City Council Meeting Date: September 20, 2016
To: Mayor and City Council
City Administrator
From: David E. Bennett, Public Work Director/City Engineer
Title
Discussion of Mill Towns Trail current alignment and alternate alignment.
Body
Action Requested:
The Northfield City Council is requested to discuss the Mill Towns State Trail potential re-alignment.
Summary Report:
On July 21, 2016, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced its acquisition of six miles of railroad property for the Mill Towns State Trail between Faribault and Dundas, leaving just a couple miles to secure the entire corridor between Faribault and Dundas (Attachment 1). This move brings this segment one step closer to requesting funding for construction.
Once the segment above is constructed, the development of the trail through Northfield will need to be determined. The DNR has indicated to receive State Trail status, the trail needs to be off-road. This triggered the Mill Towns State Trail Joint Powers Organization (MTSTJPO) to review the alignment of the trail through the City. The existing on-street alignment and the recommended realignment from MTSTJPO is attached (Attachment 2). The recommended realignment from the existing on-street route on Fourth Street, is now proposed to go south to Jefferson Parkway and then east to Spring Creek Road.
The City Council hasn't taken any formal action on the realignment. Before moving forward with discussion on the realignment, staff wanted to hear from Carleton College on the use of the Lower and Upper Arboretum (see Attachment 3). Essentially they're supportive of the trail. However, routing and impacts would need to be further evaluated in terms of trail development adjacent to the Arboretum.
Recently, DNR staff has indicated that they are anticipating a funding request for the 2018 Bonding Session for construction of the segment between Faribault and Dundas. From there, the DNR next possible funding reque...
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