Laserfiche WebLink
City <br /> <br />13065 Orono Parkway <br />Elk River, MN 55330 <br /> <br />MEMORANDUM <br /> <br />Item <br /> <br />4.3, <br /> <br />TO: <br /> <br />FROM: <br /> <br />DATE: <br /> <br />SUBJECT: <br /> <br />Mayor and City Council <br /> <br />Scott Harlicker, Senior Planne~ <br /> <br />January20,2004 <br /> <br />Northstar Corridor Update <br /> <br />On December 18th the NCDA held a special meeting to discuss recent changes <br />to the standards used by the FTA to evaluate transit projects. The changes are much more <br />rigorous and result in a stringent cost effectiveness index. In order to meet this new cost <br />effectiveness index, the scope project had to be reduced. The project has been divided into <br />phases with the first phase being from Minneapolis to Big Lake. The proposed stations at <br />Coon Rapids/Foley Boulevard and northeast Minneapolis are also not included in the <br />revised proposal. It is the intention of the NCDA that the line be extended to St. Cloud and <br />Rice and the proposed stations at Coon Rapids/Foley Boulevard and northeast Minneapolis <br />be included in future phases. Attached is letter from Duane Grundy, NCDA Chair, to <br />Governor Pawlenty outlining the NCDA's position on the revised proposal. <br /> <br />At the regular meeting of the NCDA held on January 8m the Authority adopted a resolution <br />approving phase of the Northstar commuter rail project. Updated capital cost estimates, <br />reflecting only the first phase of the project, were also reviewed. <br /> <br />On January 13th Govemor announced his plans to include Northstar commuter rail in his <br />2004 bonding recommendations. The FTA requires a state/local match; in order to reach <br />that requirement he has proposed that the state pay two-thirds of the cost and that the local <br />governments pay one-third. For the 2004 bonding bill, he is recommending a $37.5 million <br />authorization from the state to be matched by a $37.5 million local commitment. He has also <br />asked the NCDA to reach an agreement on sharing the operating costs with the state. <br /> <br />The local ckizen group supporting the Northstar Commuter Rail, All Aboard Elk River are <br />planning a rally to show support for the Northstar Corridor on February 5~h at 7:00P.M. The <br />rally will be held at the Elk River High School auditorium. The doors will open at 6:15. On <br />Thursday, February 26~h there will be a rally at the state capital from 10:00 A.M. until noon <br /> <br />Phone: 763.635.1000 <br />Fax: 763.635.1090 <br /> DOCUMENT2 <br />www. ci.elk-river, mn.us <br /> <br /> <br />