ATTACHMENT 3
RECOMMENDED Project 2- Sidewalk Reconstruction on the South side of West Franklin Street adjacent to University Square
This section of proposed improvements extends approximately 700 feet on the south side of the 100 and 200 blocks of West Franklin Street from the eastern end of University Square adjacent to University Baptist Church to the western-most driveway for University Square 120 feet east of the intersection of Mallette Street.
Existing conditions - There are currently four driveways that access the University Square property from Franklin Street, including one located at the intersection of Church Street which is in the process of being improved by NCDOT with mast arm traffic signal poles. There is a bus stop located at the curb on the east side of this intersection. The existing sidewalk is fair to poor condition with several locations where the concrete has been pushed up by the roots of adjacent trees. Unlike at most other downtown locations, the sidewalk here does not currently abut the adjacent property line because of the narrow planting strip, with some low shrubs and mostly declining small trees that exists between the sidewalk and the adjacent brick retaining wall. A second narrow planting strip with a few street trees exists between the sidewalk and the curb. Neither of the planting strips is large enough to support vigorous tree performance, and the cramped root zones of the existing trees have resulted in the previously mentioned sidewalk damage. The few pedestrian amenities in this 700-foot section include two brick trash receptacles and a small bench in poor condition at the bus stop.
Proposed curb realignment - The Streetscape Master Plan adopted in 1993 specifically recommended that the curb be extended into Franklin Street through this section of downtown to allow extra space between the curb and the sidewalk to establish large shade trees as street trees and provide sufficient space for other pedestrian amenities.
Ten years after the Streetscape Master Plan was adopted, the Town Council established the Bicycle Facilities Policy in November 2003. This policy endorsed the inclusion of wide outside lanes on arterial and collector streets to accommodate bicyclists, but specifically noted that “…bicycle facilities will be assessed on an individual and site-specific basis depending on the circumstances that exist”. We believe that in this location, where connecting bicycle improvements are severely limited by on-street parking, loading zones and existing curb lines, the best allocation of available right-of-way is to implement the Streetscape Master Plan’s recommendations calling for appropriate pedestrian amenities and sufficient space for large shade trees.
Accordingly, we propose to relocate the curb out approximately two feet and replace it with new concrete curb and gutter. Alternatively, the Council could choose to narrow the proposed sidewalk from Franklin Street’s standard 10 foot width to 8 feet allowing the curb and gutter to be reconstructed in its current location.
The proposed curb alignment will also compliment possible future improvements on the north side of the 100 block of West Franklin Street, adjacent to Parking Lot 5, where the distance between the curb and the edge of the right-of-way is sufficient for a 10-foot side walk and raised brick planters for large street trees between the sidewalk and the curb. As with previous Streetscape projects where curb extensions were proposed (1999 and 2003), the construction plans will be subject to review by NCDOT and subsequent approval of an encroachment agreement.
Proposed Streetscape improvements – This project includes a new 10-foot wide concrete sidewalk adjacent to the existing brick wall that separates surface parking at University Square from the right-of-way. The sidewalk is being moved to the edge of the right-of-way to be consistent with previous sidewalk replacements downtown and to allow more room for street trees and pedestrian amenities between the sidewalk and the curb.
As proposed, Streetscape construction in this section will necessitate the removal of 10 declining Bradford pear trees and 3 Yoshino cherries growing between the wall at the edge of the right-of-way and the sidewalk. As is typical of the Bradford pears of their age, the crowns of these trees have suffered significant damage from ice and wind and, even without the proposed construction, their removal will likely be merited soon. Four other trees, growing between the curb and the sidewalk, are in declining health and are also proposed for removal while four relatively large existing street trees are proposed to be retained.
New raised brick planters are proposed in the amenity strip to accommodate eleven new street trees. In addition, bench groupings, trash receptacles and bicycle racks will be included to make this section of downtown more user-friendly for bus riders and pedestrians.
The length of this section of improvements will likely necessitate the use of some contract labor as in the most recent Streetscape construction project. The cost of contracting portions of the project is included in the total estimate. The approximate cost of this project is $240,000.
Future lighting improvements– Following completion of Streetscape construction, including the underground ductbank, an additional $80,000 could be used for installation of 4 custom pedestrian lights and 4 street light-pedestrian light combinations in this section. These improvements are not proposed at this time due to the limited availability of funds.
Advantages of Project 2
Disadvantages of Project 2