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<br />Quiet Zone Evaluation 37 <br />New Brighton, Minnesota <br /> <br />Grade crossing surface improvements are not eligible. The three criteria used to <br />judge worthy projects are high hazard locations (high speed, high vehicle volumes <br />and speeds, crash history, etc.), local concerns (geometric characteristics that place <br />additional demand on driver decision making), and signal age (antiquated <br />equipment). More information about this program is provided in the Appendix. <br />c. County/City Funding Programs <br />Innovative finance techniques are available that have been successful in other areas <br />for funding the necessary improvements for a Quiet Zone. Such techniques <br />previously used include: <br /> <br />Special Benefit Assessments/Property Tax Reassessments <br />The value of a Quiet Zone in making a community more livable and attractive <br />should have the effect of increasing local property values. Train horns are only <br />one factor influencing the value of property in a community, but are likely to be <br />more significant the closer the property is to an at-grade crossing. The <br />increased property value from a Quiet Zone could be reflected in a special <br />assessment district established around the Quiet Zone or in property <br />assessments. <br /> <br />Calculating the assessment for each property could be based on the distance <br />from the crossing and zone classification. The dollar amount needed for the City <br />to recover its costs in creating the Quiet Zone and the timeframe over which the <br />assessment would be in effect are legal and political questions for the City. <br /> <br />“Adopt-a-Crossing” <br />Similar to the popular “Adopt-a-Highway” concept, non-trivial contributions to <br />capital or recurring costs could be solicited in exchange for recognition at one <br />or more crossings where a Quiet Zone is implemented. <br />d. Additional Funding Sources <br />Some other cities in Minnesota have been able to work with the state legislature to <br />obtain money for Quiet Zone projects through bonding bills. These funds are not <br />through a specific program but based upon projects that the lawmakers deem <br />necessary enough to borrow money for completion. An infrastructure bonding bill <br />has been past almost every year since 1962. Previously, both Shoreview and Eden <br />Prairie have attained funds through this process. <br />