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Home My WebLink About2C, B2 District Implementation Plan --A�EN HILLS Request for Council Review Prepared By: Jilt Hutmacher,Community Development Director and Work Session Date: October t7, 2011 Terry Maurer Public Works Director B-2 District Implementation Plan Discussion Topic: Staff is recommending that the City Council direct staff to negotiate a contract with Bolton and Menk for Phase I of the B-2 District Implementation Plan and to present the contract to the City Council for consideration- ........... .................. Supporting Documents: L Memorandum dated October 17, 2011, from Jill Hutmacher, Community Development Director, and Terry Maurer, Public Works Director. ,AR EN HILLS MEMORANDUM DATE: October 17. 201 1 TO: Honorable Mavor and Councilmembers FROM: Jill Hutmacher_ Community Development Director Terry Maurer. Public Works Director SUBJECT: B-2 District Implementation Plan Background The City Council accepted the Guiding Plan for the B-2 District on October 27, 2008. The Guiding Plan provides a framework for long-range public and private improvements in the B-2 District along County Road E between Lexington Avenue and Highway 51_ In December 2008, the City adopted design guidelines for the B-2 District which have been used to evaluate redevelopment proposals for McDonald's, the former Holiday Inn site. and Arden Plaza. The design guidelines insure that new development and redevelopment meet the goals of the B-2 Guiding Plan. The Implementation Plan is the next step for the B-2 District. The Implementation Plan will allow the City Council to determine enhancements along County Road E which may include utility upgrades, access improvements, bicycle and pedestrian facilities, and streetscape amenities_ Once completed. the Implementation Plan will allow the City to move forward with improvement projects. Twin Cities Corridor and Streetscape Projects In preparation for moving forward with the B-2 Implementation Plan, staff identified cities that had completed corridor and streetscape projects. In August staff had an opportunity to tour three projects that have similarities to the B-2 District. The tour was led by representatives of Bolton & Menk and HKGi who were the consultants for all three projects_ A "virtual tour" of the following sites will be provided at the October 17 work session meeting. City of Arden Hills City Council Work Session October 17, 2011 Page 1 of 5 CSAH 101 —Shakopee , - r1` County State Aid Highway(CSAH) 101, rrc nqP® also known as First Avenue East, had dire ' infrastructure replacement needs due to _ the age and condition of the road and utilities. The CSAH 101 Infrastructure ! Replacement project focused on < ; - addressing the immediate infrastructure `v needs, recognizing and encompassing : mobility and safety improvements, and .,. preserving future regional opportunities ` associated with the CSAH 101 river bridge. The infrastructure reconstruction _ included replacing the current roadway and sidewalk pavement, implementing decorative street lighting and streetscape elements, and corridor safety improvements. The project faced several challenges including; • Evaluating existing and near-term corridor capacity and safety needs within a narrow 80' right-of-way; • Improving corridor capacity and safety through access management strategies; • Implementing a substantial public and business involvement process from design through construction; • Coordinating public and private utilities in the corridor; • Developing construction staging options to reduce the construction schedule and impacts to adjacent businesses-, • Improving corridor aesthetics through use of colored concrete, decorate street lighting, and bollards. Excelsior Boulevard—Hopkins and St. Louis Park The City of Hopkins commissioned a corridor study for Excelsior Boulevard. The study resulted in a corridor master plan that addressed land use, transit, pedestrian and bicycle circulation, roadway improvements and financial implementation. Implementation strategies focused on redevelopment recommendations, funding sources, phasing and business relocation requirements. City of Arden Hills City Council Work Session October 17, 2011 Page 2 of 5 In St. Louis Park, the corridor project included pedestrian and street lighting, median landscaping, custom bus shelters,paving, retaining walls and boulevard plantings. The project involved close coordination with Hennepin County and was subject to the County's roadway and aesthetic design policies. Central Avenue—Osseo To accommodate projected residential and commercial growth and to maintain a vibrant downtown business district, Central Avenue's infrastructure required a major upgrade of utilities, roadway pavement, and streetscaping. High quality strectscape improvements - reflect the City's sentiments and dedication toward downtown Osseo. Gateway monuments greet visitors ; _ at both ends. Decorative paver sidewalks direct pedestrians along a corridor of ornamental trees, planter boxes, benches, bollards and waste receptacles. The street is lined with decorative LED lighting with poles that support banners, flagpoles, and hanging baskets. The boulevard was constructed using pervious pavers, reducing storm water runoff into the street and storm sewer. Key Elements of Corridor and Streetscape Projects The corridor and streetscape projects in Shakopee, Hopkins, St. Louis Park, and Osseo have key elements that the City of Arden Hills may need or want to incorporate into the B-2 Implementation Plan. These include- • Extensive communication with and input from the business community on access changes and construction schedule; • Coordination with the county for curb-to-curb spacing and design; • Optimization of existing right-of-way; • Consideration of vehicle, bicycle, and pedestrian movements; and • Implementation recommendations that adhere to the community's needs and budget; B2 ilmlementation Plan Staff recommends that the Scope of Work for the B-2 Implementation Plan be divided into two phases. The first phase will be focused on gathering and analyzing information. At the end of City of Arden Hills City Council Work Session October 17, 2011 Page 3 of 5 Phase 1, the City will have analyzed options, obtained input from business owners, and defined specific objectives, a preliminary construction budget, and a timeline for B-2 District improvements. - Phase I 1. Consider budget needs and funding sources. a. Determine a preferred level of intensity of streetscape improvements. b. Establish an assessment method for the B-2 District. c. Suggest options for public funding such as MSA funds. 2. Work with Ramsey County to determine project scope and goals. a. Reaffirm the County's acceptance of the B-2 Guiding Plan. b. Determine space needs within the right-of-way. I Determine a public participation process. _ a. Promote business participation in discussions of streetscape and amenities. b. Work individually with businesses to determine access needs and vehicle/pedestrian movements onto and within their sites. 4. Evaluate utilities along County Road E. a. Determine whether utility upgrades are necessary. b. Work with Xcel Energy to consider options for electrical boxes. c. Provide cost estimates for any necessary utility upgrades. 5. Evaluate traffic and transportation options. a. Update the 2008 traffic study and include pedestrian movements. b_ Suggest options for traffic improvements without a new signalized intersection. C. Investigate options for an alternative access for the Arden Plaza development. 6. Summarize Phase I findings. a. Provide a preliminary project budget_ b. Provide project and decision matrix timelines to align planning, design, and construction with the reconstruction of the Highway 51 bridge. In Phase 11, improvements identified in Phase I will be designed. Cost estimates, specifications, and a construction timeline and phasing schedule, if necessary, will be prepared. At the end of Phase 11, the City will be ready to proceed to bidding and the construction of improvements- Budget Implications City of Arden Hills City Council Work Session October- 17, 2011 Page 4 of 5 Expenditures and funding sources for the B-2 District Implementation Project are outlined as - below in the draft 2012 --- 2016 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). Expenditures 2012 2014 Total Planning/Design 278,000 0 278,000 Construction 0 2,334,000 2,334,000 Total 278,000 2,334,000 2,612,000 Funding Sources 2012 2014 Total Capital Improvement Funds (P1R) 175,000 1,538,000 1,713,000 Sanitary Sewer Utility Fund 20,000 160,000 180,000 Surface Water Mgmt Utility Fund 52,000 371,000 423,000 Water Utility Funds 31,000 265,000 296,000 Total 278,000 2,334,000 2,612,000 The City may assess a portion of the cost of improvements to adjacent properties. Development Agreements for Select Senor Living and Arden Plaza contemplate an assessment rate of not more than $350.00 per lineal foot along County Road E. Assessments for properties that redevelop prior to the construction of County Road E improvements may be adjusted based on improvements made by the property owner at the time of redevelopment. In addition to CIP funds designated for County Road E improvements, $150,000 from PIR funds is programmed for the Highway 51 bridge replacement in 2014. The majority of the planning and design funds will be needed in Phase II of the Implementation Plan. Work products of Phase I include a preliminary budget, an identified assessment method for a-2 properties, and options for public funding. Recommendation Staff recommends that the City Council direct staff to negotiate a contract with Bolton& Menk for Phase I of the B-2 District Implementation Plan and to present the contract to the City Council for consideration. City of Arden Hills City Council Work Session October 17, 2011 Page 5 of 5