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 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 sha...
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