Memorandum
City of Lawrence
Public Works Department
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TO: |
Charles F. Soules, P.E., Public Works Director |
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FROM: |
Mark Thiel, Assistant Public Works Director |
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CC: |
Diane Stoddard, Tarik Khatib, Mark Bradford |
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DATE: |
February 25, 2016 |
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RE: |
Right of Way permit First Construction - (800 New Hampshire)
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Background
First Construction, LLC has requested a right of way permit to partially close a portion of the 800 block of New Hampshire Street and to close the parking in the 200 block of East 8th Street starting in March 2016 through December 2016 for the construction of a building on the SE corner of the intersection of E. 8th Street and New Hampshire Street. (See attached traffic control plan and project plan sheet). The basic traffic control on New Hampshire Street will allow two way traffic the majority of time during construction (north/south) and two way traffic on 8th Street the entire length of construction.
There may be limited times this project will completely close the New Hampshire Street. First Construction has agreed to work with the city to minimize those impacts and has agreed to notify adjacent property owners and businesses when any changes to traffic control will take place. Access to the city parking lots on the east and west sides of New Hampshire will be maintained at all times during construction. On-street parking on the northern half (midblock crosswalk north) west side of New Hampshire should be maintained during construction.
First Construction, LLC has also submitted a letter outlining how they have coordinated impact and issues identified (see attached letter). There was a coordinated meeting with the Farmer’s Market representative to discuss impact their Saturday and Tuesday markets. An understanding and agreement on construction access and Farmer’s Market access has been reached and all parties are in agreement moving forward.
First Construction met with the businesses in the Charlton Manley Building on the SW corner of 8th and Rhode Island Street to discuss a solution for their private parking being impacted during construction. Their joint agreeable solution was to purchase from the city a number of 10 hour parking permits.
There was a public meeting held on January 29, 2016 at City Hall with the adjacent property owners, and businesses to describe the project impacts and here feedback and concerns. As a result of this meeting the city is proposing to temporarily change some 2 hour meter spaces in its parking lot on the west side of New Hampshire to 10 hour meter parking (see map). First Construction has also agreed to add similar business signage as needed throughout the project location for access notice. The City has also indicated that posting the northern most metered spaces in city lot #4 (West side of New Hampshire) as certain business only parking would be possible.
The city has sent notice of this item being considered by the City Commission to the adjacent property owners, Downtown Lawrence, The Lawrence Farmers Market and the East Lawrence Neighborhood Association.
Action Requested
If appropriate, pending commission discussion and consideration authorize staff to approve a right of way permit for First Construction, LLC to partially close a portion of the 800 block of New Hampshire Street and to close the parking in the southern portion of the 200 block of East 8th Street from March 1, 2016 to December 31, 2016 for the construction of a building on the SE corner of the intersection of 8th Street and New Hampshire Street with the right of way permit being issued with the approved building permit.
If appropriate, approve reserved parking for seven spaces in the city parking lot #4 on the northernmost area of the parking lot for the businesses located in the building on the SW corner of 8th Street and New Hampshire Street. Also approve the temporary conversion of 16, 2-hour metered parking spaces in city lot #4 to 10-hour spaces for the duration of the permit. Because staff recommends payment from the developer for the setback and easement in this area, staff does not recommend additional payment for the temporary use of these parking stalls during construction.