environmental assessment

Depot and LRT photo
Rendering from St. Paul Downtown Station Area Plan by Urban Strategies

Environmental review process

Depot interiorEnvironmental Assessment Published

In order to secure federal funding for the purchase and renovation of Minnesota's Union Depot, Ramsey County and its partner agencies were required to perform an environmental assessment of the project. A notice of availability was published in the August 24, 2009 EQB Monitor on behalf of the Federal Highway Administration and Ramsey County Regional Railroad Authority in cooperation with the Federal Transit Administration.

The comment period for the Draft EA will remain open from August 24-October 8, 2009. Written comments on the Draft EA will be accepted until the close of business on October 8, 2009.

Comments may be made by:

Mail: Steve Morris, Transit Project Manager, RCRRA, 50 W Kellogg Boulevard, Suite 6560 RCGC-West, St. Paul, MN 55102
Phone: (651) 266-2795 (note: This line will record comments only and is not staffed. To ask questions about the project or the environmental assessment, contact Steve Morris at (651) 266-2784)
Fax: (651) 266-2761
E-mail: Steve Morris

Public Hearings Scheduled

To afford an opportunity for all interested persons, agencies and groups to comment on the EA, two public hearings have been scheduled for September 9, 2009, at the Union Depot Head House, 214 4th St. E., St. Paul, MN 55101:

The public hearings will be open house format with formal presentations. The formal presentations during the afternoon meeting begin at 1 p.m. and 2 p.m.; for the evening meeting the formal presentations will be at 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. A court reporter will be on hand to record oral comments. Individuals with a disability who need a reasonable accommodation to participate in the public meeting or comment on the Draft EA should contact the RCRRA Project Manager (651-266-2784).

Copies of Environmental Assessment Available for Review

Copies of the EA for the rehabilitation and reuse of Minnesota’s Union Depot as a multi-modal transit hub are available for review online using the links below or at the following libraries and RCRRA offices during regular business hours:

Union Depot Draft Environmental Assessment, August 2009

Table of Contents Chapters 1-3: Report Purpose; Purpose and Need; Alternatives Chapter 4.1: Environmental Impact Statement / Social Impacts Chapter 4.2: Environmental Impact Statement / Transportation Impacts
Chapter 4.3: Environmental Impact Statement / Environmental Impacts Chapter 4.4-4.6: Environmental Impact Statement / Construction, Indirect and Cumulative Impacts Chapter 5: Public Involvement and Resource Agencies Consultation Chapter 6: Draft Section 4(F) Evaluation
Chapter 7: Conclusion Chapter 8: Bibliography Figures: Chapter 1 Figures: Chapter 2
Figures: Chapter 3 Figures: Chapter 4.1 Figures: Chapter 4.2 Figures: Chapter 4.3
Figures: Chapter 6 Appendix A - Letters of Support Appendix B - Capital Cost Estimates Appendix C - Letter sent to Nationwide Rivers Inventory
Appendix D - Correspondence Regarding Historical, Architectural, and Archeological Properties Appendix E - Draft Programmitic Agreement Appendix F - Traffic and Parking Analysis Appendix G - Union Depot Noise and Vibration
Appendix H - Letter from MnDOT's Office of Environmental Service Appendix I - Letter from Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Appendix J - Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Appendix K - Phase II Environmental Site Assessment Report
Appendix L - A Geotechnical Evaluation Report Appendix M - USPS Solitation Amendment Appendix N - Soil Borings from USPS Expansion Appendix O - Structural Condition Report of the USPS Union Depot

 

This page last updated Monday, August 24, 2009 3:51 PM