AGENDA #5b

 

TOWN OF CHAPEL HILL

Status of Capital Projects

Third Quarter 2002/2003

March 31, 2003

 

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

 

Completed During Last Quarter

 

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.

 

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 $6000 in Community Development Block Grant funds for the materials.

 

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 were unsuccessful.  However, acquisition of a third parcel north of I-40 is underway, using Clean Water Management Funds and bond funds, with closing anticipated in April.

 

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 day lighting, adding ADA accessible entrances and restroom facilities and replacement of all surfaces and mechanical equipment; and replacement of mechanical equipment and re-pouring 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, has been proceeding steadily and with high standards of quality.  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 have extended completion date to March 31.  Punch list walk through on March 31 identified several relatively minor issues which will delay occupancy.  However, stocking with furniture and equipment is expected to be allowed in early April and occupancy later in the month.  The grand opening is planned by the Parks and Recreation Department for May 10.

 

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.  Engineering work scheduled for completion in April, with informal bids in May and start of work in June.

 

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.   The memorandum is now being reviewed by the Siena Hotel. Once the agreement is executed detailed planning and permitting can begin.

 

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.

 

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. First phase completed and occupied in January.  Occupancy of the second phase of 4 units scheduled in mid-April.  The  project is on schedule to complete final phase of 5 units by the contract completion date in late June 2003. 

 

Sidewalks

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, weather permitting, will finish at the end of the month.

 

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, 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 in late spring or summer.

 

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

 

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 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 will be ready by mid-May.  Organization of project phases will depend on the architect’s cost estimates and the amounts of federal funds available, which may be known in May .

 

Aquatics Center

Project:  Construction of an aquatic facility and possibly a community center, on a site in Homestead Park.  Council-approved conceptual plan includes competitive pool, warm water pool, locker rooms, office, class room 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, Council adopted the conceptual Plan and requested that Board of County Commissioners release remaining $855,000 in 1997 bonds.  Commissioners’ draft bond sale schedule includes the sale of $3.5million in 2003/04 for this project.  Committee of elected officials from both jurisdictions developed a process for joint development of the Southern Community Park and governing bodies agreed on it March 3 and 5, 2003.   Once this Southern Community Park is under way with this process, it may be able to be adapted for use with the aquatic center.

 

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.  Council approved relocation of the pedestrian bridge in June 2002 and plans have been revised.  One out of the three necessary easements has been acquired, and we expect the remaining two easements to be granted soon.  Rose Engineering prepared a “no-rise” study that is required by FEMA for the revised bridge location, but recently noted an error. The firm is currently in the process of revising the study using a different model.

 

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.  One neighbor has no concerns about the project, one needs a few details to be resolved, and the third has raised questions that are being studied now.

 

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 is expected April 2.  One option will be selected for full development and bids specifications prepared in time to advertise for bids next quarter.  We believe the cost will be about $150,000 based on recent preliminary engineering discussions.

 

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 Council September 9.  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.  Anticipate advertising for bids and letting the contract during the fourth quarter.

 

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 bids being received.  Construction expected to be completed during next quarter.

 

Public Works/Transit 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, and Housing Maintenance.

 

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:  Fifty-four acres north of Eubanks Road, west of I-40 and east of Millhouse Road, acquired and financed for a total capital cost of $876,000 in 2001.  Additional 7 acres north of this parcel acquired by gift in 2001, and 14 acres on the southern boundary purchased in December 2003 at a cost of $239,000.  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.  Public review of the draft plan scheduled to begin in April.  Preliminary traffic impact study underway with completion scheduled in April.

 

Sidewalks

Fordham Boulevard:  Contract project on west side of roadway, from Days Inn to Willow Drive.  Design completed by Engineering Department after lengthy informal negotiations with NCDOT, but DOT personnel changes have caused plans to be revised.  NCDOT has approved revised plans and a necessary easement has been negotiated.  Latest plans 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 in early May, after completion of Seawell School Road.  Remaining funds will probably be enough to complete section between Clover and Ephesus Church Roads.

 

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, weather permitting, will finish at the end of the month.

 

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 delayed by need to acquire several easements and to consider redesign of one block.

 

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 acquired in 1988 for $1,050,000 and 28 acres acquired in 1990 for $658,000.  Conceptual plan approved by Town Council and forwarded to 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 Project Planning Committee, created by the new process, was March 25.  Committee meets on April 15 with the landscape architect who prepared site analysis and conceptual plan, to decide on whether to continue with him. Latest schedule for sale of 2001 County bonds includes $1 million in 2004/05 and $1 million in 2005/06 for this park.