Title
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AN AGREEMENT FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES WITH BARR ENGINEERING COMPANY RELATED TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL SITE INVESTIGATION OF AND CLEANUP PLANNING FOR THE GARFIELD AND ELM SITE IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $21,500.
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CITY PROPOSAL:
RESOLVED, that the proper city officials are authorized to enter into an agreement, substantially in the form of that attached, with Barr Engineering Company, for professional services related to environmental site investigation of and cleanup planning for property located on Rice’s Point located at the intersection of Garfield Avenue and Elm Street, in an amount not to exceed $21,500, payable from Fund 255-020-5319 (economic development, planning, other professional services).
Statement of Purpose
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE: This resolution authorizes Barr Engineering Company (Barr) to provide professional environmental services to the city for work associated with the Garfield Avenue and Elm Street property located on Rice’s Point and owned by the Duluth Seaway Port Authority. This 5.6-acre property is located on Rice’s Point located at the intersection of Garfield Avenue and the former Lynne Avenue. The Site has been developed and used since at least 1908. The northern portion of the property was historically the southern end of a large railyard and contained railroad track and rail sidings; the track was removed by the early 1970s. The southwestern portion of the property was historically used for residential and commercial/industrial activities (lumber yard, railway and storage) in support of lumber and grain processing and shipping. All buildings in this area were removed when the adjacent Blatnik Bridge was constructed in 1960/61. The property is currently vacant and zoned as heavy manufacturing/industrial.
Redevelopment of the property is hindered by the presence of contamination. The investigation and cleanup planning paid for under this contract will move the property toward reuse. The city Public Works Department is interested in leasing the northern portion of the property (0.5 acres) for storage after environmental issues are resolved.
The Duluth Seaway Port Authority owns the property and is also contributing $21,500 toward the investigation and cleanup planning for the site.
This contract with Barr will provide the city’s commitment of $21,500 of its EPA Brownfield assessment grant funds to the project; the grant will 100% reimburse the city for this work. Barr is one of three firms short-listed to perform work for the city under that EPA grant.