ACTION REQUESTED:
Title
Communication from the City Manager and Director of Public Works with a Request for One of the Following:
A. APPROVE the PURCHASE of Real Estate Located at 1428 WEST NORTHMOOR ROAD, for the Amount Not-to-Exceed $180,000.00, as an Opportunity Acquisition for the NORTHMOOR ROAD IMPROVEMENTS from ALLEN ROAD to UNIVERSITY STREET; or,
B. APPROVE the Payment of $20,000.00 to the Owner of 1428 WEST NORTHMOOR ROAD, for a Temporary Construction Easement for the NORTHMOOR ROAD IMPROVEMENTS from ALLEN ROAD to UNIVERSITY STREET. (Council District 4)
Body
BACKGROUND: The Northmoor Road project, from Allen Road to University Street, is the final phase of improvement to this arterial street that needs significant infrastructure repair. The segments of Northmoor Road between University Street and Knoxville Avenue have been previously reconstructed in the past eight years. The design of the proposed section of Northmoor Road follows Complete, Green Streets infrastructure policies, by installing a permeable pavement bike/walktrail, new sidewalks, pedestrian-scale street lighting, and a new concrete pavement roadway.
Staff has negotiated temporary and permanent easements with more than forty (40) adjacent property owners to-date.
To build the bike/walktrail and blend in the adjacent ground, as well as to adjust the driveway of the subject property (1428 W. Northmoor Road, PIN 14-17-326-004), staff requires a temporary construction easement of approximately 2,500 square feet. The work will require the removal of several mature trees.
Several rounds of negotiations have resulted in the counter-offer choice from the owners. The amount of $20,000.00 for a temporary construction easement is significantly higher than any recent comparable payments for temporary easements on this project, or other recent projects.
The purchase of the whole property, while not required in its entirety for the roadway project, may offer some benefits. For example, the house could be used as the construction field office for the roadway project. Typically, the roadway contractor would receive about $1,500 per month to provide a construction field office with office furniture, computers, internet and other utilities. The Northmoor Road project will last approximately three years. The use of the subject property would defray some of the anticipated payments to the roadway contractor, although the City would be responsible for utilities. After the completion of the roadway project, the City could sell the property. Staff would conduct a termite inspection before closing on the property.
Time is of the essence in making this decision, as the City must have all right of way approved by the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) by May 3, 2017, to make the schedule to use the $6.7 million in federal grant funds. The total construction estimate for the roadway project is $11.2 million.
Attached to the Council Communication is a location map for the subject property.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: Funds are available in Community Investment Program Project M14302, Northmoor Road Improvement from Allen Road to University Street.
NEIGHBORHOOD CONCERNS: Two neighborhood meetings were recently held-on January 23, 2017 and on March 23, 2017. Neighbors expressed concerns for pedestrian safety and traffic congestion during the beginning and dismissal of school. Some neighbors also remarked that the road was in poor condition, and that they looked forward to the completion of construction.
IMPACT IF APPROVED: Right of Way will be cleared for the project on schedule.
IMPACT IF DENIED: Right of Way will not be cleared for the project, per the IDOT schedule. The project could be delayed, and grant funds could be jeopardized.
ALTERNATIVES: Provide other direction to staff.
EEO CERTIFICATION NUMBER: N/A
WHICH OF THE GOALS IDENTIFIED IN THE COUNCIL’S 2014 - 2029 STRATEGIC PLAN DOES THIS RECOMMENDATION ADVANCE?
1. Financially Sound City Government, Effective City Organization
2. Attractive Neighborhoods with Character: Safe and Livable
3. Grow Peoria: Businesses, Jobs, and Population
WHICH CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTOR(S) FROM THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DOES THIS RECOMMENDATION IMPLEMENT?
1. Invest in our infrastructure and transportation.
2. Reinvest in neighborhoods.
3. Have an efficient government.
DEPARTMENT: Public Works