Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Public Works

 

TO:

Mike Wildgen

 

CC:

Dave Corliss, Debbie Van Saun, Terese Gorman, David Woosley

 

FROM:

Chuck Soules

 

Date:

June 14, 2005 Agenda Item

 

RE:

6th Street Pedestrian Crossing

 

 

Earlier this year the City Commission directed staff to proceed with the 2005 KLINK project with the recommended restriping plan to include a two-way left turn lane on 6th Street (Hwy 40) from Alabama Street to Tennessee Street.  The Commission also directed staff to review/provide options for pedestrian crossing between the school crossing and the next protected crossing at Kentucky.  Staff looked at the intersections of 6th Street and Ohio, Louisiana, and Indiana Streets.  Visibility/site distance, trees, adjacent grades, and other physical obstructions were reviewed.  It is staff’s recommendation that the west crossing at Louisiana and 6th Street is the best location for a pedestrian crossing.  KDOT has reviewed this recommendation, concurs with staff’s recommendation, and has approved the construction. 

 

There are several issues:

  1. The southwest corner sidewalk needs to be removed and replaced to meet ADA regulations.

 
  1. Some of the existing retaining wall will need to be rebuilt.

 
  1. The estimated cost for the raised median, crosswalk, striping, curbing, retaining wall, ADA ramps, adjacent sidewalk, and traffic control is roughly $40,000 - $50,000.

 
  1. The owners of the southwest property are Larry and Jean Martin.  Staff has met with the Martins to discuss the project.  The owners expressed a willingness to work with the city, but have some concerns with respect to how the improvements might affect their property values.  They would like to see a specific/detailed plan.  We assured the Martins that staff and engineering would work with them for a satisfactory project.

 
  1. No left turn onto northbound Louisiana would be permitted.

 
  1. HRC Review – Lynn Zolner sent an email containing the information/description to the HRC Board.  Their consensus was that if the slate sidewalk was retained on site - albeit in a different location - the impact of the crossing would be minimal.  Most of the Board felt that the location and type of crossing was an issue for the City Engineer to determine.  We discussed this issue with the Martins.  A few of the slate slabs that will need to be removed appear to be whole (in one piece) and the Martins wanted those left on site so they could replace other broken/deteriorated pieces.

 
  1. Attached are remarks/discussion from area neighborhoods.  The issue appears to be unresolved.

 
  1. The KLINK project has stated.  Direction is needed in order to accomplish construction of the pedestrian crossing.  The sidewalk and retaining wall on the southwest corner will require some engineering work.  BG Consultants has submitted a proposal to provide plans for $4,000, and can have them ready in a week (+) trying not to hold up the contractor.

 

 

Action Requested: 

Provide staff direction on the installation of the pedestrian crossing at 6th Street and Louisiana Street. 

 

Authorize City Manager to sign an agreement with BG Consultants to provide construction plans for the pedestrian crossing project, if appropriate.

 

 

Attachments:  Area Drawing

Citizen emails 

                   BG Consultant Letter