Memorandum
City of Lawrence
Public Works
|
TO: |
Dave Corliss, City Manager |
|
From: |
Shoeb Uddin, City Engineer |
|
CC: |
Chuck Soules, Scott McCullough |
|
Date: |
August 10, 2011 |
|
Re: |
23rd Street Access Management Improvements Driveway Reconfiguration at SW corner of 23rd and Naismith (Old Burger King / proposed EVC Health Grocery Store and Party America) |
|
|
Project History
In April 2004 the city was awarded an Economic Development Grant from KDOT for consolidation of access points along 23rd Street from Iowa to Louisiana. Consolidation of access points generally improves traffic flow and safety. According to the city-state agreement, KDOT would pay 75% of actual construction costs up to a maximum of $500,000 while City costs would include engineering, right-of-way, utilities and 25% of construction costs.
The original project plan was to consolidate access points at some thirty different locations. Due to lack of participation by business/property owners, the original project never moved to the construction phase. Staff, however, has been working to consolidate / reconfigure access driveways whenever opportunities would arise as part of a larger development plan. Following are the 5 projects completed so far.
|
|
|
|
|
Project Details
The proposed Development Plan consists of constructing a Health Food Grocery Store at the existing Burger King site located on the south west corner of 23rd and Naismith. The project would require reconfiguration of three existing driveways (see attached) – one driveway to the Burger King site, the other two driveways to the property (Party America) immediately west of the Burger King. The site plan for this property has been approved by the Planning Director. In addition to the Site Plan, a Public Improvements Plan (outlining the details of the driveway configuration and other related works) is also required by City Code.
All three existing driveways (Burger King /EVC and Party America combined) are currently full access driveways. Two of these driveways (Burger King Driveway and the east driveway to Party America) will be reconstructed as ¾ access driveways restricting left turns out of these two sites. Accident records (for the past three years) show a high number of accidents involving left turning movements out of these two driveways.
The west driveway to Party America will remain as a full access driveway, but will be widened to add an additional exiting lane. The reconfiguration of these three driveways has been reviewed by city and KDOT staff. Staff believes that these improvements are consistent with the goals and vision of the 23rd Street Access Management Plan, and will improve traffic flow and safety on 23rd Street. Public Improvement Plans for this work has been reviewed and approved by the City Engineer.
Project Cost / Funding
Estimated Cost of the geometric improvements for all 3 driveways is $75,000.00.
|
KDOT participation: |
$37,500.00 (capped) |
|
City participation: |
$12,500.00 (capped) |
|
Total city/state participation: |
$50,000.00 (capped) |
The property owner will be responsible for 100% of the cost (estimated at $25,000) of the driveway to Burger King/EVC Health Grocery and the balance of the cost (for the two driveways to Party America/Leinmillers) in excess of $50,000.
All project costs will be paid upfront by the property owner. After the completion of the project, City will reimburse the property owner for the actual costs and expenses (associated with the two driveways to Party America) for the project up to a maximum amount of $50,000. Under the City/State agreement for the 23rd Street Access Management project, KDOT will then reimburse the City 75% of the total amount or $37,500. Therefore, actual city cost for this project is $12,500 (maximum) and was approved by the City Commission on May 17, 2011.
The property owners of both Burger King and Party America are on board with this plan to modify these driveways as shown in the Public Improvements Plans. Attached is the agreement signed by both property owners (Burger King/ EVC and the Leinmillers/Party America). The city will have to sign this agreement before proceeding onto construction.
Project Schedule
Site construction activities have already begun. Reconstruction of the three driveways will begin shortly and expected to be completed by end of October of this year.
Action Request
|