CR 2014-010 Approve Cost Participation Agreement Between City of Hopkins and Hennepin County for the Blake Road Corridor StudyJanuary 16, 2014 NOPKINS Council Report 2014-010
Approve Cost Participation Agreement between City of Hopkins and Hennepin
County for the Blake Road Corridor Study
Proposed Action.
Staff recommends adoption of the following motion: Move that Council authorize
the Mayor and City Manager to sign Hennepin County Cost Participation
Aareement. Contract #A132404.
Overview.
This is an agreement between the City and Hennepin County wherein the County
is committing $100,000 toward the costs to complete the Blake Road Corridor
Study. The total cost of the study is $150,000. The City is in the process of
getting commitments from other project partners including: Three Rivers Park
District - $5,000; Minnehaha Creek Watershed District - $5,000; City of Edina -
$10,000; and City of St Louis Park - $10,000. if these commitments are secured,
the City of Hopkins cost would be $20,000.
It is anticipated that the corridor study would be completed by December 2014 in
order to be included in an application for 2018 Federal grant funds.
Staff recommends approval.
Supporting Information.
• Cost Participation Agreement, Henn Cty contract #A132404
• Blake Road Corridor Study Scope of Work
k::A
Steven J. Stadler
Public Works Director
Hennepin County Contract No. A132404
COST PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT
FOR BLAKE ROAD CORRIDOR STUDY
This Agreement made and entered into by and between the County of Hennepin, State of
Minnesota, a public body corporate and politic, hereinafter referred to as the "COUNTY," A-
2300 Government Center, Minneapolis, MN 55487, and the City of Hopkins, a municipal
corporation, hereinafter referred to as the "CITY," 1010 1" Street South, Hopkins, MN 55343.
WHEREAS, Blake Road is a COUNTY road located within the CITY; and
WHEREAS, the Blake Road Corridor between Interlachen Boulevard and West 36'x'
Street lies within the cities of Hopkins, Edina and St. Louis Park; and
WHEREAS, the Blake Road Corridor is expected to undergo significant change; and
WHEREAS, the parties hereto, along with other public entities, agree that a study should
be conducted which identifies specific improvements that will be required to achieve the shared
land use and transportation vision for the corridor while accommodating the anticipated land use
changes; and
WHEREAS, the CITY is willing to undertake the study and contract with a consultant for
that purpose; and
WHEREAS, it is anticipated that the cost of the study will be $150,000, and it will take
eighteen months to complete; and
WHEREAS, the COUNTY wishes to participate in the cost of the study; and
WHEREAS, the Southwest LRT Community Works Capital Budget has funding
available to contribute to the study; and
WHEREAS, the COUNTY has the authority to contribute to the study pursuant to
Minnesota Statutes Chapter 163, §383B.79 and other applicable law; and
WHEREAS, the parties are authorized to enter into this Agreement pursuant to Minnesota
Statutes §§383B.79, 471.59 and other applicable law.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual undertakings and agreements
hereafter set forth, the parties agree as follows:
1. The COUNTY will disburse up to $100,000 to the CITY on a reimbursement basis
to fund the COUNTY'S share of the study costs. The COUNTY will pay the CITY
within forty-five (45) days of receipt of appropriate invoice with supporting
documentation.
2. The CITY will contract with a consultant acceptable to the COUNTY to conduct
the study in accordance with the scope of work attached hereto as Exhibit A.
3. The CITY is responsible for all other costs above and beyond the contribution made
by the COUNTY.
4. The term of this Agreement is from February 1, 2014 through July 31, 2015.
5. The CITY will provide to the COUNTY copies of all deliverables received from the
consultant.
6. Contract Administration. In order to coordinate the services of the CITY with the
activities of the COUNTY so as to accomplish the purposes of this Agreement,
Catherine Walker, or her successor, shall manage this Agreement on behalf of the
COUNTY and serve as liaison between the COUNTY and the CITY.
Notices. Any notice or demand which must be given or made by a party hereto
under the terms of this Agreement or any statute or ordinance shall be in writing,
and shall be sent registered or certified mail. Notices to the COUNTY shall be sent
to the County Administrator at the address given in the opening paragraph of the
Agreement. Notice to the COUNTY shall be sent to the County Administrator at
the address stated in the opening paragraph of the Agreement. Notice to the CITY
shall be sent to the address stated in the opening paragraph of the Agreement.
THIS PORTION OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK
COUNTY BOARD APPROVAL
The CITY, having signed this Agreement, and the Hennepin County Board of
Commissioners having duly approved this Agreement on the day of 2014,
and pursuant to such approval, the proper COUNTY officials having signed this Agreement, the
parties hereto agree to be bound by the provisions herein set forth.
ATTEST:
.0
Deputy/Clerk of the County Board
Date:
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
By:
Assistant County Attorney
Date:
COUNTY OF HENNEPIN
By:
Chair of Its County Board
Date:
And:
Assistant/Deputy/County Administrator
Date:
And:
Assistant County Administrator, Public
Works
Date:
RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL
an
Director, Department of Housing,
Community Works & Transit
Date:
Approved as to form and execution: CITY OF HOPIHNS
By:
City Attorney Its:
Date:
Date:
By:
Its:
Date:
Mayor
City Manager
Blake Road Corridor Study (From
Interlachen Boulevard to W. 36th Street)
August 15, 2013
I. Background
The Blake Road Corridor between Interlachen Boulevard and W. 36t` Street is expected to undergo
significant change over the next 20 years. A major catalyst for this change will be the implementation of
LRT in the Southwest corridor and construction of a station at Blake Road which is expected to open by
2018. In recognition of this change the City of Hopkins Comprehensive Plan calls for improvements to
Blake Road that include signing, paving, lighting, landscaping, sidewalks, and trails. The goals of
improving the Blake Road Corridor include: 1) Better accommodate all transportation modes including
bicycles, pedestrians and transit; 2) facilitating access to the fidure LRT station near Blake Road and 2nd
Street; 3) facilitate future redevelopment in the corridor; and 4) provide better connections to the adjacent
neighborhoods and parks.
The City and County have already conducted a number of studies to help identify potential redevelopment
and roadway changes in the corridor. These include:
East Hopkins Land Use and Market Study --July 24, 2003
This study provided a redevelopment concept for the area generally west of Blake Road and east of
Jackson Avenue between Excelsior Boulevard and 2nd Street. The boundary of this study is shown on
the attached Project Map.
Blake Road Small Area Plan—May 2009
This study developed a land use plan, design guidelines and potential streetscape improvements for Blake
Road between the Southwest Light Rail Transit Corridor and the Hopkins City boundaryjust south of.
Highway 7. The study was based on a LRT Station and park and ride site north of the Southwest LRT
corridor and west of Blake Road. (see Project Map)
Southwest Transitway Station Area Planning — December 2009
This study developed a vision for a Blake Road LRT Station and park and ride located north of the
Southwest LRT Corridor and west of Blake Road that addressed land use, access and circulation,
potential redevelopment and pedestrian and bicycle access. It incorporated some of the information and
recommendations from the Blake Road Small Area Plan.
Hennepin County is currently conducting a county wide pedestrian study and the City of Hopkins is
preparing a comprehensive pedestrian plan for the City that will provide some direction for development
of pedestrian facilities in and adjacent to the Blake Road corridor.
Hennepin County is also completing the Southwest LRT Transitional Station Area Action Plan (TSAAP)
that will evaluate the land use, transportation and infrastructure around proposed LRT stations. The
TSAAP study will make specific recommendations on station location, potential land use and
redevelopment, and the infrastructure needed to support the vision for the corridor and its transition to
transit and the station at Blake Road. The TSAAP study will help inform the Blake Road Corridor Study
and provide information on station location alternatives, park and ride facilities and the need for other
infrastructure to support the Blake Road Transit Station.
Finally, the Preliminary Engineering for the Southwest LRT line is also being completed and in
conjunction with the TSAAP recommendations will have recommendations for station location and the
supporting infrastructure required for the station at Blake Road.
Some redevelopment has already started in the corridor including:
Cold Storage Site
As part of its larger Minnehaha Creek Restoration Project, the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District
(MCWD) has purchased a 16.9 acre piece of property adjacent to Minnehaha Creek in Hopkins, as shown
on the Project Map. At the Blake Road property, the MCWD plans to restore about 1,000 feet of
shoreline in one of the most degraded sections of the creek. The area will become a natural buffer to help
clean and slow run-off water before it enters the creek, provide reasonable public access and improve
water quality. The rest of the property will be sold for re -development, which is consistent with the City's
comprehensive land use plan.
Cottageville Park
The City of Hopkins, in concert with the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District and the Met Council, is in
the process of expanding and improving Cottageville Park. The Watershed District purchased and
demolished a number of buildings in order to add park land which will also serve to help filter storm run
off before it gets to Minnehaha Creek. The City is just beginning the process of planning how the
enlarged Cottageville Park will look and what amenities it will contain.
Knollwood Mall
The City of St. Louis Park is reviewing plans for redevelopment of the Knollwood Mall north of TH 7
that has potential implications for traffic at TH 7 and Aquila and is expected to make changes in the
pedestrian circulation within this area.
II. Purpose of Blake Road Corridor Study
The purpose of Blake Road Corridor Study is to develop a "conceptual improvement plan" for Blake
Road from Interlachen Boulevard to W. 36 h Street that identifies the specific improvements that will be
made in the corridor to achieve the land use and transportation vision for the corridor and accommodate
the numerous plans for change adjacent to it. These improvements must be acceptable to Hennepin
County, businesses and residents in the corridor, MnDOT, the Watershed District, Metro Transit, Edina,
St. Louis Park and other affected agencies. The conceptual improvement plan for Blake Road will
address:
• The overall cross-section for Blake Road including number of lanes, turn lanes, lane widths,
bicycle accommodations, median locations and median widths, boulevards, sidewalks, overall
cross-section width, construction limits and tight -of -way needs.
• Location of sidewalks and trails and proposed pedestrian and bicycle crossings of Blake Road,
TH 7 and Excelsior Boulevard.
• Location of vehicular access to and from Blake Road
• Blake Road improvements needed to provide access to the Southwest LRT Blake Road Station
• Potential intersection improvements needed at the Blake Road intersections with Excelsior
Boulevard, 2nd Street, Lake Street, Cambridge Street, TH 7 and any other recommended access
locations in the corridor. The feasibility of an interchange at Blake Road and TH 7 will be
addressed as part of this study.
• Recommendations for landscaping and lighting in the corridor.
The conceptual plan will be developed in coordination with the planning and preliminary design that is
being completed for the Southwest LRT corridor and consistent with the current redevelopment planning
in the corridor. It will also meet the guidelines and standards of the agencies with jurisdiction, approval
or permitting authority in the corridor. An implementation plan will be developed that addresses potential
project phasing and timelines along with potential costs and funding sources for the proposed
improvements.
The City of Hopkins would like to implement the Blake Road improvements with the implementation of
LRT in the Southwest Corridor in 2018.
III.Potential Issues and Alternatives
Specific issues that will be addressed in the corridor include:
• Future traffic volume levels that can be expected on Blake Road and cross streets with future
redevelopment and development of a LRT station and park and ride facility at Blake Road. The
traffic forecasts for this corridor will be coordinated with the work that is being completed for the
TSAAP study and take into account other potential redevelopment in the corridor.
• Future traffic volumes on Excelsior Boulevard and TH 7 at Blake Road
• Location of Blake Road Station and Park and Ride Site and the access to it. Several sites have
been discussed and will impact traffic levels and access to existing and future land use in the
corridor.
• Access locations on Blake Road between Excelsior Boulevard and Southwest LRT Corridor that
could accommodate pedestrian access across Blake Road between existing residential uses on the
east side of Blake Road and a Blake Road LRT station west of Blake Road.
• Need for widening or replacement of bridge over Minnehaha Creek north of Lake Street to
accommodate Blake Road Improvements
• Need for on -street bicycle lanes on Blake Road and widths to accommodate lanes if they are
needed.
• Definition of access for existing businesses and access plan to accommodate future
redevelopment
• Cross-section and number of lanes on Blake Road south of Excelsior Boulevard to Interlachen
Boulevard
• The feasibility of an interchange at TH 7 and Blake Road including the potential for access
changes at Texas Avenue and TH 7
• Number and width of traffic lanes
• Need for and location of tura lanes
• Need for medians and median treatments
• Boulevard widths and treatments
• Location of sidewalks and trails in the corridor
• Pedestrian and bicycle crossing locations
IV. Scope of Work
The following tasks will be completed as part of the Blake Road Corridor Study
1. Project Management
The project management task includes the project administration and coordination of the project team to
ensure that the project is completed on schedule within budget and is of high quality. The specific tasks
include:
• Prepare monthly invoices and progress reports
• Maintain a project log documenting decisions and discussion of issues affecting plan
• Monitor project budget and schedule and determine adjustments needed if tasks overrun budget
or schedule changes
• Conduct uiternal team meetings to keep team members informed of project issues, budgets or
schedules
• Coordination and meetings with permitting or approval agencies
• Quality management
2. Public Involvement
An important part of this study will be involvement of all the key stakeholders in the study process to be
able to develop a plan that they will all approve at the conclusion of the study.
• Stakeholder/Public Involvement Plan—A specific plan will be developed that identifies how to
communicate with each of the key stakeholder groups during the study process in order to obtain
their input, understand their issues, communicate the alternatives and evaluation and gain their
consent in selecting a preferred alternative for the corridor.
• A Technical Advisory Committee will be formed to help provide direction for the study.
Members of the TAC may include:
o Hennepin County Transportation Department
o Hennepin County Transit and Community Works
o St. Louis Park
o Edina
0 3 Rivers Park District
o SWLRT Project Office
o TSAAP Staff
o Minnehaha Creek WD
o MnDOT
• Prepare TAC meeting agendas and minutes and attend and present at the TAC meetings
• Arrange and prepare for three Public Meetings for study area residents and businesses to obtain
their input on issues and alternatives and to communicate alternatives considered and evaluation
results
• Provide information for city website that is up to date with study progress.
4
• Present at 3 City Council Work Sessions/Council Meetings to inform City Council on study
progress and agency and public feedback.
3. Data Collection
Most of the data needed will be available from the previous studies and from the current effort foi• the
Transitional Station Area Action Plan. Specific data needed for this study include:
• Daily and peak hour traffic volumes on Blake Road
• AM and PM peak hour turning movement data at the intersections of Blake Road and Excelsior
Boulevard, 2nd Street, Lake Street, Cambridge Street, and TH 7
• Crash data for the last three years
• Base Aerial and topographic mapping for the corridor
• Previous studies for the corridor
• Existing utility (underground and overhead) and storm water facilities in corridor
• Existing Right-of-way limits in corridor
4. Document Existing and Future Traffic Conditions
The following subtasks will be completed to document the traffic and safety conditions in the corridor
Develop and show 2030 peak hour turning movements for key intersections which include the
following intersections on Blake Road.
o Excelsior Boulevard
0 2nd Street
o Lake Street
o Cambridge Street
o TH 7
Conduct traffic operations analysis using Synchro/Simtraffic for existing and forecast traffic and
document delays and levels of service in the corridor for key intersections
Conduct crash analysis for corridor'based on data for last 3 years and document type and
frequency of crashes relative to metro area statistics for similar facilities
5. Identify Corridor Goals and Objectives
• Develop a list of needs in the corridor and document the goals and objectives for the corridor
relative to pedestrians, bicycles, transit, business access, LRT station and park and ride access,
mobility, aesthetics (lighting and landscaping), connections to trails and parks, and safety. The
goals and objectives should take into account that Blake Road is a collector roadway under
Hennepin County jurisdiction.
6. Alternatives Development
This task includes the identification and illustration of potential alternatives for the corridor. The
alternative cross-section south of Excelsior Boulevard to hiterlachen Boulevard will be different than the
cross-section considered north of Excelsior Boulevard. Subtasks that will be completed include:
• Document potential alternatives relative to number of lanes, lane widths, bike lanes, medians,
boulevards, sidewalk locations and widths, trail Iocations and widths, locations for partial and full
access, LRT station and park and ride access, transit stops and transit related facilities, and traffic
control.
• Prepare typical sections for the corridor combining above alternative elements into logical
potential cross-sections for the corridor. This could vary by location in the corridor.
• If widening is required determine whether it is appropriate to widen equally on both sides or to
choose one side or the other for widening.
• Develop horizontal layouts for the corridor based on typical sections and potential access
locations. Up to 5 alternative layouts will be developed.
• Review profile for the roadway to determine if there are any grade or sight distance concerns
within the corridor.
• Identify the intersection geometries at the five key intersections that would be required to
accommodate the forecast traffic volumes for the corridor and show on horizontal layout.
Intersection geometries should also define the accommodations for pedestrian and bicycle
crossings at the key intersections.
• Develop concept interchanges for the intersection of TH 7 and Blake Road/Aquila. Estimate cost
and impacts associated with an interchange to determine long term feasibility of an interchange.
• Prepare additional illustrations of specific locations, concepts for landscape or aesthetic
treatments, or adjacent facilities that will assist in the alternative evaluation.
7. Evaluation and Selection of Preferred Alternative
The purpose of this task is to develop a framework for evaluating the alternatives and conduct the
evaluation to select a preferred alternative for the corridor. The analysis would include evaluation of
interchange options at TH 7 and Blake Road and result in specific recommendations for Blake Road
between Interlachen Boulevard and TH 7.
• Develop an evaluation framework to evaluate and select a preferred alternative for the corridor.
The evaluation framework would be based on the goals and objectives for the corridor and would
consider costs (construction, right-of-way, and engineering), environmental impacts, access
impacts, and potential phasing.
• Identify preliminary construction limits and right-of-way needs for each alternative
• Develop Cost estimates for construction and right-of-way for each alternative.
• Identify potential environmental impacts for each alternative
• Compare business and LRT access for each alternative
• Develop an evaluation matrix (numeric, or subjective, or a combination of both) comparing
alternatives to assist in the evaluation and selection of a preferred alternative.
• Prepare memorandum documenting evaluation process and recommendation of a preferred
alternative.
B. Implementation Plan
The implementation plan will identify the next steps that should be taken to facilitate eventual
construction of the identified improvements and identify potential funding sources for different elements
of the plan. Specific subtasks that will be completed include:
• Document the construction and right-of-way costs for the preferred alternative.
• Identify the next steps for implementation of the recommended plan.
• Identify potential staging or phasing of implementation if appropriate.
• Address feasibility and potential timing for an interchange at TH 7 and Blake Road.
• Identify possible funding sources for the right-of-way and construction costs.
9. Prepare Final Report
A final report will be prepared that documents the information and results from the completion of the
above tasks. A draft report will be prepared for the city's review. The draft will be revised based on the
city's input and provided to the TAC for their review. A final report will be prepared that incorporates
and addresses comments received from the TAC.
V. Schedule
A detailed schedule will be developed with input from the City of Hopkins and other stakeholders.
7
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