AGENDA #10b
BUDGET WORKING PAPER
TO: W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager
FROM: Roger Waldon, Planning Director
SUBJECT: Funding to Improve the Sidewalk Networks to Elementary, Middle and High Schools
DATE: April 27, 2005
This working paper reviews a request from the Community Design Commission that the 2005-06 budget include funds to improve the sidewalks networks to Elementary, middle and high schools.
BACKGROUND
On October 27, 2004 the Town Council adopted a Bicycle and Pedestrian Action Plan. This is a long-range plan to guide future decisions about the provision of facilities for bicyclists and pedestrians. It includes recommended future actions to encourage increased bicycle and pedestrian activity and to empower citizens to improve conditions and facilities.
In October 2004 the Town sold $4 million in bonds as the first of four projected bond sales between 2004 and 2009. The first issue includes $600,000 for sidewalk construction.
On January 24, 2005 the Town Council adopted a Sidewalks and Bicycle Facilities Construction Plan for 2004-05. The plan approved a list of thirty one sidewalk projects for construction using the $600,000 allocated for sidewalk construction in the 2004 Bond Sale. Twenty three of the projects are located on Town maintained streets and eight are located on State-maintained streets.
The Town Council also resolved to apply for Direct Allocation funds and use these where possible and also to use Community Development program funds where possible.
DISCUSSION
Twelve of the thirty one sidewalk projects on the annual construction plan are located within 1 mile of Elementary, middle and high schools. The projects are all drawn from a sidewalks priority list identified on the Bicycle and Pedestrian Action Plan. The projects have been ranked with the Town’s adopted sidewalk ranking system, a tool which includes the proximity of a project to schools as a scored factor. Other scored factors are street classification the presence of existing worn paths, proximity to transit stops and pedestrian generators such as shopping and parks. The twelve projects are described in Attachment 1 and identified on the map in Attachment 2.
Project 1 is complete and project 2 is currently under construction. The two projects have used approximately $50,000 in residual Capital Improvement Program funds for construction. The remaining 10 projects are estimated to cost over $450,000 and will be funded from Bond funds.
When the 2004-05 Construction Plan was approved on January 24, 2005 we reported that we believe that it is not likely that all of the sidewalk projects can be constructed in 2004-05. The Council approved a list of thirty one potential projects in order to give Town staff the needed flexibility to maximize efficiency and resources. In the fall of 2005 we will make a status report on the project list and the Town Council will be able to reassess construction priorities for 2005-06.
CONCLUSION
The Bike and Pedestrian Action Plan takes a comprehensive view of the community’s need for pedestrian facilities and the Construction Plan is an implementation tool of the Action Plan. We believe that the twelve projects already included in the 2004-05 Construction Plan will address a significant number of longstanding requests for sidewalks in locations close to schools. Projects are being funded from Capital Improvement funds and 2004 Bond funds. The Town will also pursue Direct Allocation funds where possible.
ATTACHMENT
Excerpt from the Town of Chapel Hill 2004-2005 Sidewalk Construction Masterlist approved 01/24/05 showing sidewalk projects which are within 1 mile of Elementary, Middle and High schools, and current status.
Numbers are shown on that list.
1. Town Streets:
1 Legion Road (north side) approximately opposite Turnberry Lane
Comment: On October 11, 2004, the Town Council approved use of residual Capital Improvements Program funds from 2003-04, to construct missing sections of sidewalk on Legion Road as funding permits.
Status: Completed March 2005
2 Legion Road (south side) beginning opposite intersection with Europa Drive (in front of Legion Post)
Comment: On October 11, 2004, the Town Council approved use of residual Capital Improvements Program funds from 2003-04, to construct missing sections of sidewalk on Legion Road as funding permits.
Status: Under construction.
5. Legion Road intersection with Ephesus Church Road
Comment: On October 11, 2004, the Town Council approved use of residual Capital Improvements Program funds from 2003-04, to construct missing sections of sidewalk on Legion
Road as funding permits. The scope of work in this short section includes drainage improvements and a commercial driveway apron.
Status: Under construction.
6. Curtis Road west side from Clayton Road to Elliott Road
Comment: This project would impact one property by cutting into an existing sloping front yard. Regrading the slope could impact existing trees and landscaping.
Status: In design.
13. Prestwick Road, north side at rear of shopping center
Comment: Would provide a link to Glenwood Ele mentary School through the shopping center. An easement is required.
Status: No action to date.
19. Hamilton Road, east side from Cleland Drive to Flemington Road
Comment: Would provide a connection to an existing off-road path which runs parallel to Fordham Boulevard and connects Cleland Drive with Estes Drive.
Status: No action to date.
20. Flemington Road, Hamilton Road to Hayes Road
Status: No action to date.
22. Piney Mountain Road, north side, Forest Creek Drive to Priestly Circle Drive
Comment: There is an existing sidewalk on south side of street. A sidewalk here may impact existing trees.
Status: No action to date.
2. State Streets
2. Fordham Boulevard, west side from Ephesus Church Road to Elliot Road
Comment: This sidewalk would link neighborhoods to the Eastgate Shopping Center, Village Plaza and the Booker Creek Greenway.
Status: No action to date.
5. Culbreth Road, south side, 15-501 to Culbreth Park Drive
Comment: This sidewalk would link the proposed Morgan Creek Greenway and the existing sidewalks on Culbreth Road to South Columbia Street. South Columbia Street is scheduled for State funded improvements including sidewalks in 2008.
Status: No action to date.
7. NC 54, south side west of intersection with Finley Golf Course Road
Comment: This sidewalk would complete a short missing link in otherwise continuous facility to connect the existing sidewalk along NC Highway 54 to the shopping center and the existing off-road path to Meadowmont and the Friday Center.
Status: No action to date.
8. Culbreth Road, south side, between Cobble Ridge Drive and Rossburn Way
Comment: This project would connect existing sidewalks in Chapel Hill and Carrboro along the south side of Culbreth Road leading to the middle school. It would connect those sidewalks to the sidewalk to be constructed on Smith Level Road leading to the new high school.
Status: In design, preliminary analysis indicates the initial cost estimate is too low, waiting on information concerning the requirements of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
Prepared by Chapel Hill Planning Department 4/27/05