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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-09-25 - AGENDA REPORTS - DOWNTOWN NEWHALL RESTRIPE (2)CONSENT CALENDAR DATE: SUBJECT: DEPARTMENT: Agenda Item: 5toX, 4 J CITY OF SANTA CLARITA REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY AGENDA REPORT City Manager Approval: Item to be presented by: September 25, 2007 DOWNTOWN NEWHALL RESTRIPE, AWARD OF CONTRACT TO RECONFIGURE ANGLED PARKING Community Development RECOMMENDED ACTION 1. The Redevelopment Agency approve revised plans and specifications for the construction of the Downtown Newhall Restripe and Signal project, Project Number S2016390 to reflect changes to striping on Main Street. 2. Transfer additional funds from the Redevelopment Agency account number 13400.5161.001 into project account number 52016390.5161.001 in the amount of $60,000 to pay for all related design and construction costs. 3. Approve the implementation of the reconfiguration of the angled parking on Main Street to "head-in"only. 4. Authorize staff to negotiate a change order to TDS Engineering to implement the striping modification, including sign relocation and installing handicap access ramps in an amount not to exceed $60,000.00. 5. Authorize the City Manager, or designee, to execute all documents, subject to City Attorney approval. BACKGROUND On March 27, 2007, the Santa Clarita Redevelopment Agency awarded a contract to TDS Engineering in the amount of $898,592.65 to implement the first phase of the Downtown AaP�ovEo Newhall Specific Plan (DNSP) identified public improvements. The project constructed at that time included circulation modifications that created a "T" intersection at Lyons Avenue and San Fernando Road, calming traffic through downtown and setting the stage to rename San Fernando Road "Main Street." The work reduced Main Street to one lane of traffic in each direction and increased Railroad Avenue to two lanes each way. The project also added striped "back-in" angled parking along Main Street. During the six months since that contract was awarded, staff has been in regular contact with business owners, commuters, property owners, the press, curious observers, and local patrons who have expressed their concerns for the finished product. While there was some confusion among motorists traveling by the Downtown Newhall area after traffic circulation modifications were put into place, it has been the back-in angled parking that has received the most criticism. Staff is currently working on additional circulation improvements that will further smooth traffic flow around Newhall and increase the aesthetic appeal of the area. Complaints about the traffic flow have decreased substantially, and are focused in areas that staff feels they will be able to address with the next phase of improvements. The parking situation on Main Street however, has remained a source of confusion, frustration, and often anger aimed at the City. Complaints are still responded to regularly and have come from a very diverse group of citizens. During the August 28th City Council Meeting, Council members asked that staff complete their analysis of the situation and bring a formal recommendation back to them as soon as practical. The Old Town Newhall Association (OTNA) has increased their efforts in getting the word out about the DNSP. They have been instrumental in setting up and hosting public meetings and have shared time and information whenever possible to further the efforts of the Council, Agency, and NRC in relation to Newhall. During recent OTNA/City meetings held to discuss upcoming projects, talk of the parking situation was the main source of feedback from attendees. Staff has been presented with two petitions, and has documented more than 200 individual expressions of distaste for the finished product. OTNA also recently sent out a survey about parking in their monthly newsletter and while only a few dozen had been returned by the time this report was printed, the response was approximately four-to-one against reverse in parking. The Newhall Redevelopment Committee (NRC) has worked hard to communicate to the public the purported benefits of back-in parking. Staff does so as well at every opportunity. During the September 10th NRC meeting a long discussion took place regarding making a recommendation to the Council. While there were strong arguments on both sides of the debate, ultimately the committee voted 6 - 4 in favor of a formal recommendation to change to head-in angled parking. Based on the aforementioned issues and background it seems the time has come to consider the concerns of local businesses as they feel they are experiencing decreased consumer traffic do to the difficulty and frustration experienced by motorists. While the NRC remains committed to the implementation of the DNSP, they understand why this recommendation is being made and are in agreement with OTNA to support whatever decision the Agency Board makes in this case. As stated in the March 27, 2007 Redevelopment Agency Agenda Report, the striping was done in paint and is relatively inexpensive and straight forward to reverse. The removal and restriping of the parking spaces is estimated at less than $20,000.00, the addition of new mid -block wheelchair ramps necessary to satisfy public demand and ADA requirements will cost approximately $32,000.00, the remaining funds requested will cover various modification to signage, as well as some design oversight and traffic control. Staff has also worked closely with the consultant engineer to implement other changes suggested and 'lessons learned" with the current configuration. Since the parking has become a major source of difficulty and complaints, staff recommends that this contract be awarded so that the contractor can restripe the parking as soon as possible after the completion of the upcoming Street Art Festival in Downtown Newhall. This timing should minimize the amount of re -work that will be done by the contractor since some of the striping must be covered to allow for the chalk artists to work on a clean canvas. ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS Other actions as determined by the Redevelopment Agency. FISCAL IMPACT Funds for this project would be transferred from the Redevelopment Agency account number 13400-5161.002 into project account number 52016390-5161.001 in the amount of $60,000 to pay for all related design and construction costs.