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Authorizing approval of the petition by Ryan Companies on behalf of the University of St. Thomas (“UST”) to divert City parkland to accommodate UST sports facilities.
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WHEREAS, the City of Saint Paul (“City”) owns a parcel of parkland within the Highland Bridge development and described as Park D, Ford, according to the recorded plat thereof, Ramsey County, Minnesota; and
WHEREAS, in conjunction with said development projects, Ryan Companies on behalf of the University of St. Thomas desires to construct new sports facilities to accommodate UST baseball and softball programs, (“Sports Facilities”) upon portions of Park D, as depicted in Attachment A attached hereto; and
WHEREAS, Chapter 13.01.1 outlines the process that the City must take in order to divert parkland for non-park purposes; and
WHEREAS, Ryan Companies on behalf of the UST, has requested the diversion of Park D to accommodate the UST Sports Facilities; and
WHEREAS, Ryan Companies’ affiliated entity, Project Paul LLC, owns property directly east and adjoining Park D and intends to convey a portion of such land to the City as replacement parkland to comply with Section 13.01.1 of the City Charter and dedicate as parkland named Mica Park, which will be labeled “Park” on the new plat of Southern Highland Bridge, Ramsey County (“Replacement Parkland”); and
WHEREAS, UST and the City are entering into a Memorandum of Understanding that provides for a financial contribution from UST of $250,000 to the City for the development of Replacement Parkland, requires UST to provide future public access easements over portions of the new University Parcel to allow for future pedestrian, bike, and multimodal transit enhancements to connect the parks and amenities of Highland Bridge, and authorizes certain public use and access to the future Sports Facilities and parking facilities attached hereto as Attachment B; and
WHEREAS, the Saint Paul Parks and Recreation Commission supports the diversion of Park D and a re-establishment of parkland, Replacement Parkland, named Mica Park as stated in its resolution, Number 23-02, adopted May 11, 2023, a copy of which is attached hereto as Attachment C; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that upon the petition of Ryan Companies (or its affiliated entity Project Paul LLC), as documented in Office of Financial Services, Real Estate Section, file number 01-PKLDVRS-2023, City parkland within Highland Bridge, described as Park D according to the recorded plat thereof is diverted for non-park purposes; and be it further
RESOLVED, that the proper city officials are hereby authorized and directed to:
A. In conjunction with recording of the plat of Southern Highland Bridge and the dedication of the Replacement Parkland, execute and deliver a quit claim deed conveying to UST (or its designated affiliated entity) all the City’s rights, title, and interest in said Park D parcel to accommodate the development of the UST Sports Facilities; and
B. Accept just compensation from Petitioner in the form of replacement parkland and dedicate parkland named Mica Park in plat thereof, Ramsey County as required in Chapter 13.01.1 of the City Charter; and
C. Collect from Petitioner all fees required to comply with the City’s parkland diversion guidelines.