Memorandum

City of Lawrence

City Manager’s Office

 

TO:

David L. Corliss, City Manager

 

FROM:

Jonathan Douglass, Assistant to the City Manager/City Clerk

 

CC:

Charles Soules, Public Works Director

Robert Nugent, Transit Administrator

 

DATE:

July 21, 2010

 

RE:

ROW permit for 9th and New Hampshire Construction Project

 

 

First Management, Inc. has applied for a temporary use of right-of-way permit for use of certain city rights-of-way during the construction of a seven-story multi-use building (see renderings) at the southwest corner of 9th and New Hampshire. The applicant has submitted the attached traffic control plan (updated 07/27/10) for the project.

 

During the expected twelve month construction period traffic impacts would include:

 

·        Temporary closure of the north (alley) vehicular entrance to the New Hampshire Street Parking Garage.  Pedestrians will still be able to exit the garage via the northwest stairwell.  Vehicular access to the garage will remain open from New Hampshire Street.

·        Temporary closure of the sidewalks adjacent to the construction site.

·        Temporary closure of the bus parking lane on 9th Street adjacent to the construction site.

·        Temporary relocation of bus stops on 9th Street, east and west of Massachusetts Street, to the east side of New Hampshire Street near 9th Street, and to the north side of 9th Street near New Hampshire Street (see attached map (updated 07/27/10)). This relocation will temporarily close a number of meter parking spaces on New Hampshire and 9th.

·        Temporary closure of parallel parking on the west side of New Hampshire Street adjacent to the construction site.

·        Temporary use of the private property located on the southeast corner of 9th and New Hampshire for construction staging.

 

The applicant has been meeting with city staff to discuss the project and associated traffic and parking impacts, and staff will monitor the use of right-of-way and ask for adjustments as appropriate. Staff notified adjacent property owners and occupants, as well as Downtown Lawrence, Inc. and the East Lawrence Neighborhood Association, of the impacts of this project.

 

The City Commission is also asked to approve the use of city property near the northwest corner of the property for an outside courtyard/seating area to the benefit of the adjacent property, pursuant to an easement agreement entered into between the city and the property owner in 2000. Please see a Planning memo, site plan, and plat for more information.

 

ACTION:       Approve a temporary use of right-of-way permit for the temporary closure of the north (alley) entrance to the New Hampshire Street Parking Garage, sidewalks, parking spaces, and other rights-of-way associated with the construction of a seven-story multi-use building at the southwest corner of 9th and New Hampshire; approve temporary relocation of the public transit stops on 9th Street, east and west of Massachusetts Street; and approve the use of city property pursuant to an easement agreement permitting an outside courtyard/seating area to the benefit of the adjacent property, if appropriate.