City Council Meeting Date: September 3, 2024
To: Mayor and City Council
City Administrator
From: Sean Simonson, Engineering Manager
David Bennett, Public Works Director/City Engineer
Title
The City Council discussion on the 2025 Reclamation and Overlay Project Feasibility Report.
Body
Action Requested:
The City Council discussion on the 2025 Reclamation and Overlay Project Feasibility Report.
Summary Report:
City Council Ordered the Preparation of Feasibility Report for the 2025 Reclamation and Overlay Project at the March 12, 2024, City Council meeting, which includes the following project areas: (Attachment 1):
• Maple Street from Jefferson Parkway to the south end (Mill & Overlay)
• Lake Drive from Jefferson Parkway to Maple Street (Mill & Overlay)
• Superior Drive from Michigan Drive to Maple Street (Mill & Overlay)
• Washington Street from Sumner Street to the south turnaround (Pavement Reclamation)
• Laurel Court (Pavement Reclamation)
• Industrial Drive (Pavement Reclamation)
• Washington Street Bikeway
• Washington Street Trail
• Maple Street Trail
• Laurel Court Trail
• Sechler Park Trail (Mill Towns Trail)
• Festler Farms Trail Connection
• Woodley Street and Washington Street Crossing Improvements
• Washington Street and Ames Street Crossing Improvements
• Maple Street and Superior Drive Crossing Improvements
• Superior Drive Crossing Improvements
Staff held the first Neighborhood Meeting on May 1, 2024, and Neighborhood Meeting #2 on July 24, 2024, to discuss the project as a whole. At this meeting, Staff requested feedback on the options listed above. Staff also mailed out a questionnaire with the Neighborhood meeting invitation requesting feedback about the upcoming project. Comments are included in Appendix B of the Draft Feasibility Report. (Attachment 2)
The purpose of this discussion item is for Staff to receive feedback from City Council on the draft feasibility report and go in more depth on the recommendation on the Washington Street Corridor.
Staff is recommending that the Washington Street portion of the project be paused and programmed in a future year. This is based on input received from neighbors and to allow for the pedestrian and bike infrastructure to be further analyzed. The existing shared road bikeway isn’t All Ages and Abilities from Woodley Street to Second Street where this project connects. This pause will allow time to study what bikeway is best from Second Street to Jefferson Pkwy on Washington Street.
There were four different alternates analyzed as part of the Feasibility Report, a brief description of each option is below.
Alternate #1 - Sidewalk Entire West Side
The horizontal alignment will remain the same and the existing curb and gutter will be moved in on the west side, reducing the street width to 28 feet from 32 feet south of Ames Street and 36 feet north of Ames Street. The street narrowing would occur from Woodley Street to the south end of Washington Street. The curb on the east side will remain in place with spot repairs as needed to ensure proper drainage. The narrowing of the street will eliminate parking on the west side, while retaining parking on the east side. The narrowing of the street will allow for the installation of a sidewalk on the west side from 150 feet north of Fremont Street to the south end of Washington Street, while minimizing impacts to private property.
Alternate #2 - On-Street Protected Bikeway and Trail
The horizontal alignment will remain the same and the existing curb and gutter will be moved in on the west side, reducing the street width to 28 feet from 32 feet south of Ames Street and 36 feet north of Ames Street. The street narrowing would occur from Woodley Street to the south end of Washington Street. The curb on the east side will remain in place with spot repairs as needed to ensure proper drainage. The narrowing of the street will eliminate parking on the west side, while retaining parking on the east side. The narrowing of the street will allow for the installation of a trail from Sumner Street to the south end of Washington Street and a sidewalk from Woodley Street to Sumner Street both on the west side of Washington Street while minimizing impacts to private property. From Woodley Street to Sumner Street an on street protected two-way bikeway will be constructed on the west side of Washington Street.
Alternate #3 - Trail Entire West Side
The horizontal alignment will remain the same and the existing curb and gutter will be moved in on the west side, reducing the street width to 28 feet from 32 feet south of Ames Street and 36 feet north of Ames Street. The street narrowing would occur from Woodley Street to the south end of Washington Street. The curb on the east side will remain in place with spot repairs as needed to ensure proper drainage. The narrowing of the street will eliminate parking on the west side, while retaining parking on the east side. The narrowing of the street will allow for the installation of a trail on the west side from Woodley Street to the south end of Washington Street while minimizing impacts to private property.
Alternate #4 - On-Street Protected Bikeway and Trail Directly Behind Curb
The horizontal alignment will remain the same and the existing curb and gutter will be moved in on the west side, reducing the street width to 27 feet from 32 feet south of Ames Street and 36 feet north of Ames Street. The street narrowing would occur from Woodley Street to the south end of Washington Street. The curb on the east side will remain in place with spot repairs as needed to ensure proper drainage. The narrowing of the street will eliminate parking on the west side, while retaining parking on the east side. The narrowing of the street will allow for the installation of a trail from Sumner Street to the south end of Washington Street and a sidewalk from Woodley Street to Sumner Street both on the west side of Washington Street while minimizing impacts to private property. From Woodley Street to Sumner Street an on street protected two-way bikeway will be constructed on the west side of Washington Street.
Festler Farms Trail Connection
Staff explored a trail connection on the Fester Farms parcel that would connect the dead-end stub of Washington Street on the north with the existing trail system to the south of the Festler Farms parcel. Staff engaged with the current property owners to discuss a possible easement for the trail, however, they were not interested in granting an easement at this time as they are in discussion with selling their property to a developer. Therefore, it is recommended to not pursue the trail connection at this time.
Sechler Park Trail (Mill Towns Trail)
Staff also explored rebuilding the Mill Towns Trail section from the Compost Site to Laurel Court as part of the improvement project. Staff is recommending pausing this portion of the project until additional agreements and funding can be explored with the Minnesota DNR.
Alternative Options:
Staff would be open to any additional alternatives City Council may bring forth.
Financial Impacts:
Please see the draft feasibility report (Attachment 2) for the estimated project costs and estimated project funding.
Tentative Timelines:
Staff will bring forth the Feasibility Report for approval at the September 17, 2024, City Council meeting. (Attachment 3)