Lander Ave/32nd Street Improvements Project

The Lander Avenue and 32nd Street Improvements Project will reconstruct and upgrade roadways, trails, and utilities that have become difficult to maintain due to their age and deteriorated condition. Initially constructed as gravel township roads, Lander Avenue and 32nd Street were resurfaced with bituminous pavement in 2004 and have since undergone routine maintenance, including chip sealing, crack filling, and pothole patching. However, these roads have exceeded their expected lifespan and now require full reconstruction to restore functionality and ensure long-term reliability.

These roads support a variety of traffic, averaging 1,600 vehicles per day including both passenger and commercial vehicles. The project’s focus is to restore its functionality, ensure safety, and accommodate current and future traffic demands and accessibility while addressing aging infrastructure.

Project Benefits

Resurfaced roadway and trail surfaces
Enhanced pedestrian crossings and improved pedestrian connectivity
Traffic calming on Lander Avenue
Improved intersections at

Lander Avenue & 17th Street
32nd Street & County Highway 19

Key Project Features

Roadway Improvements

Reconstruction of deteriorated pavement using recycled materials to meet City standards.

Addition of a mini-roundabout at 17^th Street NE for better traffic management, including traffic speeds along the southern portion of Lander Avenue.
Additional turn lane on 32nd Street at the County Highway 19 intersection.

Aerial view with markings for sidewalks along 32nd Street and Main Street

Pedestrian and Trail Enhancements

Construction of a new sidewalks along 32^nd Street NE and the east side of Main Street S (County Highway 19), filling a gap in the city’s sidewalk and trail network.
Upgrades to existing trails, including ADA compliance and resurfacing.
Enhanced crosswalks with flashing beacons for increased pedestrian safety.

Graphic illustration of enhanced pedestrian crossing

Traffic Calming Enhancements

Wider edgelines to visually narrow roads and reduce speeds.
Driver feedback signs to encourage speed limit compliance.

yellow and black driver feedback electronic signs for speed limit

Utility Improvements

Minor improvements to sanitary sewer and watermain systems to preserve their functionality and extend their useful life.
Replacement of metal roadway culverts with reinforced concrete for long-term durability. Residential driveway culverts will be inspected and repaired or replaced if they are not functional.

Community Involvement

Public input is vital to the success of this project. On Aug. 14, 2024, a neighborhood meeting was held where residents provided valuable feedback and shared concerns, particularly regarding traffic speeds and volumes on Lander Avenue.

Key feedback included strong support for

The proposed mini-roundabout
Enhanced pedestrian safety features
Addressing high vehicle speeds in the area

Additional input was collected during the Public Hearing on Nov. 26, 2024, where residents emphasized the importance of adding dynamic speed signs to help reduce speeding. In response, city staff will identify the areas with the most severe speeding issues within the project corridor and propose several locations for the installation of these signs as part of the project.

Further opportunities for public input include the Assessment Hearing, scheduled for Spring 2025 (exact date to be determined). All residents with proposed assessments will receive a mailed notice with the date, time, and location of the hearing.

If you have additional feedback, please email the City Engineer at nickp@stmichaelmn.gov.

Project Funding

Estimated Project Costs | $3,622,590

Funding will be provided through a combination of

Grant monies | $1.5M from the Minnesota Local Road Improvement Program (LRIP)
Assessments to benefitting properties (City of St. Michael Assessment Policy PDF)
City/Municipal State Aid System (MSAS) funds.

Probable Cost Summary
PROPOSED IMPROVEMENT	ESTIMATED COST
Street Improvements (Assessable costs)	$2,077,265
Roundabout Improvements	$615,677
Utility Improvements	$391,106
Pedestrian & Trail Improvements	$538,542
TOTAL ESTIMATED PROJECT COST	$3,622,590

Special Assessments

The proposed assessments are split between the following benefitting properties. Assessments are determined in accordance with the City's Street Reconstruction Assessment Policy as outlined in Minnesota Statute 429. Assessments can be paid up front with no additional fees or they may be spread out for 10 years with an interest rate of approximately 5.5%.

39 residential properties
One institutional property
Five public (City) properties
Two developer properties

Funding Summary
FUNDING SOURCE	AMOUNT	PERCENTAGE
Residential Assessments	$153,777	4.2%
Development Assessments Includes assessment for Fields of St. Michael ($287,000)	$719,525	19.9%
Institutional Assessments	$65,457	1.8%
Public (City) Assessments	$142,269	3.9%
LRIP Grant	$1,500,000	41.4%
City/Municipal State Aid System (MSAS) Funds	$1,043,161	28.8%
TOTAL ESTIMATED PROJECT COST	$3,622,590	100%

Project Schedule

Timeline

2024: Feasibility study and public hearings

Aug. 14, 2024 | Neighborhood Open House
Oct. 8, 2024 | Order Feasibility Study
Nov. 12, 2024 | Accept Feasibility Report, Set Public Hearing
Nov. 26, 2024 | Public Improvement Hearing/Order Final Plans

Early 2025: Final designs and bidding

Feb. 11, 2025 | Approve Plans and Specifications/Authorize Ad for Bid
March 7, 2025 | Bid Letting
March 11, 2025 | Receive Bids/Order Assessment Hearing
April 8, 2025 | Assessment Hearing/Award Construction Contract

May 2025: Construction begins
October 2025: Project completion

This schedule is subject to change