DEPARTMENT: Transportation & Capital Improvements
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Mike Frisbie, P.E.
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Council District 2
SUBJECT:
Cherry Street Project Funding Appropriation
SUMMARY:
An ordinance authorizing the appropriation of $250,000.00 from the Peggy Drive Extension Project, to the Cherry Street (Dawson Street to Milam Street) Project, both 2012-2017 General Obligation Bond funded Projects located in Council District 2 for the installation of landscaping along Cherry Street.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Project Background
The 2012-2017 Bond Program authorized $2,636,000.00 for the reconstruction and widening of approximately a half mile of Cherry Street, The project includes curbs, sidewalks, driveway approaches, drainage improvements, utility adjustments and traffic signal improvements at Nolan and Cherry. The additive alternate provides for continued utility improvements and an asphalt mill and overlay.
In response to a public movement requesting landscaping within the Cherry Street Project, the City worked with the community to develop options for placing the landscaping. A meeting between the Alamo Beer Company and community leadership was held on November 20, 2015 at Alamo Beer Hall to gain neighborhood input regarding the City’s requirements to provide landscaping improvements and trees at various locations on Cherry Street. The community is committed to providing maintenance between Nolan and Sherman along Cherry Street’s City right-of-way to beautify the area. The City will execute a Maintenance Agreement with Alamo Beer Company for the company to provide routine maintenance and care for the installed landscaping.
In order to move forward with the landscaping installation, this project requires the reappropriation of funds from the 2012 Bond funded Peggy Drive project to the Cherry Street project. The reallocated funds will be dedicated to the following; design services related to completing plan revisions to accommodate landscaping as well as a landscaping plan; additional construction quantities necessary to complete the proposed plan revisions as well as funding allowances for landscaping and trees.
The 2012-2017 Bond Program authorized $5,600,000.00 for the Peggy Drive Extension Project for the construction of a new roadway with drainage improvements as needed to provide neighborhood access to East Houston. The Peggy Street Project is estimated for completion in April 2016 and is anticipated to have a project cost savings of $800,000.00 which would allow the appropriation of funds to the Cherry Street Project. Council District 2 is aware of the proposed appropriation and is in support of the potential landscaping.
ISSUE:
This ordinance authorizes the appropriation of $250,000.00 from the Peggy Drive Extension project, to the Cherry Street (Dawson Street to Milam Street) Project, both 2012-2017 General Obligation Bond funded Projects located in Council District 2 for the installation of landscaping along Cherry Street between Nolan and Sherman.
The appropriated funds will be dedicated to design services related to completing the plan revisions needed to accommodate landscaping as well as a landscaping plan. The previous plans did not accommodate landscaping installation so the plans were revised to allow the sidewalk to be set back enough to have landscaping added. Among the plan revisions costs, the project budget will reserve $120,000.00 for additional landscaping that will only be provided once the City has executed a Maintenance Agreement with Alamo Beer Company and other potential partners to provide routine maintenance and care after the landscaping has been installed. If the City does not obtain a signed agreement, the City will not move forward with the landscaping improvements and any remaining funds will go back to the 2012 Bond Program.
ALTERNATIVES:
As an alternative, City Council could choose not to reallocate funds and the project would be unable to provide landscaping and trees along Cherry from Nolan to Sherman within City right-of-way.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This ordinance authorizes the appropriation of $250,000.00 from the 2012-2017 General Obligation Bond Program’s Peggy Drive Extension Project to the 2012-2017 General Obligation Bond Program’s Cherry Street Project will be moved to the Cherry Street Project for a total project funding amount of $3,486,000.00.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of an ordinance authorizing the appropriation of $250,000.00 from the Peggy Drive Extension project, to the Cherry Street (Dawson Street to Milam Street) Project, both 2012-2017 General Obligation Bond funded Projects located in Council District 2 for the installation of landscaping and trees along Cherry Street (Dawson Street to Milam Street).