and as a way to define the concerns so conclusions may be reached as to the feasibility and <br /> desireability of the project. Other questions could be asked. City Council is faced with a situation <br /> where a project is already underway, and the construction contract for the project must be let by <br /> October in order for the City to remain eligible for the grant funds. The project is on schedule at <br /> this time. Questioning and then changing the location or design of the bridge will probably make <br /> it impossible to meet the time schedule. <br /> Staff would suggest that City Council concentrate first on items which could be changed and still <br /> keep the project on track, to see if those changes answer the concerns of the Council and allow the <br /> current direction to be continued. These items relate most to cost and sources of funding. The <br /> City Council can certainly delve into other aspects of the project in you so choose, but it is <br /> necessary to keep in mind that if the time schedule is not maintained, the opportunity presented by <br /> the federal grant funds and the financial feasibility of the project may be lost. <br /> Is there a concern about: <br /> 1. The amount of the local share? How much would be an acceptable amount? <br /> 2. The sources of funds being used to pay the local share? If the sources were different, <br /> would there still be a concern? What sources would be acceptable? <br /> 3. The amount of traffic the bridge will carry? <br /> 4. Ongoing maintenance costs? <br /> 5. Under what circumstances, would the bridge be an acceptable project? Can these <br /> circumstances be achieved? <br /> 6. What opportunities are gained and lost if the project is done? not done? <br /> 41) Costs and Funding Sources <br /> Attached you will find a chart with the latest estimate on the actual bridge construction. It <br /> amounts to $589,887 which includes construction cost,grading, landscaping, mobilization and <br />