PRESENTER: Presenter
Scott McClelland, Assistant Transportation and Capital Improvements Director
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SUBJECT: Title
Approval of a modification to the Professional Services Agreement with Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. for final design plans, specifications, and estimates of the Downtown Right-of-Way Enhancements Project.
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DEPARTMENT: Transportation and Capital Improvements
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COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: 1, 5
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The Downtown Right-of-Way Enhancements project will improve pedestrian mobility, accessibility, and safety. The project aims to repair broken or incomplete sidewalk networks, build out new sidewalks where needed, add crosswalk enhancements, where appropriate, add to pedestrian amenities (landscaping/lighting/safety updates), and address Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance. In 2017, the City of New Braunfels completed the reconstruction of West and East San Antonio sidewalks with many of the same proposed features and amenities as this project plan.
The Downtown Right-of-Way Enhancements program will be completed in three phases to incorporate the additional review agencies and subsequent timelines associated with constructing improvements in the right-of-way controlled by the City of New Braunfels, Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), and Union Pacific Railroad. This project phase will include improvements in the City’s right-of-way. The locations are Academy Avenue from San Antonio Street to Bridge Street, Mill Street from Academy Avenue to Market Avenue, and Market Avenue from Mill Street to Tolle Street. The project also includes traffic signal improvements at San Antonio Street and Market Avenue, and San Antonio Street and Academy Avenue.
The New Braunfels Economic Development Corporation (NBEDC) approved the project expenditure for final design, not to exceed $474,920, at its June 2023 Regular Board Meeting and City Council approved the resolution for the NBEDC expense on July 10, 2023. City Council approved the contract with Kimley Horn on July 24, 2023.
At the October 17, 2024 NBEDC regular meeting, a representative of the consultant team, Kimley-Horn, provided the NBEDC an update and identified three design alternatives for this project: Alternate 1 will add enhanced landscaping; Alternate 2 will add pedestrian lighting; and Alternate 3 will convert electric and telecommunication utilities underground. The NBEDC directed staff to proceed with these three alternatives; final design costs for all three alternatives are not to exceed $200,000. The NBEDC held a public hearing on December 11, 2024, and unanimously approved the additional final design funding for this project.
ISSUE:
Continue addressing pedestrian and accessibility deficiencies in the Downtown right-of-way.
STRATEGIC PLAN REFERENCE:
☐Economic Mobility ☒Enhanced Connectivity ☒Community Identity
☐Organizational Excellence ☐Community Well-Being ☐N/A
FISCAL IMPACT:
The final design funding requirement for these alternatives is $200,000; the NBEDC has sufficient funds and approved the expenditure on December 11, 2024.
Recommendation
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of a contract modification with Kimley-Horn Associates, Inc., not to exceed $200,000 for the final design plans, specifications, and estimates of Downtown Right-of-Way Enhancements alternatives.