Title
Accepting contributions from Exeter Group LLC and Ramsey County Regional Rail Authority for River Balcony Master Planning and Phase 1 Schematic Design.
Body
WHEREAS, the Great River Passage Master Plan (2013) calls for a River Balcony along the downtown river bluff from the Science Museum of Minnesota to Union Depot; and
WHEREAS, the River Balcony will comprise a series of parks and development sites linked by a continuous broad pedestrian walkway; and
WHEREAS, the River Balcony will contribute to the economic vitality of downtown and extend community life to the edge of the river; and
WHEREAS, on January 15, 2015, the City of Saint Paul entered into an agreement with the Regents of the University of Minnesota authorizing the Metropolitan Design Center of the University of Minnesota to provide professional design services for the River Balcony, including a master plan for the entire length of the proposed route (Science Museum to Union Depot) and schematic design for Phase 1 (from Robert Street to Union Depot); and
WHEREAS, the original contract with the Regents of the University of Minnesota was for $100,000; and
WHEREAS, due to the need for additional meetings and work to address issues that arose in the course of preparing the Master Plan, the Metropolitan Design Center has exceeded the $100,000 budget; and
WHEREAS, both Union Depot and the Custom House project will be connected to the River Balcony, most likely in Phase 1; and
WHEREAS, Exeter Group LLC, developer of the Custom House, has agreed to contribute $10,000 towards the cost overrun; and
WHEREAS, Ramsey County Regional Rail Authority, owner of Union Depot, has agreed to contribute $10,000 towards the cost overrun; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor, pursuant to Section 10.07.1 of the Charter of the City of Saint Paul, does certify that there are available for appropriation fund of $20,000 in excess of those estimated in the 2016 budget;
NOW,THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City of Saint Paul hereby accepts the $10,000 contribution from Exeter Group LLC and the $10,000 contribution from the Ramsey County Regional Rail Authority for the purpose of completing the River Balcony Master Plan and Phase 1 Schematic Design; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the budgets are hereby amended per Attachment A.
Financial Analysis
See Attachment.