DEPARTMENT: Transportation & Capital Improvements
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Mike Frisbie, P.E.
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Citywide
SUBJECT:
Interlocal Agreement between the City of San Antonio and the San Antonio River Authority (SARA) for the San Pedro Creek Improvement Project.
SUMMARY:
An ordinance authorizing the execution of an Interlocal Agreement with the San Antonio River Authority (SARA) and the City of San Antonio in the amount not to exceed $19,500,000 for the design and construction of Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the San Pedro Creek Improvement Project, a 2017 Bond funded project, located downtown in Council District 1
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
On May 6, 2017, San Antonio voters approved the City of San Antonio's 2017-2022 Bond Program, of which $14,600,000 was approved under the San Pedro Creek Drainage Improvements project and $4,900,000 was approved under the San Pedro Creek Park Improvement project for a total of $19,500,000 towards the San Pedro Creek Improvements Project.
Bexar County and the San Antonio River Authority (SARA) have an agreement to complete the design and construction of the San Pedro Creek Improvements Project (the “Project”). Bexar County is the primary funder and SARA is the project manager. There are a total of four phases planned in the overall Project intended to revitalize a two (2) mile segment of the creek through downtown San Antonio beginning at the IH-35 flood tunnel inlet near Fox Tech High School and ending at the confluence with Alazan and Apache Creeks at IH-35 near the stockyards.
This Interlocal Agreement between SARA and the City of San Antonio in the amount of $19,500,000 will go towards Phases 1 and 2 of the Project. In August 2016, SARA entered into a contract with Sundt Davila Joint Venture for the construction of Phases 1 and 2. All current Project funding is dedicated to the completion of Phases 1 and 2 at a total current cost of $160,650,312. Bexar County is the primary funder of the project with current commitments from SARA, the City and utility reimbursements as identified below. The City will be authorized to provide a 90 day cash advance to SARA, if requested, for project oversight of the increased contract value, followed by monthly reimbursements through TCI’s requests for payment and approval process.
|
$133,555,000 |
Bexar County |
|
$960,000 |
SARA |
|
$19,500,000 |
City of San Antonio |
|
$6,635,312 |
Utility Reimbursements |
|
$160,650,312 |
Total Project Costs |
Phase 1 of the Project begins at the tunnel inlet and ends at Cesar Chavez Boulevard, and is approximately 3,850 feet in length. Phase 1 includes the construction of gates located at Travis and Nueva streets as well as the replacement of the street bridges at Houston, Commerce, Dolorosa, Nueva and Graham Streets. Key elements in this section also include the construction of the Tricentennial plaza at the tunnel inlet and an entertainment plaza next to the Alameda Theater. Phase I is anticipated to be complete by December 2018, with the portion from the tunnel inlet to Houston Street anticipated to be complete by the City’s Tricentennial celebration in May 2018.
Phase 2 begins at Guadalupe Street, downstream of the tunnel outlet, and ends at the Union Pacific Railroad Bridge south of Alamo Street, and is approximately 2,200 feet in length. Phase 2 includes the construction of a gate at Alamo Street and replacement of the street bridges at Guadalupe and Camp Streets. This segment includes paseos with bench seating and overlooks along the creek. Phase II is anticipated to be complete by May 2019.
The Project is expected to enhance the containment of the 100-year floodplain, restore and improve water quality, reconnect people to a historic and natural resource through the addition of public access and safety components, landscaping, and adopted park amenities.
The creek is being widened throughout the entire length of the Project, and in some segments also deepened, to allow conveyance of storm water. There are also multiple components that will improve water quality in the creek, including low impact development features such as bioswales and mechanical devices. Bioswales use native aquatic vegetation and soils to filter contaminants out of the stormwater before enters the creek. Mechanical devices are being installed at some of the stormwater inlets that will use gravity and centrifugal force to separate trash, debris and sediments from the storm water.
At several locations along the Project, public access and park amenities will be added. A Tri-centennial Plaza will include a wetland area, a fountain, paved walkways (paseos), trees and bench seating with tile art. Also featured in the plaza will be historic and interpretive word art and signage describing the history and culture of San Pedro Creek. An entertainment plaza will be constructed on the east bank of the creek, just south of Houston Street and across from the Alameda Theater. This plaza will include lighting and a sound-system that will support a variety of events, and will also include a public restroom facility and landscaped areas.
An Operations and Maintenance Agreement will be brought before City Council in the near future for approval and will set forth the responsibilities between all parties relative to the operations and maintenance of the San Pedro Creek upon completion and acceptance of the project improvements.
This agreement will be executed in compliance with the Small Business Economic Development Advocacy (SBEDA) Program, which requires contracts be reviewed by a Goal Setting Committee to establish a requirement and/or incentive unique to the particular contract in an effort to maximize the amount of small, minority, and women-owned business participation on the contract. The Goal Setting Committee set a 21% Minority/Women Business Enterprise (M/WBE) subcontracting goal and a 2% African-American Business Enterprise (AABE) subcontracting goal. SARA has committed to the 21% M/WBE and 2% AABE subcontracting goal.
ISSUE:
This ordinance authorizes the execution of an Interlocal Agreement with SARA and the City of San Antonio in the amount not to exceed $19,500,000 for the design and construction of Phases 1 and 2 of the San Pedro Creek Improvement Project, a 2017 Bond funded project, located in Council District 1.
The Project is expected to enhance the containment of the 100-year floodplain, restore and improve water quality, reconnect people to a historic and natural resource through the addition of public access and safety components, landscaping, and adopted park amenities.
Phase 1 of the Project begins at the tunnel inlet and ends at Cesar Chavez Boulevard, and is approximately 3,850 feet in length. Phase 1 includes the construction of gates located at Travis and Nueva streets as well as the replacement of the street bridges at Houston, Commerce, Dolorosa, Nueva and Graham Streets. Key elements in this section also include the construction of the Tricentennial plaza at the tunnel inlet and an entertainment plaza next to the Alameda Theater. Phase I is anticipated to be complete by December 2018, with the portion from the tunnel inlet to Houston Street anticipated to be complete by the City’s Tricentennial celebration in May 2018.
Phase 2 begins at Guadalupe Street, downstream of the tunnel outlet, and ends at the Union Pacific Railroad Bridge south of Alamo Street, and is approximately 2,200 feet in length. Phase 2 includes the construction of a gate at Alamo Street and replacement of the street bridges at Guadalupe and Camp Streets. This segment includes paseos with bench seating and overlooks along the creek. Phase II is anticipated to be complete by May 2019.
In August 2016, SARA entered into a contract with Sundt Davila Joint Venture for the construction of Phases 1 and 2. All current Project funding by Bexar County, SARA, the City and utility reimbursement is dedicated to the completion of Phases 1 and 2 at a total estimated cost of $160,650,312. The City will be authorized to provide a 90 day cash advance to SARA, if requested, for project oversight of the increased contract value, followed by monthly reimbursements through TCI’s requests for payment and approval process.
An Operations and Maintenance Agreement will be brought before City Council in the near future for approval and will set forth the responsibilities between all parties relative to the operations and maintenance of the San Pedro Creek upon completion and acceptance of the project improvements.
ALTERNATIVES:
Should the Interlocal Agreement between the City and SARA not be approved, the $19,500,000 in 2017 General Obligation Bonds for the San Pedro Creek Improvements Project will not be available for design and construction costs. Alternative sources for funding will need to be identified which may lead to budget shortfalls or schedule delays.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This is one-time capital improvement expenditure in an amount not to exceed $19,500,000 for San Pedro Creek Drainage and Park Improvement. Funds are available from the 2017-2022 General Obligation Bond Program and are included in the 2018-2023 Capital Improvement Program Budget.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of an ordinance authorizing the execution of an Interlocal Agreement with SARA and the City of San Antonio in the amount not to exceed $19,500,000 for the design and construction of Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the San Pedro Creek Improvement Project, a 2017 Bond funded project, located in Council District 1.