Subject:
Title
Consideration to Initiate Engineering Design Reports of Robinson Sidewalk Projects
Body
EXPLANATION AND SUMMARY:
Former Councilmember Maud Robinson, who passed away in March 2019 just shy of her 97th birthday, left the bulk of her estate to the Town of Vienna for the specific purpose of building sidewalks over a five-year period in areas where they aren’t already planned or likely to be funded through grants or new construction.
At the Sept. 14, 2020 Town Council meeting, Council considered a recommendation from the Department of Public Works (DPW) to apply the Robinson Trust funding to initiate the design of sidewalk projects on the following locations:
• DeSale Street, SW from Moore Avenue to Tapawingo Road
• DeSale Street, SW from Tapawingo Road to the end
• Melody Lane, SW from DeSale Street to Lullaby Lane
• Cherry Street, SW from Courthouse Road to Cottage Street
• Tazewell Road, NW from Lawyers Road to Holmes Drive
• Delano Drive, SE from Echols Street to the end
• Orrin Street, SE from Delano Drive to Follin Lane
The Council authorized the Cherry Street, SW project to be initiated but moved that the initiation of the other projects be postponed indefinitely. The Cherry Street, SW project is currently being designed and could be constructed in 2022.
DPW believes that these projects are important to make Vienna a more walkable community by expanding the sidewalk network, link projects together with existing sidewalks and provide safe, accessible routes. Additionally, these sidewalk projects will include ADA-accessible ramps and new crosswalks. The new sidewalks with these safety amenities will allow more residents - those with mobility issues, those with strollers, and those who do not feel safe walking in the street - to safely enjoy “getting around town” and reaching destinations.
The engineering design reports will provide additional information for each project that Council may consider as it determines which projects to pursue and on which side of the street to build a sidewalk. These engineering design reports will include a concept design plan for each side of the street and an analysis of each of the two concepts. Factors to be considered for recommending that the new sidewalk be proposed on one side rather than the other side may include more favorable support from property owners, less impact on trees, less grading on private property, no constructability issues such as utility poles that cannot be designed around, connectivity to adjacent sidewalks, trails, schools, parks, shopping areas or other destinations, and cost.
Based upon a proposal received from Urban. Ltd., the cost to prepare the engineering design reports is $46,700. At its Feb. 24, 2020 meeting, Council approved up to $500,000 for engineering services for Robinson sidewalk projects, utilizing RFP 19-01 On-call Engineering Services. Additionally, at its April 26, 2021 meeting, Council authorize an increase of $250,000 for additional engineering services utilizing RFP 19-01 On-call Engineering Services.
DPW requests that the Council authorize DPW to utilize its On-Call Engineering Services Contract, RFP 10-01 with Urban Ltd., to prepare the engineering design reports for the following projects.
• DeSale Street, SW from Moore Avenue to Tapawingo Road
• DeSale Street, SW from Tapawingo Road to the end
• Melody Lane, SW from DeSale Street to Lullaby Lane
• Tazewell Road, NW from Lawyers Road to Holmes Drive
• Delano Drive, SE from Echols Street to the end
• Orrin Street, SE from Delano Drive to Follin Lane
Property owners and residents along the above streets were notified of this meeting via a letter dated Oct. 20, 2021.
Strategic Plan Initiative: Vienna is a safe community and an efficiently mobile community
Departmental Recommendation: Recommend approval.
Finance Recommendation: Recommend approval.
Purchasing Recommendation: Recommend approval
Town Attorney Recommendation: The Town Council may authorize the proposed application for use of Trust funds and designation of proposed projects in its discretion.
Town Manager's Recommendation: I recommend the Town Council authorize the Town Manager to apply to the Maud Robinson Trust to prepare engineering design reports for Robinson Sidewalk Projects, as presented.
Cost and Financing: $46,700
Account Number: 300-000-0000-39445-48801 and 48803
Decision Needed by This date: Nov. 1, 2021
PROPOSED/SUGGESTED MOTION
Recommended Action
"I move to authorize the Town Manager to apply to the Maud Robinson Trust to prepare engineering design reports for Robinson Sidewalk Projects on the following streets: (identify streets here).
Or
Other action deemed necessary by Council.