Title
Resolution to Approve An Agreement between the City of Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County, by the Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission Regarding Responsibilities and Cost Allocation for the Construction of the Barton Nature Area Border to Border Trail Project
Memorandum
Attached for your review and action is a resolution outlining an agreement between the City of Ann Arbor and the Washtenaw County Park and Recreation Commission to share funding of the construction of the Barton Nature Area Border to Border Trail Project. This project is the first phase of a larger project to build a pedestrian tunnel that will extend beneath the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) railroad tracks between Barton Nature Area and Bandemer Park and would provide a highly desired non-motorized connection.
Project Background: In 2018, a Letter of Intent was signed between the City, County, and Huron Waterloo Pathway Initiative to collaborate on an update to the Bandemer-Barton Pedestrian Tunnel 2005 Feasibility Study. The updated feasibility study was completed in 2020 (Bandemer-Barton Trail & Underpass Study dated November 13, 2020 prepared by Bergmann and OHM Advisors) and set forth preferred design options for use in the Design Phase for the project.
In 2021, the City and County entered into a cost-sharing agreement for the Design Phase of the project where it was agreed to that the County would enter a contract with Bergmann and administer the completion of the Design Phase work in accordance with the responsibilities outlined in the Agreement.
In 2023, the City and County signed an MOU to address the parties' desire and intent to cooperate on this project, and outlined that as the property-owner, it is intended that the City solicit bids for construction and, subject to funding, review and decisions to proceed by each party based on the bids, award and administer the construction contract.
Project Description: The project is being split into two ph...
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