Title
Authorizing execution of a memorandum of understanding regarding redevelopment of the Central Station Block; and an operations and maintenance agreement for a stair and elevator tower on the Central Station Block with the Housing and Redevelopment Authority and the Metropolitan Council.
Body
WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Council ("Council"), the City of Saint Paul ("City"), and the Housing and Redevelopment Authority of the City of Saint Paul, Minnesota ("Authority") have been focused on the improvement of transit within Saint Paul, most notably through the development of the Green Line Light Rail Transit (LRT) line; and
WHEREAS, in conjunction with the construction of the Green Line LRT Project the Council acquired approximately 1.32 acres of real property located in the Central Station Block - that block in downtown Saint Paul bounded by Cedar, Fourth, Minnesota, and Fifth Streets - as depicted on Attachment A; and
WHEREAS, the Authority owns 0.22 acres of real property in the northeast corner of the Central Station Block adjacent to the Council land; and
WHEREAS, the three parties have been working together for many years on the Green Line project and related efforts, and desire to continue working collaboratively and cooperatively to define parameters for the redevelopment of the Central Station Block that meet the shared goals of increased transit ridership and economic development to increase the tax base of the City; and
WHEREAS, the three parties share an interest in promoting transit oriented development on the Central Station Block, utilizing the adjacent properties owned by the Council and the Authority; and
WHEREAS, the three parties desire to continue their ongoing working relationship as it relates to the Green Line project and memorialize their understandings and expectations regarding the Central Station Block and its redevelopment in a Memorandum of Understanding; and
WHEREAS, the Council owns and will operate a light rail station ("Central Station") on the Green Line within the Central Station Block; and
WHEREAS, it is proposed that a stairway and elevator be located on Council property adjacent to the Central Station to connect with the skyway system ("Vertical Access Tower"); and
WHEREAS, the proposed Vertical Access Tower, which will be built and paid for by the Council, has an estimated construction cost of $1.4 million; and
WHEREAS, the Council will own and operate the Vertical Access Tower provided the three parties share the Vertical Access Tower's operating and maintenance costs; and
WHEREAS, the City believes that the decision to share in the ongoing operation and maintenance costs is supported by the benefits the Vertical Access Tower will provide to citizens in the downtown area; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED by the Saint Paul City Council as follows:
RESOLVED, the City is authorized to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Authority and the Council setting forth the three parties' intentions and expectations for the redevelopment of the Central Station Block; and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City agrees to enter in this Memorandum of Understanding based upon the assumption that the Council will: 1) construct the Vertical Access Tower adjacent to the Central Station; 2) fund the capital costs associated with the construction of the Vertical Access Tower, and pay for a minimum of one-half of the ongoing operation and maintenance costs for the Vertical Access Tower; 3) make improvements to the bus waiting areas at the intersections of 5th and Minnesota Streets, 6th and Minnesota Streets, and 6th and Cedar Streets ("Bus Waiting Area Improvements"); 4) cooperate with a developer to incorporate into any design of a future redevelopment on the Central Station Block, a bus waiting area at 5th and Minnesota Streets; and 5) work with the City to support the future use and design of the small triangular parcel north of the Athletic Club building; and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City agrees to enter in this Memorandum of Understanding based upon the assumption that the Authority will: 1) grant an easement to the Council for approximately 800 square feet of the Authority's property adjacent to 5th Street, at no cost to the Council, to allow for improvements to the bus waiting area on the Central Station Block; 2) actively encourage and market redevelopment opportunities on the Central Station Block; and 3) share in 50% of the ongoing operation and maintenance costs for the Vertical Access Tower, but that the combined annual share for the City and Authority will not exceed $37,500; and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City will agree to: 1) facilitate and participate, to the extent City funding is available, in streetscape and pedestrian improvements such as curb extensions and landscaping within the public right-of-way related to the Bus Waiting Area Improvements; 2) share in the ongoing operation and maintenance costs for the Vertical Access Tower, with the understanding that the total combined annual share for the City and Authority will not exceed $37,500; and 3) work with the Council to determine the future use and design of the small triangular parcel north of the Athletic Club building; and be it
FINALLY RESOLVED, staff of the Department of Planning and Economic Development are further authorized and directed to proceed with all other actions necessary to implement this Resolution.