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<br />--. <br /> <br />~ <br /> <br />March 30.1999 <br /> <br /> <br />Commissioner Mary Timbornino <br />611> District Chair <br />Hennepin County Board of Commissioners <br />Regional Rail Authority <br />A-2400 Hennepin County Government Center <br />Minneapolis, Minnesota 55487-0240 <br /> <br />And <br /> <br />Mark Stenglein <br />2nd District <br />Hennepin County Board of Commissioners <br /> <br />Dear Commissioners: <br /> <br />This letter is intended to underscore the importance of an issue that has no doubt already been brought to your attention by <br />your Regional Rail Authority staff. <br /> <br />The proposed rail abandonment of the BNSF corridor from Minneapolis to Roseville (between miles post 0.00, near east <br />Minneapolis and mile post 2.43. in Roseville near Walnut Street) is a vital off-road trail and/or transit link. On March 22nd. <br />the Roseville City Council unanimously endorsed the attached resolution recommending retaining for public use, the above <br />described BNSF rail corridor in support of the lead efforts of the Hennepin County Regional Rail Authority (HCRRA). We <br />look forward to continued efforts with you and your staff to coordinate the public control of this important link. <br /> <br />An immediate response by HCRRA is necessary to preserve this critical right-of-way as we are more than half way past the <br />180 day public notice period. BNSF has two proposals to purchase right-of-way which conflict with the public interest. <br />Interestingly. discussions between our legal staff and BNSF corporate attorneys. indicates that there is a prospect for future <br />sale of the entire BNSF right-of-way from near east Minneapolis to Forest Lake. The attached map ("Relationships of Metro <br />Transit Corridors") shows the importance of this rail right-of-way. Portions of this right-of-way are already identified as a <br />Phase II Commuter Rail Line. The current, proposed abandonment (from mile marker 0.00 to mile marker 2.43) plus the <br />interim piece would provide direct trail or transit way access from the entire Northeast quadrant of the Metropolitan area to <br />downtown Minneapolis. This corridor also has the potential of becoming the "North Loop" between Minneapolis and St. <br />Paul. much like the "South Loop" of Hiawatha and Riverview Corridors. <br /> <br />None of us can know the ultimate commitment of the public for any of the transit options; however, preserving off-road <br />corridors for future public use is our critical mission. We implore you to take any and all actions necessary, as lead agency. <br />to secure this initial section of BNFS rail abandonment for public use. The City of Roseville joins all other state, metro, <br />county and local agencies on this. behalf. Please advise if we can be of any assistance on this matter. <br /> <br />.Y-~tr:uI~ours. ::>r- <br />/~~-.-~~ <br /> <br />Steven R. Sarkozy <br />City Manager <br /> <br />cc Gary Erickson. Hennepin County Regional Rail Authority <br />Kathy Despiegelaere. Ramsey County Regional Rail Authority <br />James Solem. Metropolitan Council <br />Craig Rapp. Metropolitan Council <br />Nacho Diaz. Metropolitan Council <br />Jim Barton. Metropolitan Council <br />Bob HoW. MnDOT <br />Ramsey County Commissioners <br /> <br />enc <br /> <br />2660 Civic Center Drive .:. Roseville .:. Minnesota .:. 55113 <br />651-490-2200 .:. TOO 651-490-2207 <br /> <br />1..t>' ~ <br />')' / <br />