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RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING APPLICATION TO THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR A $600,000 TRANSPORTATION ALTERNATIVE GRANT TO PROVIDE PEDESTRIAN AND TRANSIT IMPROVEMENTS ALONG THE 400 BLOCK OF EAST SUPERIOR STREET.
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RESOLVED, that the proper City officials are hereby authorized to submit an application to the Minnesota Department of Transportation for a $600,000 Transportation Alternative Grant to provide pedestrian and transit improvements along the 400 block of East Superior Street.
FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City has the legal authority to apply for financial assistance, and the institutional, managerial, and financial capacity to ensure adequate project administration and maintenance of the project;
FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City is requesting the funds in federal fiscal year 2029.
FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City commits to a 20% match of approximately $120,000.
FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City hereby agrees to assume full responsibility for the operation and maintenance of property and facilities related to the aforementioned transportation alternatives project;
FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Duluth City Council names the fiscal agent for this project as Jennifer Carlson, City of Duluth Chief Financial Officer, 411 West First Street, Duluth, Minnesota 55802;
FURTHER RESOLVED, that upon approval of the application by the State, the Mayor, and the Clerk may enter into a grant agreement with the State of Minnesota for the above referenced project and receive said grant payable into Capital Improvement Fund 450, Department 030 (Finance), Source 4210-01 (Pass-thru federal grants capital), and that the City certifies that it will comply with all applicable laws and regulations;
FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Mayor and Clerk are hereby authorized to execute such documents as are necessary to implement the project on behalf of the City;
Statement of Purpose
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE: This resolution authorizes application to the Minnesota Department of Transportation for a Transportation Alternative Program grant in the amount of $600,000 to make pedestrian and transit improvements along the 400 block of East Superior Street by installing an enhanced crosswalk, constructing a curb extension, connecting to an Eastbound bus rapid transit stop to align with the existing Westbound transit station, and improve the connection to the Lakewalk. This project creates a gateway multimodal hub along Superior Street on the East end of Downtown where three separate projects have recently been completed or are underway, including; the Essentia Tower building, the DTA’s Better Bus Blueprint Network improvements, which calls for a Bus Rapid Transit station at this location, and the Lakewalk RAISE grant project which will improve the connections up to the existing plaza area along Superior Street.
The Transportation Alternative program is a reimbursable program, meaning recipients of the funds will front the costs of the projects, and then submit pay requests for reimbursement. If the City is selected to receive the funds, the local match will be paid from either Fund 291 (Sales Tax), or Municipal State Aid Funds. Infrastructure projects chosen in this solicitation must be ready for construction during the 2029 construction season.