Bell St & Fifth St ConstructioMEMORANDUM
June 26, 2002
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Bell Street Design Alternatives
On June 17, 2002, the City Council approved preliminary plans for the construction of
Bell Street and 5th Street. directed the City Clerk to advertise for bids and set a public
hearing for July 15, 2002. In addition, City staff was directed to investigate design
alternatives for the extension of Bell Street to avoid conflicts with the Alliant Energy
lattice structure. This project is to be funded 80% with Surface Transportation (STP)
Funds from the Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT).
In reviewing the schedule for the construction of Bell Street and 5th Street, plans will not
be available on the July 12 bid order date and Assistant City Engineer Gus Psihoyos is
requesting that Resolution 322-02 be rescinded. However, engineering is requesting
that the public hearing remain scheduled for July 15 in order to meet the bid letting
schedule established by IDOT. In addition, the construction of 5th Street will impact the
new hotel. In an effort to meet the hotel's schedule, it is recommended that a part of the
construction of 5th Street be removed from the Bell Street project and included in the
construction of the hotel parking lot.
Lastly, City staff has provided two alternatives for the extension of Bell Street that would
avoid conflicts with the Alliant Energy lattice structure. Alternate #1 is being
recommended by HOK Venue, URS/BRW and the design review committee because of
the minimal impact in design to Bell Street and planned parking for the Education and
Conference Center and the Brewery development site.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
Michael C. Van Milligen
MCVM/cs
Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahl, Corporation Counsel
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
Gus Psihoyos, Assistant City Engineer
MEMORANDUM
June 26, 2002
TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Gus Psihoyos, Assistant City Engineer
SUBJECT: Bell Street Design Alternatives
BACKGROUND
On June 17, 2002, the City Council approved preliminary plans for the constructicn of
Bell Street and 5th Street, established July 15, 2002 as the date for the Public Hearing
on the adoption of the plans and specifications and the award of the contract, and
directed the City Clerk to advertise for bids. In addition, City staff were directed to
investigate possible design alternatives for the extension of Bell Street that would avoid
conflicts with the Alliant Energy power line lattice structure.
DISCUSSION
The Design Committee has considered two alternatives that would not require the
relocation of the lattice structure. Both alternatives would require the elimination of the
proposed monument at the end of Bell Street, and call for the redesign of the circular
cul-de-sac into a T-intersection. Both alternates would also allow for access to the
Conference Center parking lot from Bell Street in the same general location. Pine
Street would be redesigned around the lattice structure. The elimination of the
monument is being proposed because of height restrictions and possible visual conflict
with the tower. The new intersection is being proposed because it minimizes the right-
of-way requirements for Bell Street and retains existing parking counts for the Brewery
and Conference Center. Alternate 1 would allow the Bell Street alignment to remain as
it was previously designed. It would also allow for future extension of Bell Street.
Alternate 2 would angle Bell Street west of the lattice structure, and reduces the amount
of parking on the Brewery lot.
The Design Review Committee has recommended Alternate 1. The project, which will
be partially funded (80%) with Surface Transportation Funds (STP), was scheduled for
an Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT) bid letting on August 20. 2002. However,
the archeological studies that IDOT performed did not include the entire project area.
Therefore, IDOT has indicated that the project may not be ready for the August 20,
2002 bid letting. To meet the hotel time schedule, the construction of 5th Street will be
removed from the Bell Street plan and added to the hotel parking lot plans.
RECOMMENDATION
I recommend that the City Council select Alternate 1 as the design for Bell Street and
that the City Council also adopt the attached Resolution rescinding Resolution 322-02,
ordering the publication of the Notice To Bidders, which was scheduled for July 12,
2002. This will allow the July 15, 2002 Public Hearing to take place as planned since it
is likely that the plans can be modified by this date.
ACTION TO BE TAKEN
I respectfully request that the City Council select Design Alternate I for the design of
Bell Street for approval at the Public Hearing set for July 15, 2002. I further recommend
that the City Council adopt the attached Resolution rescinding Resolution 322-02.
cc: Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
Pauline Joyce, Admin. Services Mgr.
Michael A. Koch, Public Works Director
Mike Felderman, Engineering
Jim Kolf, Durrant Group
RESOLUTION NO,
RESOLUTION RESCINDING RESOLUTION 322-02 ORDERING BIDS
FOR THE BELL STREET AND FIFTH STREET CONSTRUCTION PROJECT
Whereas. on June 17, 2002, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 322-
02 directing the City Clerk to advertise for bids for the Bell Street and Fifth Street
Construction Project; and
Whereas, the City Council has now deemed it advisable to bid the project
at a later date.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA:
That Resolution 322-02, Ordering Bids for the Bell Street and Fifth Street
Construction Project is hereby rescinded.
Terrance M. Duggan, Mayor
Attest:
Jeanne F. Schneider. CMC, City Clerk