07/27/95 Agenda & Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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' JUL-i0-1995 17:12 FROM ST. MARY'S MNPLS. CENTER TO 7843462 P.01 • FAX to City of Mounds View - 7164-3462 FROM - Linka Holey, Director of Institutional Research, Saint Mary's University - 874-9877 Ext. 112 July 9, 1995 TO: Members of the MoundsyyV4ew City Council FR: Linka s , Resident an st member of the Trailways Advisory Group and the Focus 2000 - Housing and Neighborhood Task Force RE: Funding for Pedestrian Brizige across Highway 10 The concern over the division of our community by Highway 10 has been expressed since I moved into Mounds View in 1976. Both the social and safety implications have been widely discussed in many public forums. The construction of a pedestrian bridge is a vital response to this long-standing • problem. I was delighted to hear that the{city had received a federal transportation grant with an unbelieveable match of 20!80 percent. As a former grant writer, I am well aware of theup front and background work required to obtain such a deal. My respect for the city staff corlinues to rise as I hear of this type of action on community-generated concerns. I was totally shocked to hear tht the Council may not fund the 20% to secure the grant. I cannot comprehend why any Council member would vote against a highly public supported project with such a positive return on investment. This project has support of all ages within the population. Is this support not understood by the Council? Are there particular costs that make this project not as cost beneficial as one would expect? Even a 50/50 match would be good. I feel strongly that the Council should support this project. You can use this project to publicize your commitment to addressing big probems like the division of a city by a major highway. Your attention to cost by successfully competing for the 20/80 grant is also an example of your fiscally conservative management approach. You saw the positive energy of a city brought together for the Festival in the Park today. The parade, the activities, and the fireworks were grand! The investment ink the symbolic and functional pedestrian bridge • will bring you the same, if not more, public support as the annual festival has brought you today.