Title
NW 3rd Ave. Sidewalks (B)
Explanation
In July 2013, the FAPS Advisory Board initiated a topographic survey and sidewalk feasibility study for NW 3rd Ave. between NW 13th St. and NW 6th St. and a portion of NW 8th St. between NW 3rd Ave. and NW 4th Ave. in an attempt to fill approximately 2,000 feet of missing sidewalk gaps along these popular pedestrian corridors. The NW 3rd Ave. corridor serves as a shared boundary between CPUH and FAPS therefore both advisory boards have been involved throughout the planning process.
The narrow 30’ right-of-way width along with the proximity of obstructing structures to the roadway are limiting factors to the possibility of adding sidewalks to the corridor. The Feasibility Study was conducted to determine design alternatives that balance the interests of the residents, emergency services, utility owners, Public Works, and other stakeholders while providing a safe, pedestrian friendly corridor that meets engineering design guidelines and is able to be constructed within the available budget and right-of-way.
Following a series of design meetings with Public Works staff, the Feasibility Study features a technical analysis of existing design standards, a series of scaled drawings, cross-section alternatives, and cost estimates representing existing conditions along with various proposed sidewalk alignments. Each alternative demonstrates the effects of locating a sidewalk within the constrained right-of-way on either the north or the south side of NW 3rd Ave. These drawings also indicate different options for sidewalk widths ranging between 5’ and 6’ and the potential consequences related to private property encroachments, on-street parking, utility infrastructure, and other existing obstructions.
The preliminary results of the study & technical review meetings indicate that new sidewalk accommodations are feasible throughout the corridors but will require either private property easements, narrowing of existing...
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