Title
Resolution to Enter into a Maintenance Agreement with the State of Florida Department of Transportation for Landscape/Streetscape amenities on SR 25 (13th Street) from SW 16th Ave to NW 7th Ave (B)
This item involves a Resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a Landscape/Streetscape Maintenance Agreement between the City of Gainesville and the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) for phased landscaping and streetscaping projects on SR 25 (13th Street) from SW 16th Avenue to NW 8th Avenue.
Explanation
The City of Gainesville Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), acting as an agent for the City, has within their 3-year redevelopment strategic plans, projects to enhance SR 25 (13th Street) with landscaping and streetscaping amenities along the portions of the corridor within designated CRA boundaries. The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has a policy that certain roadway and right of way enhancements cannot be implemented on the State Highway System unless the local government with jurisdiction agrees to provide for the maintenance of the enhancements. The CRA has planned two phases of enhancements for consideration.
Phase I
The first phase of enhancements is designed hardscape and landscape improvements along SW 13th Street (SR 25) as part of the development plan approval for the Shands Healthcare, Inc. parking structure that is to support the new Cancer Care Hospital. This phase is located on SW 13th Street (SR 25) between SW 12th Avenue and SW 14th Avenue and lies within the College Park/University Heights (CPUH) redevelopment area. The design of the proposed improvements is based on the City of Gainesville Community Redevelopment Agency Design and Technical Standards for Streetscapes and the FDOT Design Standards. The project includes construction of brick pavers for sidewalks, installation of tree grates and street trees, and construction of textured pavement crosswalks. Construction of these right-of-way improvements will occur during the final stages of construction of the Shands parking structure; scheduled to occur during Fall 2009.
Phase II
The second phase of improvements includes a series of CRA initiated projects with the purpose of streetscaping and improving the aesthetic character of the entire SR 25 (13th Street) corridor that is within the College Park/University Heights (CPUH) and Fifth Ave/Pleasant Street (FAPS) redevelopment areas. Listed within the CPUH and FAPS 3-year redevelopment strategic plans, the portion of the SR 25 corridor to receive these amenities lies between SW 16th Avenue and NW 8th Avenue, approximately 1.6 miles. In particular, the City of Gainesville is requested to be responsible for the future maintenance of brick paver sidewalks, street trees, tree grates, textured pavement crosswalks, landscaped medians, wayfinding signage, and hardscape amenities such as bicycle racks, benches, and waste receptacles. Construction timeframe of these improvements is expected to occur during FY 2010 and FY 2011.
Fiscal Note
No fiscal impact at this time.
Recommendation
The City Commission: 1) adopt the Resolution; and 2) authorize the City Manager to execute a Landscape/Streetscape Maintenance Agreement with the State of Florida Department of Transportation for both Phase I and Phase II of SR 25 enhancements, subject to approval by the City Attorney as to form and legality.