2004-021
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CITY OF HOPKINS
HENNEPIN COUNTY, MINNESOTA
RESOLUTION 2004-021
REQUESTING APPROVAL OF AN EASEMENT CROSSING THE HENNEPIN
COUNTY REGIONAL RAILROAD AUTHORITY PROPERTY (HCRRA),
ALLOWING THE EXTENSION OF EIGHTH AVENUE, SOUTH OF
EXCELSIOR BOULEVARD
WHEREAS, In 1998 SUPERV ALU redeveloped the former Hennepin County public works
facility in Hopkins located at the southwest quadrant of Highway 169 and Excelsior Boulevard
into a major warehouse distribution facility, which generates substantial truck traffic;
WHEREAS, redevelopment is now being contemplated for a ten-acre site directly adjacent to
the SUPERV ALU distribution facility;
WHEREAS, because the above described southwest quadrant presently has only one access
off Excelsior Boulevard, the City contracted with SEH Consultants to review present and future
traffic conditions;
WHEREAS, SEH has completed their report entitled "Excelsior Boulevard/FifthA venue
Traffic Study" and has recommended that, to improve traffic conditions, Eighth Avenue be ex-
tended south from Excelsior Boulevard across the abutting HCRRA property to the proposed re-
development property; and
WHEREAS, Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority has adopted a policy to deny
grade crossings by local municipalities unless it can be shown that the granting of such a crossing
will outweigh the negative aspects of an additional grade crossing over the LRT corridor.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Hopkins,
Minnesota, hereby requests that the Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority board ap-
prove a crossing of the HCCRA property, with an extension of Eighth Avenue South directly
south of Excelsior Boulevard.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City of Hopkins has prepared a summary statement
detailing the benefits of approving this crossing.
Adopted this 6th day of April 2004.
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