ATTACHMENT 6
OPTION 4 - South side of East Franklin Street from McCorkle Place to
the Chapel of the Cross
This section of proposed
improvements extends from the eastern end of the 2003 Streetscape project on
the south side of the intersection with Henderson Street 890 feet to the east within
the portion of the Streetscape Master Plan described as the “University
District.” It includes improvements consistent with those requested in the
attached recent petition to the Council from members of the Chapel of the
Cross. With the exception of Chapel of
the Cross, adjacent uses are related to the University
of North Carolina campus including McCorkle
Place and Morehead Planetarium. There are 21
parking spaces and a bus stop at the curb on Franklin
Street. Four
driveways that serve the planetarium and the church cross the sidewalk in this
section. The existing brick sidewalk is only in fair condition due to broken or
missing bricks and several places that have been pushed up by the roots of
large mature street trees.
Because this portion of Franklin
Street was not proposed for lighting improvements
as shown on the Downtown Streetscape Lighting Plan, it will not be necessary to
install the underground utility ductbank beneath the sidewalk. In previous
Streetscape projects, a large portion of the resources (budget, equipment,
materials, man-hours) was typically required for the
ductbank. Without that portion of the infrastructure, a longer section of
sidewalk can be improved with a comparable budget. Proposed improvements
include replacing the existing concrete curb and gutter and the brick sidewalk,
using concrete walkways at driveway crossings. Short sections of new brick
sidewalk will be added to provide connections for pedestrians parked on Franklin
Street. Bollards connected by chain similar to
those specified in 2003 will be used between the new walkways to eliminate
pedestrian traffic over the root zones of the large street trees and to protect
the groundcover plantings.
A 3-foot brick strip behind the
curb will be installed in front of Chapel of the Cross consistent with the
University’s frontage. Typical Streetscape furnishings and three additional
street trees are proposed. As recommended in the Streetscape Master Plan, a
bench grouping is proposed at the cross walk near the mid-block between the
Planetarium and the church.
Public Works staff will work
cooperatively with UNC’s Grounds Superintendent and crews to use pressurized
air as the method for tilling mulched areas to replace groundcover and minimize
disturbance to tree roots. We will also work with the Public Arts Commission to
determine if one percent of the project budget can be used to incorporate art
or if the funds should be pooled with last year’s Streetscape allocation for a
future public art project.
The approximate cost of Option 4 is
$100,000.
Advantages of Option 4
- Improves sidewalk and curb and gutter sections in fair
to poor condition
- Can complete a longer section of sidewalk without
ductbank installation
- Relatively few adjacent property owners simplify
construction logistics
- Provides additional protection (bollards and chains)
for some of the Town’s largest mature street trees
Disadvantages of Option 4
- The location of the project at the periphery of the
Downtown Streetscape Master Plan Study Area may make the project appear to
be less of an improvement to the Downtown than other options presented
- Does not advance downtown lighting improvements
- As primarily a maintenance and repair project, may
have somewhat less visual effect when completed than other Streetscape
projects that typically include more substantial design improvements
