Memorandum

City of Lawrence                             

Parks and Recreation Department

TO:	David L. Corliss, City Manager Debbie Van Saun, Assistant City Manager
FROM:	Mark Hecker, Park Superintendent
CC:	Fred DeVictor, Toni Wheeler, Kevin Doyle
Date:	February 13, 2007
RE:	Burroughs Creek Trail & Linear Park Surveying, Master Planning, and Design Development

I. Project/Item Description.  The Parks & Recreation Department recently requested proposals from engineering and design firms to perform master planning and design services for the Burroughs Creek trail and linear park project.

II. Project Description/History.  When completed, this project will allow for the construction of a recreation path and linear park in East Lawrence extending from 11^th street to 23^rd  street along the abandoned rail corridor that is located just west of Haskell Ave (see attached Burroughs Creek Trail Overview). It is estimated that the first phase of construction will start in the fall of 2007, future phases will be constructed as funding becomes available.  The contracted firm will work with City staff and the public to establish a master plan for the entire project and establish phases for the construction of the project.

III. Project/Purchase Status.  Eight design firms submitted proposals for the project. These proposals ranged in price from $44,070 to $126,173. A review committee was assembled made of up City staff from Parks & Recreation, Planning, Utilities and Public Works. This group reviewed all of the proposals and selected two firms to interview. Bartlett & West Engineers from Lawrence and Indigo Design from Desoto. After interviewing both firms, the committee unanimously selected Bartlett & West as the best firm for the price. We felt they had a great deal of experience in rails-to-trails projects and have a very good understanding of the design and public in-put expectations for a City of Lawrence project.  The group also felt that the proposal from Bartlett & West offered the highest level of service for the cost (see attached Exhibit A). 

IV. Project/Purchase Details. 

o The design firm will be required to facilitate a minimum of 2 public meeting to collect information needed to assist in the design process

o The design firm will also be required to meet with representatives of neighborhood associations near the project to collect information needed to assist in the design process.

V. Project/Item Funding.  This project is part of the City’s CIP plan and was submitted for KDOT grant funding in 2006, but was denied. After design work is complete, the first phase of the construction is anticipated to start in the fall of 2007. Approximately $230,000 of has been allocated to complete this phase. This project is one of five projects that is being funding with a $900,000 park improvement bond package that was approve by the City Commission in the fall of 2006.

VI. Action Request.  City Commission approval is requested to authorize the City Manager to enter into an Engineering Service Agreement with Bartlett & West Engineering for surveying, master planning and design development services for the Burroughs Creek Trail & Linear Park in the amount of $50,000 (see attached Agreement).