Title
Resolution No. 1 - Stadium Boulevard Reconstruction Project - Kipke Drive to S. Main Street - Sidewalk Special Assessment
Memorandum
Attached for your review and approval please find Resolution No. 1 for the addition of a new sidewalk along the south side of E. Stadium Boulevard adjacent to the Ann Arbor Golf and Outing Club (AAGO) as a special assessment project. This work was part of the subject project, which was substantially completed in August 2017.
The project consisted of reconstructing E. Stadium Boulevard from 275 feet west of the S. Main Street intersection to the existing concrete pavement on E. Stadium Boulevard 200 feet east of Kipke Drive including all existing underground utilities within the project limits. The Stadium Boulevard/S. Main Street intersection was reconstructed with concrete pavement as part of the work in 2017. Two permanent retaining walls were constructed along the south side of E. Stadium Boulevard adjacent to the Ann Arbor Golf and Outing property and the sidewalk gap along the south side of E. Stadium Boulevard between the U of M Golf Course and S. Main Street was filled as part of the project.
Staff from Engineering held many coordination and negotiation meetings with representatives of AAGO during the project’s design phase. These negotiations culminated in the City obtaining from AAGO a signed Temporary Grading Permit that formalized the agreed upon terms and outlined each party’s rights and responsibilities with regard to the work. AAGO was also informed that they would be responsible for the cost of a portion of the newly constructed sidewalk as outlined in City Code, as well as the needed winter maintenance on the sidewalk.
Prior to the construction project, a sidewalk did not exist on the south side of E. Stadium Boulevard from approximately the entrance drive into the University of Michigan’s golf course to S. Main Street. In accordance with the City’s Non-Motorized Plan and Complete Streets philosophy, staff had proposed to install new sidewalk to close this gap and provide a continuous pedestrian connection along the south side of the roadway.
Providing sidewalk along the south side of E. Stadium Boulevard creates an additional accessible route to Pioneer High School, University of Michigan facilities, and other areas near the project. A map of the project area is attached.
As required by Chapter 13 of City Code, the cost for the addition of new sidewalk where none currently exists is borne by the parcels that benefit from the improvements. Because this was a federal-aid project, up to 80% of the construction cost of the sidewalk would be paid by federal Surface Transportation Funds. The remainder of the costs would be local share.
Several public meetings regarding this project and its design were held in 2014, 2015, and 2016. At the meetings, staff described the project, explained the need for the improvements, outlined some estimated costs, and received feedback. During the negotiations for the temporary easement, the construction of the sidewalk was also discussed with AAGO, and they were informed of the estimated assessment amount. AAGO was ultimately agreeable to the assessment. The attached Resolution starts the formal process to approve the special assessment to AAGO.
Staff will return to Council with Resolutions 2 and 3, which define the individual cost to each parcel and establish a Public Hearing Date. Below is a tentative schedule:
October 16: Council Meeting - Resolution Nos. 1 and 2
November 20: Council Meeting - Resolution 3
December 4: Council Meeting - Public Hearing and Resolution 4
Staff
Prepared by: Nicholas S. Hutchinson, P.E., City Engineer
Reviewed by: Craig Hupy, Public Services Area Administrator
Approved by: Howard S. Lazarus, City Administrator
Body
Whereas, Council deems it necessary to construct the following improvement: E. Stadium Boulevard Sidewalk; described as;
Approximately 1,279.05 lineal feet of sidewalk fronting the Ann Arbor Golf and Outing parcel along E. Stadium Boulevard between Kipke Drive and S. Main Street.
Whereas, Plans and specifications for said improvement project were prepared along with an estimated cost thereof.
RESOLVED, The City Administrator is directed to file a report of same with the City Clerk, including a recommendation as to what proportion of the cost should be paid by special assessment and what part, if any, should be a general obligation of the City, the number of installments in which the assessments may be paid, and the land which should be included in the special assessment district; and
RESOLVED, The City Clerk shall present said report to the Council and make it available for public examination.