Hennepin County Grants Include Several West Metro Cities

The following was released by Hennepin County:

Board awards pedestrian and biking funds 

Every year, the county awards various funds through its Pedestrian and Bicycle Capital Improvement Program, which includes three programs: Bikeway Development Participation, Bike Program Discretionary (Bicycle Gap Program), and Sidewalk Participation. These programs support local plans and implementation of the county’s overall transportation system plan, including its Complete Streets policy. 

The Bikeway Development Participation Program develops and implements effective bikeway projects that extend the county’s bikeway system. 
The following cities were awarded funding: 
·        Excelsior and Shorewood: $20,000 toward a feasibility study related to an off-road trail along Mill Street (CSAH 82).

·        Golden Valley: $20,000 toward a feasibility study related to an off-road trail along Golden Valley Road (CSAH 66).

·        Minneapolis: $55,450 for constructing bicycle lanes on 36th Street West between East Calhoun Parkway and Dupont Avenue South.

·        Minneapolis: $54,971 for constructing bicycle lanes on Broadway Street N.E, (CSAH 66) between Stinson Boulevard N.E. (CSAH 27) and Industrial Boulevard.

·        New Hope: $13,500 for constructing bicycle lanes on Boone Avenue North between 49th Avenue North and Bass Lake Road (CSAH 10).

·        St. Louis Park: $20,000 toward a feasibility study related to on-road bikeways along Cedar Lake Road.

The Bikeway Program Discretionary (Bicycle Gap Program) develops and implements effective bikeway projects that eliminate gaps in the county’s bikeway system. The following cities were awarded funding: 
·        Brooklyn Park: $100,000 for constructing an off-road bicycle trail along Regent Avenue between Shingle Creek and Brooklyn Boulevard (CSAH 152), and along Brooklyn Boulevard from Regent Avenue to Shingle Creek.

·        Minneapolis: $47,040 for constructing a bicycle boulevard from the Stone Arch Bridge to East Hennepin Avenue (CSAH 52).

·        Plymouth: $100,000 for constructing an off-road bicycle trail along Xenium Lane (CSAH 61) from Trunk Highway 55 to CSAH 6, and along CSAH 6 from Xenium Lane to Fernbrook Lane.

The Sidewalk Participation Program develops and implements effective sidewalk projects that extend the system of sidewalks along county roads, provide pedestrian safety improvements at intersections, and provide ADA compliant facilities. The following cities were awarded funding: 
·        Eden Prairie: $48,750 for a new sidewalk on the west side of Mitchell Road (CSAH 60) between Martin Drive and Roberts Drive.

·        Excelsior: $50,000 for a new sidewalk on the southwest side of the east side of Oak Street (CSAH 19) between Water Street and William Street and between William Street and Excelsior Studer Park.

·        Golden Valley: $50,000 for reconstructing the sidewalk on Winnetka Avenue (CSAH 156) between Trunk Highway 55 and 10th Avenue.

·        Maple Plain: $5,970 for a new sidewalk on the east side of Budd Avenue between Oak Street and Bryant Street.

·        Maple Plain: $12,531 for reconstructing the sidewalk on the south side of Main Street (CSAH 19) between Budd Avenue North and Trunk Highway 12.

·        Minneapolis: $48,840 for pedestrian crossing improvements at six intersections on Franklin Avenue (CSAH 5) between Lyndale Avenue and Bloomington Avenue.

·        Minneapolis: $27,420 for pedestrian crossing improvements at three intersections on West Broadway Avenue between Bryant Avenue North and Fourth Street North.

·        Minnetonka: $50,000 for a new sidewalk on the west side of Eden Prairie Road (CSAH 4) between Glen Lake Boulevard and Excelsior Boulevard.

·        Shorewood: $18,000 for a new sidewalk on the east side of Manitou Road (CSAH 19) between Smithtown Road and the Lake Minnetonka LRT Trail.

Environmental Response Fund grants approved 

The board authorized negotiation of agreements awarding $1.2 million in Environmental Response Fund (ERF) grants for 10 projects. 

The ERF program, funded by a county mortgage registry and deed tax, provides grants for environmental assessment and cleanup of sites that present a known threat to human health or the environment; provide community benefit from the cleanup; and lack funding from other sources. Priority is placed on projects that promote public/green space, affordable and moderately priced housing, and economic development. 

Since the ERF program was established in November 2001, a total of $43.4 million has been awarded for 298 grants, including 15 emergency grants. 

The current grants will provide for soil and groundwater evaluation, asbestos and lead-based paint assessment and abatement, contaminated soil cleanup, and renovation or construction of 143 affordable housing units. 

Grants include: 
·        $450,000 to the City of Minneapolis, on behalf of Surly Brewing, for the Surly Brewing/Northern Star development in southeast Minneapolis, which will include a brewery, beer hall and outdoor gardens; and later, possibly a restaurant/events center and further brewery expansion. This development will create a substantial number of jobs. 
·        $150,260 to the City of Minneapolis, on behalf of Washburn Center for Children, to make way for a new building in north Minneapolis that will provide services to children. 
·        $96,000 to the City of Hopkins, on behalf of Klodt Development LLC, for the former Park Nicollet/Lutheran Digest redevelopment, which will remove several vacant structures and replace them with affordable apartments. 
·        $82,314 to the City of Minneapolis, on behalf of WaHu LLC, for development of WaHu Student Housing at the intersection of Washington and University avenues S.E. near the University of Minnesota. 
·        $75,220 to the City of Minneapolis, on behalf of Linden Hills Redevelopment, for 4250 Upton/Linden Corners – a site currently occupied by Famous Dave’s Restaurant, which will be demolished to make way for a retail, office and apartment building. 
·        $75,000 to the City of Minneapolis, on behalf of City Place Housing Ltd., for City Place Lofts at 730 Hennepin Ave. – a commercial building that will be renovated into affordable housing. 
·        $65,205 to the City of Minneapolis, on behalf of Doran Main II LLC, for Mill & Main Phase II at the 400 block of Main Street S.E. – replacing derelict industrial structures with a new apartment complex. 
·        $52,750 to the City of Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board for Sheridan Memorial Park at 1300 Water St. – a veterans’ memorial park that will include green space, landscaping, monuments, walkways and a recreational area. 
·        $33,000 to the City of Minneapolis, on behalf of The GAV LLC, for The GAV Development at 1307 Glenwood Ave. N., which will include demolition of a vacant gas station and replacement with office/retail development. 
·        $150,000 to Minnesota Brownfields for countywide brownfields gap financing.