DEPARTMENT: Physical Development Administration
FILE TYPE: Regular Information
TITLE
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Update And Direction On Dan Patch Rail To Trail Study
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Provide an update and receive direction on the Dan Patch Rail to Trail study.
SUMMARY
The 2024 Dakota County Regional Rail Authority Capital Improvement Program (CIP) allocated funding to study converting a portion of the Dan Patch/MN&S rail corridor in Lakeville and Burnsville into a greenway. The study was initiated in June 2024 through a contract with Mark Amfahr, a local rail consultant. The scope of work included researching the corridor, development of acquisition options, and preparation for discussion with CPKC railroad.
The consultant believes it is unlikely that the corridor will ever be reactivated for through freight traffic due to lack of customers and cost to upgrade infrastructure. Similarly, re-establishing passenger rail along corridor would have significant challenges including lack of demand, cost of development, community opposition, and competing transit investments along parallel corridors.
The primary goal of the study was to prepare for and secure a meeting with CPKC. The meeting with CPKC representatives occurred as a virtual meeting in January and served as an introduction to the new real estate representative managing the Minnesota area. The meeting discussion was focused on expressing Dakota County's interest in the corridor as a recreational greenway and to better understand CPKC's vision for corridor.
Conclusion from the meeting is that CPKC continues to value the corridor as strategic asset. CPKC staff stated that they are not aware of any plans for the corridor beyond routine ongoing management. CPKC staff indicated that there is no support at this time for an outright sale of the corridor but left the door open to explore a lease or interim use agreement discussion. (Attachment: Findings Summary)
Potential options moving forward:
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