West 32nd St. Detention Basin Public AccessTHE CTTY OF Dubuque
-~.
~~'~ E Alaamertcac~y
1
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
2007
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Cfluncil Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: West 32nd Street Detention Basin Public Access
DATE: April 14, 2009
As construction moved toward completion and the West 32"d Street Detention Basin
starting taking shape, the Engineering Department heard many positive comments on
the appearance of the expanded detention basin. From those aware that a fence was
planned, there were comments on how the installation of a fence would detract from
what could be considered a "public treasure." Citizens have also inquired about access
to the park-like setting created as a result of the project.
Based on the input from citizens and City staff, MSA Professional Services (the design
consultant) was asked to provide varying levels of public access to the City's new green
space.
Along with public access, City staff identified the possibility of erecting signs at both
ends of the project, the east and west end of the project, and the use of interpretive
signs to call attention to the fact that the area is a detention basin that protects North
End flooding and that it provides natural habitat. The detention basin was designed with
native prairie grasses; to many, the appearance of the natural habitat may look
"unmanaged" if they compare it to other City detention basins. The signs would provide
insight as to why the detention basin appears as it does.
City Engineer Gus Psihoyos recommends City Council approval of Alternative 3 to:
1. Remove from the project the installation of fence along West 32"d Street, except
for a section with a gate at the maintenance road;
2. Add to the project the installation of sidewalk along West 32"d Street;
3. Add to the project the installation of parallel parking stalls on West 32"d Street;
and
4. Add to the project the installation of signs at both ends of the project, two
interpretive signs, and a sidewalk associated with an outlook.
If all recommendations are followed, the project cost will increase by an estimated
$17,500. This is calculated by the Alternative 3 cost ($68,000) minus the cost-savings
of fencing removal ($50,500).
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
Michael C. Van Millige
MCVM/jh
Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahl, City Attorney
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
Gus Psihoyos, City Engineer
THE CITY OF Dubuque
DuB E ~~
Masterpiece on the Mississippi MEMORANDUM ~~ ... .
2007
TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Gus Psihoyos, City Engineer _ '
DATE: April 14, 2009
SUBJECT: W. 32"d Street Detention Basin Public Access
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this memo is to seek authorization to provide limited citizen access to the
W. 32"d Street Detention Basin and adding signs to provide information about the purpose
of the detention basin and how it is designed to function.
BACKGROUND
In February of 2005, the City Council approved the selection of MSA Professional
Services, Inc. to provide engineering and design services for the West 32nd Street
Detention Basin project.
In October of 2005, the City Council endorsed the use of two wet ponds within the
proposed West 32nd Street Detention Basin project. Due to the aesthetic, wildlife, and
environmental functions, wet ponds are one of the most prevalent best management
practices used throughout the Midwest.
On May 19, 2008 the City Council awarded the construction contract for the W. 32"d Street
Detention Basin contract to Tschiggfrie Excavating in the amount of $1,593,371.25. The
construction contract included the installation of a chain link fence along W. 32"d Street.
In their November 24, 2008 letter to the City Council, Jim and Anita Sullivan of 990 W. 32"d
Street, Dubuque, Iowa, requested that the City revisit the issue of fencing the detention
basin.
DISCUSSION
As construction moved toward completion and the detention basin started taking shape,
the Engineering Department heard many positive comments on the appearance of the
expanded detention basin. And from those aware that a fence is planned, there were
comments on how the installation of a fence would detract from what could be considered
a "public treasure." Citizens have also inquired about access to the park-like setting
created as a result of the project.
Based on the input from citizens and City staff, MSA Professional Services (the design
consultant) was asked to provide varying levels of public access to the City's new green
space.
Along with public access, City staff identified the possibility of erecting signs at both ends
of the project, the east and west end of the project, and the use of interpretive signs to call
attention to the fact that the area is a detention basin that protects North End flooding and
that it provides natural habitat. (See Attachment 1.) The detention basin was designed with
native prairie grasses; to many, the appearance of the natural habitat may look
"unmanaged" if they compare it to other city detention basins. The signs would provide
insight as to why the detention basin appears as it does.
Alternative 1 (See Attachment 2)
The first alternative could be considered the base alternative. It includes the construction
of the two signs, one at each end of the project, and sidewalk adjacent to the detention
basin. As Figure 1 below shows, a sidewalk will provide a safe location for pedestrian
traffic and allow citizens access to the edge of the detention basin.
The estimated cost of Alternative 1 is $43,500.
Alternative 2 (See Attachment 3)
In addition to the two signs and sidewalk along W. 32"d Street, the second alternative
includes creating parking spaces within the detention basin at the end of the maintenance
road, and a sidewalk on the peninsula that extends out into the west pond. This option also
includes two interpretive signs along the sidewalk that would provide information about
why it was constructed and its function. Attachment 4 is a conceptual example of the
interpretive signage.
Figure 1. Photo of pedestrian on W. 32nd Street near detention basin.
The estimated cost of Alternative 2 is $68,500.
Engineering does not recommend allowing private vehicles driving into the detention basin.
Engineering recommends that vehicle access to the detention basin should be limited to
City-authorized vehicles.
Alternative 3 (See Attachment 5)
Alternative 3 is similar to Alternative 2 in that it provides parking, additional sidewalk, and
interpretive signs. The difference is that as Attachment 5 shows, the parking, sidewalk, and
interpretive signs are proposed along W. 32"d Street--not within the detention basin.
Alternative 3 would prevent private vehicle access to the detention basin.
The estimated cost of Alternative 3 is $68,000.
Engineering recommends Alternative 3 as it includes sidewalk to provide a safe location
for pedestrian traffic and to provide citizens access to the edge of the detention basin. It
includes parking to encourage public access. And it includes signs to outline the purpose
of the detention basin and how it is meant to function.
Engineering recommends the elimination of the fence along W. 32"d Street except for a
segment with a gate at the maintenance road shown in the attachments. This would keep
unauthorized vehicles out of the detention basin consistent with the fencing at the Carter
Road Detention Basin.
RECOMMENDATION
I recommend removing the installation of fence along W. 32"d Street except the short
section with a gate at the maintenance road from the construction contract. And I also
recommend including the elements associated with Alternative 3 outlined above. The
elements include the:
1. Installation of sidewalk along W. 32"d Street;
2. Installation of parallel parking stalls on W. 32"d Street; and
3. Installation of signs at both ends of the project, the two interpretive signs, and the
sidewalk associated with an outlook.
BUDGET IMPACT
Removing the installation of fence along W. 32"d Street except the portion with a gate at
the maintenance road will reduce the project cost by $50,500.
Adding signs at both end of the project will add an estimated $4,000 to the project cost.
Adding approximately 2,200 feet of sidewalk along W. 32nd Street will add $39,500 to the
project cost.
Adding the parking stalls along W. 32nd Street will add an estimated $12,000 to the project
cost.
Adding the two interpretive signs, additional sidewalk and basin outlook (see Attachment
5) will add approximately $12,500 to the project cost.
If all recommendations are followed, the project cost will increase by an estimated
$17,500. This is calculated by the Alternative 3 cost ($68,000) minus the cost-savings of
fencing removal ($50,500).
ACTION TO BE TAKEN
respectfully request City Council approval to:
1. Remove from the project the installation of fence along W. 32nd Street except a section
with a gate at the maintenance road;
2. Add to the project the installation of sidewalk along W. 32"d Street;
3. Add to the project the installation of parallel parking stalls on W. 32nd Street; and
4. Add to the project the installation of signs at both ends of the project, two interpretive
signs, and the sidewalk associated with Alterative 3 as outlined herein and shown in
attachment 5.
Attach.
Prepared by Deron Muehring
cc: Barry Lindahl, City Attorney
Don Vogt, Public Works Director
John Klostermann, Street & Sewer Maintenance Manager
Gil Spence, Leisure Services Manager
Deron Muehring, Civil Engineer II
K:\PROJECTS\Storm and Sanitary\W32nd St Detention Basin\W32nd Street Detention Public Access & Signage
Memo.doc
r-- r,
~ ~ f
~ ~~
`. ; ~ _ ~.,
°; ~ ' k ,
~~.,~,3~ '~ s
`r~ ~ ~ ~,
~ _-~, t , ~