Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Engineering

TO:	Mike Wildgen
FROM:	Terese Gorman
Date:	September 23, 2004
RE:	City Project No. 32-AC1-604(BD) State Project No. 10-23 K-9667-01 23^rd Street, Iowa to Louisiana Access Management Improvements Engineering Contract

In July 2003, the City applied for Economic Development funds from the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) along 23^rd Street between Iowa and Louisiana.  This project will reduce the number of access points onto 23^rd Street through the purchase and consolidation of curb cuts, and acquisition of public access easements, as detailed in the 23^rd Street Corridor Study that was completed by the City in September 2002.  These improvements will satisfy two primary goals of better access for area businesses, and safer driving for motorists using 23^rd Street.

The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) selected this project for funding in April 2004.  A copy of the application is attached.  The total project cost in 2007 is estimated at $936,000.  The application proposed the City share as 25% or $234,000; however, KDOT proposed selecting the project with a City share near 50% or $436,000.  KDOT would participate in 75% of the construction and construction engineering costs (estimated cost = $725,500) up to a maximum of $500,000.  The City would be responsible for the remaining 25% of these costs plus 100% of the preliminary engineering (design), right-of-way and easement acquisition, and utility relocation costs (estimated cost = $211,000).  The City Commission discussed this alternative funding scenario on February 10, 2004 and agreed to accept it, if this project was funded.  So the total estimated City share of this project is $436,000.

The City began the selection process to hire a design engineer in June.  Letters were mailed to 12 engineering companies.  Four firms were selected to interview:  HNTB Corporation, Bucher, Willis & Ratliff Corporation, BG Consultants, Inc., and TranSystems Corporation.  A committee consisting of Linda Finger, Bill Ahrens, Chuck Soules, David Woosley, and myself selected HNTB Corporation.

The committee met with HNTB to determine the scope of services for this project.  The project is unique because the design engineering is not the main focus of the project.  The intent is to follow the adopted 23^rd Street Corridor Study and each affected property owner will be met with at least twice to discuss the access modifications and their business operations to determine what changes are feasible.  So looking at various alternatives and solutions will be a significant part of this scope.

HNTB Corporation has proposed an engineering contract in the amount of $149,598.  Although this is higher than originally estimated, it reflects the many meetings that need to occur with each property owner to determine their specific needs.  The plan is to stay within the original construction budget established by KDOT.  This means we may not be able to improve the access for all the properties between Iowa and Louisiana as recommended by the 23^rd Street Corridor Study, but we will improve the access to as many properties as possible within the established budget.

Action:   Authorize the City Manager to execute an Engineering Services Agreement with HNTB Corporation in the amount of $149,598.

Action:   Adopt Resolution No. 6568 authorizing the issuance of bonds in the amount of $550,000 for the access management improvements on 23^rd Street between Iowa and Louisiana.

“In House” Comment:  This project will require specific experience in access management practices, right-of-way acquisition negotiation, business practices, traffic flow and analysis, public relations, as well as engineering design.  This is not the type of project that the City would take on without current or additional staff due to the specific expertise that will be required.