DEPARTMENT: Parks
FILE TYPE: Regular Action
TITLE
title
Approval Of Right Of Way Acquisition And Authorization To Initiate Quick-Take Condemnation For Regional Trail Easement For Veterans Memorial Greenway In Cities Of Eagan And Inver Grove Heights, County Project P00147
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Approve right of way acquisition and authorize quick-take condemnation for County Project (CP) P00147.
SUMMARY
Dakota County is proceeding with the Veterans Memorial Greenway County Project P00147 to construct approximately five miles of shared-use regional trail, including a new bridge over Trunk Highway 3. Phase II of this project, with construction planned for 2026, is approximately two miles long and is being funded in part through federal funds, which require the timely acquisition of right of way easements for the authorization of project bidding.
County Project P00147 requires the acquisition of permanent regional trail easements and temporary construction easements over private property to accommodate trail construction and associated grading, restoration, and retaining wall construction. The Dakota County Board of Commissioners previously authorized acquisition through direct negotiation with four parcels by Resolution No. 24-594 (December 3, 2024). Easement acquisitions from the Cities of Eagan and Inver Grove Heights for trail construction and maintenance on city property were also necessary.
Since that time, updated survey and final design have modified the easement areas, and negotiations with property owners have continued. Easement acquisitions on city parcels have been successfully concluded. Acquisition of easements from Parcel 6 (Church of St. Thomas Becket) has also been successfully negotiated and concluded. Staff and the design team have also evaluated alternative alignments that parallel Atlantic Hills Drive and provided an update to the County Board at the October 21, 2025, Physical Development Committee of the Whole meeting. Staff has shared these alternatives with the owners of Parcels 3, 4, and 5. Further negotiations have not resulted in settlements for acquisition on Parcels 3, 4, and 5. These three parcels are the last remaining acquisition needs for the project to move forward. Therefore, to maintain the project schedule and comply with federal funding timelines, it is necessary to proceed with acquisition by initiating quick-take condemnation.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Staff recommends approval of right of way acquisition and authorization of condemnation for the right of way necessary for CP P00147.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
The project has $5,000,000 in secured State Bonding from the 2020 legislative session, $5,000,000 in State Bonding from the 2023 legislative session, $4,995,000 in Federal Congressional Directed funds, and $1,000,000 federal appropriation for the Highway 3 grade-separated bridge. Successful completion of this project relies upon the $5,995,000 Federal Congressionally Directed Spending allocation, which has an expiration date of September 30, 2026. The state bonding awards, and federal appropriations included language that the funds will be used for the acquisition of land and right of way, design, engineering, and construction for the Veterans Memorial Greenway, including pedestrian safety-related improvements, memorials, a community gathering space, and a new trail connection between Lebanon Hills Regional Park and the Mississippi River Greenway.
☐ None ☒ Current budget ☐ Other
☐ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 08-162 (April 4, 2008), the Dakota County Board adopted the Dakota County Park System Plan that establishes a vision for a 200-mile network of connected greenway trails to provide safe and efficient multi-modal transportation across the region, along with high-quality recreational and educational opportunities which harmonize with natural resource preservation; and
WHEREAS, as part of this vision, by Resolution No. 17-493 (September 26, 2017), the Dakota County Board of Commissioners approved the Rich Valley Regional Greenway Master Plan, now known as the Veterans Memorial Greenway Master Plan, to honor Dakota County’s more than 25,000 veterans; and
WHEREAS, consistent with the above-stated policies, Dakota County is proceeding with the Veterans Memorial Greenway County Project (CP) P00147, to construct approximately five miles of regional trail, including interpretive nodes placed along the trail that honor and recognize the sacrifice made by veterans and provide a place for healing and sharing their stories through interpretative elements; and
WHEREAS, Dakota County is the lead agency for design, construction administration, and right of way acquisition for the Project; and
WHEREAS, construction is proposed to begin in 2026, and the project is being partially funded with federal funds, which require the timely acquisition of right of way for the authorization of project bidding; and
WHEREAS, the County Board previously authorized acquisition of right of way for Parcels 3, 4, and 5 through direct negotiation by Resolution No. 24-594 (December 3, 2024); and
WHEREAS, negotiations have not resulted in acquisition agreements for Parcels 3, 4, and 5; and
WHEREAS, in order to maintain the project schedule and comply with funding requirements, Dakota County must proceed with quick-take condemnation to acquire the required easements.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the County Attorney's Office to initiate quick-take condemnation of the following parcels:
20-58500-04-070 - Jacquelynne and Scott Baker - Parcel 3
A permanent easement for greenway purposes over, under, and across the north 60.27 feet of Lot 16, Block 1, Lakeside Estates, according to the recorded plat thereof, Dakota County, Minnesota.
Said greenway easement contains approximately 6,026 square feet.
10-44300-01-170 - Robert Snyder - Parcel 4
A temporary easement for greenway purposes over, under, and across the south 15.00 feet of the north 75.27 feet of Lot 17, Block 1, Lakeside Estates, according to the recorded plat thereof, Dakota County, Minnesota.
A permanent easement for greenway purposes over, under, and across the north 60.27 feet of Lot 17, Block 1, Lakeside Estates, according to the recorded plat thereof, Dakota County, Minnesota.
Said temporary easement contains approximately 1,506 square feet.
Said greenway easement contains approximately 6,054 square feet.
10-44300-01-180 - Nicole Medin - Parcel 5
A temporary easement for greenway purposes over, under, and across the south 15.00 feet of the north 75.27 feet of Lot 18, Block 1, Lakeside Estates, according to the recorded plat thereof, Dakota County, Minnesota.
A permanent easement for greenway purposes over, under, and across the north 60.27 feet of Lot 18, Block 1, Lakeside Estates, according to the recorded plat thereof, Dakota County, Minnesota.
Said temporary easement contains approximately 1,501 square feet.
Said greenway easement contains approximately 6,023 square feet.
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PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
20-430; 9/1/20
22-376; 9/6/22
22-567; 12/13/22
24-594; 12/3/24
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: Project Location Map
Attachment: Presentation Slides
BOARD GOALS
☒ Thriving People ☒ A Healthy Environment with Quality Natural Resources
☐ A Successful Place for Business and Jobs ☐ Excellence in Public Service
CONTACT
Department Head: Niki Geisler
Author: Tony Wotzka