Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Department of Public Works

 

TO:

Dave Corliss, City Manager

Debbie Van Saun, Assistant City Manager

 

FROM:

Chuck Soules, Director of Public Works

 

CC:

Toni Wheeler, Interim Director of Legal Services

Scott Wagner, Management Analyst

 

Date:

December 7, 2006

 

RE:

Stoneridge Drive (South)

Project No. 15-CP3-406(BD)

Stoneridge Drive (North)

Project No. 25-CP8-806(BD)

Re-establish Benefit Districts

 

 

Project Description.  Re-establishment of benefit district for the construction of Stoneridge Drive north and south of 6th Street due to increased costs and additional improvements that are necessary.

Project History.  On April 4, 2006 the City Commission approved the formation of benefit districts for the construction of Stoneridge Drive north and south of 6th Street (Resolution 6639 and Resolution 6638 respectively).

 

The improvements include a two-lane road (four lanes at intersection), sidewalks, storm sewer, and water main improvements.  Preliminary engineering work proceeded and additional traffic analysis was completed.  The revised traffic impact study indicates that right turn lanes are needed on 6th Street, and a traffic signal will be warranted at Stoneridge Drive if 45% of the development on the north side of the street is completed, or if 62% of the development on the south side of the street is completed.

 

§         A portion of the sanitary sewer force main will need to be lowered to accommodate the road grade.    

§         Adjacent plats have been approved but not filed because public improvement plans for the developments have not been submitted/approved.  Therefore, the city does not have right-of-way.  Some of the right-of-way required could be obtained through separate instruments; however, right-of-way from the Turner and Collister tracts may need to be purchased.  Right-of-Way acquisition costs have been added to the benefit districts.

§         Construction costs in 2006 increased dramatically, and the original estimates completed for these improvements are low.

§         Borings in the area have indicated significant rock issues in excess of expectations.

 

Project Status. 

§         Landplan Engineering was hired to complete engineering design for Stoneridge Drive north of 6th Street.  Plans are nearly complete.

§         BG Consultants are working on Stoneridge Drive south of 6th Street.  Surveys are complete.

§         There were discussions with KDOT early this year about signalization of this intersection.  KDOT indicated that a signal could be installed at the time of construction if the city could show that within a reasonable time frame warrants/volumes could be met. Staff believes necessary documentation has been obtained, and it will be submitted to KDOT. 

§         Stoneridge Drive is planned to be constructed in 2007.

 

Project Funding.   These projects are being funded through a benefit district.  The city has costs for additional width for turn lanes at the intersection.  The city’s maximum participation for Stoneridge north is $60,000 and $50,000 for Stoneridge south.

 

The city is also a property owner on the north side with a participation rate of 31.9489% (at current estimate, $429,712; original estimate had city cost at $255,591). 

 

Ms. Collister was provided deferral of assessments pending development of her tract on the southwest corner of the intersection.

 

Please let me know if you have any further questions.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Charles F. Soules, P.E.

Director of Public Works

 

CFS/je