City Council Meeting Date: September 19, 2017
To: Mayor and City Council
City Administrator
From: Sean Simonson, Engineering Manager
Dave Bennett, Public Works Director/City Engineer
Title
Consider approving concepts for the 2018 Division and Seventh Street Reconstruction and Washington Street Overlay projects
Body
Action Requested:
The Northfield City Council approves a Motion adopting the attached recommended design concepts for the Division & Seventh Street Reconstruction and Washington Street Overlay projects.
Summary Report:
As we think about the how we want to approach the improvements, think broadly about what we are trying to accomplish with the project. Although the City cannot provide all accommodations for everyone, below are some key consideration of project goals:
• Install improvement that will provide safe and comfortable streets for all users. For this project, improve safety of all those currently living and visiting the City.
o Safety - numerous pedestrians walking downtown (make pedestrians a priority). Improve sight lines and reduce traffic speeds.
• Context -
o Design in alignment with the Downtown Streetscape Plan and what is going on around the area for user activities (pedestrians, non-motorized vehicles and motorized vehicles).
o Continuity (east side of Division St. is parallel parking, west side angled), Washington St. is a major collector and the primary north-south route without stops. It is also the primary north-south route for bikes.
• Complete Street Policy -
o Look for opportunities to make improvements for all users of City right-of-ways.
o Fill in sidewalk gaps (north side of Seventh Street by Water St. & Washington St. by the Library).
• Continue to foster and enhance a vibrant Downtown.
Toole Design Group, along with City Staff, facilitated a Public Engagement process that has included public meetings and an online survey to gather input from adjacent property owners and community members. From the feedback received and project goals, recommended concepts for both the Division Street and Seventh Street Reconstruction (Attachment 1) and the Washington Street Mill and Overlay Project (Attachment 2) are attached.
Staff met with property owners at their request along the project corridor prior to the City Council Work Session on September 12 regarding truck routes and maneuverability. City Council also heard, and expressed the same concern. Staff has evaluated this and will incorporate surmountable curb radiuses at the southwest corners or the intersection of Washington Street and Fifth/Seventh Streets to allow trailers to track over the curb or pull them in slightly allowing for truck movement (Attachment 3).
Additionally, the proposed raised intersection at Division Street and Seventh Street is a traffic calming measure that will help create a wide-open feeling similar to the feel of Econofoods and the way it is set back from the roadway. Other advantages of a raised intersection include the following:
• Create a safe, slow-speed crossing introducing more public space
• Vertical speed control
• Increases visibility of pedestrians because crosswalk locations are also raised
• Encourage motorists to yield to pedestrians at crosswalks
• Gradual raised slope does not create a hazard for vehicles
• Reduces vehicle speeds along roadway
• Potential gateway feature to downtown
• Little to no additional construction cost when installed along with reconstruction
• Does not impact on-street parking
• Eliminates water ponding and debris collection at the base of crossing ramps
• Can be safely navigated by bicycles
Staff feels the recommended concepts for Division and Seventh and Washington align with the input received from the City Council, the community, and align with the vision and goals of the project. The final recommendation for Division and Seventh utilizes components of all three of the original concepts, and Washington Street utilizes primarily concept 2 with one component of concept 3 with the curb extensions at the Washington and Fifth Street parking lot entrance.
Alternative Options:
Additional options can be discussed and brought forward at any time throughout the project design process.
Financial Impacts:
The estimated project costs will be updated with the feasibility report as defined by the preferred council concepts for the improvements. The project will be funded with assessments, Municipal State Aid (MSA) funds, bonding, and utility enterprise funds.
Tentative Timelines:
Attachment 4 shows the current project process.