DEPARTMENT: Transportation & Capital Improvements
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Mike Frisbie, P.E.
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Council District 1
SUBJECT: Donation Agreement for the Installation of a Rainbow-Themed Crosswalk on N. Main Avenue at E. Evergreen Street
SUMMARY:
An ordinance authorizing the execution of a Donation Agreement with Pride San Antonio accepting $19,832.24 for installation of a rainbow-themed crosswalk at the intersection of N. Main Avenue and E. Evergreen Street, located in Council District 1.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
On June 16, 2017, Councilmember Roberto Trevino issued a Council Consideration Request (CCR) requesting the creation and installation of a Pride crosswalk (rainbow-themed) on N. Main Avenue at E. Evergreen Street. According to the CCR, the Main Street “Strip” has been the center of the LGBT community in San Antonio for several years and has been the site of the annual Pride Parade. The CCR also stated the request for a rainbow-themed Pride crosswalk is to promote a message of inclusion and tolerance while providing pedestrian safety.
On August 2, 2017, the City Council Governance Committee approved a pilot program for the installation of a rainbow-themed crosswalk at N. Main Avenue and E. Evergreen Street as recommended by the City Manager’s Office. As part of the pilot program, TCI will monitor the crosswalk installation for a six month period to gather information for future policy discussion. TCI will collect information such as community response (311, social media, etc.), vandalism reports, requests for maintenance, and crash information, and will report findings back to the City Council Transportation Committee.
ISSUE:
The existing crosswalks at the N. Main Avenue and E. Evergreen Street intersection are past their functional service life and need to be replaced. Therefore, the City of San Antonio will provide the replacement cost of a standard crosswalk (four total for the intersection) towards the installation of a rainbow-themed crosswalk. To fund the added installation expense from a greater striped area and the costs associated with color used in a rainbow-themed crosswalk, Pride San Antonio will provide privately raised funds.
The detailed breakdown of the crosswalk installation is shown below. The cost estimates provided include the use of preformed thermoplastic pavement markings based on field estimated quantities for the intersection of N. Main Avenue and E. Evergreen Street.
Crosswalk Type Cost
Rainbow-Themed (Qty: 4) $32,501.04
City of San Antonio Standard (Qty: 4) $12,668.80
Difference to be Funded by Pride San Antonio $19,832.24
This ordinance authorizes the execution of a Donation Agreement with Pride San Antonio accepting $19,832.24 for installation of a rainbow-themed crosswalk at the intersection of N. Main Avenue and E. Evergreen Street.
Project installation is anticipated to begin early in the week of June 25, 2018 dependent on delivery of the specialized colored preformed thermoplastic pavement markings. Installation is anticipated to last two days and the work will be done at night to minimize impact to the community since it will require multiple street closures. The annual Pride Parade will be held on June 30, 2018.
ALTERNATIVES:
City Council could choose not to authorize this Donation Agreement with Pride San Antonio. As an alternative, infrastructure located beyond the limits of traffic travel lanes could be rainbow-themed, such as sidewalks, traffic signal cabinets, banners, and murals.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This is a one-time capital expenditure totaling $32,501.04 to install a rainbow-themed crosswalk at the intersection of N. Main Avenue and E. Evergreen Street. Of the $32,501.04, funds in the amount of $12,668.80 are budgeted and available in the FY 2018 General Fund Budget for pavement markings and funds in the amount of $19,832.24 will be donated by and accepted from PrideSA for the completion of this rainbow-themed crosswalk project.
RECOMMENDATION:
As approved by the City Council Governance Committee, staff recommends approval of this ordinance authorizing the execution of a Donation Agreement with Pride San Antonio accepting $19,832.24 for installation of a rainbow-themed crosswalk at the intersection of N. Main Avenue and E. Evergreen Street.