Memorandum
City of Lawrence
Public Works
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TO: |
David L. Corliss |
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FROM: |
Chuck Soules |
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CC: |
Cynthia Boecker, Diane Stoddard, Tom Orzulak |
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Date: |
September 17, 2008 |
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RE: |
Oread Inn Hotel Traffic Control Plan September 23, 2008 Regular Agenda Item |
Please include the following item on the City Commission regular agenda for consideration at the September 23, 2008 meeting:
In May the City Commission received/reviewed the traffic control plan for the Oread Inn project. The traffic control plan includes the closure of Indiana Street between 11th and 12th Street, added stop signs on Mississippi, Indiana and Louisiana at 11th Street, and signed detours. The plan was approved.
Project Update: The traffic control plan is working well. Attached is a construction update. In anticipation of a discussion of the construction progress and implementation of the traffic control plan, notices were sent to neighbors, KU, and neighborhood association representatives. KU on Wheels and Transit have made adjustments to their routes.
We have received a concern about neighborhood access during winter events. Indiana Street is used by the neighborhood during inclement weather because the grade of Indiana Street is more accessible than on 11th Street or 12th Street. The grade on 11th and 12th streets is very steep. The city and the developer have agreed to work together to provide an additional emphasis in this area. In addition to city efforts, the developer will clear snow and treat the streets to make sure the area is accessible.
The attached pictures show the extent of the work being completed. The excavation is significant and the work area is extremely confined. “In-fill” development is sometimes inconvenient, and for safety of the public and site workers it would not be recommended to re-open Indiana.
The construction will continue through 2009. Street improvements on Oread Avenue and 12th and Indiana are planned next summer. The current traffic control plan is intended to remain in effect until the street improvements are completed.
As a side note, numerous loads of material were removed (trucked) from the site during the excavation of the garage. A couple areas of the streets used were damaged. The project/contractor did make repairs. The development has been very responsive in addressing any requests by the city or adjacent neighbors.
Action Requested: Pending discussion, approve maintaining the closure of Indiana and 12th Street through August 2009, if appropriate.
Respectfully submitted,
Charles F. Soules, P.E.
Director of Public Works
Attachments: email_construction update