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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-02-25 - AGENDA REPORTS - NEWHALL METROLINK STATION (2)141 UNFINISHED BUSINESS DATE: February 25, 1997 City Manal Item to be Ken Pulskamp SUBJECT: RAILROAD AVENUE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT NO. 95-065 NEWHALL METROLINK STATION DEPARTMENT: Building and Engineering Services On June 11, 1996, the City Council approved in concept the Newhall Downtown Revitalization Plan. A major part of this program is the reconstruction of Railroad Avenue from San Fernando Road south of 4th Street to San Fernando Road at 11th Street (see Railroad Avenue Reconstruction Map, Attachment A). On July 9, 1996, Council awarded the design contract to HDR Engineering, Inc. Staff has held two community meetings with the business and property owners along Railroad Avenue to inform the public about the proposed project and to gain input from the public relating to mitigating the effects of construction. The meetings were held on September 18, 1996 and November 21, 1996. An initial study and a traffic study have been prepared for the project and a finding of a Negative Declaration for this project has been proposed. The plans and specifications are substantially complete and will be ready for advertisement to obtain bids on March 11, 1997. An Encroachment Permit Application has been filed with Caltrans and a permit is expected to be received prior to the award of the construction contract. ANALYSIS: Railroad Avenue Improvement Project Only (75 -Foot Right -of -Way) This project is proposed to realign and widen Railroad Avenue from an existing 60 -foot right-of- way width to 75 feet. It would provide two travel lanes, one two-way left -turn lane, parking on the east and west sides of the street, and sidewalks on the west side of the street.. Due to right- of-way acquisition costs, this project would be over budget by an estimated $700,000. Two larger partial property acquisitions would require substantial severance compensation, which could be avoided if the entire parcels were acquired for the proposed Newhall Metrolink station. Construction of this project must be completed by December 1997 and all funds expended, including construction retention, by February 1998. Confinued To: , - 1--9 Agenda item: C RAILROAD AVENUE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT NO. 95-065 NEWHALL METROLINK STATION February 25, 1997 - Page 2 It is important to note that the funding for the Railroad Avenue Improvement Project will expire after February 1998. The Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant has been submitted for final approval. The closing date to submit for final approval of an EDA grant has passed, and the grant cannot be directed to another project. The EDA funds -would be lost should the Railroad Avenue Improvement Project be canceled due to lack of time. The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) of $2,257,715 must also be expended by February 1998. Should the Railroad Avenue Improvement Project be canceled, the CDBG grant would be immediately reallocated to a different project. Railroad Avenue Improvement Project. Newhall Metrolink Station Site Acquisition and Off -Site Improvements (85 -Foot Right -of -Ways This project would include the scope identified above plus the following: an additional 10 -foot right-of-way, for an ultimate 85 -foot right-of-way. This would provide sidewalk, landscaping, irrigation, and street lighting on the east side of Railroad Avenue, which would be required to service the proposed Newhall Metrolink station. This project would also upgrade the Market Street railroad crossing, interconnect the Market Street railroad crossing signals with the intersection of San Fernando Road and Market Street, and relocate an existing spur track adjacent to Railroad Avenue. The property acquisitions would include the acquisition of the Newhall Metrolink site. (This acquisition would eliminate compensation of severance costs.) The benefits of combining the two projects would be the cost savings of reduced engineering, design, construction administration, and construction engineering expenses, and the elimination of severance compensation for the acquisition of two parcels. These cost savings will provide the landscaping, irrigation, sidewalks, and street lighting on the east side of the street ($500,000 value). Should these two projects be constructed separately, funds would not be available in either project to provide these improvements. Other benefits would include reduced disruption to the adjacent business and property owners during construction, as the improvements to Railroad Avenue would be constructed at one time and construction time would be reduced. The investment opportunities noted above are planned to be financed with funding from a variety of sources. Each of these sources is considered to be secured, with the exception of a portion of the Newhall Metrolink station. Should that portion ($1,975,010) of the Metrolink station source fail to materialize, the current Transit budget contains sufficient funds that can be reallocated over the next two fiscal years to cover the cost. It is important to note, however, that such use of these funds could delay some expansion of Transit services, the scope of the planned Transit Center near the mall, and other future capital projects. RAILROAD AVENUE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT NO.. 95-065 NEWHALL METROLINK STATION February 25, 1997 - Page 3 Railroad Avenue Improvement Project Newhall Metrolink Station Off -Site and On -Site Improvements (85 -Foot Right -of -Way) This project includes all the improvements of the previously discussed project and also includes the construction of the on-site station improvements. The total cost of these combined improvements is $7,132,750. No Project Should the Railroad Avenue Improvement Project not be constructed, the City would lose an EDA grant up to $601,975. The CDBG grant in the amount of $2,257,715 would be reallocated to an overlay project in another area of the City. Additionally, the City has already incurred approximately $400,000 in design costs, which would not be reimbursed. The Newhall Metrolink station grant applications did not include expenses related to improving Railroad Avenue. For the station to be constructed, the City would have to identify resources for the additional $2,859,690 required to improve Railroad Avenue. Should these resources not be identified, the Newhall Metrolink Station Project would also be canceled. The loss of the Railroad Avenue Improvement Project and the Newhall Metrolink station would greatly affect the revitalization of downtown Newhall, as this would be a loss of a $7,132,750 investment in the area. Due to the complexity of this project, staff would like to brief Council in detail regarding the proposed recommendation below. See the attached March 11, 1997 City Council Meeting Recommendation Summary. RECOMMENDATION 1. - City Council accept, review, and discuss the report on the Railroad Avenue Improvement Project No. 95-065, and the siting of the proposed Newhall Metrolink station. 2. City Council direct staff to return with recommendations for the Railroad Avenue Improvement Project and Newhall Metrolink station off-site improvements to the March 11, 1997 City Council Meeting. Proposed Recommended Actions for the Railroad Avenue Improvement Project and Newhall Metrolink Off -Site Improvements at the March 11 1997 City Council Meeting 1. City Council approve the location of the Newhall Metrolink site. 2. City Council adopt a Negative Declaration pursuant to Section 15070 of CEQA. 3. City Council adopt a Resolution of Necessity for Immediate Possession of the two (2) parcels required for the Newhall Metrolink site and the widening and reconstruction of Railroad Avenue. RAILROAD AVENUE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT NO. 95-065 NEWHALL METROLINK STATION February 25, 1997 - Page 4 4. City Council adopt a Resolution of Necessity for Immediate Possession of the eight partial -takes required for the widening and reconstruction of Railroad Avenue. 5. City Council authorize the advertisement for bids for the Railroad Avenue Improvement Project. 6. City Council approve a change order to the existing design contract with HDR Engineering, Inc. in the amount of $85,000. March 11, 1997 City Council Meeting Recommendation Summary Railroad Avenue Improvement Vicinity Map List of Acquisitions (full- and partial -takes) Eminent Domain Summary Project Schedule EIS and Traffic Study in Reading File in City Clerk's Office BEJ:lkl mun5H\.-95065.b6 MARCH 11, 1997 CITY COUNCIL MEETING RECOMMENDATION SUMMARY ACTION ITEMS NECESSARY AT MARCH 11, 1997 CITY COUNCIL MEETING: .. .>isiH"tta�[d'.+llflii�i'I3�iQ;f;z.`I�Il:T1T: •: Staff has identified a site for the construction of the Newhall Metrolink station. The site is located on the east side of Railroad Avenue, north and south of Market Street. The north parcel is currently occupied by Newhall Hardware's Garden Center. Staff has met with MTA and SCRRA, and they have indicated that this location is the preferable site for the platform and station. The Railroad Avenue and Market Street location was identified in the Downtown Newhall Improvement Program as the preferred location for the Metrolink station. On February 3, 1997, the Newhall Redevelopment Committee voted (15-1) to recommend that the City Council authorize site acquisition and construction of the Newhall Metrolink station. If the site proposed for the Newhall Metrolink station is not approved by the City Council, staff would request that. the Council approve the partial acquisition of the site necessary for the widening of Railroad Avenue. Additional funds would be necessary for the right-of- way acquisition required for Railroad Avenue, as these two parcels would have been acquired by Transit funds for the station. RECOMMENDATION: Staff will request that the City Council approve the Newhall Metrolink site location. 2. Adoption of Negative Declaration An Environmental Assessment and Initial Study has been prepared for the Railroad Avenue Improvement Project. A proposed Negative Declaration has been prepared that indicates the project will not have a significant effect upon the environment. Further project continuation is contingent upon this approval. RECOMMENDATION. Staff will request that City Council adopt a Negative Declaration pursuant to Section 15070 of CEQA. 3. After Conductina_a PublicProposed that the CityCouncilAdopt a Resolution Necessity for the Order of Immediate Possession - Two Parcels for Proposed Newhal Metrolinkof I Acquisition of the Newhall Metrolink site involves the relocation of an existing business. A portion of the Metrolink site will be designated for Railroad Avenue road widening. In order to reduce the costs of acquisition and eliminate costs due to severance compensation, it would be in the City's interest to acquire the site as a whole rather than acquiring a portion of the site needed for the widening of Railroad Avenue, and then later acquiring the remainder of the site for the. Metrolink station. As relocation of the existing business needs to be addressed in this acquisition, the City is required to give a 90 -day notice to vacate the property. This can only happen after an Order of Immediate Possession is issued by the court. The federal grants received for the Railroad Avenue Improvement Project require that the City expend all funds by February 1998. To accomplish this, construction must begin by June 1997. The City will need to obtain an Order of Immediate Possession on March 11, 1997 to start the business relocation process and complete it in time for construction to begin. If the acquisition and site proposed for the Newhall Metrolink station is not approved and the Resolution of Necessity is not adopted by the City Council, staff would request that the Council approve the partial acquisition of the site necessary for the widening of Railroad Avenue. Additional funds (in excess of the CDBG and EDA grants) would be necessary for the right-of-way acquisition required for Railroad Avenue, as these two parcels would have been acquired by Transit funds should this be the location acquired for the station. Should the City fail to meet the demands of this schedule, it puts the project at risk for cancellation due to the time limitations of the funding. RECOMMENDATION: Staff will request that after a public hearing, the City Council adopt a Resolution of Necessity for Immediate Possession of the two parcels required for the Newhall Metrolink site and the widening and reconstruction of Railroad Avenue. Due to the partial realignment of Railroad Avenue in order to reduce the existing curves near 6th Street and 8th Street, and in order to conform with ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) requirements, staff will request that Council authorize the acquisition of eight partial -takes along Railroad Avenue. A total of ten (10) partial -takes, two of which would be included in the acquisition of the Metrolink site, need to be acquired for the additional right-of-way necessary to construct the Railroad Avenue Reconstruction Project. The City is currently negotiating with the owners of the properties. Staff is requesting that Council adopt the Resolution of Necessity so that, in the event that negotiations stall, the City will be able to obtain immediate possession of the property prior to the start of construction. Should Council not adopt the Resolution of Necessity .for the Order of Immediate Possession, the project would be canceled, as it cannot be constructed without obtaining the required right-of-way. RECOMMENDATION: Staff will request that after a Public Hearing, the City Council adopt a Resolution of Necessity for. Immediate Possession of the eight partial -takes required for the widening and reconstruction of Railroad Avenue. 5. Authorize the Advertisement for Bids The plans and specifications will be ready for advertisement to obtain bids for construction. The federal grants require that we have a bid advertisement period of at least 30 days. Due to the timing constraints of this project, staff will need to. advertise and award a contract for construction within the next three months. This process will take at least three months and will require a decision at the Council meeting of March 11, 1997. RECOMMENDATION: Staff will request that the City Council authorize the advertisement forbids for the Railroad Avenue Reconstruction Project. "Mme TWU•e7=874 - 3 • 2 1 •• 1- a• Staff has incorporated the necessary off-site public improvements that will be required for the Newhall Metrolink Station into the construction documents for the Railroad Avenue Improvement Project in order to expedite and reduce construction costs for the Metrolink station. Due to this additional scope of work being added to the design of the Railroad Avenue Improvement Project, staff recommends to increase the design contract from $300,000 to $385,000. RECOMMENDATION: Staff will request that Council approve a change order to the existing design contract with HDR Engineering, Inc. in the amount of $85,000. BEJ:1k1 m calk rv95065.bej VICINITY MAP N, T. S. RAILROAD AVENUE PROPERTY ACQUISITION LIST PROJECT NO. 95-065 The following properties will be reviewed for partial right-of-way acquisition for construction of the Railroad Avenue Improvement Project: 1) APN 2831-007-019 NW Corner of 9th Street and Railroad Avenue 2) APN 2831-010-038 SW Corner of 9th Street and Railroad Avenue 3) APN 2831-018-015 NW Comer of 5th Street and Railroad Avenue 4) APN 2831-014-005 SW Comer of Market Street and Railroad Avenue 5) APN 2831-010-011 NW Corner of 8th Street and Railroad Avenue 6) APN 2831-026-900, 901, 904-913 MTA Right of Way East of Railroad Avenue between 4th Street and 11th Street 7) APN 2831-026-001 East side of Railroad Avenue between 6th Street and 8th Street (Nursery and vacant lot) 8) APN 2831-019-021 SW Comer of 5th Street and Railroad Avenue 9) APN 2831-018-009 SW Corner of 6th Street and Railroad Avenue 10) APN 2831-010-043 West side of Railroad Avenue approx. 50' North of 8th Street BEI: engtivA95-065Sncq.1ist.bej EMINENT DOMAIN SUMMARY PROJECT NO. 95-065 oiect Des12n/ProDerty Acauisition Reauirements The improvements to Railroad Avenue intend to realign the existing centerline at 6th and 8th Streets to provide a smoother transition for traffic as currently a right angle jog must be negotiated at these two intersections. As the Newhall Metrolink Station is proposed to be constructed in this area, realigning Railroad Avenue to provide a smoother transition will make the station accessible to buses, and vehicle and pedestrian friendly. Other improvements include the widening of Railroad Avenue from an existing 60 -foot width to an 85 -foot width. This new right-of-way will provide an additional 15 feet of roadway and 10 feet of parkway to provide sidewalks, street lighting, landscaping, and irrigation for the proposed Newhall Metrolink Station. Property Acquisition Procedures Due to the realignment and widening of Railroad Avenue, additional right-of-way must be obtained. In order to accomplish this, the City, as a public agency, must exercise its right to use eminent domain. This procedure involves notifying each affected property owner of the City's intent to appraise the property. Then an appraisal is performed to establish the "fair market value" of the property to be acquired. The appraisal also determines whether severance damages exist. Any relocations that may be required as a part of the acquisition of the property are also identified. An offer to purchase property is prepared and submitted to the property owner and. negotiations begin. As the City is a public agency an offer cannot be made for less than the fair market value of the property. If timing is not an issue, the negotiation process can go on indefinitely, but as timing is usually a factor due to funding constraints the City usually proceeds with the next phase of the eminent domain process, which is to adopt the Negative Declaration finding for the project, hold a public hearing, and then adopt a Resolution of Necessity including authorization to seek an Order of Immediate Possession of the properties. The City then files an action and seeks an Order from the court. A deposit of the amount of the established fair market value must be made in court to obtain an order as to each property sought. In this case negotiations are proceeding in a "friendly" manner and the staff is meeting individually with the affected property owners concerned, but because the relocation of a business will be required due to this project and the future construction of a metrolink station, the Order of Immediate Possession must be filed and the Order to Vacate must be delivered to the business and\or property owner 90 days prior to the City's possession of the property. The Railroad Avenue construction project is scheduled to start construction in June 1997 in order to have construction completed, project acceptance recorded and the retention released by February 1998. Should Council adopt the Resolution of Necessity at its March 11, 1997 Council Meeting, the earliest date that the City could take possession of the property would be in late June 1997. In general, property owners prefer the use of eminent domain. Eminent domain provides a tax benefit to the property owner as the condemnation process allows the property owner three years to reinvest the settlement amount received by the City in order to avoid capital gains tax. Negotiations would continue throughout this process. If a settlement is reached, an agreement would be drawn up and payment would be made for the acquisition. If a settlement is reached after the action is filed, a stipulation for judgement would be signed and filed with the court. It is necessary for the City to obtain an Order of Immediate Possession from the court to ensure that the City would have possession of the property in time for construction of the project should negotiations deteriorate. BEJ:lkl eng-drik9s-mNemi" t.w RAILROAD AVENUE STREET IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT SCHEDULE 10 Taak Noma 0 s Sferl Flnish Otrt 1937 0121937 Ob01991 Jen Feb Mar A Ma Jun JW Qtra 1991 Ob1 1998 OV21988 0" 1998 Oct Nov Dee Jan Feb Mar A Ma Jun JW 1 GA CETROUNKAPPR MERiOLINKAPPflOVAL ROW ACQUISITION I711L3TY RELOCNERMRS DEMGNRIDIAWARD CONSTRUCTION PROJECTCLOSEOUT 88tl 112357 29d xlLB7 1043 1121197 118E 1m191 780 MUST M18E 511497 aBA /x12xS7 MOS MINT 3N1S] &1497 71997 511387 1012497 xFJM ' 6 10 18 25 37 u proj�. Data:2/IW97 Task progress milaskme ♦ RoNed Up Task Summery ^ RoneSUp MIWMone Q Rgled Up Progress GmunOSmaWag -k 211fl97 Page l