Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Public Works

 

TO:

David L. Corliss, City Manager

 

FROM:

Chuck Soules, Director of Public Works

 

CC:

Diane Stoddard, Cynthia Wagner, Jonathan Douglass, Toni Wheeler

 

DATE:

November 19, 2012

 

RE:

City Commission Agenda Item on September 25, 2012

 

 

Project HistoryIn November 2010, voters approved an $18-million, 20-year bond issue to renovate and expand Lawrence Public Library.  This bond issue also included plans to add a 250-space parking structure that doubles the number of spaces for the Library, Outdoor Aquatic Center, Senior Center and general parking availability in downtown Lawrence. Now that construction for the parking garage is nearing, the City of Lawrence is proposing to add an additional level, approximately 70 spaces, to the parking garage to maximize parking spaces available in downtown and to take advantage of efficiencies that can be achieved now while construction is occurring on this project.

 

Staff held two public meetings at 7:30 am at the Lawrence Arts Center on September 18th and September 20th

 

On September 25, 2012, the City Commission held a public hearing on the advisability of adding an additional level (approximately 70 spaces) to the Library Parking Garage.  The City Commission directed that staff to await the actual bid proposal and look at the option of exempting churches, residential property, and those areas used for parking.

 

On October 30, 2012, bids were received for the Garage.  The alternate bid for the additional level will cost $834,806.00.  Attached is a spreadsheet taking into account the bid and City Commission direction included. 

 

Notices were mailed to property owners on November 28, 2012 advising of the new assessments and notice of City Commission meeting.

 

Project DetailsThe City owns 959,510 square feet (bold) or 34.59% of the benefit district area.

Exempt areas total 486,308 square feet (red) or 17.53% of the benefit district area.  (see attached map)

 

The attached spreadsheet would have the City paying for the property owned by the City $288,725.00 (bold) plus the exempted areas $146,334.33 (red) for a total of $435,059.00 or 52% of the cost of the project.  To do this the City will have to enter into agreements to pay the assessments for those properties that the Commission determines should be exempted.

 

Resolution No. 6995 provides that the Improvements shall not be commenced if, within 20 days after publication of this resolution, written protest signed by both 51% or more of the resident owners of record of property within the improvement District and the owners of record of more than half of the total area of said district are filed with the City Clerk

 

Action RequiredAdopt Resolution No. 6995 setting out the findings of the Governing Body and ordering the construction of an additional parking level on the parking garage at 707 Vermont Street.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

Charles F. Soules, P.E.

Director of Public Works

 

CFS/ch