Title
A Discussion regarding the status of the Downtown Corridor Improvements Design.
Executive Summary: GPD Group, the City's design consultant, has been working on the plan development for the Downtown Corridor Improvement Project. The City Staff has held several meetings with the N. Main St. merchants and one meeting with the public. The sidewalk and curb materials, sidewalk on the Green, and parking have been the most significant items of feedback. Staff would like Council's input before moving toward finalizing of the plans with the consultant.
Body
Legislative History
12-134 - Enter into an LPA Agreement
13-161 - Enter into contract with GPD for engineering design services
14-101 - Enter into an agreement with Ohio EPA for N. Main Street Demonstration Grant
Purpose & Explanation
The City retained GPD Group to develop the detailed construction plans and specifications for the N. Main Street Downtown Corridor Project, an AMATS funded project. The City staff has held several meetings with Downtown merchants and the public to get input on the current design options. Within each of these meetings several items of concern which were brought to our attention were: A.) walks on the Greens, B.) the variety of construction materials, and C.) loss of parking stalls. The City staff has worked with our consultant to develop a variety of options to maintain our current parking stall numbers within this area. Please see Figure numbers 1-9.
A. Regarding walks on the greens, the current plan proposes a path meandering along the west side of the Clock Tower Green from Church St. to E. Main St. (Please see Figure number 1). The majority of the merchants on N. Main St. and the public opinion questionnaires were not in favor of this walkway on the green. Also, the public opinions requested that a walk be added to the west side of the gazebo green from Streetsboro Street (SR 303) to Church Street. Please note that City staff received only written feedback from three (3) residents at the public meeting for the project. Additionally with regard to the mid-block crosswalk, the majority of public feedback opted for ground mounted rapid flash beacons in lieu of the overhead sign on a mast arm. (Please see Figure 2).
B. With reference to the construction materials for the proposed sidewalk and curb materials, the current plan proposes standard broom finish concrete for the curbs and stamped and dyed concrete for the walks, except in areas where pavers or special detail applications are proposed. The City staff has received some resident/downtown merchant feedback that the City should be preserving or installing new sandstone or reclaimed sandstone. Both add significant cost to the project, and although we can bid these items as alternates, it significantly impacts the way the contractor approaches the construction of the project. Staging, lead times, maintenance of pedestrian traffic and the actual construction are all affected by the difference between a readily available poured in place material, concrete and special ordered cut stone. The additional cost for reclaimed and new sandstone curb will be $130,000 for new to $175,000 for reclaimed. The costs for upgraded walk materials are as follows: standard broom finish concrete $5/square foot; stamped and colored concrete $10/square foot; new sandstone $30/square foot and reclaimed sandstone $42/square foot. The additional cost to utilize sandstone walk is approximately $500,000 for new to $700,000 for reclaimed. (Please see Figure 3).
C. Lastly is the existing pavement markings do not comply with the Ohio Revised Code criteria for stop bars, parking stall size and setbacks from crosswalks and controlled crossings. (Please see Figures 4-9).
Staff is looking for direction on what options Council would prefer with regards to the parking, sidewalks on the Greens and the curb and sidewalk materials
Timing Considerations
The City is pursuing a relatively aggressive schedule to develop plans and bid out this project for construction in the summer of 2016. Council guidance on these items will allow staff to move forward with finalization of the plans and specifications for the project.
Fiscal Impact
Currently Budgeted
Supplemental Appropriation Required
X Appropriation Not Required.
Recommendation
Suggested Action
Staff recommends that City Council provide guidance on the above items in order for the City staff and our consultant to proceed with the final design of the Downtown Corridor Improvement Project.
Submitted by,
Jane Howington, City Manager
Thomas J. Sheridan, PE, PS, City Engineer
Christopher J. Papp, PE, Project Manager