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Mark Johnson, Mayor Post Office Box 1997 - Kalispell, Montana 59903-1997 (406) 758-7756 [EMAIL REDACTED] www.kalispell.com May 29, 2015 The Honorable Anthony Foxx, Secretary United States Department of Transportation 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE Washington, DC 20590 Dear Honorable Secretary Foxx: I am writing this letter in support of the Glacier Rail Park/Kalispell Core Area Development and Trail project in its application for the US DOT TIGER 2015 Discretionary grant program. I am honored to be signing the application as the Mayor of our city and also want to provide a personal letter in support of our application and request for a grant award. In summary, the project is transformative for the City of Kalispell and will serve to improve transportation infrastructure, quality of life, economic opportunity, and repair the tax base in a blighted part of our downtown core. The infrastructure component of the plan includes the addition of a 2 mile bike path that will bisect our city providing pedestrian and bicycle transportation infrastructure from the eastern city limits to the western city limits and tie in to a 15 mile rail to trail project. This trail will become the main backbone of the redevelopment of our downtown core into a mixed use commercial residential area that will provide multiple housing and commercial opportunities. We will also be able to construct 4 complete street connections to make north-south travel possible within our downtown area. This interconnection of various travel courses is essential to the redevelopment and revitalization of our downtown area. In order to complete the bicycle paths and road way connections we will have to remove the railroad tracks that currently bisect our town. The railroad tracks are a piece of our history that we as a community have outgrown and are now limiting our future development and recovery of our downtown area. To facilitate the removal of the tracks, we have worked closely with the Burlington Northern, its lessee Watco, the Flathead County Economic Development Agency, and the businesses that utilize the limited rail service within our town. As a result of this collaborative effort, we have recently annexed and zoned a 44 acre site on the east side of our town where we will see a new rail park built and developed. The 44 acres is a former gravel pit site that has been blighted, brownfields property for several years and will soon be a crown jewel for economic development in the region. Sincerely, MONiANA L._d Mark Johnson, Mayor ---PAGE BREAK--- City of Kalispell OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER 201 First Avenue East Kalispell, MT 59903 May 29, 2015 Secretary Anthony Foxx U.S. Department of Transportation 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE Washington, DC 20590 Dear Mr. Foxx, Please accept this letter of support on behalf of the City of Kalispell for the Kalispell Rail Park application for TIGER grant funding. The City of Kalispell and Flathead County Economic Development Authority have been partnering on a multi-faceted development that includes the development of a rail park that will enhance the rail-served industry sector in the region and the development of a corresponding pedestrian/bicycle path that provides a much needed alternative transportation model that connects our citizens to needed destinations in a safe and accommodating system throughout our downtown area. Through an area-wide community planning effort, the establishment of this rail park and resulting downtown redevelopment has been identified as key components to the region’s future. I see this project as providing greater economic opportunities through enhanced rail and the provision of access to fundamental amenities for all demographics of our community that improves the livability and quality of life for our community. The addition of the TIGER grant would allow us to leverage existing commitments from the City of Kalispell, Flathead County Economic Development Authority, and BNSF Railway to complete the proposed project and begin realizing the important community benefits, including the reclamation of underutilized land adjacent to the project areas through private investment. This is an exciting project, and one that I am pleased to support as it provides very beneficial outcomes through the leveraging of partnerships at the private, local, state and federal level. Sincerely, Doug Russell Kalispell City Manager www.kalispell.com ---PAGE BREAK--- City of Kalispell Post Office Box 1997 - Kalispell, Montana 59903 Telephone: (406) 758-7756 www.ka1ispel1.com MOIVTAIVA 4 [EMAIL REDACTED] The Honorable Anthony Foxx, Secretary United States Department of Transportation 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE Washington, DC 20590 May 29, 2015 Dear Sir, I am a twenty seven year veteran of the Kalispell City Council and in all of my experiences I have never seen a more invigorating project for the wellbeing of this city than the “Glacier Rail Park/Kalispell Core Area Development and Trail”. We are a tourist town as well as the commercial and governmental center of Flathead County. As a result we service a wide area commercially and enhance so many travelers’ experience when they come to visit Glacier National Park. This project will enhance the uniqueness of our downtown in so many positive ways. We anticipate a great many added and enhanced retail businesses in the core area. We will relocate businesses that have long since outlived their location in the middle of the city and replace them with retail and entertainment related businesses that will encourage shoppers and the like to stay and enjoy the surroundings. It will be much easier to get around with additional north/south through streets being made available when the railroad tracks are removed. With the railroad property becoming available, a wide band of real estate can be repurposed to become the centerpiece of the city. Transportation opportunities for cars, pedestrians, bicycles and other forms of transportation will be increased with the onset of an east/west corridor completely across town. This is of special advantage to me because I am now confined to an electric powered scooter. I can only imagine the joy of leaving my house in the west edge of town and motoring across town through greenery along year long maintained pedestrian paths past grocery stores, doctors’ offices and any other community service I may need. The community has embraced this project with an anticipation and enthusiasm that I have never seen in my time on council. Outside companies are following our progress with a great deal of interest, wanting to take advantage of such an obvious positive opportunity. All players, including Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad, Cenex, the City of Kalispell and others have all shown interest in pursuing this concept. The contribution of the TIGER Grant funds to this project will allow us to continue this momentum so that we may see a revitalization of Kalispell while these advantages are in place. Please accept this letter as a hearty endorsement of the investment of TIGER funds into the Glacier Rail Park/Kalispell Core Area Development and Trail project. Sincerely, Jim Atkinson Ward 3 City Councilman City of Kalispell, Montana ---PAGE BREAK--- City of Kalispell Post Office Box 1997 - Kalispell, Montana 59903-1997 Telephone (406) 758-7701 Fax - (406) 758-7758 June 2015 The Honorable Anthony Foxx, Secretary U.S. Department of Transportation 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE Washington, DC 20590 Re: Glacier Rail Park/Kalispell Core Area Development and Trail Project Dear Secretary Foxx, On behalf of Ward iof the City of Kalispell, I am sending this letter in support of the Glacier Rail Park/Kalispell Core Area Development and Trail project application for which the City of Kalispell and Flathead County Economic Development Authority (FCEDA) are requesting National Infrastructure Investments (TIGER VII) grant funding. A $10 million investment of TIGER funds in this existing project will leverage over sai.i million in local, non- federal match contributed by the City of Kalispell, FCEDA and BNSF Railway to bring Glacier Rail Park and Kalispell’s downtown and Core Area to their fullest potential for economic growth. TIGER grant funds will expedite the growth and redevelopment of the Kalispell Core Area and development of the Glacier Rail Park, in turn creating a location for existing businesses to consolidate operations and increase rail traffic use and for new and relocating businesses to improve efficiencies and cut costs while expanding their rail use. Flathead County Economic Development Authority has been planning and preparing to create a rail served industrial park for over ten years, purchasing property and setting aside funds to prepare for an opportunity that will truly benefit businesses and communities throughout northwest Montana. Significant strategic and financial partnership between the City of Kalispell, Flathead County Economic Development Authority, BNSF Railway, Mission Mountain Railroad/Watco Companies and Cenex Harvest States (CHS) has already taken place and will continue as the project ensues. My ward and I ask for your approval of this grant application as the investment in infrastructure will enhance the economic vitality of our community. The development will encourage businesses to invest in their own growth resulting in the creation ofjobs, diversity in the economy and a broader tax base. Sincerely, Sandy Carlson Kalispell City Council Member Ward 1 .iviANA ---PAGE BREAK--- Chad Graham Kalispell City Council Member * Ward2 Kalispell City Planning/Zoning Commission, Chairman The Honorable Anthony Foxx, Secretary United States Department of Transportation 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE Washington, DC 20590 Glacier Rail Park/Kalispell Core Area Development and Trail Dear Secretary Foxx, I am writing this letter to express my continued support for the US DOT TIGER 2015 discretionary grant for the Glacier Rail Park/Kalispell Core Area Development and trail project. The city of Kalispell has applied for a requested amount of 10 million dollars to help in funding this project. There is currently a significant match from the City of Kalispell, Flathead County Economic Development Authority and BNSF Railway for at total of $11,175,375. As chairman ofthe Kalispell Planning Board/Zoning Commission I have had the opportunity to see this project in its beginning to where it is today. As a Councilman I and other members of Council have traveled to Washington DC two years in a row speaking on its behalf In the letter below I have listed a few areas that this project will benefit all parties involved. First, running through the center ofKalispell are rail tracks bisecting the town in two, creating safety concerns for traffic flow and shutting offpedestrian travel. Emergency services are affected when trains are traveling through town to turn around or serve our one rail user. These Rail tracks are creating an identity crisis for this area of Kalispell that it cannot break free from without the removal ofthe tracks. Upon removal of the tracks and completion ofthe Glacier Rail Park our only rail served business will be moved to the new Glacier Rail Park and consolidate all of its business in this area removing dangerous transportation of goods through downtown Kalispell. It will also provide a place for the trains to turn around and allow for all of the old rail crossing to be reopened allowing much more North to South traffic flow though the city. Second, as the tracks are removed Kalispell can redevelop creating an identity of a Mixed Used pattern. The old rail tracks will be converted to trails and bike paths for pedestrian friendly travel particularly the elderly who live in close proximity that may not be able to drive. New uses will feel confident about developing in the area turning a blighted area into a bright area with new social scenes, residential living and shopping. As ---PAGE BREAK--- blight is removed and redeveloped property values will begin to recover and tax revenues will increase to the City, County, State, and Federal Government. Third, the Economic Growth for this area will be great as the rail park develops, jobs will be created. Not only construction of the park but ongoing permanent jobs at the park and with its new users. New users will be attracted to being able to have goods shipped by rail to their business and others will benefit from loading dock pickup. I look at this project as having a great ongoing return of investment for all parties involved as tax revenue increases and more jobs are created. On a personal note, I grew up in Kalispell and have lived here for 35 years. I have seen how our core area has diminished over time and how the rail tracks in the city have become obsolete. The great thing is that we are now finally on the fringe ofbeing able to effect change in this area and breath life back into our great town, Kalispell, again. Thank you for your time and consideration for this project, Chad Graham Kalispell City Council Memeber Ward 2 Kalispell Planning Board/Zoning Commission, Chairman ---PAGE BREAK--- Phillip Guiffrida Ill Council Member, Ward 4 City of Kalispell 201 FirstAvenue East Kalispe}J, MT 59901 March 29, 2015 The Honorable Anthony Foxx United States Secretary ofTransportation 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE Washington, DC 20590 Dear Secretary Foxx: It is with great pleasure that I submit this letter of support for the Glacier Rail Park / Kalispell Core Area Development and Trail project. I have had the great honor of working on this project since its inception as both an appointed member ofthe Kalispell City Planning Board and an elected member ofthe Kalispell City Council. Throughout my tenure in City Government I have not seen a more important project. The conceptual planning has brought our City together making this project a priority at all levels in our community. This project has also seen the highest level ofpublic support from the citizens of Kalispell. With your help utilizing Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery funding this project will transform the City of Kalispell for the better sending us down the road ofeconomic recovery which is vital for our future success. As an elected member of City Government return on investment is very important to me. I look for projects that will benefit the community, not only in the short term but into perpetuity. Together we have an opportunity to complete a project that will generate economic recovery by creating an industrial rail park, removing two miles ofrailroad track which will be turned into a pedestrian trail, and completing four street connections that have been dividing our City’s core area for decades. This will allow industrial rail businesses to flourish sending revenue back to the United States Government and Montana State Government in the form of income tax through job creation. It will also send much needed funding to the School Districts, County, and City in the form ofproperty tax base increases. The opportunity created by this rail park will allow us to remove miles of railroad track which will diversify transportation by creating pedestrian trails and street connections through a blighted area ofour City. This revitalization will generate further economic recovery and a stronger return on initial investment. More importantly it gives us the revenue at the local level to operate and maintain the new infrastructure created by the project into the future insuring that a one-time grant will have a lifetime of benefits. On behalf ofmyselfand my constituents I would like to thank you for your consideration of our Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery grant request. Together with your support we can generate economic recovery that diversifies our transportation infrastructure improving access, opportunity, and safety in our community. Sinceraly;7 Phillip Guiffrida III ---PAGE BREAK--- City of Kalispell Post Office Box 1997 - Kalispell, Montana 59903 Telephone: (406) 758-7701 Fax: (406) 758-7758 The Honorable Anthony Foxx, Secretary US Department of Transportation 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE Washington, DC 20590 Dear Secretary Foxx, It is my pleasure as a City of Kalispell Council Member, to express support for the Glacier Rail Park/Kalispell Core Area Development and Trail project application to the US Department of Transportation TIGER 2015 grant request in the amount of $1OM. This project will build the new Glacier Rail Park at the reclaimed gravel pit east of Kalispell, relocating rail-service for Kalispell’s last rail-served businesses to the rail park. It also converts the old rail line through Kalispell into a 2-mile bike and pedestrian trail which creates a safe, alternative transportation corridor that connects citizens of this economically disadvantaged section of the community to work and education opportunities. Additionally, this project allows for redevelopment of 44 acres of vacant, blighted, brownfields properties creating new vitality in the center of the community. The Glacier Rail Park!Kalispell Core Area Development and Trail project will build and diversify this economy: the Glacier Rail Park will grow and strengthen the economy of the region and nation as it improves the freight transportation system reaching across the nation and into Canada; development of the Kalispell Core Area and Trail will reinvest in the local economy and create alternative transportation for our residents at every stage of life and from every socio economic level. My constituents and I are excited about this project and the numerous ways that the Glacier Rail Park/Kalispell Core Area Development and Trail project will transform and improve this area’s quality of place and economy. Please support the Glacier Rail Park/Kalispell Core Area Development and Trail project funding request. Sincerely, Az. Tim Kluesner Kalispell City Council Member, Ward 4 June 1, 2015 ---PAGE BREAK--- City of Kalispell Post Office Box 1997 - Kalispell, Montana 59903-1997 Telephone (406) 758-7701 Fax - (406) 758-7758 June 1, 2015 The Honorable Anthony Foxx, Secretary U.S. Department of Transportation 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE Washington, DC 20590 Dear Secretary Foxx, I write in support of the Glacier Rail Park/Kalispell Core Area Development and Trail project for which the City of Kalispell and the Flathead County Economic Development Authority are requesting $10 million in Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER VII) grant funding. As a lifelong resident of Kalispell and former downtown family business co-owner, I understand the importance that the TIGER VII grant will provide this project. The development of a multi- use trail in place of railroad tracks will allow for walkability and safe pedestrian access to downtown and Core Area businesses. This project will also drive job creation and allow for the redevelopment of 44 acres of vacant, blighted, brownfields properties creating new vitality in the center of the community My constituents and I wholly support this project and continue to support the City of Kalispell in their efforts to strengthen our downtown and Core Area; we thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Wayne Saverud Ward 2 Kalispell City Council Member ---PAGE BREAK--- KALISPELL FIRE DEPARTMENT Dave Dedman — Fire Chief P0 Box 1997 Jon Campbell — Assistant Fire Chief 312 First Avenue East Cec Lee — Executive Secretary Kalispell, Montana 59901 Phone: (406) 758-7760 FAX: (406) 758-7777 5/26/2015 The Honorable Anthony Foxx, Secretary United States Department of Transportation 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE Washington, DC 20590 RE: Glacier Rail ParklKalispell Core Area Development and Trail Dear Mr Foxx, On behalf of the Kalispell Fire Department, I am sending this letter in support of the Glacier Rail Park/Kalispell Fore Area Development and Trail application, for which the City of Kalispell and the Flathead County Economic Development Authority are requesting Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant funding. The requested $1 OM TIGER grant request along with the $11 .2M non-federal match will be funding a project to build the new Glacier Rail Park; move rail-service for Kalispell’s last rail-served businesses to Glacier Rail Park; convert the old rail line through Kalispell into a 2-mile bike and pedestrian trail creating a safe, alternative transportation corridor that connects the citizens of Kalispell and local area to work and educational opportunities; and allow for the redevelopment of approximately 44 acres of vacant, blighted, Brownsfields properties creating new vitality in the center of the community. The City of Kalispell Fire Department is supportive of this project because of its direct safety improvements for the community. The proposed location of volatile projects including propane, gasoline and fertilizers at the proposed buffered Glacier Rail Park is much preferred to the current situation. To date in Kalispell, fertilizer facilities, for instance, are located only on block from residential neighborhoods. The existing rail-service divides the City of Kalispell in two by crossing multiple arterial roadways and Hwy 93. These roadways are primary routes for fire and EMS response. This poses a challenge and a possible delay for emergency response from one side of the city jurisdiction to the other. Sincerely, ave Dedman Kalispell Fire Chief “Protecting our community with the highest level ofprofessionalism.” ---PAGE BREAK--- Planning Department 201 1 st Avenue East Kalispell, MT 59901 Phone: (406) 758-7940 Fax: (406) 758-7739 www.ka1ispeJ1.com/p1anniag May 27, 2015 US Secretary Anthony Foxx U.S. Department ofTransportation 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE Washington, DC 20590 RE: Project Name/TIGER VII Grant Application Subject: Glacier Rail Park & Kalispell Core Area Development and Trail/TIGER VII Grant Dear Mr. Foxx: The City of Kalispell Planning Department is writing in support of the City of Kalispell and the Flathead County Economic Development Authority’s TIGER 7 grant application to accomplish four major goals: Develop a rail-industrial park on what was previously a gravel extraction site for 70 years; relocate the two remaining existing rail-users from downtown Kalispell to the new rail park; abandon the existing rail line through Kalispell that now severs the city; and then develop a new multi-use trail connecting the downtown core area ofthe city with the rail industrial park. This project is well supported in the city’s planning documents and long range community goals. The Kalispell City Council in December, 2012 adopted the Core Area Plan supporting the re development of downtown Kalispell. The Kalispell Core Area Plan was the result of working with 450 property owners, representing over 1,300 properties in the core area of Kalispell. This 364 acre neighborhood was the focal point of a Brownfield Area-Wide Planning Pilot Program grant in 2011- 20 12. Staffpersonally met one-on-one with over 40% of the property owners representing 60% of the land area. In addition, 5 sets of community meetings were held and six newsletters were sent out to update the general populace. The chief cornerstone ofthat plan, supported overwhelmingly by both the citizenry and elected officials in Kalispell, is the creation of a rail-industrial park on the east side of Kalispell which would allow existing rail-served businesses in Kalispell a place to relocate and then would allow the removal of the railroad tracks within the downtown core area, with the cap stone being the redevelopment of the rail bed into a multi-use trail. This trail then would serve to provide connection and access to the downtown, to the new rail industrial park, to the medical center, community college and our neighborhoods in an area that previously was isolated by rail lines located at the end of a branch line. The following goals and policy excerpted from the plan states this: PLANNING FOR THE F1JrUIu Goal 1 — Relocation of the railroad tracks from the Kalispell Core Area. ---PAGE BREAK--- Goal 2 — A multi-use trail replacing the existing rail route connecting the rail industrial park with the downtown and neighborhoods to the west. Goal 3 — A circulation system that encourages increased north-south connections now blocked by the existing rail. Policy 1 — Work with the railroad to develop a seamless program to remove the tracks and provide a new rail tenninus at the Flathead County Economic Development Authority (FCEDA) rail industrial park. The proposed $2lM investment in rail, road and utility infrastructure to develop the Kalispell Rail Park for tenants will leverage the area’s access to the BNSF rail line, resulting in job creation and the more efficient use ofboth public and private resources. A $1OM investment of TIGER funds in this existing project will leverage $1 l.IM or more in funds from private, county BNSF Railroad and other private sources to bring this recently purchased property to its fullest potential for economic growth. The second component ofthis plan is the relocation of the two rail users in downtown Kalispell to the rail park, in order to facilitate the removal of track currently strangling the downtown area, and hampering new and appropriate development while providing an appropriate location for industrial development. The rail industrial park on the east side of Kalispell is being located in an area that has long been planned for industrial activity in both the Kalispell Growth Policy and the Kalispell Growth Policy Future Land Use Map. The property lies inside the city limits, is zoned Industrial and the industrial park development plat has been approved by the Kalispell Planning Board in anticipation of full development of the rail park. Removal of the “rail barrier” and construction of the two miles of connecting trail will help to fully integrate pedestrian traffic movement throughout the city and connect east and west Kalispell. The new rail park will be connected to residential areas. Residential areas will be connected to the downtown and to Woodland Park, the city’s largest park. Additionally, pedestrian traffic will be able to flow across the previous “rail barrier” which will be enhanced by the development of 4 complete street connections extending north-south across this area. In closing the City of Kalispell and specifically the Kalispell Planning Department is ready to respond to expedite this project in order to make this worthy project a reality. Sincerely, Ic Thomas R. Jentz, Director Kalispell Planning Department ---PAGE BREAK--- KALIsPELL PoLIcE DEPARTMENT 312 1 AvE EAST — P0 Box 1997 — KAUSPELL, MT 59903 TELEPHoNE (406)758-7780— FAx (406) 758-7799 E-MAIL - [EMAIL REDACTED] Striving to Evceed Expectations’ 5-26-15 Honorable Anthony Foxx, Secretary United States Department of Transportation 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE Washington, DC 20590 Mr. Foxx, The City of Kalispell has requested a grant for the “Glacier Rail Park/Kalispell Core Area Development and Trail” project that will relocate a rail line that currently travels right through the middle of Kalispell. This current rail line travels east/west and divides Kalispell into north and south halves. Our city only has six access points which vehicular traffic can cross the tracks. When trains travel through our city they will often block some or all of these access points for 5- 10 minutes at a time. This prevents traffic, including emergency vehicles, from crossing the tracks. This creates a lot of concern for our department. When emergencies are occurring in the north half of Kalispell, police units responding from the station, or anywhere on the south half of town, are unable to cross the tracks until the trains clear the roadways. The same happens when officers are on the north half of town and emergencies arise on the south half. The current rail lines also back traffic up to the point where the traffic causes congestion at two of our major intersections. This congestion leads to a decrease in traffic safety as traffic can be at a standstill in all directions. Traffic Safety and the overall safety of our citizens would be greatly increased with the removal of the current rail lines through the middle of our city. The addition of a bike/pedestrian path would further increase the safety of bike/pedestrian traffic. The Kalispell Police Department highly supports the Glacier Rail Park/Kalispell Core Area Development and trail project. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, t{Jc i— Wade Rademacher Administrative Captain ROGER NASSET, CHIEF OF POLICE ---PAGE BREAK--- CITY r City of Kalispell Post Office Box 1997 - Kalispell, Montana 59903 Telephone: (406) 758-7701 Fax: (406) 758-7758 May 28, 2015 Anthony Foxx, Secretary U.S. Department of Transportation 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE Washington, DC 20590 Dear Mr. Secretary, As Director of the City of Kalispell Public Works Department I am writing to express support for the efforts to build the Glacier Rail ParklKalispell Core Area Development project. This project represents a $21.1 million investment in rail, road, utility infrastructure and trail at both the new Glacier Rail Park and the build-out of a two-mile bicycle/pedestrian trail with road crossing improvements and complete street connections through Kalispell. Both components of the project will require close work with Kalispell’s Public Works Department and we look forward to working with all parties involved to make this project successful and on schedule. The construction of the Glacier Rail Park and the development of the trail and related complete streets will allow for significant in-fill improvements including: improving conditions for city streets which are now overburdened by heavy truck traffic at the grain elevators; construction of a safe route for bicycle and pedestrian traffic with appropriate street crossing safety equipment; construction of complete street connections improving north-south traffic flow in Kalispell; the efficient use of existing water, sewer and wastewater infrastructure in the Core Area as in-fill development occurs. An award to the Glacier Rail Park/Kalispell Core Area Development project with US Department of Transportation 2015 TIGER Discretionary Grant funding will bring these much needed infrastructure improvements to Kalispell and leverage investments from other sources including BNSF Railway, Flathead County Economic Development Authority and the City of Kalispell itself. S erely, Susie Turner, P.E. Public Works Director City of Kalispell