ATTACHMENT 2
APPENDIX
Planning Information on Bond Categories
March 30, 2004
Budget Work Session
Sidewalk and Street Improvements
Amount of Bond Authorization: $5,600,000
A. Sidewalk Construction
Total Proposed Allocation: $2,000,000
Needs
Town’s current Sidewalks Priority List contains approximately 84,000 linear feet of potential future sidewalks to be constructed.
Priorities
In reviewing the sidewalks priority list, we suggest the following principles for emphasis in spending Bond funds:
· linkage to the timing of programmed State improvements (such as S. Columbia Street in 2007 and Old Durham Chapel Hill Road in 2009);
· locations where desired improvements are unlikely to be provided through future developments (such as UNC campus developments);
· locations where facilities do not already exist on opposite sides of a street; and
· Facilities that would serve a wider population by making a strategic link or connection to a sidewalks system rather than sidewalks that would serve a limited area of low population density (internal neighborhood sidewalks).
These principles are in line with those currently being applied in the preparation of the Town’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Action Plan.
Costs
Using a high estimate of $100 per linear foot where implementation may involve matters including addressing engineering difficulties, environmental constraints, and the acquisition of rights of way, construction of the existing Sidewalks Priority List could cost up to $8.4 million. Using a low estimate of $40 per linear foot where such factors did not apply, construction of these improvements could cost $ 3.4 million. Costs likely will fall somewhere between these estimates. Whether in-house crews are used or whether the projects are contracted out is also a factor.
In our May 28, 2003 report to the Council on costs of a potential bond, we estimated approximately 40,000 linear feet of sidewalks have been built by contractors since 1994 in Chapel Hill, with an average cost of $50. The average linear foot cost of projects by Town crews came to about $28 per linear foot, excluding labor costs, but we would expect that the majority of bond-funded sidewalk projects would need to be constructed by outside contractors.
B. Pedestrian Amenities
Total Proposed Allocation: $350,000
Needs
Pedestrian amenities refers to needed upgrades at intersections or other crossings, including pedestrian crossing signals, signal system timing improvements, improved markings and signage. Improvements are designed to help pedestrian circulation, in conjunction with sidewalk construction.
Priorities
There are consistently high pedestrian volumes in the Downtown. Five Town-maintained crossing locations have been identified by the staff as justifying priority consideration for improvement: Cameron Ave. and Ransom St; East Rosemary St. and Henderson; East Rosemary St. and Hillsborough St; West Rosemary St. and Church St; and West Rosemary St. and Graham St.
Costs
The cost of upgrading pedestrian amenities at five intersections would depend on the types of improvements. A tentative list of projects given below would cost an estimated $310,000, plus a 10 percent contingency. These improvements are as follows:
· Installing pedestrian crossing signals would cost about $50,000 per intersection, or a cost total of $250,000 for five locations.
C. Neighborhood Traffic Calming and Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Improvements
Total Proposed Allocation: $650,000
Needs
This Bond project addresses the need for traffic calming devices such as speed humps, signing roundabouts; crosswalk lighting system, changing Town traffic signal lenses to LEDs, pedestrian and bicycle improvements in neighborhoods. In conjunction with sidewalk improvements and pedestrian amenities, this category is designed to help emphasize alternatives to the automobile and create a pedestrian and bicycle-friendly environment.
Priorities
Staff is currently studying the feasibility of measures to address 16 petitions for neighborhood traffic calming. In 2005, nine town signalized intersections will need to be changed to an LED operating system. Also, a list of neighborhood pedestrian and bicycle improvements will be identified in the Bicycle and Pedestrian Action Plan slated for completion this Fall.
Costs
In our May 28, 2003 memorandum to Council, we listed several types of potential neighborhood, pedestrian and bicycle safety improvements projects, with preliminary cost estimates totaling $650,000.
Project Number Cost Per Item Total
Traffic Calming Projects
· Speed Humps 100 $3,000 $300,000
· Semi-Diverters 10 $6,000 $60,000
· Raised Crosswalks 25 $3,000 $75,000
· Traffic Circles 5 $10,000 $50,000
· Traffic Calming Signage 100 $100 $10,000
Install In-Roadway 2 $25,000 $50,000
Crosswalk Lighting System
Changing Signal Lenses
at remaining locations 10 $1,500 $15,000
to L.E.D Lenses (Town streets)
Pedestrian Signage 200 $ 100 $20,000
(Watch / Yield and
pedestrian warning signs)
Bicycle Improvements 100 $ 100 $10,000
(Improve Signage)
Subtotal $590,000
10 % Contingency $60,000
Total $650,000
D. Downtown Streetscape Improvements
Proposed Total Allocation: $2,000,000
Needs
The Town is completing the Streetscape Master Plan for downtown Chapel Hill over a period of years.
Priorities
We suggest a priority for use of the 2003 Bonds could be to complete lighting improvements in sections along Franklin Street where the necessary infrastructure has been installed to support them and to continue with incremental sidewalk reconstruction projects, including lighting improvements as funding permits. We anticipate that the first $1,000,000 in potentially available bond funds could complete all sections along Franklin Street with the exception of the area by University Square, the 440 Building, and the area around Parking Lot 5.
Costs
If $500,000 were available, this level of funding could allow us to quickly make significant lighting and traffic signal improvements but would limit the amount of sidewalk reconstruction work that could be completed before more funding was available.
Approximately $400,000 could be encumbered immediately for new street and pedestrian level lights and mast arm signal poles in areas along Franklin Street where the necessary infrastructure has already been installed to support these improvements. The remaining $100,000 in funding could then be used to cover the material costs of a typical Public Work’s sidewalk reconstruction project in 2005 (existing funding is available for a project in 2004).
Any level of funding above the $500,000 discussed above could permit us to speed up the pace of improvements, include lighting improvements concurrent with future sidewalk reconstruction projects, and/or continue streetscape improvements in other sections beyond the summer project suggested above for 2005. In addition to the previously described improvements, a funding level of $1,000,000 could allow us to install lighting improvements in the section of sidewalk reconstructed in 2005, and continue with incremental improvement projects including lighting improvements through 2007. This level of funding could also provide some flexibility in how we complete the actual sidewalk reconstruction, possibly permitting us to contract out more of the work and thereby completing larger sections at a time.
Alternatively, some of the additional funding available could be used to more aggressively pursue right-of-way acquisition on West Rosemary Street where insufficient public right-of-way currently exists to construct Streetscape improvements. We note that right-of-way acquisition can require extended negotiations and may ultimately involve condemnation of land if a consistent Streetscape is determined to be desirable in all areas.
Library Expansion
Amount of Bond Authorization: $16,260,000
Needs
The Recommended Library Building Program is the third component of the Library Master Plan adopted by the Council in 2003.
The consultant’s report included recommendations for:
· A 48,000 square foot expansion of the existing facility, from 27,000 square feet to 75,500 square feet.
· Increased user seating, from 120 to 279 users.
· A higher per capita number of book and other materials, from 2.8 per capita (145,200 items) to four items per capita (320,000 items).
Priorities
A key need is for additional library space. In addition, the Library serves an important function as a community meeting space. The extent to which the Council wishes to expand meeting space is a key question. The amount of parking required to serve both library patrons and citizens attending meetings is also an issue that would affect costs.
Costs
Because the Town owns the Pritchard Park site, start-up costs would primarily be for initial design fees and preparation of a revised special use permit application. We estimate that an authorization of $500,000 in 2004 followed by $400,000 in 2006 would be sufficient to cover design and other work needed in advance of actual construction.
The Library Master Plan recommends a 75,530 square foot building. The $16.26 bond referendum was projected to build a smaller 70,000 square foot building, based on design efficiencies. We estimate that one-time expansion to a 70,000 square foot library at $170/square foot will cost about $15.2 million, including deck parking. Assuming that design would begin in 2004 and that construction would be completed in 2009, bond debt could be distributed as follows: 2004: $500,000; 2006: $400,000; 2008: $7,480,000; 2009: $7,880,000.
Alternatively the Library expansion could be built in phases. Phasing construction is likely to cost more.
Parks and Recreation Facilities (Greenway Projects)
Amount of Bond Authorization: $5,000,000
Needs
The Town is implementing the adopted Greenways Comprehensive Master Plan, adopted by the Town Council in May 1998.
Priorities and Costs
Recommended 2004 Parks Bond Sale
The recommended schedule calls for an initial sale of $300,000 in Parks bonds designated for greenways in 2004. These funds could be used for the following projects:
· Bolin Creek Trail Design ($100,000): These funds would allow us to start the concept plan for the segment of the Bolin Creek Trail from Airport Road to Estes Drive Extension. These funds would allow the planning process to begin, provide design support for a possible citizen advisory committee, and allow us to perform feasibility studies on various options. Funding for the trail construction is recommended for the second bond sale in 2006.
· Dry Creek Bridge ($125,000): In 2003 the Council accepted a $30,000 grant to build a pedestrian and bicycle bridge over Dry Creek in the vicinity of the Springcrest neighborhood. At that time we noted that additional funds would likely be required to complete the project. Although we do not know the eventual cost of the bridge we believe that the $125,000 recommended in the first bond sale should be sufficient to complete the project.
· Morgan Creek Trail ($75,000): We have started the process for development of a conceptual plan for the portion of the Morgan Creek Trail from Merritt’s Pasture to Smith Level Road. This amount would allow us to complete a flood model for the segment, complete the concept plan, and begin detailed design work. This funding level includes a $20,000 local match for $80,000 in Surface Transportation Program – Direct Allocation funds. We recommend that construction funds be made available in 2006.
Recommended 2006 Parks Bond Sale
This schedule would result in the sale of $4,400,000 in Parks bonds for the following greenways projects:
· Dry Creek Trail Design ($16,000): We would begin design of the Dry Creek Trail from Perry Creek Road to Eastowne. This amount would be used as a local match for $64,000 in MPO – STP-DA funds. Construction funding would be needed in 2008.
· Morgan Creek Trail Construction ($2,160,000): This amount would allow us to build the first phase of the Morgan Creek Trail from Culbreth Road to Merritt Pasture and the Town line near Smith Level Road.
· Upper Booker Creek Trail Design ($16,000): We would begin design of the greenway trails that would serve the neighborhoods around Homestead Park. This would serve as a match for $64,000 in MPO – STP-DA funds. Construction funding would be needed in 2008.
· Bolin Creek Trail Construction ($2,208,000): This amount would allow us to build the first phase of the Bolin Creek Trail from Airport Road to Estes Drive Extension.
Recommended 2008 Parks Bond Sale
This schedule would result in the sale of $2,508,000 in Parks bonds for the following greenways projects:
· Dry Creek Trail Construction ($148,000): We would build a portion of the Dry Creek Trail from Perry Creek Road to Eastowne. This amount would be used as a local match for $560,000 in MPO – STP-DA funds and to pay for the percent for art program.
· Upper Booker Creek Trail Construction ($152,000): We would begin design of the greenway trails that would serve the neighborhoods around Homestead Park. This would serve as a match for $576,000 in MPO – STP-DA funds and to pay for the percent for art program.
Open Space and Areas
Amount of Bond Authorization: $2,000,000
Needs
The Parks and Recreation Master Plan recommends that the Town acquire open space areas near existing and proposed greenways in the Greenways Master Plan.
The Town’s adopted Parks and Recreation Master Plan defines public open space as “any land acquired for the purpose of keeping it in a permanent undeveloped state.” Open space acquisition helps protect drainage areas for watersheds, wildlife habitat, wetlands and natural areas, entranceways, scenic vistas and floodplain areas.
Priorities
Open space bonds would be used first to reimburse the General Fund for the approximately $700,000 already spent for land purchases in late 2003. The remaining available funds would be used as properties for open space become available.
Costs
Recommended 2004 Open Space Bond Sale
The recommended schedule calls for an initial sale of $1,200,000 in Open Space bonds. These funds would be used to pay for the approximately $700,000 already spent for land purchases in late 2003. This would leave about $500,000 for additional purchase of open space.
Recommended 2006 Open Space Bond Sale
The remaining $800,000 in Open Space would be sold in 2006.
Public Buildings (Energy Efficiency Projects)
Amount of Bond Authorization: $500,000
Needs
The purpose of these bond funds it to acquire, construct, equip and install energy efficient facilities in certain existing public buildings, including, without limitation, the acquisition of lighting, heating, ventilating, air conditioning and related fixtures, machinery and equipment. It is envisioned that the documented savings attributable to projects completed with these funds will be used to reimburse the fund for the cost of the project. The details with respect to how we will measure and document savings and how we will administer the repayment schedule have yet to be determined.
Priorities and Costs
Some examples of work that could be done with these bonds funds are:
|
Building |
Project Description |
Cost Estimate |
|
All Town Facilities |
Replace exit signs with LED signs |
$30,000 |
|
All Town Facilities |
Install motion detector switches in conference rooms |
$8,000 |
|
All Town Facilities |
Install motion detector switches in all bathrooms |
$20,000 |
|
Town Hall |
Install computer controlled energy management system during HVAC capital renewal project. |
$350,000 |
|
Library |
Install computer controlled energy management system during HVAC capital renewal project or with the Library expansion. |
$300,000 |
|
Library |
Lighting retrofit to T-8 32-watt lamps |
$40,000 |
|
Fire Station # 1 |
Install double pane low-e windows |
$16,000 |
|
Fire Station # 1 |
Upgrade attic insulation to R-38 |
$5,000 |
|
Parks & Recreation Administration |
Replace HVAC with new 16-SEER energy efficient system. |
$30,000 |
|
Police Station |
Install computer controlled energy management system. |
$350,000 |
Other potential projects include energy-efficient hot water heaters, solar hot water systems, a solar pool heating system and a solar photovoltaic system.