Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Public Works

TO:	Dave Corliss, Debbie Van Saun
FROM:	Chuck Soules
CC:	Shoeb Uddin, David Woosley, Dena Mezger
Date:	May 10, 2007
RE:	Public Hearing _George Williams Way Improvements May 15, 2007 Regular Agenda Item

Please include the following item on the City Commission regular agenda for consideration at the May 15, 2007 meeting:

Project Description/Details.

The improvements to George Williams Way are briefly summarized as follows:

South of 6^th Street – two through lanes in each direction with dual left turn lanes at 6^th Street.  A roundabout will be constructed at Ken Ridge Drive.

Intersection at 6^th Street – signalization and separate right turn lanes, both east and west bound, onto George Williams Way.

North of 6^th Street – two northbound through lanes, two southbound through lanes, two southbound left turn lanes, and one southbound right turn lane (a total of seven lanes).

Intersection at Mercato Way – two through lanes in each direction and a center turn lane.

Intersection at Overland – will initially operate as a four-way stop.

North of Overland Drive – a two lane section with no access will accommodate projected traffic.

All streets will include sidewalks.  Water mains will also need to be constructed north of 6^th Street (see 4/12/07 memo for additional details). 

Project History/Status.

On April 17, 2007 the City Commission approved the Mercato Addition preliminary development plan, final plat, and accepted right-of-way and easements.  At this meeting the City Commission also directed city participation in the amount of $200,000 for the George Williams Way benefit district north of 6^th Street to Overland Drive.

There are three benefit districts:

GWW from 6^th Street south to Ken Ridge Drive (Resolution 6663)

GWW from 6^th Street north to Overland Drive (Resolution 6665)

GWW from Overland Drive to the north city limit (Resolution 6661)

Project Funding.

These projects are being funded through benefit districts.  The city’s only participation is the $200,000 in the section of George Williams Way from 6^th Street north to Overland Drive.  City staff does not recommend reducing this amount per Commission direction to reduce 2007 expenditures by 6% as this debt expense will be spread out over the life of the bonds issued for this project.

Action Requested.  Open public hearing and, pending discussion/comments, approve Resolutions 6661, 6663, and 6665 setting out the findings and determinations of the governing body and ordering the improvements to be made.

Respectfully submitted,

Charles F. Soules, P.E.

Director of Public Works

CFS/je

Attachments:

April 12, 2007 Memo

Conceptual Designs

Benefit District Maps & Resolution’s

          Overland Drive North to City Limits (Map & Resolution No. 6661)

          West 6^th Street South to Ken Ridge Drive (Map & Resolution No. 6663)

          West 6^th Street north to Overland Drive (Map & Resolution No. 6665)