Sponsor: Community & Economic Development
Title
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Obligation of Housing and Redevelopment Authority Levy Toward Critical Corridors
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Recommendation
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1. Approve recommended projects and funding amounts for Critical Corridors projects.
2. Authorize the County Manager to enter into the necessary grant, loan or other agreements and execute amendments to these agreements in a manner consistent with federal, state and local regulations and requirements, in a form approved by the County Attorney’s Office.end
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Background and Rationale
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Ramsey County has a need for place-based investments that support identified goals around affordable housing, economic development, and community reinvestment. Ramsey County’s Economic Competitiveness and Inclusion (ECI) Plan prioritizes investments in place-based inclusion as necessary to create resilient and equitable communities. Countywide, there is a need for tens of thousands of new units of affordable housing, and hundreds more minority business enterprises are needed in order to match the US business ownership rate. Cities and communities are also looking for support to enact policies and plans that drive equitable development tailored to their community.
The Critical Corridors programs were created in 2022 to enact three key strategies from the ECI Plan that address these needs: (1) fostering inclusive economic development - including affordable housing -- within county transit, economic, and cultural corridors; (2) developing pathways to entrepreneurship and business ownership in racially and ethnically diverse communities; and (3) supporting communities in equitable site development.
Funding for these programs comes from the Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) levy. The first solicitations for Critical Corridors programs were held in fall of 2022, and 14 projects were awarded a total of $1,830,947 in funding. In the second year of the programs, Critical Corridors programs were split into two rounds of solicitations. The spring solicitations are for the Pre-Development Planning and Commercial Corridor Initiative programs, and the fall solicitation will be for the Development & Infrastructure program.
To obligate HRA levy funds, Community & Economic Development (CED) staff opened solicitations for two Critical Corridors programs, Pre-Development Planning and Commercial Corridor Initiative, on March 7, 2023. Both solicitations closed on April 4, 2023. The solicitations were publicized on the Ramsey County website, in the CED newsletter, on social media, and through direct outreach to partner organizations and cities. An informational webinar open to the public was held by CED staff on March 1, 2023. At the close of the solicitations, 11 applications were received. All were deemed eligible and were reviewed by interdepartmental evaluation teams. CED staff presented an overview of the solicitation process to the Board on May 2, 2023.
Staff recommend that the HRA obligate $161,900 of the 2023 HRA levy to further strategies in the ECI Plan related to redevelopment activities through the Critical Corridors programs.
The following projects are recommended for HRA levy funding through the Spring 2023 Critical Corridors Solicitations. Additional information on each project and geographic distribution of funds can be found in the attachment, Critical Corridors Funding Recommendations Spring 2023.
Pre-Development Planning
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Rice Street Gardens Concept Plan, Rondo Community Land Trust |
$50,000 |
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Larpenteur-Snelling Corridor Study, City of Falcon Heights |
$50,000 |
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Subtotal |
$100,000 |
Commercial Corridor Initiative
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County Road E Placemaking Strategy, City of White Bear Lake |
$30,000 |
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Filipino Village / Kusina Building Improvements, City of Mounds View |
$10,000 |
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Mounds View Boulevard Design Theme, City of Mounds View |
$21,900 |
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Subtotal |
$61,900 |
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Critical Corridors Spring 2023 Recommendations |
$161,900 |
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County Goals (Check those advanced by Action)
☒ Well-being ☒ Prosperity ☒ Opportunity ☐ Accountability
Racial Equity Impact
HRA levy funds are invested in projects that aim to reduce racial disparities related to housing and economic development opportunities, in alignment with strategies from the ECI Plan. The recommended projects represent significant place-based investments in racially and ethnically diverse communities with intentional provisions to mitigate displacement pressures.
Community Participation Level and Impact
CED implemented a robust community engagement process in the creation of the ECI Plan and the approval of the HRA levy. This included engagement with residents, businesses, community organizations, other governmental agencies, elected officials, and local municipalities. Community was informed about the competitive solicitations, one step towards the implementation of the community-driven ECI Plan.
☒ Inform ☐ Consult ☐ Involve ☐ Collaborate ☐ Empower
Fiscal Impact
In 2023, $11,201,003 was available for housing and redevelopment projects under the HRA levy. As a result of the actions in this RBA, $161,900 of HRA levy funds will be allocated toward housing and redevelopment projects.
Last Previous Action
On May 2, 2023, Community & Economic Development presented a policy item to the Board: Update on Solicitations for Critical Corridors, CDBG, and Housing Development.
On December 13, 2022, the Ramsey County Housing and Redevelopment Authority approved the 2023 Ramsey County Housing and Redevelopment Authority Supplemental Budget of $11,201,003 (Resolution H2022-013).
Attachments
1. Critical Corridors Funding Recommendations Spring 2023