CR 10-004 Hennepin County Transit Oriented Devel. Program - Blake Rd.February 1, 2010 N O P K I N S Council Report 2010 -004
HENNEPIN COUNTY TRANSIT ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM —
BLAKE ROAD
Proposed Action
Staff recommends adoption of the following motion: Approve Resolution 2010 -004
supporting an application to Hennepin County's Transit Oriented Development Program
for the Blake Rd Corridor.
Overview
Hennepin County's Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Program funds projects that
promote a mixture of housing, retail, and workplaces within walking distance of transit to
maximize access and use of that transit. TOD funds are intended to supplement
existing available resources and increase use of transit, as well as increased pedestrian
and bicycle activity in Hennepin County. Blake Rd is a county corridor, and the section
of the road from Excelsior Blvd to Highway 7 poses many challenges for access to
neighborhoods, retail, workplaces, and transit stops. The LRT station planned along the
trail and the Blake Rd Corridor will only exacerbate access issues along the corridor for
pedestrians, bicyclists, and drivers.
In 2008 the City of Hopkins received $234,000 in TOD funds to construct sidewalks
where they were most needed in the Corridor. This work was completed in August of
2009 and has provided a dramatic improvement to pedestrian conditions. Staff is
proposing an application for a second phase of improvements in the Corridor's
streetscape. This year's application asks for funding for pedestrian lighting so that the
new sidewalks are safe and accessible when it is dark out.
Primary Issues to Consider
• What will the application consist of?
• How much is the anticipated funding request?
Supporting Information
• Resolution 2010 -004
• DRAFT 2009 Hennepin County TOD application
Tara Beard
Community Development Coordinator
Financial Impact: $ Budgeted: Y/N Y_ Source: _PIR fund (501)
Related Documents (CIP, ERP, etc.):
Notes:
Council Report 2010 -004
Page 2
Analvsis of Issues
What will the application consist of?
Multiple efforts in the Blake Road Corridor have revealed a strong need for pedestrian
and bicycle improvements to the streetscape to more intuitively and safely support
movement between transit, jobs, and housing. The Blake Road Corridor Small Area
Plan, completed in May 2009, has recommended three phases of streetscape
improvements to the Corridor. A first phase would repair and construct sidewalks where
needed to provide continuous paved access for pedestrians. This phase was
implemented with Hennepin County TOD funds in August 2009. A second phase
includes the placement of pedestrian scale lighting on the Corridor. Public participation
in the Small Area Plan process has revealed a universal desire for improved lighting on
the Corridor, and from a safety perspective it is a high priority.
Staff is currently reviewing streetlight products and will likely recommend streetlights
every 50 — 100 feet, or approximately 70 total streetlights. If the project is funded, staff
will work with Hennepin County Public Works and Blake Road property owners for
consensus on final lighting design and location decisions. If the property is only partially
funded, staff will work with these same partners to determine which areas have the
greatest need.
How much is the anticipated funding request?
The County's TOD Program is making available $2 million in Capital Bond funds to
support TOD projects in 2010. City staff is still determining a budget for the streetlights
for a final funding request, but does not plan to submit a request for more than $500,000
in TOD funds for 2010. Hennepin County is not requiring commitment to an
administration fee at the time of application, as it did in 2009, but has told staff that a fee
of up to 4.5% may be required if funds are awarded. This will be done on a case by
case basis, and if such a fee is required the Council can determine at that time if they
still choose to accept any funding.
Alternatives
The Council has the following alternatives:
• Approve resolution 2010 -004 as is
• Approve resolution 2010 -004 with changes to the terms of the application
• Deny resolution 2010 -004 and opt not to apply for 2010 TOD funding
CITY OF HOPKINS
HENNEPIN COUNTY, MINNESOTA
RESOLUTION NO. 2010 -004
RESOLUTION SUPPORTING TRANSIT ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT GRANT
APPLICATION TO HENNEPIN COUNTY HOUSING AND REDEVELOPMENT
AUTHORITY
BE IT RESOLVED, that the City of Hopkins, in accordance with Minnesota Statutes §
383B.77, subd. 3., supports the Transit Oriented Development grant application
submitted to the Hennepin County Housing and Redevelopment Authority on February
25, 2010, by the City of Hopkins for the Blake Rd Corridor.
Adopted this 1 st day of February 2010.
LOW
Eugene J. Maxwell, Mayor
Attest:
Terry Obermaier, City Clerk.
Hennepin County
2010 Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Program
Application
Hennepin County reserves the right to accept or reject all funding requests and resc'
Hennepin County reserves the right to request additional information, as determS
application. All information submitted through this solicitation becomes the pro to applicable law relating to the source of TOD Program funding, applicants who subject to a fee. Details will be discussed with applicants prior to the ann ce
Read 2010 TOD Program Guidelines carefully prior to completing "cation
L. Fitzgerald at 612- 543 -0864, patricia .I.fitzgerald @co.hennepin.mn,
Project Title: Blake Road Streetscape Improvements
Brief Project Description (25 words or less): Purchas
along existing and new sidewalks on Blake Road
for proposals.
gview any
N nty. Subject
ay be
�m ations.
instaIlati of pedestrian scale Ii
;oad 20).
Applicant Name: City of Hopkins
Street Address: 1010 1 st St S
City: Hopkins State: MN Zip Code: 55343
Project Contact Person: Tara Bear =mow
Phone: 952 - 548 -6343 E -mai ; d6h6 ,mn.com
Hennepin County TOD Funds Req
Main Site Address /Location: Blake Road
City (or Townsho! — H6
$ 300,
and Highway 7
nepin County District Number: 6
Transit line * e station(s) o op(s) within A .,
A,
Transit, (s), station(s) o op(s) within Y2 mi
Fore I, identif a ss, lot size, and current property taxes.
Current prop PID Pffcel address Square footage Current year's
owner I I I property taxes
W04- i'if.i€..Ff.OaM74 � .
Total squire footage and current property taxes
. Is the project within a municipally designated Redevelopment Plan/ Project Area or Housing District?
Yes , Name of Redevelopment Plan /Project Area or Housing District: Redevelopment Project No. 1
A b h velopment Plan or Housing District maps and adopting resolution.
Re pment Plan /Housing District must be in place at the time of final county approval.
Has the municipality passed a multijurisdictional resolution supporting the application and authorizing
submittal of the application and execution of subsequent implementing agreements?
®Yes ❑No ❑In process City contact person: Tara Beard Attach resolution.
2. Ou& of Proposeo" Oriented D ment Project
W he outcomes he overall project, hat makes it TOD? Describe how the project meets the stated
gals arwtriteria for t e 10 TOD Program Guidelines Section VI A & B). For example, how
many hour units " s will be cr , *bw will the project promote transit ridership and /or improve walkability?
Explain how ct meets the location criteria discussed in the guidelines Section III. Specifically state the
project's proxi any existing or planned transit lines, stops or stations. See also 2010 TOD Program
elines fora ion of TOD (Section I) and resources for more information about TOD (Appendix B).
Tyr ke Road C or p ct will dramatically improve walkability by providing well -lit access to
the m ' housing, j 'transit opportunities in the area. Many residents have indicated a
fear of ing the Co r r at night because of the poor lighting, and we expect increased activity
on Blake d with "o quate lighting. There are many businesses and restaurants in the corridor
that are w ng distance from residential properties, and pedestrian lighting will encourage an
active lifes of accessing these amenities by foot.
ublic impro ents to the Corridor will show an investment that will catalyze additional development
that w increase residential and employment density, increase tax base, and create jobs. This
s T n demonstrated by the small area plan and new sidewalks - recently Pizza Luce
ased a vacant restaurant on the Corridor. They indicated that efforts in the Corridor had
t6hvinced them that the location was "up and coming" and they want to be a part of the
revitalization that is in progress. New lighting will continue to support that perception and leverage
additional investment in the Corridor.
92
The Blake Road Corridor serves four different bus lines, including the all -day service 7
routes. Not only does the Blake Road have three bus stops directly on it (over and about
1/2 mile), but there are more than a dozen additional bus stops within a 1/4 Finally, a
regional rail corridor (Southwest) crosses through the heart of the Corridor RT Station is
planned less than a 1/4 mile from the intersection of Blake Road and 2" E.
The Blake Road Corridor has been the focus of many Ala studies in the past few years, both in ort
of neighborhood revitalization and to prepare for the S est LRT trsitway. A market study was
completed as a part of the Southwest LRT Station S a Plan? recommendation for new
buildings in the station area includes over 1700 hou gun ' � 0,0et of commercial
development, and 500,000 square feet of mixed -use develop o d include additional housing.
It is anticipated that as the market recovers the revitalization e a orridor (such as pedestrian
improvements) as well as the future LRT Station will position the r multiple opportunities for priate
sector redevelopment.
AV
3. Feasibility
What work has been done to assess the feasibility of transit oriented dvelopNthisl he project If applicable,
has a market study been completed? What is the role of the private in Discuss they th
overall project consists of public sector investment only, private i m nly, or a combination of p ' a
private investment, including whether any and all partners are itted atis time. Refer to 2010 TO ram
Guidelines Section VI C.
The revitalization efforts in the C
outreach and neighborhood
in grassroots community en
outreach in ways that will in
o leveraged national funds to continued community
Initiatives Support Corpor has invested over $250,000
ategies si partnered with tkf" ity of Hopkins to utilize this
participatio iving, and support TOD.
4. Financials / Need for TOD Program din
Why are TOD Program funds needed.
Pedestrian lighti lake Road is not in ity's Capital Improvement Plan and will not be funded
without TOD �.
List all ces and uses Ofunds for the over roject, or attach a project pro forma. (If the project is a
mun infrastructure ect, provide source uses for the infrastructure project, and another table listing
s , nd uses for deMopment projects wi the redevelopment area. With regard to municipal projects,
ire ill be to b . tial investments from other sources are committed.)
c
se
Committed/
Type of
Amount
Pending
Funds*
Hennepin Co` TOD
Sidewalk engineering
Committed
Grant
$234,000
and construction in
'Priority areas of the
Corridor
City of kins
Sidewalk engineering
Committed
City
$13,632
in priority areas of the
funds
Corridor
Henne ins oun!y
Pedestrian Study
Committed
Grant
$6,000
HennepoCounty
Corridor Planning
Committed
Grant
$40,000
City of : � Akins
Corridor Planning
Committed
City
$10,000
-ro
funds
l Initiatives Support
Community Outreach
Committed
Grant
$270,000
>r oration
City of Hopkins
Cottageville Park
City
Li htin g
funds
Hennepin County TOD
Pedestrian Lighting
Pending
Grant
$300, 000
2010
A
*Specify "Loan ", "Grant ", "Owner's Funds ", etc.
TOD request as % of
Readiness
Describe the project's readiness and ability to meet the timeline
Guidelines. Discuss site control, funding commitments, partner
approvals, or any other significant project milestones achieved.
funded activities will be completed, and when the overall projeQA
City staff has the capacity to immediately hire and ma
pedestrian lighting once funding is secured.
1 •1
?Ibe velopm agreements, `
wh a proposed TOD Prog
co eted.
a subcontractor who will install
6. Application Checklist
The following may be attached to the applic i xcluded from the page limit), or
be submitted anytime prior to May 1, 2010:
El Redevelopment Plan /Project Area or Housin
❑ Redevelopment Plan or Housing District Ado on
❑ City resolution supporting the TOD applicationg of the application, execution
of subse quent implementing agreements and �.°
Submit one electronic copy (on disc or USB drive), one original, an a complete copies of the
application to address listed below. Please include any graphics or p as ind' g al jpegs. Hard copies
must be unbound, with only paper o der clips attached. Doubles u s are strongly preferred.