Title
Resolution No. 2 - Northside STEAM Safe Routes to School Sidewalk Gap Project - Sidewalk Special Assessment
Memorandum
Attached for your review and approval is a resolution to establish the estimated cost and distribution of costs for new sidewalk to be constructed as part of the Northside STEAM Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Sidewalk Gap Project (Sidewalk Special Assessment District #51).
The Ann Arbor STEAM Safe Routes to School committee received a grant from SRTS Michigan to provide technical assistance in the completion of the SRTS process, development of action plans, and ultimately submitting a grant application. The technical team from Michigan State University led the Ann Arbor STEAM committee through the SRTS process, which included a walking audit, a biking audit, and three public meetings. The Northside STEAM SRTS committee prioritized the infrastructure improvements proposed in the action plans. These improvements consist primarily of filling gaps in the sidewalk system and constructing ADA-compliant ramps in the neighborhood around the school in order to create a better walking environment for students making their way to the school.
As called for in 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 is a federal-aid project, approximately $400,000.00 of the construction cost of the sidewalk will be paid by the SRTS Grant. The remainder of the costs will be local share. The City's ability to use grant funds for this project creates the opportunity for the private property owners impacted by the special assessment to receive the sidewalk improvements at a lower cost.
City staff met with affected property owners in June of 2018 for the Administrative Hearing in the Special Assessment process. The project background, proposed sidewalk plans, proposed assessment costs, and the special assessment process were discussed at the meeting. Many...
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