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MEMORANDUM To: Michael Morrison,City Manager From: Kim Moore-Sykes,Management Assistant Date: March 30, 1999 Subject: BNSF Rail Abandonment Meeting on March 9, 1999 Katie Walker of Hennepin County Trails called to meet with Jay and I regarding the City's potential interest in expanding trails. At the meeting,Ms. Walker reported that Burlington- Northern Rail Company is interested in abandoning a section a railway that is highlighted on the map attached to this memo. This section of rail crosses St. Anthony just south of Hwy. 88, cutting through Sunset Memorial Park and Francis Gross Golf course. Ms.Walker indicated that Hennepin County is interested in finding out what communities would support the use of the abandoned tracks as bike/walkway;she said the County is mostly interested in using them for pedestrian traffic. .- But she also said that the State is interested in* this property as a transit connection for buses or perhaps, this section of rail may be useful for a future light.rail system. Questions were asked about who would be responsible for acquisition;what would the cost be for those jurisdictions interested;who would pay for/contribute to trail development; what agency would be responsible for maintenance; and what is the estimated or appraised value? . The only question that Ms. Walker could answer was that the estimated value of the railway, property is $200,000, which Ms. Walker felt was low. Ms.Walker indicated that she would be meeting-in Roseville with several folks from Ramsey County regarding this site and their interest to participate in acquisition and trail development. Last week,Ms. Walker contacted me and indicated that Hennepin County will be moving forward with acquisition of this railway site and trail development. She told me that MN DoT is not interested in using this section of railway for transit or future light rail development, but Ramsey County,is also interested in this proposed trail development. She said that she would fax me a resolution that the City could use if the Council is interested in supporting the idea of developing this railway into trails that could eventually connect to the Hennepin County trail system. Ms. Walker indicated that the County will acquire the property and develop the trail. I haven't received a copy of that resolution from Hennepin County but will give you a copy when I get it. Also attached to this memo is the agenda from our meeting and a copy of the sign up sheet from our meeting with Ms.Walker.