AGENDA #4e
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor and Town Council
FROM: W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager
SUBJECT: Acceptance of Easements for the Booker Creek Linear Park Project
DATE: March 27, 2006
The attached resolution would accept easements needed for the Booker Creek Linear Park from Triangle V II Limited Partnership, owner of the Plaza Shopping Center property at the northeast corner of Elliott Road and Fordham Boulevard. Please see the attached map.
On October 27, 1997, the Council adopted a resolution endorsing the concept of building a park and trail along the portion of Booker Creek between Franklin Street and Fordham Boulevard and directing the Town Manager to seek funding for the project.
On February 9, 1998, the Council authorized the Town Manager to develop a conceptual plan for the project. The Council also established a Booker Creek Linear Park Advisory Committee.
On July 6, 1998, the Council approved a Special Use Permit for the Staples property that included provisions for a paved greenway trail to be built from Franklin Street to the extreme southeast corner of the property, as well as a direct pedestrian connection to the Eastgate Shopping Center.
On August 23, 1999, the Council adopted the Booker Creek Linear Park Advisory Committee’s Report to the Town Council.
On February 12, 2001, the Council authorized the Town Manager to execute an agreement with NCDOT accepting a grant of $349,707 with $87,427 in local matching funds for the construction of the Booker Creek Linear Park.
On June 10, 2002, the Council authorized the Town Manager to make necessary changes to the Booker Creek Linear Park project to reflect changes to the site since the adoption of the plan and new flood study information.
In November 2002, the Council accepted easements for the project from Crowell Little, owner of the Staples Property. In June 2003, the Council accepted easements for the project from Federal Realty Investment Trust, owner of the Eastgate Shopping Center property.
DISCUSSION
Description: The Booker Creek Linear Park project includes an extension of the existing greenway trail that currently terminates on the Staples property. The subject easement would allow the trail to be continued to Fordham Boulevard. A sidewalk would be constructed along Fordham Boulevard to the existing sidewalk on the Days Inn property.
The project also includes restoration of a pond that, until recently, was located on the site. The pond was removed as part of a drainage improvement project performed by the owners of the Eastgate Shopping Center. The restored pond would be located on both the Staples and Eastgate Shopping Center properties.
The following easements have been offered by Triangle V II Limited Partnership:
Budget: The Booker Creek Linear Park project budget is $437,134. Of this amount the NCDOT has agreed to pay $349,707. The Council has already appropriated the remaining 20 percent of the project cost, or $87,427. The source of the matching funds is from accrued interest from the Parks and Recreation facilities bonds authorized in 1996.
We intend to bid the pond restoration and sidewalks as add-alternates. This would allow us a greater amount of flexibility in the event that funding is inadequate for the entire project.
If the Council accepts the offered easements we would then take the following steps to complete the project:
|
NCDOT Right of Way Certification |
May 2006 |
|
Bid Project (includes time allowance for possible rebid) |
August 2006 |
|
NCDOT Approval of bids |
September 2006 |
|
Council Approval and Execution of Contract |
October 2006 |
|
Complete Construction |
June 2007 |
Town Manager’s Recommendation: That the Council adopt the following resolution accepting easements from Triangle V II Limited Partnership, which are required for the Booker Creek Linear Park project.
