1.B Guiding Plan for the B2 District-Update

Home Browse Search

the name. When this idea was being discussed last fall, the Council had expressed an interest in using Lake Johanna Boulevard as a supplementary or additional name to County Road E. Unfortunately, it does not seem that we could use both names in an effective manner. The City could put up a sign calling this section of County Road E, Lake Johanna Boulevard, but that would not show up on any maps or work for mail. Essentially, a supplementary name would not help people find this area. In order to be effective, the name would need to officially change to Lake Johanna Boulevard. The Economic Development Commission has expressed a strong interest in moving the renaming process forward. If the Council wants to move forward with the name change, staff would put together a meeting and communication process with the businesses and the residents along County Road E between Old Snelling and Lexington Avenue. We would likely want to set a threshold of support before changing the name (i.e. a minimum of 60 percent support from the properties that would be affected). Infrastructure Improvements and Visual Enhancements The Guiding Plan described a number of improvements for the County Road E corridor between Highway 51 and Lexington Avenue (see attached pages 4-7 to 4-9 of the Guiding Plan). The improvements and enhancements included: • Boulevard trees spaced at an average of 40 feet. • A planted median that may include trees, shrubs, tall grasses and annual flowers. • Decorative lighting at the automobile scale (on the existing bases, located 200 feet apart, contemporary styling); potential extras: decorative lighting at the pedestrian scale located approximately 50 to 70 feet apart) • Benches and trash receptacles. • A pair of new continuous concrete sidewalks (6 feet wide) with connections to adjacent businesses. • Bollards. • Annual flowers (in beds or raised planters). • Seasonal banners on the light poles. • Striped or colored pedestrian crossings. • Bus waiting shelters. • A traffic signal system at the future intersection located between Pine Tree Drive and Lexington Avenue. • Replacement signals, arms and poles for the existing signal systems at (if necessary): the eastern ramp terminals of Highway 51, Pine Tree Drive and Lexington Avenue. • Relocating the electrical boxes to a less visible location or screening where feasible. • Underground utility repair/replacement (water, sewer, stormwater). The estimated cost of the project in the draft Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) is $2,500,000, which includes engineering, construction, and anticipated cost increases over time. Some of the individual City of Arden Hills City Council Work Session —August 17, 2009 C:Wocuments and Settings lbecky.brazys[Local Settingsl Temporary Internet FilesIOLKI5F108-17-09 -CC Work Session -Guiding Alan for the B2 District Update.doc Page 3 of 4