Title
Supporting for the Rush Line Bus Rapid Transit Project 15 Percent Plans within the City of Saint Paul.
Body
WHEREAS, Ramsey County is leading the design of the Rush Line Bus Rapid Transit Project (“Project”) through the Environmental Analysis Phase; in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT), the Metropolitan Council and its Metro Transit division (Metropolitan Council), Saint Paul, Maplewood, Vadnais Heights, Gem Lake, White Bear Lake and White Bear Township (“Municipalities”); and
WHEREAS, the Environmental Analysis Phase includes the preparation of an Environmental Assessment in partnership with MnDOT, the Metropolitan Council and the Municipalities; and
WHEREAS, Ramsey County has been working collaboratively with MnDOT, the Metropolitan Council and the Municipalities and other stakeholders over the previous two years to resolve issues and develop a scope of work of project components (known as the 15 percent plans) for evaluation in the Environmental Assessment; and
WHEREAS, residents and businesses have participated in numerous committees, community meetings, pop-up events, and other public forums to provide feedback and assist with developing the 15 percent plans; and
WHEREAS, City of Saint Paul staff have reviewed the 15 percent plans and have provided comments and direction on plan refinements; and
WHEREAS, the City of Saint Paul is pursuing design for the reconstruction of Robert Street between I-94 and the Mississippi River in 2024-2025, and its design may or may not accommodate dedicated bus lanes for the Rush Line project; and
WHEREAS, Ramsey County has worked collaboratively with MnDOT, Metropolitan Council, and the Municipalities to address staff comments on the 15 percent plans; and
WHEREAS, Ramsey County is requesting that the Municipalities, as the agencies with local jurisdiction, provide a Resolution of Support or Letter of Support for the 15 percent plans; and
WHEREAS, the Municipalities will have additional opportunities to provide comments during the Environmental Assessment public comment period and on the subsequent 30%, 60% and 90% design plans prior to construction; and
WHEREAS, Saint Paul’s Parks and Recreation Commission, Transportation Committee, and Planning Commission have all reviewed the 15 percent plans and recommended support, with any conditions incorporated into this resolution.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Saint Paul generally supports the 15 percent plans for the Rush Line BRT Project; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that future iterations of the Rush Line project’s design for Robert Street should reflect the City’s ultimate Robert Street reconstruction design; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City of Saint Paul desires that Ramsey County, MnDOT, Metropolitan Council and the other Municipalities continue to work collaboratively with the City of Saint Paul to address issues and work with City of Saint Paul staff to satisfactorily resolve issues that have arisen or could arise as the Project design advances.