Title
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING APPLICATION FOR GRANT FUNDING TO THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTATION - DISASTER SUPPLEMENTAL PROGRAM - FOR UP TO $1.5 MILLION DOLLARS TOWARDS THE RECONSTRUCTION OF THE LAKEWALK AND UP TO $2 MILLION DOLLARS TO AUGUMENT THE DECC SEAWALL RECONSTRCTION PROJECT.
Body
CITY PROPOSAL:
WHEREAS, The City of Duluth has committed significant funding to repair Lakewalk and shoreline sections along Canal Park that were severely damaged in the October 2017, April 2018, and October 2018 storms.
WHEREAS, the Lakewalk and shoreline are of critical importance to the City of Duluth. Restoration of these areas will allow for safe public access and long-term protection of the City’s shoreline infrastructure.
WHEREAS, construction will include stabilization of the heavily-eroded shoreline through concrete barriers that support armor stone. This work would mimic parts of an ongoing larger project that has been approved for state and federal disaster recovery reimbursement.
WHEREAS, this program will help fund reconstruction of portions of the Lakewalk and shoreline that have not yet qualified for state and/or federal disaster recovery reimbursement to be built to a more resilient standard. The project will substantially increase the beauty, accessibility, user capacity, and durability of the Lakewalk.
WHEREAS, the Lakewalk, seawall, and shoreline are of critical importance to commerce and industry. Restoration of these areas will allow for long-term protection of inland logistics and transportation infrastructure such as roadways, interstates, and rail lines.
WHEREAS, The City of Duluth has committed some funding to rehabilitation of the Minnesota Slip Pedestrian bridge and adjacent seawall improvements.
WHEREAS, the Minnesota pedestrian slip bridge and the seawall in the vicinity of the DECC are of significant importance to the City and the DECC.
WHEREAS, augmenting the DECC seawall reconstruction project to allow cruise ships to moor and allow for passengers to disembark in Canal Park will the further enhance and expand the City’s tourism base.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City of Duluth hereby supports the submission of an application for up to $1,500,000 for Lakewalk/Shoreline construction and $2,000,000 for seawall reconstruction enhancements to the Economic Development Administration- Disaster Supplemental Program, as referenced in Exhibit A.
FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City of Duluth agrees to accept the grant award if awarded, and the proper city officials are authorized to enter into a grant agreement.
Statement of Purpose
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE: This resolution authorizes application for an Economic Development Administration - Public Works and Economic Adjustment Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) Recovery Assistance program grant for up to $1 million dollars for resilient Lakewalk/Shoreline construction and up to $2.5 million dollars for seawall construction enhancements. The goal in seeking these grant funds are to reconstruct damaged coastal infrastructure located in the Lakewalk, Canal Park, and DECC/Harbor Drive shoreline areas. Repairing and improving coastal infrastructure will allow the City of Duluth to:
• Better protect city property and infrastructure by making the coastline more functional and resilient;
• Ensure continued public access to Lake Superior;
• Provide safe passage for pedestrians and vehicle traffic along Harbor Drive;
• Incorporate climate adaptation to shield against future storm impacts;
• Prepare the seawall to accommodate large draft cruise ships, increasing the potential for Duluth as an embarkation and disembarkation point
• Increase coastline durability utilizing best practices for climate resiliency; and
• Continue to support the Great Lakes shipping, commercial fishing, and boating economy.
The Lakewalk and seawall reconstruction work to be funded by this federal grant overlaps significantly with the Lakewalk and seawall reconstruction work for which the City is seeking state bonding support. If the City is awarded this federal grant and the state bonding support, the federal and state dollars would match each other and, in so doing, reduce the cash contribution required of the City by up to $1.5 million.