Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Public Works

TO:	Dave Corliss
FROM:	Chuck Soules
CC:	Debbie Van Saun, Terese Gorman, David Woosley, Scott Wagner
Date:	June 30, 2006
RE:	July 11, 2006 Agenda Item George Williams Way Benefit Districts

Attached are three benefit districts for:

Improvements to GWW from 6^th Street south to Ken Ridge Drive, including improvements at the intersection of GWW and 6^th Street
Improvements to GWW from 6^th Street north to Overland Drive, including improvements at the intersection of GWW and 6^th Street.
Improvement to GWW from Overland Drive north to the north City limits.

Benefit District #1. GWW south of 6^th Street currently exists as a three lane facility. The final/ultimate configuration based on projected traffic volumes will include two southbound lanes, two northbound lanes, and dual left turn lanes. These improvements are proposed to be paid for by the development on the west side of GWW, Northgate Development (also known as Diamondhead Commercial).

The method of assessment is per square footage.

The improvements at the intersection of 6^th Street include a dedicated right turn lane from 6^th Street onto south GWW and signalization at the intersection.

The resolution proposes that the City-at-large contribute $100,000 for these improvements and the benefit district pay for 100% of the remaining costs.

Benefit District #2. The final/ultimate lane configuration for GWW north of 6^th Street to Overland Drive consists of seven lanes for traffic which taper off to a four lane section with a center turn lane as you approach Overland Drive. The intersection at Overland Drive includes a two lane roundabout. The estimates provided are for this final configuration.

The method of assessment is per front footage.

The improvements at the intersection at 6^th Street include a dedicated right turn lane from 6^th Street north to GWW and signalization of the intersection.

The resolution proposes that the City-at-large contribute $100,000 for these improvements and the benefit district will pay for 100% of the remaining costs.

Benefit District #3. GWW north of Overland Drive has been designated a minor arterial with four lanes. Since there is no access except at the intersection, this section only needs to be a two lane facility.

The method of assessment is by front footage.

The improvements will be paid 100% by the benefit district with no City-at-large participation.

All these benefit districts include a 6’ sidewalk on one side of the street and a 10’ recreational path on the opposite side.

The City and State spent over $14 million on the improvements to West 6^th Street to improve safety, capacity, and traffic flow. The adjacent properties were compensated for right-of-way and were not asked to participate in the costs for the improvements. The City has already provided a substantial amount to the improvements needed for the area, and we are also proposing to provide an additional $100,000 for the two benefit districts north and south of 6^th Street.

Typically, when improvements are needed for intersections due to development, the development pays for most, if not all of the cost associated with the project:

31^st & Nieder	All costs paid by benefit district.
34^th & Iowa	All costs paid by adjacent business (Wal-Mart).
33^rd & Iowa	Several projects requiring changes in this intersection were paid for by the development.
31^st & Iowa	City, State, and development cost share project. The intersection needed improvements to accommodate existing traffic, a well as expansion to accommodate new development.
6^th & Comet	All costs paid by benefit district.

Context sensitivity: The proposed improvements are significant in magnitude. The City has been discussing ways to be more pedestrian friendly and slow traffic down; however, the intersection of two arterial streets does need to be able to handle the anticipated capacity otherwise motorists will find other ways around congested areas (i.e., cut through neighborhoods) or become frustrated.

There are some designs/options that should be explored/evaluated. When the engineering firm is selected for the design of the improvements, one task will be to include options providing a context sensitive environment. Some examples could include reducing the lane widths and widening medians for pedestrian refuges, landscaping and/or moving sidewalks to the outside edges of right-of-way and providing trees/landscaping between the sidewalk and curb.

Please let me know if additional information is needed.

Respectfully submitted,

Charles F. Soules, P.E

Director of Public Works

CFS/je