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7.1. SR 10-15-2007REQUEST FOR ACTION To Item Number Ma rox and Ci CouncIl 7.1. Agenda Section Meeting Date Prepared by Public Works October 15, 2007 Tet Maurer, Public Works Director Item Description. Reviewed by Consider Resolution Ordering the Preparation of Plans and Loxi ohnson, Cit Administrator Specifications in the Matter of the Downtown Overlay and Reviewed by Intersection Geometric Improvement of 2008 Action Requested Adoption of the attached resolution authorizing the preparation of plans and specifications fox the Downtown Overlay and Geometric Improvements. Background/Discussion As directed by the Ciry Council, I have held two informational meetings concerning the proposed geometric improvements to the Main Street/Jackson Avenue intersection. The first was held on Monday, August 27"' at 3:30 p.m. and the second was held on Tuesday, August 28~' at 8:00 a.m. Attached is a memo I prepared to the City Administrator dated August 30, 2007, describing those two informational meetings. I also met with the Rivers Edge Group on Wednesday, October 10, 2007. The general tone of those in attendance at the Rivers Edge Group was supportive of the full intersection improvement. They thought it would make the downtown area much more pedestrian friendly; however, they were concerned about maintenance of traffic during the period of the intersection closure. The information I provided to them showed a more detailed wank plan with a shutdown of the intersection of 12 days, starting on Monday of the first week and opening back up by the Friday of the second week, so that only one weekend would be impacted. Fox your information also attached are e-mails I received from Wendy Simenson and Patty Hipsag regarding the proposed improvements. Financial Impact The total project cost including the overlay and geometric improvements is estimated at $430,000. The proposed 2008 Streets Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) has $350,000 programmed fox this project. The CIP would need to be changed to provide additional funding fox this increased cost. Attachments • Resolution Authorizing Preparation of Plans and Specifications • August 30, 2007 memo to Loxi Johnson, Ciry Administrator • Patty Hipsag e-mail • Wendy Simenson e-mail • Proposed Geometric Layout (from August 13, 2007 presentation) • Proposed Overlay Axea (from August 13, 2007 presentation) Action blohon by Second 6y Vo[e Follow Up S:\LngineerImprovProj\2007Improvement Projects\main street overlay\70 15 07 memo CC.doc RESOLUTION 07- A RESOLUTION FOR THE CITY OF ELK RIVER A RESOLUTION ORDERING THE PREPARATION OF PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS IN THE MATTER OF THE DOWNTOWN OVERLAY AND INTERSECTION GEOMETRIC IMPROVEMENT OF 2008 WHEREAS there has been recent investment in the downtown area consisting of three buildings and a public park; and WHEREAS the public streets in the downtown area are approximately 20 years old; and WHEREAS many more pedestrians axe expected in the downtown area with events programmed at the park and new residential units opening. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of F.lk River, Minnesota: 1. The overlay improvements on Main Street from Lowell Avenue to the Parrish Avenue Bridge and on Jackson Avenue from TH10 to Main Street together with intersection improvements described in the PowerPoint presentation to the City Council on August 13, 2007, are hereby ordered. 2. 't'erry Maurer, P.P. is hereby designed as project engineer for this improvement The pxojecY engineer is duetted to prepare plans and speciFications for the making of the improvement and the solicitation of competitive bids. Passed and adopted this 15°h day of October, 2007. Stephanie A. Klinzing, Mayor ATTES'L': Tina Allard, City Clerk S:ARnhrineerimprovPn~jA2007 tmprovemeot Projects\main street overlayV12csolutionsVOrdenng Plans & Spers.doc MEMORANDUM TO: Lori Johnson, City Administrator FROM: Terry Maurer, Public Works Director DATE: August 30, 2007 SUBJECT: Main StreetJJackson Avenue Proposed Geometric Improvements As directed by the City Council, I have held two public meetings fox the downtown property/business owners regarding the proposed geometric improvements to the intersection of Main Stteet and Jackson Avenue. Attached is the letter that was sent out on August 17, 2007 and the mailing list it was sent to. The two meetings were scheduled fox Monday, August 27`s at 3:30 p.m. and Tuesday, August 28'~ at 8:D0 a.m. There were five people in attendance at the Monday meeting and no attendance at the Tuesday meeting. Attached is the sign-in sheet from Monday's meeting. Beyond the attendance at the Monday afternoon meeting, I did receive one phone call from Dx. Rafferty who could not make either meeting, but after discussing the proposed improvements, he was in favor as long as there was no charge to the businesses and no loss of parking. At the Monday afternoon meeting, I went through the same PowerPoint presentation that was presented to the Council at the workshop where the Street C.LP. was discussed. All of those in attendance thought that the improvements would be a good finishing touch to the downtown redevelopment projects cuttently underway. Pat Dwyer made a comment that he has been in attendance at each of the downtown park concert series and indicated there has been a significant number of pedestrians crossing the intersection. John Babcock trade a similar comment and also indicated that he has biked downtown with his children and supported a smaller intersection to cross as a pedestrian and a larger cornet which could be used far a bike rack location adjacent to the park. Fred McCoy was in support of it and indicated when questioned that he could deal with deliveries to his establishment with the intersection closed during construction. Wendy Simonson asked if I would be willing to appear at the Downtown River's Edge Group and I indicated that would be fine to schedule me fox the October meeting. I would suggest that this item, if appropriate, be put back on the City Council agenda fox the third Monday in October which would be after the River's Edge meeting, at which time I can report back to the Council and look fox direction on how to proceed. As a side note, I S' \En~nee~\2007 memos\08 30 07 LJ Mvn&Jacksoadoc have had a discussion with Dennis Anderson from Flanuexy Construction about their use of Jackson Avenue and Main Street for the Jackson Place project He indicated it would be at least the end of September and maybe into eatlp October before he was done utilizing the street and had restored the concrete curb and sidewalk adjacent to the building. With this timing, it would be mp recommendation that even if only an overlay of Jackson Avenue and Main Street is to proceed, it would be best done is the spring of the peaz. If you have anp questions xegazding this issue, please contact me. S:\Enginea\2007 manos\OB 30 07 LJ Main&Jackson.doc I am writing to you on behalf of a few downtown merchants that I have spoken to in the last couple of days regazding the issue of the intersection at Main and Jackson. We understand the desire to beautify downtown ,and to make it as aesthetically pleasing as possible. But at what cost?? As a group we have endured some extreme hardships in the past year. Some of us barely hanging on. As for myself, I had a new business that was thriving for 3 years, right up until the fast road closure. I watched each month as the numbers fell. Businesses closed, owners had to take out loans for payroll, another business is now "throwing in the towel", and a lot of mental anguish was felt by all of us. Downtown Elk River is just now becoming a destination again. The park has brought people back here. There are smiles, laughter and people having fun, I love seeing it all on Thursday evenings. It is truly a bright spot in this whole constmction period. And I, unlike many people, actually think that the new buildings aze very nice! I hope that the housing and retail will be fully occupied. This will bring a new life to downtown that is very much needed. I don't yet see that the new construction has had a positive impact on the existing businesses ,with the exception of the pazk, but hopefully that will come. Now, my point to this letter. If you close the intersection at main and Jackson for 3 weeks, it will cause further hardship to us. We are just now starting to see business improving. I know that customers will be able to get here, and will have to turn around in the street, but most people don't want to deal with construction areas of any kind. My customers have voiced that over and over this past year. It is a hassle. And many people come here on a time budget. When I tallced to some of my downtown neighbors, and explained to them what was going to happen, I got some very heavy sighs and "not again" responses. Please reconsider your plan. There has to be a way to beautify the area without affecting traffic to this degree. Sincerely, Patti Hipsag The Bead Bag Maurer, Terry From: Wendy Simenson Sent: Wednesday, August 2 , 2007 11:02 AM To: Maurer, Terry; Mehelich, Catherine Subject: Downtown Street Reconfiguration Hi Terry, I think that your plans for the street by RiversEdge Commons Park are very aesthetically pleasing. I did not say much at the meeting on Tuesday night because I needed to weigh having the street closed for that length of time versus having it look nice. I don't want to seem short sighted becauseI think there is definitely value in what you are proposing. However, the downtown businesses are still pretty beat up from the street closures and traffic disruptions that have adversely affected our businesses during the last year. We all live in dread of having to live through that again. The project would probably be more palatable if it didn't require closing the intersection and thus the streets. What other ways of handling the project have you considered - maybe forgoing cement in the middle of the intersection - that would still provide the pavers and changed street width without having to close the streets and steering our customers away from downtown? Wendy Simenson ~~ Q J U O c~ O O ^L I..L (0 L ^L W 0 0 0