St. Croix River Crossing Bluffline Mitigation Joyce Property Acquisition

Acquisition Details: Owners: James E Joyce Sr. Revocable Intervivos Trust and Gloria A Joyce Revocable Intervivos Trust Location: Section 27, Town of St. Joseph Acres: 6.798 Price: $163,152 plus closing costs

St. Croix River Crossing Loop Trail Layout :

Site Features & Land Use: Parcel: 6.798 acres (red outline) Land Use: Flat, Undeveloped, Agriculture Grass Cover North Property Line: CTH E (Houlton School Circle) & Houlton Elementary School West Property Line: New road, Hawk Street South Property Line: New STH 35 East Property Line: St. Croix River Crossing Trail head & parking & Hwys 35/64 on-ramps & off-ramps

Project Background: Community Development Committee 3-19-15 approved contacting the Joyce Family 4-16-15 authorized negotiations & price range 5-21-15 recommended staff develop a contract to purchase & present to Administration Committee Mitigation Real Estate Team WisDNR, Town of St. Joseph, National Park Service, US-Fish & Wildlife Service, Willow River State Park and St. Croix County March, April reviewed, approved acquisition 4-15-15

Funding Source: Bluffline Mitigation Cooperative Agreement with MnDOT to mitigate bluffline impacts from new St. Croix River Crossing Project MN DOT provides $2 million to St. Croix County for replacement lands: Purchase of fee title, transfer of development rights, or conservation easements Willing sellers Perpetually maintained for land and water conservation, scenic protection and compatible uses including low-impact public recreation. Protection for historic properties in conjunction with land and water conservation goals. Trail Head

Price Determination Land was not on the market Owners wanted asking price & no expenses WisDOT land price reflected current agricultural use, not highest and best use or average selling price for lots in the area. Owners’ asking price reflected site could inexpensively be split into two 3-acre lots with public road access, selling for approximately $70,000 - $80,000 per lot.

Hawk Street CTH Road E-remove and put in cul-de-sac rename to Houlton School Circle

Acquisition Benefits: Acquisition funded through mitigation funds (non-levy) Creates an open space buffer and reduces conflicting land uses Groundwater/Wellhead Protection-Houlton Elementary School Improves pedestrian safety Allows for off-road bike and pedestrian trail across from Houlton Elementary Adjacent to WisDOT stormwater ponds, trailhead parking and facilities

Acquisition Benefits: Improves trail head layout and design options Trail & Trailhead design begins fall 2015, ends summer 2016, construction 2017 Provides additional space for stormwater management Allows trail head amenities to be constructed by WisDOT on County-owned property Provides space for additional amenities Upgraded restrooms and sanitary system Maintenance building Future parking expansion Future expansion as Trail usage grows.

Parking Shelter Drinking Fountains Well Maintenance Building Info. Kiosk Sanitary Drain field Restrooms Picnic Tables Restored Prairie Benches Off-road trail

NEXT STEPS: 7-7-15 County Board Action Purchase Title Insurance Prepare Closing Documents Obtain Soil Tests Set Closing Date - July or August Evaluate sanitary system options and costs Meet with WisDOT on design steps, public input, etc.

Evaluation Criteria: Proximity to St. Croix River Bluffline/Bridge Size, Recreational Uses & Proximity to other Parks Water Access/Scenic Viewshed St. Croix River and other major surface water resources Unique site features (historical, endangered) Water Quality Benefits Funding, Partnerships & Support Landowner Donated Value Goals/Objectives/Polices identified in county related documents