6C CM Report 2013 0903 - Laserfiche WebLink

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cycle. Budget for this work could be considered for inclusion in the next budget cycle, which is fiscal year 2016. • Construction of curb bulb-outs at Victoria Circle and/or Dowling Boulevard to make crossing Bancroft Avenue safer and to slow traffic –  This work is estimated to cost approximately $100,000, depending upon landscaping and other features. Costs could be higher dependent upon potential drainage issues.  Project would need to be included for consideration in the City’s CIP process.  Budget and timing for future CIP projects unknown at this time. • Plant ‘the triangle’ at Bancroft Avenue/Dowling Boulevard –  Engineering & Transportation Department staff has indicated that the ‘triangle’ feature is planned for removal, with new crosswalk striping installed within the next couple of years (it will be included in the CIP process). The current triangle configuration creates a potential hazard for pedestrians, as a crosswalk extends from the northwest corner of Dowling/Bancroft south. Cars travelling south on Bancroft and turning west (right) onto Dowling tend to speed up and treat this feature as a ‘free right turn’, not realizing that a crosswalk exists right at the point the cars start to turn. The total cost for all projects noted above (and assuming six decorative benches, six decorative garbage cans, and four decorative bike racks) is estimated to start at $346,000. As noted, staff is recommending that $6,000 be allocated from the Community Improvement Funds to replace existing and install new lighting at Victoria Circle and to paint the poles. Funding for the remaining projects would need to be included in future CIP processes, or future fiscal year budget allocations (2016 would be earliest option). The speaker noted in presenting the petition that nothing had been done in 20 years towards beautification of this area. I would like to point out to the Council that there have been both ‘improvement’ projects in addition to regularly scheduled maintenance that has occurred in this area in the past 20 years. These include: • Installation of decorative sidewalk planters at Bancroft/Dutton in mid-2000s (paid for by the General Fund); • Painting of poles and installation of decorative pole banners along Bancroft Avenue, from Oakes Boulevard to Durant Avenue in 2002-2003 (paid for by the General Fund); • Area-wide street maintenance (including painting of curbs, replacement of older street and STOP signs, filling of potholes, etc.) that is completed on a rotating 4-year cycle (2012, 2009, 2006, etc.) • CIP street re-habilitation work (administered by the Engineering & Transportation Department) currently in progress includes budget expenditures of approximately $66,000 in the immediate area in question, and a total of approximately $600,000 (design plus construction) in neighborhoods north of Dutton Avenue and east of E. 14th Street. • The MacArthur Boulevard Streetscape project, which included installation of new landscaped medians and signage, was completed in 2006 ($3.4 million, paid with Redevelopment Funds). • Between 2001 and 2004 a two-phased CIP construction project totaling $645,000 was completed, which replaced the high voltage electrical system in the area to improve street lighting reliability. • A future project, the MacArthur Phase 2 Roundabout (design) at Superior Avenue is in the FY 14 budget. Submittal of the petition has presented some great ideas for consideration by the City. The request to improve the lighting at Victoria Circle, we believe can be accommodated this fiscal year utilizing Community Improvement Funds. The remaining projects would necessitate future budget considerations, whether through the City’s CIP process, the fiscal year 2016 budget process, or in utilizing additional Community Improvement Funds.