TOWN OF CHAPEL HILL

Status of Capital Projects

June 30, 2003

 

There follows a brief status report on the capital projects on which Town staff are now working.  Projects are classified as “Completed During 2002-03,” “Under Construction,” and as “In Planning.”

 

Completed During 2002-03

 

Chapel Hill Museum Roof Replacement

Project:  Replacement of roof, which has reached the end of its useful life.

 

Budget:  $60,000 to be financed over 10 years.

 

Status:  First step of financing was taken by Council September 9.  Contract was executed on December 20, 2002.  Work completed the end of March at final cost of $59,275.  Financing will be completed along with the financing for the IFC Shelter.

 

Fire Station #5

Project:  Construction of a building to house a fire pumper truck and a fire crew on part of a 9-acre parcel on the southeast corner of the intersection of US 15-501 South and Bennett Road, across from Southern Village.

 

Budget:  $1,278,300, including $1,000,000 from 1996 Public Safety Bonds.

 

Status:  Building occupied January of 2002, trailer returned and lease with Hillsong Church closed out.  All punch list items completed except replacement of dead plants.  The completion of Bennett Road by North Carolina Department of Transportation contractor is part of the US 15-501 project.

 

Lower Booker Creek Greenway Phase II

Phase II: Construction of a 10’-wide concrete trail from East Franklin Street near Eastgate north along the west side of Booker Creek to Tadley Drive.  The trail then continues from Daley Road on the east side of the creek to Booker Creek Road.

 

Budget:  $635,200 including NCDOT grant and Town funds.

 

Status:  Complete, within budget.  Dedication held October 7, 2002.  Some additional work will be done to reinforce a stream bank to prevent damage from storm events.  This work is expected to take place late in 2003 using remaining project funds of about $9,000.

 

Park/Ride Lot: Jones Ferry Road

Project:  Construction of a 450-space park/ride lot with access from Old Fayetteville Road to Jones Ferry Road.

 

Budget:  $1,263,800 including $907,000 from Federal Transit Administration, $113,400 from the State and $243,400 from the Town’s Transportation Fund.

 

Status:  Substantially complete on October 21 when public use began.  Final approval from the Town of Carrboro for landscaping received in December.

 

Sidewalk: Culbreth Road: Contract project on south side of roadway from end of Culbreth Park sidewalk to start of Cobblestone sidewalk.  Completed in December for

$172,000 from CIP and Street bond funds.

 

Sidewalk: Seawell School Road: In-house project along east side from Savannah Terrace to High School Road.  Public Works crews  began project on March 31, the start of the schools’ spring break, and, after several weeks of rain, completed the project June 6 for $18,200.

 

Sidewalk: South Graham Street

 In-house project on east side of road, between Franklin Street and Cameron Avenue.  Public Works crew began in late February and finished the job in late March at a cost of $6,000 in Community Development Block Grant funds for the materials.

 

Streetscape Segment:

Project: Reconstruction of sidewalk and amenity strip along South Franklin Street, between The Gap and Porthole Alley, including installation of underground conduit bank, reconstruction of raised brick planters, construction of steps and installation of railings, replacement of ailing trees and installation of modular newspaper racks.

 

Budget: $98,000 of Street Bond funds including Percent for Art, and $9,000 of funds from Public Arts Commission

 

Status:  Town crews completed work in September.  The Percent for Art Program included installation of four benches in October, at a cost of $13,990, including $4,990 of Town funds.

 

Under Construction

 

Dry Creek Trail

Project:  Land acquisition north of I-40 and construction of a trail from East Chapel Hill High School to Providence Road.  Another branch of the trail is proposed to connect Chapel Hill and Durham trail systems on land north of I-40.

 

Budget:  $270,800, including a $200,000 grant from the Clean Water Management Trust Fund and 1996 Open Space bonds.

 

Status:  Sterling Ridge Apartments completed a trail segment from Providence Road to Erwin Ridge subdivision.  Eagle Scouts have cleared a trail corridor from East Chapel Hill School to Perry Creek Road.  Stairs and boardwalk have been constructed between San Juan Road and Perry Creek Road using a National Trails Program grant and Eagle Scout volunteers.

 

All necessary properties south of I-40 have been acquired.  Negotiations with owners of two parcels north of I-40 have so far been unsuccessful.  However, acquisition of a third parcel north of I-40 was completed in 2003, using Clean Water Management Funds and 1996 bond funds.

 

Hargraves Center/A.D. Clark Bath House Renovations

Project:  Perform extraordinary maintenance identified in 2000 Facilities Assessment Study, including, at the Center, replacement of interior surfaces, of electrical, heating and air conditioning systems, and plumbing fixtures; adding Americans with Disabilities Act accessible entrance and restroom facilities, and repairing the roof; and at the bath house, raising the roof, adding daylighting, adding ADA accessible entrances and restroom facilities and replacement of all surfaces and mechanical equipment; and replacement of mechanical equipment and repouring the floor of the pump house.

 

Budget:  $1,200,000 to be financed over 10 years included in CIP from 2001- 2010.

 

Status:  Work began in April, and proceeded.  Change orders adding significant work, such as removal of asbestos, replacement of siding, roofing membrane, water-damaged sheathing and window flashing on the Center, more extensive reconstruction of the bath house, and more repairs on the pool extended completion date to March 31.  Punch list walk through on March 31 identified several relatively minor issues which delayed full occupancy.  However, the building was stocked with furniture in April and the grand opening was held on May 10.  The pool opened as usual on Memorial Day Weekend.

 

Completion of punch list items have delayed final close-out of this project.  Pool items will be finally corrected when the pool closes for the season.  It is projected that final costs will be slightly below budget.

 

Police Headquarters Renovations

Project:  Repair of the leaks and the damage caused by them, replacement of roof and roof mounted air conditioning units and any other work needed to preserve the public’s asset.

 

Budget:  $700,000 of 1996 Public Safety Bonds

 

Status:  Initial contract of $500,000 provided for repair and renovation, completing the waterproofing of all underground walls, replacement of the roof, replacement of the air conditioning units on the roof and repair of floor and wall surfaces on the first floor.  The remaining $200,000 will provide for additional work on a safer configuration of the magistrate’s office, building security, renovation of the public lobby, reorganizing space previously used for processing and storing paper records, and replacing flooring and wall surfaces on the second floor.  Initial engineering work is completed and final bid documents are scheduled for completion in July, with informal bids in August and start of work the first of October.

 

 

Pritchard Park Renovations

Project:  Comprehensive renovations of 15-unit public housing neighborhood on Pritchard Drive Extension.

 

Budget:  $960,700, including HUD’s Capital Grant and Community Development Block Grant funds.

 

Status:   Site work, including demolition, concrete, and rehabilitation work in the first phase of 6 units began in June.  Progress was delayed due to long fabrication time for windows and delivery of other components. The first phase of six dwelling units was completed and occupied in January, the second phase of four units in mid-April.  However, a unit in the third phase suffered fire damage at the end of March, and negotiations with the insurance company and contractors have delayed the completion of the project until past June. The total cost will be below budget.

 

Streetscape
Project:  Improve sidewalks, street trees, street furniture and street lighting along town center streets, including Franklin and Rosemary Streets, from east of Henderson Street to Merritt Mill Road, and the connecting North Columbia Street.  Intention is to implement in increments the plan adopted by the Council in 1993, some of it being done by developers of adjacent land and some by Town forces.

 

Budget:  Of the $1,000,000 in 1996 Street Bond proceeds allocated, approximately $818,000 has been expended, encumbered or allocated to date.

 

Status:  Segments completed on the north side of West Franklin Street from Carolina Cleaners to Ham’s, from the multi-tenant retail building housing Vespa’s to Franklin Street Cycles, and from Bruegger’s Bagels to Columbia Street; on both sides of North Columbia Street from Franklin Street to Rosemary Street; on the north side of East Franklin Street from Columbia Street to the Presbyterian Church; and on the south side of East Franklin Street from The Gap to Porthole Alley.

 

Developers completed the south side of East Franklin Street from the Gap around the corner of South Columbia Street to the Ackland Art Museum and in front of MacAllister’s Deli.  The County’s contractor completed the sidewalk in front of Orange County’s Skills Development Center on West Franklin Street, using $60,000 of Town Street Bond funds for this project.

 

On November 11, the Council approved special street and pedestrian lighting and appropriated $292,000 of Street Bond funds for lighting most of the 100 block of East Franklin Street, most of North Columbia Street between Franklin and Rosemary Streets, and a small portion of West Franklin Street.  Duke Power reports that it will install the lighting this summer.

 

On February 10, the Council approved the next increment of Streetscape, to be constructed during this summer, from Porthole Alley to McCorkle Place. 

Construction began the first week of June and is expected to be completed by the end of August.

 

 

In Planning

 

Airport Gardens Renovations

Project:  Comprehensive renovations of 26-unit public housing neighborhood on Airport Road.

 

Budget:  $528,000 for Phase I.  Final amount will depend on need identified by design work and by availability of HUD funding over the next fiscal year or two.

 

Status:   Architect was selected and began schematic design work in January, with attention paid to site work and drainage issues as well as renovation of interior of apartments. Design drawings and bid package was ready by mid-May.  Organization of project phases will depend on the architect’s cost estimates and the amounts of federal funds available, which should be known in July

 

Aquatics Center

Project:  Construction of an aquatic facility and possibly a community center, on a site in Homestead Park.  The Council-approved conceptual plan includes a competition pool, warm water pool, locker rooms, office, classroom and reception area.

 

Budget:  Total of $5,555,000, including $1,200,000 from 1996 Town Park bonds and $855,000 from 1997 and $3,500,000 from 2001 Orange County Park and Recreation bonds.

 

Status:  On March 5, 2001, the Council adopted the conceptual Plan and requested that the Board of County Commissioners release remaining $855,000 in 1997 bonds.  The County’s draft bond sale schedule includes the sale of $3.5million in 2003/04 for this project.  A committee of elected officials from both jurisdictions developed a process for joint development of the Southern Community Park and governing bodies agreed to it March 3 and 5, 2003.  The Council resolved on June 23 to request the Board of County Commissioners to approve the concept plan and follow same process as the one in use for the joint development of the Southern Community Park.  The Commissioners are expected to review the concept plan in September and take action in October.

 

Booker Creek Linear Park

Project:  Construction of a park and trail along Booker Creek from East Franklin Street to US 15-501 ByPass, between Eastgate and Village Plaza commercial areas.

 

Budget:   $447,100, including $349,700 from North Carolina Department of Transportation, $10,000 from the developer of the Plaza Theaters, and a local match of $87,400.

 

Status:  Rose Engineering completed the study needed for the No Rise Certificate from FEMA, and found that the original concept plan was not feasible. The  Council approved relocation of the pedestrian bridge in June 2002 and plans have been revised.  Two of the three necessary easements have been acquired, and we expect the third to be granted this summer.  Rose Engineering prepared a “no-rise” study that is required by FEMA for the revised bridge location, but then noted a misunderstanding. After considerable study and discussion, it was decided to delete the bridge and route pedestrians across the stream along the shoulder of Elliot Road.   Approval of this change by DOT is pending.  Request for bids will be advertised after DOT approval

 

Burning Tree Drive Drainage Project

Project:  Replacement of undersized storm drainage pipes under Burning Tree Drive and broadening of channel downstream.

 

Budget:  $67,625 of Street bond funds

 

Status:  In-house design completed and reviewed by OWASA, who will need to replace segments of a water and sewer line.  Easement from one neighbor may not be available; if not, the project will be reconsidered and redesigned.

 

Generator for Town Hall

Project:  Installation of a generator capable of providing the power necessary to operate  Town Hall

 

Budget:  $130,000, to be financed over 10 years, from CIP funds

 

Status:  First engineering report presenting three options for location was prepared in April, and one option was selected for full development.  Advertisement for bids expected to be published in the third quarter for installation before the end of the calendar year.  The engineers now project a cost of about $150,000.

 

Generator for Police Headquarters

Project:  Installation of a generator capable of providing the power necessary to operate the Police Headquarters.

 

Budget:  $110,000, to be financed over 10 years from CIP funds

 

Status:  This project is being designed and bid in conjunction with the Town Hall generator  project. 

 

IFC Shelter

Project:  Extraordinary and deferred maintenance as defined in 2000 Facilities Assessment Study, with emphasis on exterior repairs necessary to protect the structure.

 

Budget:   $340,000 to be financed over 10 years included in CIP from 2002/3 – 2011/12.

 

Status:  First step of financing taken by the Council September 9.  Our engineering firm completed inspection of roof and advised more work be done than had originally been budgeted for.  Firm now writing specifications for the roof and Town staff writing specifications for the replacement of windows, window frames and doors and pointing up the brick, to complete all needed exterior repair work.  Initial conversations with IFC held in July to work out how to maintain some operations safely during the work.  In order to accommodate planning for IFC’s interim operations and to avoid roof work in the winter, work is planned to begin in spring of 2004.

 

Morgan Creek Greenway

Project:  Construction of paved trail along Morgan Creek from Merritt Pasture on US 15-501 to Smith Level Road.

 

Budget:  $89,375, 80% federal funding through NCDOT, 20% CIP

 

Status:  Conceptual Plan Committee convened in November 2002, held public forum June 10 and then suspended work until the revised flood mapping is published.

 

Police Headquarters Parking Lot Renovation

Project:  Selective base repairs, resurfacing, repair and restriping of asphalt parking lot at Police Headquarters

 

Budget:  $50,000, CIP funds

 

Status: Informal bid was awarded and construction is scheduled for the first quarter of 2003-04.

 

Pritchard Park

Project:  Construction of a primarily passive park on the 34 acres of Town-owned land surrounding the library, including trails, small playground and a sculpture garden.

 

Budget:  $164,000, including a $100,000 gift from the Pritchard family.

 

Status:  A committee consisting of representatives of the Library Board, Public Arts Commission, and Parks and Recreation Commission worked with Town and Hotel Siena staff, and all agreed on a recommendation to Council, based on conceptual plan adopted by Council in November 2000.  The Council approved a proposed financial agreement with the Siena on November 25, 2002.  A memorandum of understanding between the Town and the Siena was held in abeyance until the Land Use Management Ordinance was enacted so the impact of regulations related to the Resource Conservation District would become clear.  A memorandum of understanding was then developed, but the owner of the Siena decided in June that he wanted to do something different.  He agreed to have a proposal ready for the Council after the summer, and later decided that the proposal would be in the form of a Special Use Permit application.

 

In the meantime, trails that circumnavigate the site have been built by Eagle Scout candidates, and the Audubon Road stub-out roadbed has been removed and seeded.

 

Sidewalks

Fordham Boulevard:  Contract project on west side of roadway, from Days Inn to Willow Drive.  Design completed by Engineering Department after lengthy negotiations with NCDOT, but DOT personnel changes caused plans to be revised.  NCDOT has approved revised plans and a necessary easement has been acquired.  Latest plans are now being reviewed by NCDOT.  Budget of $100,000 from 1996 Street bond funds.

 

Legion Road: In-house project on south side between Clover and Ephesus Church Roads; and between Scarlette Drive and Martin Luther King Jr. Street.  Public Works crews will begin first segment after completion of Streetscape project.  Remaining funds may be enough to complete one of these two sections.

 

West Rosemary Street:  In-house design and Public Works crews will build sidewalk from IFC Community House to Church Street on north side of the street, with $25,000 of CIP sidewalk funds.  Work has been delayed by the need to acquire several easements and to consider redesign of one block.  The part of the funding mentioned above that would have funded the Church Street block will be used for a sidewalk segment on the south side of West Rosemary Street, in front of Asian grocery and Oriental Garden Restaurant.

 

Weaver Dairy Road:  Sidewalk from Cedar Fork Trail to Kingston Drive, along the south side of Weaver Dairy Road. Budget includes $180,000 of 1996 Street Bond funds.  Funds being held until NCDOT’s road improvement project is ready to be bid.

 

Southern Community Park

Project: Community park to include soccer fields, woods and trails, paved paths, play areas, dog park, parking and site for a community center.

 

Budget:  $1,090,000 from 1986 Town of Chapel Hill Parks bonds; and $658,000 from 1989 Town of Chapel Hill Parks bonds for land acquisition.  $895,000 of 1997 Orange County Bond funds; $2 million of 2001 Orange County bond funds

 

Status:  Fifty acres were acquired in 1988 for $1,050,000 and 28 acres acquired in 1990 for $658,000.  Conceptual plan was approved by the Town Council and forwarded to the County Commissioners on January 26, 2002.  On March 5, 2003, the Board of County Commissioners approved the  conceptual plan and a process for the planning and construction of projects that include County bond funds.  First meeting of the Project Planning Committee, created by the new process, was March 25.  The Committee decided to advertise for a landscape architect ; interviews with four candidates, including the one who developed the concept plan, are scheduled for July 17. Latest schedule for sale of 2001 County bonds for this porject includes $1 million in 2004/05 and $1 million in 2005/06 for this park.

 

Town Operations Facility

Project:  Acquisition of land for and design and development of operations facilities for the Public Works Department, Transportation Department, the Police Vehicle Impoundment Lot, Housing Maintenance and a department now located in Town Hall.

 

Budget:   Final budget will be determined after initial design is completed.  $368,000 has been budgeted for the preliminary consultant work, including design, cost estimation and a preliminary traffic impact study.

 

Status:   Eighty-nine acres north of Eubanks Road, west of I-40 and east of Millhouse Road, acquired and financed from 2001 through 2003 for a total capital cost of $1,436,000.  Council approved contract with team led by Corley Redfoot Zack for conceptual plan and cost estimates December 9, 2002.  Questionnaires completed by Town staff of four departments and returned to consultants for their assessment of needs.

 

Intensive design workshop completed in February and Council chose one of two different design schemes to be developed into a draft conceptual plan.  Acquisition of 14-acre parcel led to a new concept plan and design workshop in April.  Preliminary traffic impact study completed in April.  Public Review of the draft plan in June.  Council review of draft concept plan and initial cost projections June 23.

 

Additional work on refining cost projections and revising concept plan to reduce costs underway, and studying demand for a day care facility, with report back to Council at end of summer break.