Item Description:
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Neg Agmt PR00006396 with the St. Louis Park EDA, 07/23/24-12/31/26, NTE $300,000
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Resolution:
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BE IT RESOLVED, that consistent with the Southwest LRT Community Works Investment Framework, the County Administrator be authorized to negotiate Grant Agreement PR00006396 with the St. Louis Park Economic Development Authority, or affiliated entity, for the METRO Green Line Extension Beltline Station Project, with the not to exceed amount of $300,000 (CP 0031805 Southwest LRT Community Works) during the period July 23, 2024 through December 31, 2026; that following review and approval by the County Attorney’s Office, the Chair of the Board be authorized to sign the agreement on behalf of the county; and that the Controller be authorized to disburse funds as directed.
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Background:
The Southwest LRT Community Works project (CP 0031805) was established to provide an organizational structure and process for coordinating light rail transit (LRT) engineering and land use planning (Resolution 09-0596). In 2010, the County Board directed staff to begin project implementation to maximize the opportunities to enhance the public benefits of transit investments through strategic, coordinated public and private investments “beyond the rails” that will support economic development, creation of accessible jobs and housing, more efficient use of land, and creation of healthy, safe, and walkable neighborhoods served by public transit (Resolution 10-0303R1).
Southwest LRT Community Works activities to date have included three trail grade separation projects in partnership with Three Rivers Parks District, support for the Relocation of 31st Street West in Minneapolis, installation of fiber optic infrastructure along the corridor, and Flying Cloud Trail gap construction. Funding was also approved to support new pedestrian and bike infrastructure connecting to the Golden Triangle Station and connections from the Minnehaha Creek Regional Trail to the Blake Road Station.
Agreement PR00006396 with the St. Louis Park Economic Development Authority (EDA) will provide funding to support major utility, site preparation, and pedestrian infrastructure for redevelopment on the north side of the METRO Green Line Extension Beltline Station in St. Louis Park. The currently planned Beltline Station project will provide 380 housing units, 19,500 square feet of commercial space, and more than 30 new jobs. The total investment value of the project is approximately $149 million.
This funding award is consistent with the Southwest LRT Community Works Investment Framework (Resolution 14-0490). The jobs and housing created by this development are adjacent to transit and will reduce disparities by lowering combined housing and transportation costs for residents and workers. Adding housing and commercial uses in the light rail station area also helps meet Hennepin County’s climate action goals by reducing vehicle miles traveled.
Current Request:
This request is for authorization to negotiate Grant Agreement PR00006396 with St. Louis Park EDA with a not to exceed amount of $300,000, during the period of July 23, 2024 through December 31, 2026.
Impact/Outcomes:
This funding will assist with infrastructure costs associated with coordinated redevelopment that will generate 380 housing units, including 82 units affordable to residents earning less than 60 percent of area median income; 19,500 square feet commercial space; and an estimated 30 jobs adjacent to the METRO Green Line Extension Beltline Boulevard Station.
recommendation
Recommendation from County Administrator: Recommend Approval