Subject:
Title
Consideration to Initiate Final Design of Robinson Trust Sidewalk Projects with Urban, Ltd.
Body
EXPLANATION AND SUMMARY:
Former Councilmember Maud Robinson, who passed away in March of 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.
Sidewalks are included in the Town Council’s strategic plan initiative for a safe and efficiently mobile community, included in the Pedestrian Master Plan vision for an integrated network of pedestrian routes, and included in the Comprehensive Plan for transportation that advocates connecting and expanding the existing sidewalk network.
The Department of Public Works (DPW) believes that these projects are important to make Vienna a more walkable community and are important to expanding the sidewalk network that will link projects together 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 residents and visitors, including 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.
DPW requests that the Council authorize DPW to utilize its On-Call Engineering Services Contract, RFP 19-01 with Urban, Ltd. to perform engineering design for the following projects.
• Odd-numbered addresses (west side) of Oak St SW from Center Street S to Birch Street SW - $39,650
• Even-numbered addresses (west side) of Birch Streed SW from Battle Street SW to Plum Street SW - $40,400
• West side addresses of Elmar Drive SE/SW from Desale Street SW to Park Street SE - $52,400
DPW hosted a public meeting for each project where a detailed presentation of the engineering reports was provided. The engineering report for each street project includes a conceptual design for each side of the street and a DPW recommendation of which side of the street the final design should pursue. The engineering reports evaluated each project to address concerns that were raised during the April 26, 2021 Council meeting and to address comments received related to the projects. Additionally, DPW provided analysis of the pros and cons that support the recommendation of each project. Factors 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. The meetings for Oak Street and Birch Street were held on Aug. 31, 2022, and the meeting for Elmar Drive was held on Sept. 1, 2022.
Property owners and residents along the above streets were notified of this meeting via a letter dated Sept. 23, 2022.
Should Council choose to initiate final design for any or all the above streets, then staff will continue with further community engagement and procure professional engineering services for the design of construction drawings and documents.
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 approve the preparation of final design plans of the listed sidewalk projects in its discretion.
Town Manager's Recommendation: I recommend the Town Council authorize me to apply to the Maud Robinson Trust for final design of sidewalk projects, as presented.
Cost and Financing: $132,450 Maud Robinson Trust Funds
Account Number: 300-000-0000-38445-48801
Decision Needed by This date: Oct. 10, 2022
PROPOSED/SUGGESTED MOTION
Recommended Action
"I move to authorize the Town Manager to apply to the Maud Robinson Trust for final design of sidewalk projects on the following streets:
• West side of Oak St SW from Center Street S to Birch Street SW
• West side of Birch St SW from Battle Street SW to Plum Street SW
• West side of Elmar Dr SE/SW from Desale Street SW to Park Street SE
in a total amount not to exceed $132,450.”
Or
Other action deemed necessary by Council.