Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Public Works

TO:	David Corliss
FROM:	Mark Thiel
CC:	Chuck Soules, Shoeb Uddin, Nick Voss, Margene Swarts
Date:	11/5/2009
RE:	Memo of Acknowledgement Public Works 2010 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application for projects

The Public Works Department has identified 3 projects for its 2010 CDBG application. Mill and overlay of 13^th Street from Connecticut to Haskell, repairs of sidewalks in areas of low to moderate income and a lighted pedestrian pathway from the KU campus to downtown.

Pedestrian lighted pathway (Louisiana -12^th to 11^th; and 11^th – Louisiana to Kentucky)

The city in conjunction with the Oread neighborhood and KU has identified a need to construct a lighted pathway from campus to downtown. A lighted corridor from campus to downtown will improve public safety and encourage economic growth. This project will encompass the construction of a new sidewalk along Louisiana from 12^th to 11^th and 11^th from Louisiana to Kentucky. In addition to the new pathway a lighting system will be installed. In addition to these sidewalks in this area needing repair, important ADA improvements will be completed. Funding for this project will be in part from KU, CDBG, TE (transportation enhancement grant) and the City of Lawrence. The estimated cost of this project is $300,000. Staff is requesting approval from the City Commission to apply for CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) funding in the amount of $150,000.00.

13^th Street (Connecticut to Haskell) Mill and Overlay

This stretch of East 13^th street has been included in the 2010 Street Maintenance program. Average Pavement Condition Index (PCI) is 50 based on the Condition Rating performed in September, 2009.

The scope of work would consist of mill and overlay of the existing asphalt pavement, Base repair, Curb repair and sidewalk removal and replacement. Existing curbs are in poor condition, with few exceptions where curbs were recently replaced as part of ongoing Street Maintenance program. There are brick sidewalks along portions of the project length. Bricks from existing sidewalk will be re-used to re-build brick sidewalks as much as possible. All proposed improvements will be reviewed by the Historic Resources Committee. Project plans will be consistent with the goals and recommendations of the East Lawrence Neighborhood Revitalization Plan. Project plans and scopes will be presented to the public at Neighborhood meetings prior to finalizing the design.

East 13 Street is classified as a Collector Street in the Future Thoroughfare Map of the city. This is a vital transportation link for the residents of East Lawrence. This link is classified as a Bike Route in the Bikeway System Map of Lawrence. The existing width (from back of curb to back of curb) is 30 feet; feasibility of bike lanes will be discussed as a regular agenda item at the November 17, 2009 BAC meeting.

Estimated cost for this project is $300,000.00, of which $150,000.00 is allocated in the 2010 Street Maintenance Budget. To pay for the remaining 50% of the cost, Staff is requesting approval from the City Commission to apply for CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) funding in the amount of $150,000.00.

Noteworthy, the portion of 13^th street from Connecticut to Massachusetts is also part of the 2010 Street Maintenance Program and will be repaired / maintained by the City Maintenance Crew.

Sidewalk Repair

In 2006, Public Works staff completed a city-wide sidewalk survey and developed a comprehensive inventory, identified gaps in the existing sidewalk and rated condition of the existing sidewalk in 4 different categories – good, fair, poor and critical.

In recent years, while the city has made strides in closing gaps in existing sidewalks, maintaining the condition of the existing sidewalk has been a great challenge. By state law, it is the abutting property owner’s responsibility to maintain the sidewalk so they are in good condition and are safe for pedestrians. However, it is a difficult and cumbersome financial undertaking for many Lawrence residents to carry out the responsibility of sidewalk maintenance.

Currently, there is no other public funding available for sidewalk repair. Staff is requesting authorization from the City Commission to apply for CDBG funding in the amount of $100,000.00 to repair sidewalks in low-mod areas. It is important to note that CDBG funds will be utilized to repair sidewalks only where the abutting property owner meets the CDBG income criteria.

Action Requested

Acknowledge that public works will be applying for CDBG funds for three separate projects for a total application of $400,000.