DEPARTMENT: Parks
FILE TYPE: Regular Action
TITLE
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Approval Of Right Of Way Acquisition And Authorization To Initiate Quick-Take Condemnation For Trail Easement For Veterans Memorial Greenway In City of Eagan, 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 Veterans Memorial Greenway County Project P00147 to construct approximately two miles of shared-use regional trail, including a bridge over Trunk Highway 3, with construction planned for 2025. Phase II of this project is being funded in part through federal funds, which require timely acquisition of right of way easements for 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 for 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) have also been successfully negotiated and concluded. Further offers and negotiations have not resulted in settlements for easements 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...
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