Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Public Works

 

TO:

Dave Corliss

FROM:

Chuck Soules

CC:

Shoeb Uddin, Dena Mezger, John Miller, Toni Wheeler,  David Woosley, Scott Wagner

Date:

September 5, 2007

RE:

George Williams Way Benefit Districts

 

Please include the following item on the City Commission regular agenda for consideration at the September 11, 2007 meeting:

 

On May 15, 2007 the City Commission approved Resolution 6663 establishing the benefit district from the intersection of 6th Street south to Ken Ridge Drive.  The City received a protest petition.  On August 28, 2007 the City Commission held a public hearing on the formation of a benefit district for intersection improvements at 6th Street and George Williams Way.  The City Commission requested additional information/options be developed.  Staff has developed an alternative that also addresses the neighborhoods’ concern with “incoming/cut-through” traffic.

 

The original benefit district (Resolution 6663) included one-half of the signalization of the intersection, right-turn lane southbound, geometrics/widening of GWW to six lanes, and a roundabout at Ken Ridge Drive; estimated cost was $1,618,000.  The benefit district included the Diamondhead development (no City participation; Exhibit A).

 

On August 28 a public hearing was held to establish a new benefit district solely for the improvements to the intersection including:  signalization, right-turn lanes off 6th Street both north and south onto GWW; estimated cost was $1,023,000.  The benefit district is shown in Exhibit B and was split 50% to the north side of 6th Street and 50% to the south side of 6th.  This option would need additional improvements to GWW south of 6th Street with the development of Diamondhead.  Those future improvements are estimated at an additional amount of $1,200,000 for widening of GWW and the construction of the roundabout. 

 

An alternative would include the signalization of 6th Street and the construction of the roundabout at Ken Ridge Drive; estimated cost of $983,000 (this amount only includes the south half of the intersection.  The north side is already included in a benefit district for GWW with improvements to Overland Drive).  There would not be any widening of the roadway (GWW); the widening could be completed at a future date with an estimated cost of an additional $860,000.  The benefit district would be the Diamondhead Development; Exhibit C.

 

OTHER INFORMATION:  The City and State completed a nearly $15,000,000 improvement project to widen 6th Street from Folks Road to K-10.  The right-of-way costs, along with access control,  was over $4.5 million.  The Diamondhead Development received $588,406 for 1.41 acres of property for right-of-way.

 

 

 

Attached are a couple different scenarios (spread sheets) showing estimated costs per tract based on the costs being split 50% north/50% south, and then by square footage.  Another option would be to  spread the cost 100% to the square footage of the entire benefit district.

 

Action Requested.  Provide staff direction on improvements to the intersection and how the assessments should be spread.

 

Please let me know if you have any questions.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Charles F. Soules, P.E.

Director of Public Works

 

CFS/je

 

Attachments