Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Public Works

TO:	Thomas M. Markus, City Manager
FROM:	Charles F. Soules, Director of Public Works
CC:	Brandon McGuire
DATE:	June 12, 2017
RE:	Public Works Design Summary Update

On March 14, 2017, the City Commission received a report from Public Works presenting a typical/standard street design option for the reconstruction of 9th street from New Hampshire Street to Delaware Street (attached).

The basic design included a standard street width, retained existing parking, replaced/constructed sidewalks on both sides of the street, and stormwater for an estimated cost of approximately $1.9 million including engineering. 

The basic design did not include bike lanes, lighting, integrated art, bio swales, and underground electric.

The Commission requested that staff consider the addition of bike lanes and provide options for lighting. 

Staff has also discussed the placement of the overhead electric with Westar.  Westar has indicated that they are willing to split the cost of this work with the City.  The total project estimate is $330,000 and the City would participate approximately $165,000.  This project also affects AT&T and MidCo (Wow), both have significant infrastructure on Westar’s poles.  All three companies will need to relocate underground.  The time frame for this work would be included 6 months for planning & design and 6 months for construction.  This work would not begin until the City has developed preliminary plans (6-8 months).  As a side-note, if the electrical is placed underground, the City will need to install lighting at the 6 intersections estimated at $10,000/intersection or an additional $60,000.

Options for lighting would include similar lighting to downtown at an additional cost of approximately $100,000.  Another option would be the inclusion of the pedestrian lighting from the East 9th Street design using the ArtPlace funding.  This option would still include an additional $100,000 for conduit for this lighting. 

Further review of widening the road to include bike lanes will necessitate the need for a small retaining wall near the church.  An additional $112,500 is added to the estimate.

The Commission also discussed the removal of Massachusetts to New Hampshire and Delaware to Pennsylvania blocks.  The estimate for these two blocks equals approximately $500,000.