DEPARTMENT: Transportation and Capital Improvements
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Razi Hosseini, P.E.
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Council District 1
SUBJECT: Amendment to an Interlocal Agreement between the City of San Antonio and San Antonio River Authority (SARA) for the Camaron Street (West Houston Street to Fox Tech High School) Project (2017 Bond Project)
SUMMARY:
An ordinance authorizing the negotiation and execution of an amendment to an Interlocal Agreement between the City of San Antonio and the San Antonio River Authority (SARA) to increase the agreement by an amount not to exceed $3,150,000.00 for construction of the Camaron Street (West Houston Street to Fox Tech High School) Project, a 2017-2022 Bond Funded project located in Council District 1.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Project Background
On May 6, 2017, San Antonio voters approved the 2017-2022 Bond Program, consisting of six propositions totaling $850 million. The Bond Program funds will be used on various capital improvements projects throughout the city. As part of the Program, $19,500,000.00 was approved for the San Pedro Creek Improvements Project and $4,500,000.00 was approved for the Camaron Street (West Houston Street to Fox Tech High School) Project, a 2017-2022 Bond Funded project located in Council District 1.
In August 2016, San Antonio River Authority (SARA) entered into an agreement with Sundt Davila Joint Venture (Sundt Davila) for the construction of the San Pedro Creek Improvements Project. Improvements to San Pedro Creek will enhance the containment of the 100-year floodplain, restore water quality and connect the public to historic and natural resources through the addition of safety components for public accessibility, landscaping and park amenities.
Camaron Street, running parallel to San Pedro Creek, has been identified as a prominent route used by residents and tourists. Camaron Street consists of two lanes running north, along the east bank of San Pedro Creek and west of the new Frost Tower. The proposed Camaron Street improvements will align with the continued infrastructure improvements to San Pedro Creek and the new Frost Tower developments.
This amendment to the Interlocal Agreement provides funding to the San Antonio River Authority for the construction of these proposed improvements on Camaron Street. The portion of the Bond-appropriated amount the City is withholding is for the design, engineering, environmental and project management of these improvements.
Previous Council Action
On December 14, 2017, City Council authorized the execution of an Interlocal Agreement between the City of San Antonio and the San Antonio River Authority (SARA), which provided funds for the design and construction of the San Pedro Creek Improvements Project located in Council District 1.
ISSUE:
This ordinance authorizes the negotiation and execution of an amendment to an Interlocal Agreement between the City of San Antonio and the San Antonio River Authority (SARA) for the Camaron Street (West Houston Street to Fox Tech High School) Project to increase funds in the amount not to exceed $3,150,000.00 for a total amount not to exceed $22,650,000.00.
The San Pedro Creek project constructed numerous improvements along the west side of Camaron Street. These improvements included wide pedestrian walkways, lighting, landscaping and pedestrian amenities. The Camaron Street (West Houston to Fox Tech High School) Project will provide the same type of improvements on the east side of Camaron Street to maintain consistency throughout the corridor. It is beneficial for the City to utilize the same contractor the San Pedro Creek project used to construct the west side of Camaron Street for the Camaron Street (West Houston Street to Fox Tech High School) Project in order to ensure the best match of materials and workmanship between projects.
Since the San Pedro Creek Improvements Project is currently under construction through a contract with the San Antonio River Authority (SARA), amending the Interlocal Agreement with SARA is the most efficient and cost effective approach to successfully completing the Camaron Street project simultaneously with the surrounding developments. The City will manage the construction of the project while SARA maintains administration of the contract with Sundt Davila.
Construction for the Camaron Street (West Houston Street to Fox Tech High School) Project will include transforming the two-lane street by adding wide pedestrian-friendly sidewalks, modifying street lights, traffic signals, pavement markings and any associated utility work.
Project construction is anticipated to begin January 2019 and estimated to be completed October 2020.
ALTERNATIVES:
City Council could choose not to approve this amendment to the Interlocal Agreement between the City of San Antonio and San Antonio River Authority (SARA); however, this introduces the risk of building improvements that do not match the recently constructed San Pedro Creek project. In addition, the City would need to solicit bids and contract with another contractor thereby introducing coordination challenges between two different contractors working on different sides of the same street.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This is a one-time capital improvement expenditure in an amount not to exceed $3,150,000.00 for the Camaron Street (West Houston Street to Fox Tech High School Project). Funds are available from the 2017-2022 Bond Program and are included in the FY 2019 - 2024 Capital Improvement Program Budget.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of this ordinance authorizing the negotiation and execution of an amendment to the existing Interlocal Agreement between the City of San Antonio and San Antonio River Authority (SARA) in the amount not to exceed $3,150,000.00 for the construction of Camaron Street (West Houston Street to Fox Tech High School Project), a 2017-2022 Bond funded project located in Council District 1.