Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Public Works

TO:	Diane Stoddard, Interim City Manager
FROM:	Charles F. Soules, Director of Public Works
CC:	Casey Toomay, David Cronin, Scott McCCullough, Bryan Kidney
DATE:	October 26, 2015
RE:	Engineering Services for 19^th Street Reconstruction from Iowa Street to Naismith Drive

The University of Kansas (KU) Central District Plan proposes significant improvements to current student housing. The improvements are expected to begin as early as 2016 and completion in 2017/2018 with all phases.  The proposed project(s) will have access to 19^th Street.  Due to the scope of this project and the City’s need/plans to make improvements to 19^th Street it is recommended that plans for 19^th Street be coordinated with KU’s plans.

The Existing 19^th Street from Iowa Street to Naismith Drive has a Pavement Condition Index (PCI) of 44 (which is low for this type of facility-arterial) including rutting, raveling and base failures.  The curb and gutter is also in a fair condition with some areas rated as poor.  This section of 19^th Street is included with the projects funded with the Infrastructure Sales Tax in 2019.  The proposed improvements would include a center turn lane, bike lanes, and sidewalks on both sides. 

With the Central District Plan proceeding, both City and KU staff agree that planning for the coordination of these projects is essential. City water mains as well as other private utilities will have to be relocated and it is important that we have sufficient plans for 19^th Street to ensure that they will not have to relocate twice.  Also grades for the street as well as improvements (driveways) need to be coordinated so we are not replacing new improvements.  Finally, we need to make sure that we have sufficient right-of-way to make the street improvements. 

Attached is a proposal from Professional Engineering Consultants (PEC) including a scope of services to prepare “Field Check” plans that would suffice for that coordination.  PEC is the infrastructural site Engineering Firm that is completing the Central District Plan.

Field Check Plans are not ready to bid/construct.  Field Check Plans would provide grades, elevations, horizontal and vertical controls, identify the proposed improvements (street, sidewalk, bake lanes) right-of-way needed, and survey.  As a general rule of thumb Field Check Plans are approximately 50% complete.  Completion of Field Check Plans will help ensure that the Central District Project and 19^th Street (when constructed) will be coordinated.  The scope proposed does not include utilities, which is also being discussed with KU. 

The City and KU both recommend that we precede with the development of Field Check Plans and KU will share the cost at 50%; therefore the City and KU will both pay $83,000.

City Staff and KU will also continue discussion with respect to the need to reconstruct the watermain on 19^th Street.  The Utilities Department is proceeding with replacing the line on Ousdahl Road from 23^rd Street to 19^th Street.  The line on 19^th Street will also need to be relocated and increased in size.  An additional agreement for the waterline on 19^th Street will be brought back to the City Commission when the details are finalized.

Action

Authorize Mayor to sign Engineering Services Agreement with PEC for the completion of Field Check Plans for 19^th Street from Naismith Drive to Iowa Street in an amount of $166,000 which will be split with the University of Kansas.