HNTB Corporation	7450 West 130^th St	Telephone (913) 491-9333
Engineers  Architects  Planners	Suite 400	Facsimile   (913) 491-9337
	Overland Park, KS 66213	www.hntb.com
Date	To
7/14/2005	Chuck Soules, Public Works Director
PROJECT CORRESPONDENCE	From
	Kevin Wallace, Project Manager
	Subject
	23^rd Street Access Management Improvements (Iowa Street to Louisiana Street)

The purpose of this memo is to present the status of the design phase for the 23^rd Street Access Management Improvements and to seek concurrence of the proposed plan.  Since the last project update, HNTB and the public works staff have conducted a second round of meetings with approximately 25 property owners and/or tenants within the project limits.  The purpose of the meeting was to:

· Present the conceptual plan for Access Management Improvements

· Solicit feedback from the owners regarding parking, circulation, and delivery vehicles

· Discuss the use of “Public Access Agreements” that will be required for shared curb cuts

The conceptual plan is provided in the attached exhibits.  This plan is derived from the goals established within the “23^rd Street Corridor Study” prepared by the Lawrence-Douglas County MPO in September 2002.  The study recommended eliminating 12 curb cuts from Iowa Street to Louisiana Street by consolidation/merging entrances.  This will improve traffic safety and reduce the number of conflict points for vehicles entering and leaving 23^rd Street.  HNTB used the study findings as a guide and added additional locations to further improve the access management plan and utilize the full KDOT funding.  The totals for the proposed access management plan (attached) from Iowa Street to Louisiana Street are:

· 55 existing curb cuts total

· 17 curb cuts removed

· 38 curb cuts remain

Based on the feedback received during the meetings, HNTB and the Public Works Staff would like to share the following general statements regarding the project. 

· All improvement locations will create a significant traffic safety enhancement for the construction dollars spent. 

· A large percentage of meetings held with these property owners/tenants have given the design team an optimistic outlook on these sites. 

· While the meetings were optimistic, it may be likely, as we move forward with the access agreements, not all of the owners will come to terms.  Some condemnation may be required. 

· A small percentage of meetings with the property owners/tenants were less optimistic.  The property owners were less receptive to the recommendations.  Additionally there are existing parking, vehicle turning movement, or other conditions associated with their site layout that make some of these locations less attractive.  Moving forward with these locations will likely require condemnation. 

The conceptual construction cost estimate total for the proposed plan is $770,000.  The cost estimate reflects the improvements shown in the attached exhibits.

This project is funded as a KDOT Economic Development Project.  The City/State agreement for the project states KDOT will contribute 75% ($500,000 maximum) of the construction cost, and the City the remaining 25%.  The City is responsible for 100% of the preliminary engineering, construction engineering, easement purchase (if needed), and utility relocation costs.   Based on the conceptual construction cost estimate for the proposed plan, the project construction cost is approximately 10% over KDOT’s maximum.  After field survey data is taken and more detailed design is complete, the design team may need to prioritize sites in order to fit within the City and KDOT’s construction budget.

At this stage in the design process, the design team would like to update the commission on the status of the project.  We also seek concurrence with the plan and our intent on beginning the detailed design phase of the project, and with entering into discussions with the property owners of establishing the pubic access easement agreements.