Memo- Hutchinson Spur TrailMemorandum
TO: Mayor and City Council
COPY: Steve Stadler, Public Works Director
FROM: Ray Vogtman, Parks/Forestry Superintendent
DATE: September 2, 1998
SUBJECT: Hutchinson Spur Trail
PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT
This memorandum is being prepared to provide council with background information and
recent developments regarding the Hutchinson Spur Trail.
The Hutchinson Spur Trail is the abandoned railroad right -of -way that lies on the east
side of Hwy 169, goes under Hwy 7 and behind Target into St. Louis Park. This section
of the right -of -way was allowed to go tax forfeit in 1992. The City of Hopkins purchased
this parcel at that time for $10,000. Staff saw the potential for trail development and
wished to preserve future trail opportunities on this parcel. The City of St. Louis Park
has recently completed acquisition agreements and secured state and national grants for
trail development on this section of old railroad right -of -way. There are no City of
Hopkins costs regarding this trail development/implementation work.
The consulting firm of SRF Consulting Group was hired by St. Louis Park to prepare trail
construction documents. Documents must be submitted by January 1, 1999 and the trail
constructed in the summer of 1999 in order for the grants to be successfully awarded.
The grant documents require that the Hutchinson Spur Trail be identified and constructed
up to the terminus at Excelsior Blvd in Hopkins. Several meetings have been held with
city staff, with the most recent meeting on August 28, 1998. Staff is prepared at this time
to present the proposed trail location, street crossings, trail construction specifications,
anticipated agreement language with Hennepin Parks and neighborhood involvement.
The park board reviewed the trail information at the May 18 Park Board meeting. Trail
plans and right -of -way negotiations were ongoing at that time. The Park Board will be
reviewing the current information on September 21, 1998.
Attachments: 8/28/98 Agenda
8/13/98 SRF Letter to Super Valu
Copy of St. Louis Park Trail Cooperative Agreement
Maps
SRF
Transportation • Civil • Structural • Environmental • Planning • Traffic • Landscape Architecture • Parking
August 13, 1998
Mr. Lloyd Johnson
Real Estate Manager
SUPERVALU
101 Jefferson Avenue South
Hopkins, Minnesota 55440
Dear Mr. Johnson:
SUBJECT: HUTCHINSON SPUR TRAIL
CITY OF HOPKINS /CITY OF ST. LOUIS PARK/HENNEPIN PARKS JOINT PROJECT
We appreciate the cooperation that you have shown regarding this exciting project. We have enclosed
copies of the preliminary alignment and cross sections of the proposed trail along the west side of the
SuperValu site. These drawings depict the location of the trail in relation to the parking and loading
facilities on that side of the building, as well as some minor modifications to the drive aisle and
parking stalls between the northerly and southerly parking areas on this portion of the site. It is the
intent of the trail construction contract to relocate or replace the chain link fence to the east side of the
trail to maintain the security that SuperValu currently has. The proposed trail is 3 meters wide
(approximately 10 feet) with a 0.5 -meter (approximately 1.5 feet) clearance to the fence. The
construction limits are also shown (in red) on the drawing. These construction limits designate the
location where the grading for the trail meets the existing ground. As you are aware, the construction
of the project will require the acquisition of a permanent easement for the trail, as well as a temporary
construction easement to construct the slopes and reconfigure the drive aisle.
It is my understanding that Evergreen Services may be employed during the easement negotiation and "'
acquisition discussions, with the easement ultimately -to be held by Hopkins or Hennepin Parks. Please
take a few moments to review the drawings. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the
project, please call us. We look forward to working with you as we progress towards construction of
the Hutchinson Spur Trail.
Sincerely,
SRF Co S LTING GROUP, INC.
Barry arner, ASLA, AICP
Princ
CONSULTING GROUP, IN
An Equal Opportunity Employer
SRF No. 0983126
BJW /smf
Enclosures
cc: Steve Stadler, City of Hop
Carlton Moore, City of St. Louis Park
Del Miller, Hennepin Parks
One Carlson Parkway North, Suite 150, Minneapolis, MN 55447 -4443
Telephone (612) 475 -0010 • Fax (612) 475 -2429 • http: / /www.srfconsulting.com
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TRAIL COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT
This cooperative agreement is made between the City of St. Louis Park ("City")
and the Suburban Hennepin Regional Park District ( "Park District ") .
RECITALS
The City intends to construct an off -road, 10 -foot wide bituminous trail on
property it owns, has an easement over, or plans to obtain easements over, from
Highway 7 to the current termination of Cedar Lake Trail at Highway 100, along the
Hutchinson Spur abandoned railroad right of way, the Burlington Northern railroad
right of way and other property ( "Trail ") .
The Park District will use the trailway for pedestrian and bicycle use as part of
the Park District's park system.
The City will be granting to the Park District a license to use the Trail as part
of its and the City's overall park system in accordance with the provisions of this
Agreement.
The Park District or City of Hopkins will be acquiring right of way to extend
the Trail from Highway 7 to Excelsior Boulevard in the City of Hopkins ( "Hopkins
Trail Extension ") .
The City will design and construct the Hopkins Trail Extension as part of its
Trail contract. The Park. District is entering into a cooperative agreement with the
City of Hopkins authorizing trail construction, operations and maintenance as part of
the St. Louis Park contract.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants herein, and
other good and valuable consideration, the sufficiency of which is hereby
acknowledged, the City and the Park District agree as follows
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1. Grant of License.
The City as licensor hereby grants and licenses to the Park District as
licensee and its agents and invitees non - exclusive rights of use,
regulation and control of the Trail and all rights necessary to the Park
District's performance of its various rights and obligations under this
Agreement. The license created herein is coupled with an interest, and
will terminate in accordance with paragraph 10 herein.
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2. Design and Construction of Trail.
The City will design and construct the Trail and the Hopkins Trail
Extension.
Plans and Specifications.
The construction of the Trail and Hopkins Trail Extension will be in
accordance with and pursuant to plans and specifications submitted to
and approved in writing by the City, the Park District, and the
Minnesota Department of Transportation ( "MnDOT ") .
Cost Sharing.
The City will contract for the design and construction of the Trail and
the Hopkins Trail Extension. The Park District will reimburse the City
at the conclusion of the project, but not later than July 1, 2000, for the
total cost of design, construction and construction administration for the
Hopkins Trail Extension. The Park District will reimburse the City for
the cost of the bituminous overlay in St. Louis Park that will be
completed as a part of the initial Trail project in five equal annual
payments commencing July 1, 2000.
5. Contract Supervision and Administration.
The trail construction contract, which includes the Hopkins. Trail
Extension, will be supervised and administered by the City of St. Louis
Park or its designee.
Trail Uses and Purposes. -
a. The Trail will be open to the general public and be used
exclusively for pedestrian, in -line skating and bicycle uses.
Motorized and equestrian uses shall be prohibited, except those
motorized vehicles used by the City or Park District for
maintenance or enforcement activities.
. If the City has a concern about a specific type of use allowed on
the Trail, the City will notify the Hennepin Parks Superintendent
who will develop and implement a solution. If the problems
related to the specific use remain, they will be addressed by a
committee made up of the St. Louis Park City Manager, the
Hennepin Parks Superintendent, one (1) St. Louis Park Council
Member or St. Louis Park Commission Member and one (1)
Hennepin Parks Commissioner selected by the Park District. If
this committee cannot agree on a solution the issue will be
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submitted to an arbitration process. The arbitrator's decision will
be binding upon both parties.
Maintenance of Trail. The Park District will be solely responsible for
all renovation, replacement, repair, maintenance, painting of crosswalks,
stripping and upkeep of the Trail, signage, fences, retaining walls and
other appurtenant improvements. Maintenance will include necessary
snow removal and trash removal in accordance with policies established
by the Park District in conjunction with the City. At a minimum the
Trail will be maintained at the same standard ` that the Park District
maintains similar trails.
The City may, at its sole discretion, conduct snow removal or repair
activities upon the Trail, provided that its conduct of such activities shall
not damage the Trail in any way. Such activities shall not impose any
Obligation upon the City to conduct any such activities with respect to the
Trail in the future.
8. Utilities.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the City shall at all times retain the rights
to maintain, repair or replace any utilities and related facilities in, on or
under the Property, and install such utilities and related facilities;
provided that if any such activities by the City shall or may damage or
limit the use of the Trail, the City will give the Park District thirty (30)
days prior written notice of the same (except in cases of emergency),
and, in any event, the City will upon completion of such activities so
affecting the Trail or any portion thereof, restore the Trail as near as
possible to its condition existing before such maintenance, repair,
replacement or other activities of the City.
9. Rules and Ordinances.
The City will patrol and police the Trail in such manner and by such
persons as the City shall deem necessary, and shall enforce all rules and
ordinances of the City, and all such rules and ordinances shall be
applicable with respect to the Trail, including all applicable provisions of
this Agreement, or other agreements of the parties. Notwithstanding
anything herein to the contrary, the Park District shall have the right to
enforce its rules, regulations and ordinances with respect to the Trail.
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10. Indemnification.
The City and the Park District each shall indemnify, defend and hold
harmless the other from any loss, liability, cost, damage and claim
arising from any act or omission on the part of its officers, employees,
agents, contractor or representatives in connection with the use,
occupancy, development, operation, maintenance and repair of the Trail,
including any attorney fees and expenses incurred in defending any such
claim. Nothing herein shall change or otherwise affect the liability limits
established under Minn. Stat. Chapter 466, as amended. The liability
limitations established in Minn. Stat. Chapter 466 shall apply to
undertakings pursuant to this Agreement, and no individual or entity may
seek to increase recovery beyond the statutory amounts set forth in
Minn. Stat. Chapter 466 by attempting to aggregate the statutory
amounts applicable to the Park District or the City. The Park District
acknowledges that the City is acquiring an easement from the St. Louis
Park School District upon which a portion of the Trail will be
constructed. The Park District's indemnification of the City for Park
District acts or omissions includes the City's indemnification of the
School District.
11. Duration of License.
The license will be for a period of twenty (20) years commencing
12. Successor and Assigns.
The Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the
parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns, provided,
however, that neither the City nor the Park District shall have the right
to assign its rights, obligations and interests in or under this Agreement
to any other party without the prior written consent of the other party
hereto.
13. Amendment, Modification or Waiver.
No amendment, modification or waiver of any condition, provision or
term of this Agreement shall be valid or of any effect unless made in
writing and signed by the party or parties to be bound, or its duly
authorized representative. Any waiver by either party shall be effective
only with respect to the subject matter thereof and the particular
occurrence described therein, and shall not effect the rights of either
party with respect to any similar or dissimilar occurrences in the future.
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14. Saving Provision.
If any provision of the Agreement shall be found invalid or
unenforceable with respect to any entity or in any jurisdiction, remaining
provision of the Agreement shall not be affected thereby, and such
provisions found to be unlawful or unenforceable shall not be affected as
to their enforcement or lawfulness as to any other entity or in any other
jurisdiction, and to such extent the terms and provisions of this
Agreement are intended to be severable.
15. Notices.
Any notice given under this Agreement shall be deemed given on the
first business day following the date the same is deposited in the United
States Mail (registered or certified) postage prepaid, addressed as
follows:
tf to the Park District:
If to the City:
Suburban Hennepin Regional Park District
12615 County Road 9
Plymouth, Minnesota 55441
City Manager
City of St. Louis Park
5005 Minnetonka Boulevard
St. Louis Park, Minnesota 55416
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have signed this Agreement as of
the day and year first above written.
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CITY OF ST. LOUIS PARK
By:
Gail Dorfman
Its Mayor
By:
Charles W. Meyer
Its City Manager
STATE OF MINNESOTA
COUNTY OF
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SUBURBAN HENNEPIN REGIONAL PARK DISTRICT
By:
Its Chair - Board of Commissioners
By:
Its Superintendent and
Secretary to the Board
)ss.
The foregoing Trail Cooperative Agreement was acknowledged before me this
day of , 1998 by Gail Dorfman and Charles W. Meyer,
respectively the Mayor and City Manager of the City of St. Louis Park, a municipal
corporation, on behalf of the City of St. Louis Park.
STATE OF MINNESOTA )
)ss.
COUNTY OF
Notary Public
The foregoing Trail Cooperative Agreement was acknowledged before me this
day of , 1998 by and
, respectively the Chair and Superintendent of
Suburban Hennepin Regional Park District, a pubic corporation and political
subdivision of the State of Minnesota, on behalf of the corporation.
Notary Public
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MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
CITY OF ST. LOUIS PARK
CITY OF HOPKINS, HENNEPIN PARKS
CONSTRUCTION PLAN FOR GRADING, AGGREGATE BASE, BITUMINOUS SURFACING,
'CTION OF BRIDGE NO. 27V27, RETAINING WALLS, VINYL COATED CHAIN LINK FENCE, SIGNING AND S'I
HUTCHINSON SPUR REGIONAL TRAIL
STATE PROJECT NO. 163-090-01
LOCATED ON FORMER BURLINGTON NORTHERN RAILROAD CORRIDOR
FROM EXCELSIOR AVENUE TO TH 100
GROSS LENGTH 6872.85 METERS 6 •$ 73 KILOMETERS
BRIDGES-LENGTH 4 METERS 0 KILOMETERS
EXCEPTIONS- LENGTH
0 METERS 0 KILOMETERS
NET LENGTH XXXXX METERS xxxxx KILOMETERS
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I II END S.P. 163 - 090 -01
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