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Arden Hills hears Rice Creek Boulevard schedule, trail and lighting proposals; Army coordination remains key
Summary
City staff said 100% plans for Rice Creek Boulevard are expected by August with construction starting in spring 2027; Ramsey County has proposed reducing multi-use trail width from 12 to 10 feet and requested a TRC amendment to streetlight spacing, and staff will return to the JDA with photometric options and cooperative-agreement analysis for a hybrid developer approach.
City Administrator Jessica Jagoe told the Arden Hills City Council on Feb. 9 that Ramsey County and its consultant have updated the JDA on Rice Creek Boulevard and Rice Creek Commons, and that coordination with the U.S. Army remains a project-critical path.
Jagoe said Ramsey County expects 100% roadway plans by August and anticipates starting construction in spring 2027 with completion in fall 2028, though early work could begin as soon as fall 2026 if scheduled. County staff proposed two TRC changes for JDA consideration: reducing multi-use trail width from 12 to 10 feet (the county standard and consistent with Rice Creek Watershed District exemptions) and considering increased spacing for street lighting pending photometric analyses.
Project consultants told JDA members that a 12-foot trail would trigger additional stormwater treatment requirements for the full width of the trail and increase cost and design complexity; a 10-foot trail would avoid those consequences under current watershed rules. The JDA asked Ramsey County and consultant Kimley Horn to prepare photometric plans showing multiple spacing options for streetlights and return to the March JDA meeting for a recommendation to the City and County.
Jagoe said the JDA also directed staff to analyze items that would need to be addressed in a cooperative agreement under a proposed hybrid developer approach and return with recommendations in 90 days. She added that the JDA’s litigation against Alatus Arden Hills, LLC is in discovery with a scheduling order that identifies a June benchmark for court activity.
Councilmembers asked questions about design and phasing. Councilmember Brenda Holden argued the trail should remain 12 feet to safely accommodate both pedestrians and bicyclists. Councilmember Tena Monson said the hybrid approach is not a foregone conclusion and asked staff to report back with analysis; Councilmember Kurt Weber asked the JDA representatives to provide evidence of County progress with Army coordination.
The JDA will take formal action on any TRC amendments at its March meeting and the next JDA meeting is scheduled for March 2, 2026.
