Agenda Packets - 1995/09/05 - Laserfiche WebLink

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June 23 , 1995 Dear Mounds View Residents: I wish to inform you of an issue that may be of interest to you. The City applied for a federal transportation grant that would encourage bicycling and pedestrian modes of transportation. Since Highway 10 has been such a problem for safe passage to access parks, schools, library, churches, Lakeside Park beach, stores and other places, it was thought that a pedestrian bridge across Highway 10 would be a great project for a grant application. The grant was prepared and submitted. The grant was awarded! ! ! The cost of a pedestrian bridge is approximately $600, 000. The grant is a 20% / 80% match which means that the City must only provide the 20% match or $120, 000. There are engineering costs and construction inspection costs also which add up to about $65, 000 over a 2 year period. The city' s share of funding was suggested to be Tax Increment revenues which the city has for economic development and enhancement of the city. The benefit is that the City receives a new pedestrian bridge at a fraction of the cost. Using TIF or special projects funds for funding the 20% City share of this pedestrian bridge would not alter your property tax bill . The benefit of the pedestrian bridge is that daycare providers would have access across Highway 10 to the library. Children would be able to ride their bikes to parks for athletic games and practices. The pedestrian bridge connects to Long Lake Road sidewalk and also connects to County Road I sidewalks. It is a perfect location for easy and safe access across Highway 10 . Youth will be able to access Edgewood School for activities and swimming pool, Irondale High School, Sunnyside School, churches and other places. Children can also access Silver View Park, and Lakeside Beach. On the other side of Highway 10, children can access City Hall, Pinewood School, churches, Bridgemans, and Hardees. The distances between places of interest are not far, it is just difficult and unsafe to access because of Highway 10 . A pedestrian bridge would provide safe and easy access. As you have noticed, traffic signals do not allow more than a few seconds for cross traffic and never stop traffic in all directions. There is no safe way to cross Highway 10 on foot or by bike. This bridge would provide the missing link between the north and south halves of major trail systems. Many pedestrian bridge architects were interviewed regarding this project. All expressed the need to make the entries to the pedestrian bridge very easy and efficient with ramping for bikes and wheelchairs. In addition, the entries would provide a park like atmosphere with sitting benches, drinking fountains, flowers, bushes and a nice atmosphere. The annual maintenance costs of this metal and poured concrete material bridge would be minimal. New innovations for decorative fencing, color coordination, and landscaping have proven to be an attraction 'to users, making pedestrian bridges a well used facility.