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03. Gateway Trail Informational Presentation 2025-12-09GATEWAY STATE TRAIL A presentation prepared by the City and presented as a history of the trail work done within the community December 9, 2025 Scandia Community Center The Yellow Line represents the approximate Trail location Trailhead Tunnel William O’Brien State Park The Blue Areas are lakes and wetlands identified in the National Wetland Inventory Existing Easement for Phase 2 Major Stakeholders •MN DNR – owns the trail and will be responsible for ongoing repair and maintenance •Washington County – owns and maintains Oakhill Road •City of Scandia – responsible for design and construction of Phase 1 and to ensure concerns are heard and appropriately addressed •Residents of Scandia – review and comment on the design of the trail to ensure it fits with the community’s values and rural character Early Beginnings •The Munger State Trail was authorized by the State Legislature in 1973, establishing the groundwork for a trail connection between the Twin Cities and Duluth •Master Plan for the Munger State Trail was completed as required by Minnesota Statute in 1982 •In 1990, the legislature authorized funding for the initial phase of the Gateway State Trail •On May 16, 2000, Noreen Farrell, Interim President of the Gateway Trail Association, asked the New Scandia Township Board to support a resolution supporting the Gateway Trail extension through the township. On June 6, 2000, the board unanimously approved Resolution 6-6-00-1 Supporting the extension •The Scandia City Council passed resolution 04-20-10-02 to urge the DNR to move as expeditiously as possible to support the expansion of the Gateway Trail through the city •Sept 18, 2018, the City Council authorized the execution of a Cooperative Agreement with the DNR for the design of the Scandia to Oakhill Road Gateway Trail Segment, with DNR providing funding and Scandia leading the design consultant Easements Acquired •Easements were acquired by the DNR with the assistance of the Parks and Trails Council of Minnesota between 2007 and 2018 •The DNR completed acquisition of easements between William O’Brien State Park and the City of Scandia in 2018 •Total easement acquisition costs have been approximately $332.5K •There are 4 properties in Scandia that include Gateway State Trail easements State Funding Acquired •In 2019/2020, the City made a $4.95M Bonding request for the design and construction of the State Trail to the State Park •After discussion with the DNR, the project was broken into 2 phases to better position the financial ask •In May 2022, a $3M funding request was submitted to LCCMR •That September 2022, LCCMR committee recommended approval for 88% of the request, or $2,689,000. •DNR acknowledged the reduction and committed to work to secure the necessary funds •In May 2023, the MN Legislature appropriated the LCCMR funds in the form of a grant to the City MN Session Law 2023, Chapter 60, Article 2, Section 2, Subdivision 9g $2,689,000 the first year is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for an agreement with the city of Scandia to engineer and construct a segment of the Gateway State Trail between the city of Scandia and William O'Brien State Park that will be maintained by the Department of Natural Resources. The segment to be constructed includes a pedestrian tunnel and trailhead parking area. This project must be designed and constructed in accordance with Department of Natural Resources state trail standards. Engineering and construction plans must be approved by the commissioner of natural resources before construction may commence.This appropriation is available until June 30, 2027, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered. Phase 1 as defined by City submitted LCCMR Grant Application This segment of the State Trail will run from the old fire station to Oakhill Road and include: •A trailhead on city-owned property behind the old fire station •DNR will operate and maintain under the terms of an agreement with the City •A paved trail for pedestrians and bicycles •An unpaved trail for horses •A trail tunnel under Oakhill Road Phase 2 as defined by State submitted LCCMR Grant Application This segment of the State Trail will run between Oakhill Road to the entrance to the William O’Brian State Park •This phase of the trail will include: •A paved trail for pedestrians and bicycles •An unpaved trail for horses •The equestrian trail will diverge from the paved trail within the boundaries of the park •Design and environmental reviews are due to be completed 2026 Once Phase 1 is complete, Phase 2 becomes a high priority for the DNR to complete Community Input on Design •Because the city is a partner on this project, Scandia residents have been given greater opportunities to provide feedback than would have occurred otherwise •In 2019, the City held a pre-design meeting that was open to the public: •The easements were identified on maps for everyone to see •The trailhead, tunnel, and project phases were identified •On June 11 of this year, the City held a follow up community meeting to discuss details of the final design •The public were provided opportunity to comment at both meetings •The public identified concerns they wanted the City to address in the design of the trail Community Concerns How much will the trail cost to construct? Who is paying for the State Trail? Why is the tunnel needed? What is being done to protect the wetlands in the area? Will the 100-ft easements be clearcut to make way for the trail? Are any property rights being impacted? Can we reconsider the location of the trail? How much will the trail cost to construct? •The Council authorized sending the plans out for bid on October 21st. •Bids were opened at 9am on November 19th Post-BidPre-BidTotal $ 373,200.00 $ 373,200.00 Pre-Bid Engineering/Design $ 3,624,814.97 $ 3,624,814.97 Low Construction Bid $ 184,540.00 $ 184,540.00 Post-Bid Engineering/Design $ 3,809,354.97 $ 373,200.00 $ 4,182,554.97 Total Project Estimate Who is Paying for the State Trail? Ongoing maintenance for the State Trail is the DNR’s responsibility. Total Pre-Bid Post-Bid LCCMR Grant 2,689,000.00$ 273,200.00$ 2,415,800.00$ Washington County CIP 800,000.00$ 800,000.00$ Federal Grant to DNR 200,000.00$ 200,000.00$ DNR Design Grant 100,000.00$ 100,000.00$ DNR Commitment 450,000.00$ 450,000.00$ City of Scandia Commitment -$ Total Project Commitment 4,239,000.00$ 373,200.00$ 3,865,800.00$ Why is the tunnel needed? In addition to the LCCMR Grant and Legislative Requirements, the DNR’s requirement for the tunnel is based on several safety concerns, including: •Experience with at-grade crossings has demonstrated a need for grade separated pedestrian crossings •Anticipated use of the trail, given the current number of users of the trail and William O’Brien State Park •Speed of traffic •Sightline line concerns •Distance from the nearest controlled intersection •Remote and rural character of the area What is being done to protect the wetlands in the area? •Wetlands were identified and delineated in November 2018 and again in June 2023 •Impacts to wetlands were minimized to the extent possible through the design process •The project design examined water flow modeling to ensure of no change in drainage outside of existing right of way and easements •Culverts have been included where needed to ensure the water continues to flow and the wetlands are protected •The DNR is required to purchase mitigation credits to replace the impacted wetlands •0.32 acres of wetlands along this project are expected to be impacted by construction Will the 100-ft easements be clearcut to make way for the trail? •No! •The DNR acquired 100-foot-wide easements •The trail alignment is designed to avoid wetlands and minimize cuts/fills during construction •The trail has been designed to minimize tree loss only removing those necessary for trail infrastructure and construction •Tree clearing width is being limited and varies from 30-50 feet through the easement •Invasive species, like buckthorn, will be removed within the construction limits Are any property rights being impacted? •No property rights are being impacted •No one’s property is being taken away to make way for the trail •Easements were purchased from willing landowners who supported the development of the trail •Easement document spell out the rights and responsibilities of the DNR and the property owners •All portions of the trail will exist either within the easements or the public right-of-way •All access to Oakhill Road is being maintained Can we reconsider the location of the trail? •Another trail route could be developed by the City as a local trail and could connect with the DNR's State Trail corridor as established by the current land/easement acquisitions •A new route would not include the DNR •Realigning the trail would have significant consequences for the City: •The City of Scandia would bear all costs •Increased City operations and maintenance responsibility •Project would be delayed to revise engineering and for environmental review •DNR’s public investment in the existing corridor will continue for passive public use Scandia Community Center The Yellow Line represents the approximate Trail location Trailhead Tunnel William O’Brien State Park The Blue Areas are lakes and wetlands identified in the National Wetland Inventory Existing Easement for Phase 2 Next Steps •The City Council will consider awarding construction contracts on December 16th •If awarded, Phase 1 construction is expected to be completed next year •The bid specification requires Phase 1 tree removal be completed by the March 31, 2026 •Phase 2 design by the DNR continues, including design and environmental reviews in 2026 (LCCMR funded) •The DNR indicates Phase 2 will be a priority for them to fund and construct should Phase 1 be completed •Phase 2 construction cannot begin until design and environmental reviews are complete and funding is secured Why should the Council act now? •Any LCCMR funding not spent by June 30, 2027 will be lost •We could reapply for another grant, but: •It took over 5 years to get the current grant •All future LCCMR Grants require a 25% local match, which would have to come from the Scandia Taxpayers •LCCMR will likely not look favorably at our failure to spend the money they already gave us •The DNR could choose to build the trail independently, if we don’t act