City Council Meeting Date: December 6, 2016
To: Mayor and City Council
City Administrator
From: David E. Bennett, Public Works Director/City Engineer
Title
Discussion of potential property acquisition for Mill Towns State Trail at 1700 and 1900 Dundas Boulevard.
Body
Action Requested:
The Northfield City Council is requested to discuss potential property acquisition for the Mill Towns State Trail at 1700 and 1900 Dundas Boulevard.
Summary Report:
The Mill Towns State Trail Joint Powers Organization (MTSTJPO) and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) have been working to acquire property and easements for the Mill Towns State Trail alignment in the southwest corner of Northfield. Currently, the trail is located in the ditch between the roadway of County Road 78/Armstrong Road and the railroad tracks.
The trail is in need of maintenance and the DNR and MTSTJPO have been thinking of a longer term relocation of the trail from the ditch to the east to be closer to the Cannon River in order to provide for a more scenic and enjoyable experience.
The DNR has made an offer to both properties located at 1700 and 1900 Dundas Boulevard and both were turned down by the property owners. Each property owner had their own reason for declining the offer, and staff's understanding is at 1700 Dundas Boulevard the DNR would not offer more than the property appraisal and at 1900 Dundas Boulevard the owners thought the acquisition of property would not leave them with enough land.
Since those offers were declined it was thought that the property at 1700 Dundas Boulevard was being sold to another party; however, the property has come back on the market for sale. In light of this, the DNR has indicated those property acquisitions are important for the trail (Attachment 4 - Letter from DNR). The Friends of the Mill Towns State Trail have also indicated that these are important property acquisitions for the State Trail.
In working with the DNR, they h...
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