9.2.A. PRSR 02-14-2007 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Attachment D-10/12/06 Describe why this project is important to your community and how it will improve existing conditions. The project will turn what once was a busy railroad corridor into a valuable recreational tool for the residents of the City of EIk River and Sherburne County. Within the City of Elk River most of the abandoned corridor is idle with little or no current usage at this time. The City has already improved portions of the railroad corridor south of CSAH 33 and is eager to continue their proactive approach for recreational trail improvements. The result of the project would involve the preservation of an abandoned railroad corridor and its conversion to a paved trail for pedestrians and bicycles providing a valuable recreational resource. The corridor would serve as the primary non-motorized trial connecting the residents within the City of Elk River to Residential, Commercial, and Public facilities. The corridor would also provide an important connection to other cities including Zimmerman and Princeton, and the townships of Livonia and Baldwin. In addition, it would establish itself as the beginning of a regional trail system serving local and regional clientele both within and outside of the county where the highest projected growth rates will occur over the next 30 years. 2. Describe the main users by type or classification and the approximate number of users to be served by the proposed project. The primary uses of the trail corridor will be for recreational purposes. Users will travel via bicycle or simply by walking either to reach a recreational destination such as a park or commercial facility. There may be some users utilizing the trail system to access schools, work, or other public facilities as well. The approximate number of users is difficult to quantify, but could approach several hundred people per day. Describe any current and/or previous uses of the project area. Previously the railway corridor was owned and used by Burlington Northern railroad. The City of Elk River has since purchased the entire corridor right-of-way within the City Limits. The City has already transformed a section of the corridor into a recreational pedestrian and bicycle trail from the City Limits at the southern border to CSAH 33. The improvements include and underpass across CSAH 33 for a future trail connection. 4. Explain current and future ownership of the property. Currently Elk River owns the entire abandoned Burlington Northern right-of-way within the City Limits. Elk River will continue to maintain ownership of the trail corridor. Explain how your agency will provide the necessary local match to leverage the federal transportation enhancement funds requested and cover any additional (or ineligible) costs required for the completion of your project. The local match would be provided through funds from the City of Elk River Parks and Recreation improvement funds including the Park Dedication Fund, which through the Park Dedication Ordinance collects fees from new residential area on a per lot basis. It is 4