Title
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING ACCEPTANCE OF AN INFRASTRUCTURE AND INVESTMENT JOBS ACT MATCH PROGRAM GRANT FROM THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR THE LAKEWALK AND COASTAL IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $2,049,752.
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CITY PROPOSAL:
WHEREAS, Duluth City Council resolution 23-0162R authorized application to the U.S. Department of Transportation for a Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (“RAISE”) Grant for the Lakewalk and Coastal Improvements Project, city project no. 2193, SP118-090-029; and
WHEREAS, Duluth City Council resolution 23-0787R authorized application to the State Department of Transportation for a grant from the Infrastructure and Investment Jobs Act (“IIJA”) Match Program to provide the required twenty percent local match to the RAISE Grant for the Lakewalk and Coastal Improvements Project; and
WHEREAS, the State Commissioner of Transportation has given notice that funding for this project is available for an IIJA Match Program Grant in an amount not to exceed $2,049,752.00; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City of Duluth does hereby agree to the terms and conditions of the grant consistent with Minnesota Laws 2023, Chapter 68, Article 1, Section 2, Subdivision 5(a), and will pay any additional amount by which the cost exceeds the grant funding and will return any amount appropriated for the project but not required.
FURTHER RESOLVED, that the proper City officials are authorized to execute a grant agreement and any amendments thereto with the Commissioner of Transportation, substantially in the form of the attached Exhibit A, concerning the IIJA Match Program grant, with grant funds to be deposited into fund 450-030-4220-01-CP450-20BOND-LKWALK (capital improvements fund 450, Finance, State of Minnesota capital, capital projects other fund contributions, city and state bonds 2020, Lakewalk)
Statement of Purpose
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE: This resolution authorizes the acceptance of an Infrastructure and Investment Jobs Act (IIJA) Match Program Grant for the Lakewalk and Coastal Improvements Project in an amount not to exceed $2,049,752.00. Grant monies shall be deposited into fund 450-030-4220-01-CP450-20BOND-LKWALK (capital improvements fund 450, Finance, State of Minnesota capital, capital projects other fund contributions, city and state bonds 2020, Lakewalk)
The IIJA Match Program was created to help local government recipients of federal transportation grants fulfill the requirement of non-federal matching funds to support project implementation. The City of Duluth has been awarded a grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation for $8,196,234 from the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant program to support the Lakewalk and Coastal Improvements Project. The RAISE grant program requires a minimum non-federal matching contribution of twenty percent. The IIJA Match Program will meet the twenty percent match of the total project cost, up to $2,049,752. The two grants will support the Lakewalk and Coastal Improvements Project up to $10,245,986. Project costs exceeding these maximum grant awards will need to be covered by the City of Duluth.
The Lakewalk and Coastal Improvements Project will include resilient reconstruction of the Lakewalk between Endion Station and approximately 27th Avenue East. The project includes shoreline restoration, trail safety and accessibility improvements, and improved wayfinding and connectivity between downtown Duluth and the Lakewalk. The Lakewalk is the most popular public green space in Duluth, serving both residents and visitors, and provides a critical alternative transportation corridor connecting Canal Park, downtown, and eastern Duluth. The trail and shoreline also provide necessary protection of downtown infrastructure that includes a railroad, the I-35 corridor, and utility infrastructure. Storm damage along the project area has been extensive and this project has been designed to reduce vulnerabilities while improving safety and accessibility. Shoreline restoration work will include retreating the trail where possible, consolidating social trails to provide fewer but improved access points that will reduce erosion, and shoreline revetment and revegetation. The project will also improve sightlines, address congestion at key locations, construct a bypass trail along the railroad at Leif Erikson Park to meet accessibility standards, and improve turning radius at two locations. Altogether, this project will address existing challenges, improve the user experience, and better protect the Lakewalk and downtown Duluth from Lake Superior wave action.