Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Legal Department

 

TO:

David L. Corliss – City Manager

Cynthia Boecker - Assistant City Manager

Diane Stoddard - Assistant City Manager

FROM:

R. Scott Wagner – Management Analyst, Legal Department

CC:

Toni Wheeler, Director

Ernie Shaw, Acting Director – Parks and Recreation

Date:

June 15, 2009

RE:

Agenda Item – Burroughs Creek Trail: Property Acquisition

 

Please include the following item on the City Commission Agenda for consideration at the June 23rd, 2009 meeting:

Project Description.

Engineering Design of this project is currently underway. Public Works staff estimates the project design to be completed and construction plans to be ready for bid letting by the end of July, 2009.  It is anticipated that construction will begin in August; with all construction to be completed by end of 2009.

 

The City contracted with BG Consultants to survey the property and sanitary sewer lines within the former Burlington, Northern and Santa Fe railroad right-of-way (Tract 8), and with Bliss & Associates to provide a fair market valuation of the required property interests.   The property owner of Tract 8 is the Woods on 19th Street Homeowner’s Association.  The association has accepted the appraised offer of $11,900 for the 23,740 square feet of abandoned railroad right-of-way adjacent to the tract.  However, the association is also willing to deed the entire Tract D (61,482 square feet) to the City as part of the acquisition, at no additional cost.  (Map).  The City already owns an adjacent tract to the north of this parcel.

 

Acquisition of this property will add additional maintenance responsibilities to the City’s parks and recreation system.  However, City ownership of this tract will allow for future neighborhood connections to the Burroughs Creek trail and preserves open space for the neighborhood.

 

Action Requested:

Authorize the City Manager to execute a purchase agreement with the Woods on 19th Homeowner’s Association for acquisition of Tract D and adjacent abandoned railroad right-of-way for the Woods on 19th, a subdivision of the City of Lawrence.