Title
Resolution to Approve a Memorandum of Understanding Between the City of Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County for the Bandemer-Barton Trail and Underpass Project
Memorandum
Attached for your review and action is a resolution to approve a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City of Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County (County) to collaborate on a project known as the Bandemer-Barton Trail and Underpass Project (Project). This MOU is intended to describe in general terms the anticipated stages through which the Project will proceed and the relative anticipated roles, efforts, obligations and responsibilities the City and County expect to undertake in conjunction with those efforts and phases.
The Project includes a pedestrian tunnel that will extend beneath the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) railroad tracks between Barton Nature Area and Bandemer Park and would provide a highly desired non-motorized connection. The project also includes extending the Border-to-Border Trail (B2B) through Barton Nature Area, while a non-paved trail is retained. This project is a critical gap on the B2B trail, which is a part of the statewide Iron Belle Trail, and it is one of the final hurdles to overcome connecting the City with the parks and along the Huron River. This project will also improve non-motorized traffic around the North Main Street & M-14 corridor by providing a safe pedestrian and bicycle gateway to the City.
A feasibility study was completed in 2020 which confirmed the project feasibility and provided a preferred design and updated costs. The City and County have begun design engineering on the project with the goal of construction in 2024 or 2025. Funding opportunities have become available through our partners at the County and Huron Waterloo Pathways Initiative, and the Iron Belle Trail has become a priority for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources grants.
The MOU attached sets forth the understanding and the roles and processes to be used towards the goal of completing this highly desired non-motorized connection that can ultimately serve residents of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw County, and the surrounding region as part of the statewide Iron Belle trail.
The Park Advisory Commission unanimously recommended approval of this MOU at its November 15, 2022 meeting.
Staff
Prepared by: Josh Landefeld, Parks & Recreation Services Manager
Reviewed by: Derek Delacourt, Community Services Area Administrator
Approved by: Milton Dohoney Jr., City Administrator
Body
Whereas, A feasibility study of the Bandemer-Barton Trail and Underpass Project was completed in 2020 which confirmed the project feasibility and provided a preferred design and updated costs;
Whereas, The City and County have begun project design engineering with the goal of construction;
Whereas, Funding opportunities have become available through our partners at the County and Huron Waterloo Pathways Initiative, and the Iron Belle Trail has become a priority for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources grants;
Whereas, The project would provide a highly desired non-motorized connection that is a critical gap on the Border to Border Trail, which is a part of the statewide Iron Belle Trail;
Whereas, The project would connect the City with the parks along the Huron River and non-motorized connections around the North Main Street & M-14 corridor;
Whereas, The City of Ann Arbor Parks and Recreation Services and the Washtenaw County Park and Recreation Commission are currently collaborating on the design engineering for the project;
Whereas, The MOU attached herein describes the parties’ understanding and their anticipated roles, efforts, obligations and responsibilities and the processes to be used to plan, design, construct and complete this highly desired non-motorized connection and extension of the Border to Border Trail; and
Whereas, The Park Advisory Commission unanimously recommended approval of this MOU at its November 15, 2022 meeting;
RESOLVED, That City Council approve the Memorandum of Understanding with Washtenaw County for the Bandemer-Barton Trail and Underpass Project;
RESOLVED, That the Mayor and City Clerk be authorized and directed to execute said Memorandum of Understanding after approval as to form by the City Attorney and approval as to substance by the City Administrator; and
RESOLVED, That the City Administrator be authorized to take the necessary administrative actions to implement this resolution.