Title
Resolution No. 1 - Prepare Plans and Specifications for the Proposed Northside STEAM Sidewalk Gap Special Assessment Project
Memorandum
Approval of the attached resolution directs staff to prepare plans, specifications, and cost estimates to fill in the sidewalk gaps along Traver St., Barton Dr., Pear St., John A Woods Dr., Brookside Dr., Starwick Dr., and Apple St. as a special assessment project. See the attached maps for information of the location of the sidewalk gaps to be filled as part of this project.
The Ann Arbor STEAM Safe Routes to School (SRTS) 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 priorities led to the list of sidewalk improvements included in the grant application. 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.
SRTS Michigan is requiring a level of engineering that is beyond what is normally required as part of a typical grant application. In order to obtain the SRTS grant, it appears staff will need to begin the engineering design of the project. As called for in 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. Thus, the attached resolution is being presented for Council approval to begin design of the project as a special assessment project.
Because this is a federal-aid project, up to $4...
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