Pork or Pleasure? Rye City Capital Projects, Chapter 2013
This past weekend there was a meeting to discuss the capital projects on the books for 2013.
What's your favorite? Which one will help Rye or your neighborhood the most? Which one do you think is all pork barrel? Leave a comment below.
To: Scott Pickup, City Manager
From: Christian K. Miller, AICP, City Planner
cc: Ryan X. Coyne, City Engineer
Date: January 11, 2013
Subject: Tentative Capital Projects Calendar
The following is a listing of capital projects and their tentative cost and implementation schedules. It is an ambitious program expected to take two to three years that includes implementation of previously funded projects as well as implementation of projects funded in the last two months by the voter-approved bond referendum and Safe Routes to School (SRTS) grant. This listing does not include projects that are not funded but may be included in the City’s five year Capital Improvement Program (CIP).
Pending Capital Projects
Cedar Place Sewer
Project includes replacement of existing failing sewer line in Cedar Street. Plans are completed. Staff is targeting bid awards for the first quarter of 2013. Estimated project cost: $90,000.
Old Milton Road Drain
Project includes replacement of an existing drain line to address stormwater runoff and flooding at the Harbor House. Bonds have already been issued for this project. Staff is targeting bid awards for the first quarter of 2013. Estimated project cost: $200,000.
Annual Street Resurfacing
Bid awards are expected in the second quarter of 2013 for the annual street resurfacing program. This funding would include the repaving of Boston Post Road between Parsons Street and Library Lane. Other streets have not been selected at this time, but would be prioritized based on the City’s pavement management system. Estimated project cost: $450,000.
Annual Sidewalk Repair Program
Bid awards are expected in the second quarter of 2013 for the repair and replacement of City-owned damaged or deteriorated sidewalks. Estimated project cost: $50,000.
Hewlett Avenue Pump Station
This project involves replacing the existing pumps at the Hewlett Avenue Pump Station. The project is currently in design and was partially funded by an EPA grant. Staff is targeting bid awards in the second quarter of 2013. Estimated project cost: $300,000.
Theodore Fremd Retaining Wall
This project involves the replacement of the retaining wall on Blind Brook adjacent to Theodore Fremd Avenue that was damaged by the 2007 floods. The project remains under review by the NYSDOT and requires private property easement acquisition. The project start date is impacted by the required relocation of a gas transmission line is required, which is targeted for the 2014 spring construction season. Estimated project cost: $1,640,000.
City Hall Generator
Project includes the installation of an emergency stand-by generator at City Hall. Project was partially funded by a FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant. Bid award is expected in the third quarter of 2013. Estimated project cost: $130,000.
Peck/Midland Avenue Intersection
This funded project includes the implementation of intersection improvements and signal replacement at the Peck and Midland Avenue intersection. Construction is expect in 2014. Estimated project cost: $180,000
Blind Brook Flood Mitigation Study
This project is partially funded by a FEMA grant to study potential flood mitigation projects along Blind Brook. The City’s Flood Action Committee will be assisting with this project in 2013. Estimated project cost: $130,000.
Infrastructure Bond Projects
Locust Avenue Sewer Improvement
Project includes extending a new sewer line across Blind Brook to bypass the City’s failing sewer siphon. Project plans are 90% complete and could be ready for bid awards in the first quarter of 2013; however easements across private property at 22 Locust Avenue are required. Securing easements from the financially distressed property may be difficult, which will delay project implementation. Estimated project cost: $250,000.
CBD Streetscape Improvement
Project includes pedestrian safety and streetscape enhancements to Smith Street and the Smith Street/Purchase Street/Elm Place intersection. Staff will be undertaking design in 2013 and seeking public involvement regarding the selection of the preferred design alternative. To minimize impacts on area businesses construction is preferred after the annual sidewalk sale and in the slower months of July and August. Given the level of design required and limited construction window, project construction is targeted for the summer of 2014. Estimated project cost: $880,000.
Boston Post Road Retaining Wall
Project includes replacement of a portion of the failing Boston Post Road Retaining Wall. Design and property/easement acquisition is expected in 2013 with construction in 2014. Estimated project cost: $300,000.
Sidewalk and Pedestrian Improvements
The project includes $250,000 in funding for pedestrian improvements in the City. Preliminarily staff has identified the following projects for potential consideration for a 2013 implementation including:
o Midland Crosswalk. New crosswalk on Midland Avenue at the north playground of Midland Elementary School.
o Milton Road Corridor Improvement. This project includes intersection improvements at the Milton Road/Oakland Beach intersection to provide a new crosswalk and pedestrian signal. No property acquisition is required. The project would also include new curbs and sidewalks on the east side of Milton Road between Dearborn Avenue and Hewlett Avenue. Sidewalk repairs/replacement on the west side of Milton Road will be provided as necessary.
o Forest Avenue Pedestrian Improvements. Project includes crosswalks, ADA ramp and sidewalk enhancement in front of Rye Town Park on Forest Avenue at the intersection of Rye Beach Avenue, Oakland Beach Avenue and Dearborn Avenue.
Safe Routes to School Projects ($223,952)
Pedestrian-Activated Flashing Beacons
This project would involve the installation of Rectangular Rapid Flash Beacons (RRFB) at existing un-signalized intersections near existing Rye City Schools. The signals are pedestrian activated and would serve to alert drivers of pedestrians within crosswalks. RRFB would be installed at the following intersections:
Boston Post Road @ Old Post Road (High/Middle School and Osborn Elem. School)
Hewlett Avenue @ Forest Avenue (Milton Elem. School)
Apawamis Avenue @ Forest Avenue (High/Middle School)
Forest Avenue @ Eve Lane (Midland Elem. School)
Prior experience suggests NYSDOT design review process of SRTS projects could be lengthy, but implementation is optimistically targeted for 2013.
Milton School Sidewalk Safety Improvement
This project would elevate an existing sidewalk and install a six inch curb to better separate vehicles from the pedestrian area. Currently, approximately 450 feet of sidewalk on Hewlett Avenue adjacent to Milton Elementary School is at the same elevation as the street. There is no physical barrier to prevent vehicles in the adjacent drop-off zone from encroaching into the sidewalk, which is heavily used by children. Given the anticipated length of NYSDOT design review and the fact that construction cannot occur during the school year a summer 2014 implementation is anticipated.
Theall/Osborn Road Pedestrian Improvement
This project would extend the existing curbs at the Theall Road/Osborn Road intersection to reduce the approximately 90-foot crossing distance by approximately 30%. Reducing the crossing distance of this street is a pedestrian safety enhancement especially for children attending Osborn Elementary School. The project would also replace deteriorated sidewalk at the intersection, providing ADA-compliant ramps and increasing the size of the landing area for pedestrian waiting to cross Osborn Road. Prior experience suggests NYSDOT design review process of SRTS projects could be lengthy, but implementation is optimistically targeted for 2013.
Five-Points Intersection Improvement.
This project would extend the existing curbs on Grace Church Street at its intersection with Midland Avenue. The existing crossing distance of this signalized intersection is nearly 100 feet and creates a barrier to children walking from the Louden Woods neighborhood to nearby Midland School. The intersection does not include pedestrian signals. In addition to extending the existing curb lines the project would modify the existing narrow center island in Grace Church Street to provide a pedestrian refuge area. Prior experience suggests NYSDOT design review process of SRTS projects could be lengthy, but implementation is optimistically targeted for 2013.
