CITY OF TALLAHASSEE
TARGET ISSUE WORKSHOP AGENDA ITEM
ACTION REQUESTED ON: February 18, 2009
SUBJECT/TITLE: Progress Report on Gaines Street Redevelopment
TARGET ISSUE: All

STATEMENT OF ISSUE
In order to redevelop Gaines Street and implement the vision created by the Gaines Street Vitalization Committee (GSVC) and the City Commission, some of the existing infrastructure must be improved and replaced, including: electrical lines and power poles, streetlights, water and sewer lines, sidewalks and curbs, targeted drainage conveyance structures, and street surfacing.

While the upgrade of these basic infrastructure elements adds significant complexity to the Gaines Street redevelopment program, it is necessary for the following reasons:

1. To correct existing problems and deficiencies,
2. To support higher development densities and intensities allowed by the new land development regulations called for in the redevelopment plan, and,
3. To improve the aesthetics and function of the existing streetscape and roadway.

City staff has been working together to coordinate the construction schedule so that we can reduce the previously proposed installation timeframe and reduce the disruption to businesses, new development and commuters. In this presentation, staff will provide a status report on the construction, a detailed construction schedule, and an overview of the measures that staff proposes to help mitigate the negative impacts of construction.

RECOMMENDED ACTION
No action is required at this time.

FISCAL IMPACT
N/A

Roxanne Manning, Director, Community Redevelopment Agency

Anita Favors Thompson, City Manager

For information, please contact: Roxanne Manning, CRA Director at 891-8886.

SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL/ISSUE ANALYSIS
HISTORY/FACTS & ISSUES
City departments responsible for the construction of the Gaines Street infrastructure and roadway improvements have completed the initial planning and design for the construction of Gaines Street. Staff has created a construction schedule that will now be used to track progress and keep the City Commission and the public informed.

By coordinating roadway construction and working on the critical path for the project, staff was initially able to reduce the estimated time for construction from 2015 to early 2012. With continued refinement of the construction schedule we have been able to further reduce the timeframe for completion of infrastructure and roadway improvements to early 2011. Please note that this schedule may be affected by several factors, however, any changes will be added to the schedule and conveyed to the Commission and the public.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION
As part of the overall redevelopment of Gaines Street, the City will be improving the street and improving and/or replacing some of the adjacent infrastructure. Infrastructure elements that need to be removed and/or replaced include: electrical lines and power poles, streetlights, water and sewer lines, sidewalks and curbs, some drainage conveyance structures, and street surface.

While the upgrade of these basic infrastructure elements adds some complexity to the overall Gaines Street redevelopment program, it is necessary for the following reasons:

1. To correct existing problems and deficiencies, such as replacing obsolete sewer lines,

2. To support higher development densities and intensities allowed by the new land development regulations called for in the redevelopment plan by providing larger water and sewer lines, and,

3. To improve the aesthetics and function of the existing streetscape and roadway by repaving and reconfiguring the street, installing landscaping, and relocating power lines away from the street.

City staff has been working together to coordinate the construction schedule so that we can reduce the previously proposed construction timeframe and reduce the disruption to businesses, new development and commuters. This presentation will provide a summary of the results of those efforts and the impact to the construction schedule.

Staff will also provide information on:

1. The development and marketing efforts for Gaines Street,

2. The progress on permitting issues including the Small Area Storm Water Management Plan,

3. The implementation of the Gaines Street Construction Communication Plan.

CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS
N/A

OPTIONS
No action is required at this time.

ATTACHMENTS/REFERENCES
Attachment A: Text Project Summary Sheet
Attachment B: Updated GANTT Chart for Gaines Street Construction