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BURBANK REDEVELOPMENT AGENCYTuesday, May 2, 2006Agenda Item - 1 |
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BURBANK REDEVELOPMENT AGENCYTuesday, May 2, 2006Agenda Item - 1 |
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PURPOSE
The purpose of this report is to present to the City Council and the Redevelopment Agency Board the proposed Design Development Plan for the Burbank Boulevard Streetscape Project and to request direction to proceed with the Construction Document Phase.
BACKGROUND
One of City Council�s stated goals is to improve the appearance of several major arterials throughout the City. In 2002, after considering several areas, staff identified three major arterials to study to determine a starting point. The three corridors identified were: Olive Avenue between the Golden State Freeway and the Ventura Freeway; Burbank Boulevard from Victory Boulevard to the western city limit; and West Victory Boulevard from North Victory Boulevard at the �Five Points� intersection to the western city limit. Staff retained the services of David Evans and Associates, a landscape architecture firm, to study the three arterials and make a recommendation as to which arterial would be the best candidate for streetscape improvements. The feasibility study resulted in a recommendation to first focus on the Burbank Boulevard corridor, citing the appearance of Burbank Boulevard and the lack of overhead power lines as the determining factors. Staff then began studying the scope of the proposed improvements.
Staff worked with the landscape architect and hosted three (3) community meetings in February and May 2005 to develop a schematic design for the project. The Schematic Design Phase provided numerous opportunities to improve �The Boulevard� and remedy the �heat corridor� condition that exists due to the predominance of concrete and asphalt as well as lack of street trees.
The conceptual plan provided for five (5) levels of improvements at specific locations along the corridor (Exhibit �A�). These improvement levels have been carried forward in the proposed Design Development Plans and include:
As for the Gateway Treatment at the western end of the Boulevard, one of the early goals was to include monument signage at this entrance. The Public Works Department-Traffic Division staff researched opportunities for a sign in a median at Clybourn Avenue at the western city limit. However, due to the curvature of Burbank Boulevard at Clybourn Avenue and the left turn movement required for the side streets, it was determined that the first opportunity for a monument sign was in the first median between Rose and Evergreen Streets (Exhibit �B�). Staff is currently working with David Evans and Associates on the design of the monument sign between Rose and Evergreen Streets. In addition, another palm tree colonnade will occur in this area along the sidewalks and street median.
Staff has also subsequently identified various locations for landscaped medians. These medians will be discussed in more detail later in this report, as well.
On July 19, 2005, the City Council and Redevelopment Agency Board approved the conceptual design and directed staff to continue with the Design Development Phase. In addition, $225,000 was appropriated at that time to allow some improvements to occur immediately. As mentioned above, this included repainting street lights, adding banners and new street name signs. The other portion of these funds are earmarked for engineering work, which is ongoing as part of the design phase.
ANALYSIS
To maintain community involvement and assist the completion of the Design Development Plans, staff hosted a second series of community meetings with area residents, business and property owners. Four (4) outreach and education meetings occurred on March 2, 6, 7, and 8, 2006. Notices for these meetings were sent to residents, business and property owners within a one thousand foot radius of the Burbank Boulevard corridor with approximately 7,000 mailers sent over the course of the community meetings.
On March 15, 2006, staff met with the project�s Oversight Committee. At this meeting, staff received additional comments. This was followed by one final community meeting on March 30, 2006. This meeting provided the public one more opportunity to comment on the proposed streetscape improvements. In addition to mailers, ads were published in the Burbank Leader advertising this community meeting (Exhibit �C�). All told, over 100 people attended the various meetings during March 2006.
As a result of these meetings and additional staff analysis, several changes and additions were made to the design. The following is an outline of the major elements and issues concerning the design of the project.
Highlights of Design Development
Street Trees: The proposed standard street tree is the Australian Willow. This tree will be planted throughout the entire corridor spaced every 40 feet except in Accent Areas and Major Intersections. In the Accent Areas, the Tabebuia tree will be installed 20 feet apart creating small clusters. The Tabebuia is a pink flowering tree that will visually separate the Accent Areas from the Standard Areas. At the Gateways (Five Points and near the western border of the City) and the Major Intersections (Buena Vista Street and Hollywood Way), clusters of date palm trees will be installed to provide a dramatic vertical accent. An irrigation system will also be installed providing bubbler sprinkler heads for the street trees. Staff is working with Burbank Water and Power to secure a Shade Tree Grant for the street and median trees. At this time, the grant amount is estimated to be $75,000.
Many participants in the community meeting felt that the introduction of street trees along the entire corridor would bring life and color to the corridor, and greatly enhance the appearance of Burbank Boulevard. Some community participants were concerned whether the Australian Willow would have fruit droppings and uproot the sidewalks similar to ficus trees. In addition, there were some concerns expressed about trees blocking storefronts, especially signs. Staff explained that the Australian Willow is a lacy and airy tree that will not have fruit droppings and whose leaves fall periodically throughout the year rather than concentrated in any one season. The root structure is also favorable as a parkway tree. The canopies of these trees do not grow particularly quickly (see Exhibit �D�). In addition, since the trees are placed forty feet apart, there should be adequate site lines to allow buildings and signs to be seen from the street (Exhibit �E�). Some community participants also inquired whether they could move their signs, if the trees do eventually interfere with visibility. The City�s sign ordinance does provide flexibility, if businesses find it preferable to move their signs.
In the process of value engineering the proposed project, staff also analyzed whether it would be worth installing 24-inch box trees instead of the proposed 36-inch box trees. While the smaller tree could create an overall savings of $182,875, it was ultimately recommended that the 36-inch box tree would be preferred. During the first several years of development, 24-inch box trees are considerably smaller than 36-inch box trees. As one of the major elements for improving the overall appearance of the entire corridor, staff believes that the tree component will have one of the most immediate and dramatic effects on improving the appearance of the street. Just as important, the 24-inch box trees are more susceptible to damage and vandalism than the 36-inch box trees. Staff therefore recommends to continue with the 36-inch box tree.
Traffic Signal Modification and Interconnect Work: Since the entire 2.2 mile Burbank Boulevard corridor is subject to the proposed streetscape improvements, staff felt that it would be a prudent investment to update the traffic signal system along the corridor as part of the streetscape improvements. The proposed traffic signal improvements include traffic signal interconnect work and traffic signal modifications.
The traffic signal interconnect improvements will synchronize the traffic signals and connect all signaled intersections and the two pedestrian crossing signals to the City�s Traffic Management Center. This will allow communication between traffic signals and the Traffic Management Center, thus providing a better and more efficient flow of traffic along the Burbank Boulevard corridor. The estimated cost of the interconnect work is $965,000.
As part of the interconnect work, it was also determined that five signalized intersections need to be upgraded. There are seven intersections with traffic signals. Two intersections have already been updated (Buena Vista Street and Hollywood Way). Five signaled intersections remain ready for updating (Whitnall Highway, Maple Street/Pass Avenue, Edison Boulevard, Keystone Street and Doan Drive/Reese Place). For these five intersections, the traffic signal equipment would be replaced with the latest required equipment (such as poles, mastarms, traffic and pedestrian signal heads, detectors, conduits, controllers and push buttons). This is necessary since the existing equipment is outdated and not compatible with the proposed interconnect improvements.
In addition to these five intersections, there are two intersections that currently operate with a continuous flashing yellow signaled crosswalk (Frederic Street/Wyoming Avenue and Ontario Street � Exhibit �F�). After comments received from the community and further analysis from staff, it is proposed that these two flashing crosswalks be upgraded. It has been observed that some motorists ignore these flashing signals, while others sometimes come to an unnecessary stop. In any case, pedestrians may feel that they it is safer to use these crosswalks than it really is. Staff proposes to install pedestrian traffic signals at these crosswalks. These signals will remain green on Burbank Boulevard until the walking mode is activated and the signal turns red to allow pedestrian crossing. The estimated cost for the five signalized intersections and two pedestrian signals is $900,000. The total cost for the interconnects and signals is $1,865,000.
Recycled Water: Agency staff worked with Burbank Water and Power staff to determine the physical practicality and economic feasibility of providing recycled water to the Burbank Boulevard corridor. Burbank Water and Power staff determined that it was not economically practical to install a recycled water main along the entire corridor to irrigate the medians and street trees proposed for the streetscape improvements. The estimate to install a recycled water main along the entire corridor was about $250,000. Considering the costs versus the demand for recycled water, Agency staff, as well as Burbank Water and Power and Parks, Recreation and Community Services staffs, concur that the price for recycled water for the corridor is economically impractical considering the small amount of water that would be utilized. By comparison, the South San Fernando Streetscape Project would generate twenty times more demand for recycled water because it would provide water to high demand users, such as the proposed Ovrom Park, at an overall lower cost.
However, it has been determined that it is economically feasible to provide recycled water to the gateway area at Victory Boulevard. As part of the streetscape improvements, a recycled water line would be installed to the gateway area from an existing recycled water line around the reconfigured Five Points intersection.
Landscaped Medians: The one major addition from the schematic design was inclusion of twelve (12) landscaped medians along the Burbank Boulevard corridor. This presented quite a challenge for the engineers and designers since most of the side streets are off-set and do not cross Burbank Boulevard in a straight line. The project designers were able to determine twelve (12) locations where medians would not impact ingress and egress from adjacent side streets. The proposed median improvements include low and medium height flowering shrubs, groundcover and 36-inch box trees (Jacaranda, Tabebuia, Saucer Magnolia and Eastern Redbud � Exhibit G). The shrubs will include Hemerocallis (Daylily) and Phormiun (Flax). In addition, Festuca and Helichtortrichon (oak grass) will provide low and mid-size clumping grass. Together, these plants provide interesting foliage color and flower color during different times of the year. Palm Trees will be planted in the medians at the Gateways to match the palms in the parkways. As suggested at the community meetings, the median trees will be up-lighted. The medians will also include a fully automatic irrigation system.
From the community meetings, most of the business and property owners along the corridor west of Victory Boulevard were in favor of the medians. The only opposition came from the property and business owners at Victory Boulevard. They expressed concern regarding ingress into and egress from their businesses, especially as this relates to deliveries from trailer trucks (Exhibit �H�).
After the final community meeting, Traffic Division staff met separately with the adjacent business and property owners at Victory Boulevard, and conducted a field visit to observe the turning movements of the tractor trailers that deliver to their businesses. It was decided that the best and most equitable solution would be to shorten the median by approximately 180 feet at the east end of the median to a total length of 280 feet (Exhibit �I�). This would allow safer access to and from the adjacent business. This is particularly true of delivery trucks that typically deliver large inventory such as boats, jet skis and four wheel all terrain vehicles.
One additional consideration was the effect the longer median would have on Mariposa Street. If the subject median were 460 feet in length as originally proposed, westbound traffic could not turn left into these businesses and would be forced to travel on westbound Victory Boulevard, turn left onto Mariposa Street and then turn left onto Burbank Boulevard (Exhibit �J�). Complaints had been received by the Traffic Division that many vehicles are currently using this stretch of Mariposa Street as a shortcut to Costco, since vehicles traveling eastbound on Burbank Boulevard cannot currently turn left onto Victory Boulevard and have to proceed to Victory Place to access Costco. Adding additional traffic onto Mariposa Street would make this situation worse. Nevertheless, even with the shortened median, this median will remain the longest landscaped median on Burbank Boulevard and will greatly improve the aesthetics in this area.
Removal of Existing Street Trees: Community participants inquired whether the existing street trees could be in someway salvaged. There are approximately 116 existing street trees consisting mostly of Crepe Myrtle. To salvage these trees would require tearing up a significant amount of sidewalk (an area of sidewalk much larger than proposed to be removed for the proposed work). In addition, they would need to be re-boxed into 48-inch and 60-inch box containers and then moved elsewhere all at a substantial cost ranging from $750 to $2,500 per tree. This cost would be substantially more than just purchasing new trees, which would range from $325 (24� box) to $800 (36� box) per tree. Also, there is the possibility of the trees not surviving the excavation and relocation process.
Construction Timing/Phasing: At this time, it is estimated that the City Council and Redevelopment Agency Board will consider a construction contract in November 2006, and if awarded, that work would begin in January 2007, after the holiday season. As far as the actual construction duration, it is not yet known how the streetscape project will be phased. This issue will be addressed when the construction documents have been prepared. However, work will not occur on both sides of the street at the same time thus maintaining one-half of on-street parking, which was one of the concerns raised at the community meeting. In addition, given that the construction work will occur over 2.2 miles, it is anticipated that the phasing will occur in two or more sections along each side of the street. While several phases are anticipated, staff will not encourage too many phases, which could lengthen the construction period significantly. Staff proposes to limit the construction period to ten months, so that work would not continue into the 2008 holiday period.
Project Schedule: Council/Agency Design Development approval May 2006 Completion of bid documents Sept. 2006 Bids due Oct. 2006 Council/Agency approval of contract and funding Nov. 2006 Begin construction Jan. 2007 Complete Construction (est.) Oct. 2007
Budget: When the Agency first considered the schematic design for this project, it was estimated that the cost for this project would be $8.6 million. Since that time, funding costs have been refined and several components have been added or upgraded, including the five signalized intersections and two pedestrian signals, and additional landscaped medians. Some cost savings were found by reducing the scope of the recycled water element. Also, staff�s previous estimate did not include all �soft costs� such as the cost for construction management inspection and testing at an estimated cost of $545,408. The engineer�s estimate for the streetscape project now is $9,271,951 (this does not include the $300,000 already earmarked for the art piece). Of this amount, $2,378,000 is directly related to traffic improvements, including its portion of the contingency and construction management costs. A cost breakdown is attached as Exhibit �K�. The proposed funding is Golden State bond proceeds. Some of this cost is expected to be off-set by grant funding, including an estimated $75,000 of Shade Tree Grant Funding. The following summarizes the proposed budget.
Budget Summary
Infrastructure Improvements Mobilization/Traffic Control $ 550,000 Paving & Surface Material $ 400,883 Traffic Modification/Interconnect $1,865,000 Additional Street Improvements $ 401,000 (Restriping, paving side streets, curb & gutter repair and bus pads) 20% Contingency $ 643,377 Subtotal $3,860,260
Streetscape Improvements Demolition $1,748,824 Site Furnishings $ 684,300* Lighting $ 45,000 Planting $ 642,876 Irrigation $ 611,736 Five Points Landscaping $ 322,500 20% Contingency $ 811,047 Subtotal $4,866,283 Construction Mgmt., Insp. & Testing $ 545,408 Total $9,271,951
* Figure includes $412,100 in materials and $272,200 in labor.
If the City Council and Redevelopment Agency Board approve the Design Development Plan and direct staff to continue to the Construction Documentation Phase of the streetscape project, staff will return to the City Council and Redevelopment Agency Board in November of this year for consideration of approval of the construction contract and related documents including appropriation of the necessary funds.
As a major corridor to three Redevelopment Project Areas (Golden State, City Centre and South San Fernando), the proposed improvements to Burbank Boulevard will be a benefit to the project areas in terms of traffic calming and improved traffic flows that will be accomplished as a result of the proposed traffic signal modifications and interconnect work, as well as installation of the twelve medians. The streetscape improvements will not only improve the overall quality of the physical environment, but will also create a business friendly environment conducive to business attraction and retention, and, hopefully, will act as a catalyst for future private investment and improvement within the area.
It is proposed that the 2003 Golden State bond proceeds fund the Burbank Boulevard Streetscape Project. The Burbank Boulevard corridor was specifically identified as one of the proposed streetscape projects to be funded with the Golden State bond proceeds.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is little fiscal impact related to approval of the Design Development Plan and continuation to the Construction Documentation Phase. A civil engineering firm is already under contract for preparation of the construction documents. Funds in the amount of $50,000 for the balance of design work and construction monitoring are included in the upcoming proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2006-07. Regarding construction of the streetscape improvements, the current estimate is $9,271,951. As previously discussed, it is proposed that Golden State bond proceeds be made available to fund the improvements. Staff will request authority to appropriate the necessary funds at the time a construction bid award is requested. This amount is expected to be reduced in anticipation of receiving grant funding in the amount of $75,000 from Burbank Water and Power�s Tree Shade Program.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council and Redevelopment Agency Board approve the Design Development Plan for the Burbank Boulevard Streetscape Project and direct staff to proceed with the Construction Document Phase.
EXHIBITS:
A Conceptual Plans B Monument Location C Burbank Leader Advertisement D Street Tree Elevation E Street Tree Perspective F Existing Flashing Pedestrian Light G Sample Landscaped Median H Original Proposed Victory Boulevard Median I New Proposed Median J Mariposa Circulation K Budget
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