HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. 245-19 - Amending the Downtown Circulator Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) and Project Development Resolution
RESOLUTION
Amending the Downtown Circulator Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) and Project
Development Resolution.
WHEREAS, Minnesota Statute 469.40 provided for the establishment of a Destination
Medical Center Development District (“District”) for the purpose of facilitating development of
public infrastructure projects that support the state and local objective of creating a destination
medical center; and
WHEREAS, Pursuant to statute, the Destination Medical Center Corporation adopted a
DMC Development Plan (“Plan”) on April 23, 2015 and the Rochester Common Council adopted
the Plan on March 23, 2015; and
WHEREAS, Action by the Rochester Common Council in City Resolution #133-15 adopting
the DMC Plan recognized the need to complete further study and refinement of the transportation
strategies and actions identified in the Plan in order to provide an in-depth assessment of options
and fully evaluate the details of the transportation solutions proposed in the Plan; to insure
projects best serve the needs of the City and the District and are the most cost effective solutions;
and
WHEREAS, In furtherance of the goals of the DMC Development Plan, the Rochester
Common Council authorized funding for the Destination Medical Center Transportation &
Infrastructure Program Integrated Transit Studies (“Transit Studies”) for the purpose of providing a
rigorous assessment of alternatives for vehicular, transit, pedestrian, and bicycle travel at a level of
detail needed to generate confidence in the study’s findings, conclusions, and recommendations
and support for the economic development, sustainability and community livability goals of the
DMC Development Plan; and
WHEREAS, Rochester Common Council approved City Resolution #237-18 accepting the
findings and conclusions of the DMC Transportation & Infrastructure Program Integrated Transit
Studies, providing a planning framework for the transportation projects and programs needed to
support the economic development efforts of the Destination Medical Center Corporation
(“DMCC”) and City of Rochester (“City) towards creation of a Destination Medical Center; and
WHEREAS, The purpose of the Rochester Downtown Transit Circulator is to provide
high quality downtown public transportation service for residents, commuters, businesses,
patients, students, and visitors that will support the City of Rochester and DMC district
transportation, economic development, and livability goals and substantially increase public
transportation use downtown; and
WHEREAS, An alternatives analysis has been completed to analyze rapid transit (bus)
and streetcar alternatives connecting the Mayo West Lot with Saint Mary’s Hospital,
downtown Rochester, and Graham Park/ Seneca Foods site; and
WHEREAS The purpose of the alternatives analysis was to evaluate and recommend
transit service that enhances mobility and access to opportunities for residents, businesses,
and visitors, and to cultivate economic prosperity; and
WHEREAS, The technical analysis and public engagement have led to the
identification of a Locally Preferred Alternative that includes the definition of the mode,
conceptual alignment, and general station locations which can be refined through further
station-area and transit-oriented development planning as well as environmental and
engineering efforts; and
WHEREAS, Rapid Transit on Broadway Avenue South best meets the project’s
purpose and need and would likely qualify for Federal Transit Administration Capital
Investment Grant Program funding; and
WHEREAS, The Destination Medical Center Corporation Board is considering Rapid
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Transit on Broadway Avenue as the Locally Preferred Alternative at their October 18, 2019
meeting; and
WHEREAS, The selected locally preferred alternative is further defined as rapid transit
along 2nd Street Southwest and Broadway Avenue South within a business-access and
transit lane for approximately four miles connecting the Mayo West Lot with Saint Mary’s
Hospital, downtown Rochester, Discovery Square, and Graham Park/Seneca Foods site; and
WHEREAS, To increase project effectiveness and reduce construction disruptions the
following projects currently approved in the Capital Improvement Program will be included with
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the rapid transit project: reconstruction of 2 Street from 11 to 16 Avenues SW, the
underpass and St. Mary Station Improvements, and site preparation and construction of a
above ground parking garage on the Graham Park/Seneca Foods site; and
WHEREAS, The next phase of the Circulator project will include further design and
environmental analysis under the federal and state environmental review processes; and
WHEREAS, The public will continue to be engaged throughout the environmental
review process and subsequent design, engineering and construction phases to ensure that
the project is reflective of the needs of the diverse communities within and visiting Rochester;
and
WHEREAS, The City of Rochester and its project partners intend to pursue Federal
Transit Administration Capital Improvement Grant funds through the Small Starts Program;
and
WHEREAS, The first phase of the Small Starts program is called Project Development,
and to enter Project Development the Federal Transit Administration requires that project
sponsors provide documentation of commitments of funds for the Project Development work;
and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, The Rochester City Council supports the
selection of Rapid Transit on Broadway Avenue South as the Downtown Circulator Locally
Preferred Alternative.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, The Rochester City Council directs the City Clerk to
send this resolution to the Rochester-Olmsted Council of Governments for consideration for
inclusion of the Downtown Rapid Transit as the Locally Preferred Alternative in the region’s
long-range transportation plan.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Council authorizes $13.805 million be allocated
to Downtown Rapid Transit Project Development in the form of engineering designs
development and environmental clearances; $3.872 million in 2020 and $9.933 million in the
2021 Capital Improvement Program.
PASSED AND ADOPTED BY THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
ROCHESTER, MINNESOTA, THIS __________ DAY OF _______________, 2019.
___________________________________
PRESIDENT OF SAID COMMON COUNCIL
ATTEST: __________________________
CITY CLERK
APPROVED THIS _____ DAY OF ______________________, 2019.
___________________________________
MAYOR OF SAID CITY
(Seal of the City of
Rochester, Minnesota)