WORKSHOP ITEM - Erik Thorvig, Economic Development Coordinator
Title
DISCUSS FUNDING REQUEST FOR ROAD IMPROVEMENTS AT THE NATIONAL SPORTS CENTER FOR THE 3M OPEN
Background
On June 19, 2014 a resolution was adopted by the City Council approving a conditional use permit to allow the National Sports Center (NSC) to develop 10 soccer fields, 4 rugby fields, 6 lacrosse fields and parking facilities on 75 acres north of 105th Ave. The approval required the NSC to address several issues prior to construction that generally related to pedestrian movements, storm water management, landscaping, and maintenance facility relocation. At the time, the improvements were unfunded and the NSC needed to obtain funding from the State Legislature. The NSC estimated the overall project cost to be approximately $7.5mil. The following is a summary provided by the NSC as to what their financial expenditures and requests have been to complete the overall project.
• 2014- $3.2 Million Appropriated to complete the 8 fields, class 5 parking lots and roadways on the NE Campus (Completed 2016)
• 2016- $4 Million legislative request to complete NE Campus development- Not Funded and deferred to City of Blaine capital request for 105th Ave reconstruction.
• 2018- $2.5 Million legislative request to demolish the existing maintenance building and construct a new facility on the NSC Campus- Not funded
• 2019- $4 Million will be requested if the Legislature has a Capital Bonding bill.
In 2016, eight soccer fields were completed and the two parking lots and interior road had gravel added to them. The NSC has been unsuccessful in obtaining additional funding for the remainder of the improvements.
As part of the 3m Open golf tournament, the NSC has agreed to allow the 3m Open to use the facility during the tournament for general spectator parking. There are 4,700 paved and 1,170 gravel stalls available at the NSC. Parking at the airport and TPC will be available for players, caddies, VIPs, media, etc.
The tournament requested Anoka County and the City of Blaine to split the cost for paving the gravel parking lots and roadway at the NSC prior to the 2019 3M Open. The tournament thought it was important for the tournament, NSC, Blaine and Anoka County to have the best experience possible for guests coming to the tournament and paving of the lots improves that experience. The estimated cost for the entire parking improvements is to be over a $1mil. The various groups involved met several times to discuss whether it was feasible to construct the improvements prior to the 2019 tournament and whether there would be interest by Anoka County and the City of Blaine to split the costs of said improvements as these were initially expected to be paid for by the NSC. It was determined that it made the most sense to proceed with a project that included only paving of the interior roadway between 109th and 105th Ave. and regrading the gravel parking lots. There is a benefit to paving the roadway as it will prevent dust and the potential for muddy conditions if it rains as this will be the main thoroughfare for shuttle buses taking spectators from the NSC parking lots to the tournament.
Anoka County and the NSC hired SRF Consulting Group to prepare plans and a cost estimate for paving the road. The engineers estimate is $357,400. The tournament has requested that Anoka County and the City of Blaine split the costs which equates to $178,700 each. The project would be bid and managed by Anoka County and be completed prior to the tournament. The city’s share could be funded by the EDA through the EDA general fund.
The tournament has indicated they would like to see the overall paving project completed by the 2020 3m Open. No discussions have taken place as to who would be financially responsible for this work or if it can occur. It’s anticipated those discussions will take place sometime this summer after the 2019 State Legislative session as the NSC will know whether they have dollars available for the project.
Recommendation
Provide direction regarding whether the City Council is interested in financially participating with the paving of the NSC’s access road between 105th and 109th. If so, an EDA action item would be brought forward at the March 7, 2019 EDA meeting.