1. St. Croix River Crossing Bluffline Mitigation Joyce Property Acquisition

2. 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:
Price: $163,152 plus closing costs

3. St. Croix River Crossing Loop Trail Layout :

4. Site Features & Land Use:
Parcel: 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

6. Project Background: Community Development Committee
approved contacting the Joyce Family
authorized negotiations & price range
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

7. 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

8. 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.

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

10. 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

12. 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.

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

14. 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.

15. 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