JFK Sidewalks Asbury Rd_NW ArterialTHE CTFY OF ~~
DUB E
Masterpiece on tiie Misszssippi
MEMORANDUM
July 31, 2007
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: John F. Kennedy Road from Asbury Road to the Northwest Arterial -
Sidewalks
Since October 2006, several requests have been made for sidewalk on John F.
Kennedy Road from Asbury Road to the Northwest Arterial. On May 7, 2007, the
Engineering Department requested direction from the City Council on how to proceed
with the installation of sidewalks along John F. Kennedy Road between Asbury Road
and the Northwest Arterial. The property owners along Gordon Drive, whose back
yards abut John F. Kennedy Road, have filed a petition in objection to the placement of
sidewalks in this area. The primary issues cited are:
1. Steep back yard slope; and
2. Accessibility from John F. Kennedy Road to utilize equipment for snow removal.
On the other hand, area residents and Eisenhower Elementary School staff have filed a
petition with over 75 signatures in support of sidewalk installation along this corridor.
On August 3, 1998 the City Council adopted Resolution 326-98 which provided for the
sidewalk assessments along Pennsylvania Avenue from Vizaleea to Embassy West
Drive. This resolution included amendments which excluded sidewalks along the
Westmark property on the south side of Pennsylvania Avenue and other walks that
were going to be constructed by developer, Carl Burbach, and waived assessments for
sidewalk in the rear yards of three homeowners on Glenwood Court.
A similar rear yard situation occurred on the Asbury Road sidewalk (north side) project
in 2005. In this case, the City did not waive the assessment for the sidewalks on the
rear yards of eight residences on Kimberly Street which abut Asbury Road.
The City of Dubuque Engineering Department reviewed the JFK Road corridor to
determine the feasibility of adding sidewalks. The attached maps show the actual
sidewalk locations and the proposed areas of sidewalk installation.
Due to the presence of guardrail on a portion of the east side of JFK Road between
Asbury Road and Kaufmann Avenue and the backyard slopes of 11 properties on
Gordon Drive installing sidewalk in this area is more challenging. City staff
recommends that if sidewalk installation is required that sidewalks be placed behind the
guardrail approximately two feet from the curb at the elevation of the existing ground.
This will avoid extensive retaining wall construction. Engineering estimates
approximately 25 feet of two-foot high retaining wall will be needed in this area. The
distance and elevation between the sidewalk and the curb will vary to avoid additional
retaining walls. Some minor tree trimming and relocation of utility poles and boxes
would be necessary during construction of the sidewalk.
The remaining areas of the JFK Road corridor may require retaining walls at several
locations between Marywood and Kaufmann or, in some instances, minor grading on
private property to bring the proposed sidewalk to grade. If sidewalks are required, staff
proposes the costs of retaining walls necessary for the construction be paid for by the
City. The majority of the corridor should be able to support the installation of a four-foot
parkway to provide for some snow storage in the winter months.
A bus shelter currently exists adjacent to 2640 Kennedy Road. This bus shelter was
installed in December 2004 to primarily serve residents that live in a group home on
Marywood Drive that is operated by Hillcrest Family Services. This bus shelter currently
has six passengers who regularly use this stop. The City is required under federal ADA
guidelines to install sidewalks to this shelter if transit service is continued.
The estimated cost of a four-foot wide sidewalk could be in the range of $22 to $25 per
lineal foot if contracted by the property owner. Engineering proposes the property
owners be given until November 1, 2007, to complete the work. After that date, any
remaining properties will be included in an assessable project. The estimated
assessable rate of such work is estimated at $33 per lineal foot (including minor grading
and property restoration). This cost would be assessed to the respective property owner
with the City sharing a portion of the costs for special construction such as retaining
walls and ramps.
The assessment for a typical lot on Gordon Drive with 61.25 feet of frontage would be
$2,021. A lot with 125 feet of frontage would be $4,125. One of the largest residential
lots with 208-foot frontage would be assessed at $6,887. Most residential lots have
between 61 and 125 feet of frontage.
Financial assistance is available for owner occupied properties and is income based.
I respectfully request further direction on the potential installation of sidewalks on
John F. Kennedy Road from Asbury Road to the Northwest Arterial.
,~2
Michael C. Van Milligen
MCVM/jh
Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahl, City Attorney
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
Gus Psihoyos, City Engineer
THE CTTY OF
DUB E
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
MEMORANDUM
July 27, 2007
TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Gus Psihoyos, City Engineer ,
SUBJECT: John F. Kennedy Road from Asbury Road to the Northwest Arterial
-Sidewalks
INTRODUCTION
This memo is in response to the City Council's request for additional information on the
associated costs and feasibility of sidewalk installation along both sides of John F.
Kennedy (JFK) Road from Asbury Road to the Northwest Arterial.
BACKGROUND
During the past ten years, there have been numerous requests for sidewalks along the
John F. Kennedy Road north of Asbury Road. When requests for sidewalks along John
F. Kennedy Road were received in 1998 and 1999, the Engineering Department
prepared improvement plans and assessments based on preliminary approval of the
project by City Council. At the July 6, 1999 public hearing, the City Council rejected the
project due to objections from the property owners who cited high assessment costs
and lack of pedestrian usage.
In preparation of the John F. Kennedy Road Reconstruction Project from Spring Valley
Road to the northerly City limits in 2002, Engineering had included the installation of
sidewalks with the project. At the April 15, 2002 public hearing on the plans for that
project, the City Council approved the elimination of sidewalks from the project.
Since October, 2006, several requests have again been made for sidewalk on this
section of John F. Kennedy Road. On May 7, 2007, the Engineering Department
requested direction from the City Council on how to proceed with the installation of
sidewalks along JFK Road between Asbury Road and the Northwest Arterial. (Note
April 27, 2007 memorandum.) The property owners along Gordon Drive, whose
backyards abut John F. Kennedy Road, have filed a petition in objection to the
placement of sidewalks in this area. The primary issues cited are: a) Steep backyard
slope; and b) Accessibility from John F. Kennedy Road to utilize equipment (shovels
and/or snow blowers). On the other hand, area residents and Eisenhower Elementary
school staff have filed a petition with over 75 signatures in support of sidewalk
installation along this corridor.
On May 7, 2007, the City Council directed Engineering staff to study the feasibility of
sidewalks along this corridor, especially along the backyards of Gordon Drive.
DISCUSSION
On August 3, 1998 the City Council adopted Resolution 326-98 which provided for the
sidewalk assessments along Pennsylvania Avenue from Vizaleea to Embassy West
Drive. This resolution included amendments which excluded sidewalks along the
Westmark property on the south side of Pennsylvania Avenue and other walks that
were going to be constructed by developer, Carl Burbach, and waived assessments for
sidewalk in the rear yards of three (3) homeowners on Glenwood Court.
A similar rear yard situation occurred on the Asbury Road sidewalk (north side) project
in 2005. In this case, the City did not waive the assessment for the sidewalks on the
rear yards of eight (8) residences on Kimberly Street which abut Asbury Road.
The City of Dubuque Engineering Department reviewed the JFK Road corridor to
determine the feasibility of adding sidewalks. The attached maps show the actual
sidewalk locations and the proposed areas of sidewalk installation.
Due to the presence of guardrail on a portion of the east side of JFK Road between
Asbury Road and Kaufmann Avenue and the backyard slopes of 11 properties on
Gordon Drive installing sidewalk in this area is more challenging. City staff
recommends that sidewalks be placed behind the guardrail approximately two (2) feet
from the curb at the elevation of the existing ground. This will avoid extensive retaining
wall construction. Engineering estimates approximately 25 feet of two-foot high
retaining wall will be needed in this area. The distance and elevation between the
sidewalk and the curb will vary to avoid additional retaining walls. Some minor tree
trimming and relocation of utility poles and boxes would be necessary during
construction of the sidewalk.
The remaining areas of the JFK Road corridor may require retaining walls at several
locations between Marywood and Kaufmann or, in some instances, minor grading on
private property to bring the proposed sidewalk to grade. We propose the costs of
retaining walls necessary for the construction be paid for by the City. The majority of
the. corridor should be able to support the installation of a four-foot parkway to provide
for some snow storage in the winter months.
A bus shelter currently exists adjacent to 2640 Kennedy Road. This bus shelter was
installed in December, 2004 to primarily serve residents that live in a group home on
Marywood Drive that is operated by Hillcrest Family Services. This bus shelter currently
has six (6) passengers who regularly use this stop. Based on coordination efforts with
ADA (American with Disabilities Act) consultants and the City's Human Rights Director
Kelly Larson, the City is required under federal ADA guidelines to install sidewalks to
this shelter if transit service is continued.
The estimated cost of a four-foot wide sidewalk could be in the range of $22 to $25 per
lineal foot if contracted by the property owner. Engineering proposes the property
owners be given until November 1, 2007, to complete the work. After that date, any
remaining properties will be included in an assessable project. The estimated
assessable rate of such work is estimated at $33 per lineal foot (including minor grading
and property restoration). This cost would be assessed to the respective property owner
with the City sharing a portion of the costs for special construction such as retaining
walls and ramps.
The assessment for a typical lot on Gordon Drive with 61.25 feet of frontage would be
$2,021. A lot with 125 feet of frontage would be $4,125. One of the largest residential
lots with 208-foot frontage would be assessed at $6,887. Most residential lots have
between 61 and 125 feet of frontage.
Fronta es 30' - 60' 60' - 90' 90' -110' 110' -130' 130' - 400'
Number of Pro erties 3 18 19 7 12
Range of Assessments $ 990 -
$1,980 $1,980 -
$2,970 $2,970 -
$3,630 $3,630 -
$4,290 $ 4,290 -
$13,200
Financial assistance is available for owner occupied properties and is income based.
There is currently a balance of $7,500 for financial assistance from FY 2007.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council direction is requested on the installation of sidewalks on both sides of John
F. Kennedy Road from Asbury Road to the Northwest Arterial. If Council approval is
granted, the Engineering Department will work with impacted property owners on
sidewalk construction/installation prior to November 1, 2007. After that date, a special
assessment project would be initiated to complete sidewalk construction on the
remaining parcels in the corridor.
ACTION TO BE TAKEN
The City Council is requested to provide direction on constructing sidewalks on both
sides along John F. Kennedy Road from Asbury Road to the Northwest Arterial. If the
City Council approves sidewalk installation along this corridor, the Engineering
Department will coordinate with the impacted property owners on the voluntary
construction of said sidewalks. City Engineering will coordinate any special construction
requirements, such as retaining walls, ramps, and utility relocates, with the property
owner with the City paying for any special requirements. If property owners opt not to
complete sidewalk installation, an assessable project will be initiated by the City in 2008
to complete the sidewalks if also directed by City Council.
cc: Barry Lindahl, City Attorney
Bob Schiesl, Assistant City Engineer
Ron Turner, PLS
Jon Dienst, PE
Jane Smith, Engineering Assistant