Title
NW 1st Avenue Streetscape: Project Update (B)
Explanation
NW 1st Avenue from NW 16th Street to NW 20th Street is located just a block north of University Avenue, across the street from the University of Florida and the Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, the main economic and social hub for Gainesville. A streetscape project for this corridor has been a top priority Community Initiative for the College Park / University Heights redevelopment area, and is part of the district’s approved work plan and budget for FY15-16.
In April 2013, an Interim Basis of Design for the corridor was completed by Perkins & Will and Causseaux, Hewett, & Walpole, Inc. (CHW). This document served as the starting point for the Phase 1: 15% Construction Documents project, led by CHW. Through extensive stakeholder engagement, design team developed a desired scope of streetscape improvements and created a conceptual street layout. The product of this process was the 15% Construction Documents, approved by the CRA Board in April. The current Phase 2 Design contract, led by CHW, includes the full development of the 15% Construction Documents concept into a complete, permitted, set of construction documents ready for construction and installation. The 50% construction document design was presented to the public and approved by CRA boards in September 2014.
Due to changes in GRU’s budget and direction, no cost sharing on utility upgrades is currently available for the project. CRA and GRU staffs have been negotiating collaborative alternatives. CRA staff is also looking into alternative ways to move the project forward and will discuss these ideas at the presentation.
Fiscal Note
Currently there is $2,094,299 budgeted in account #W715 for this project.
Recommendation
CRA Executive Director to the CRA Board: Hear Staff presentation and provide feedback.