Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutC40670 Update Plans for Phase II Alessandro Alley Imprvmnts 817-21STAFF REPORT CITY OF PALM DESERT PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT MEETING DATE: October 15, 2020 PREPARED BY: Tom Garcia, P.E., Director of Public Works REQUEST: Authorize staff to negotiate a contract with The Altum Group to update the plans for the Phase II Alessandro Alley Improvements. Recommendation By Minute Motion, authorize staff to negotiate a contract with The Altum Group to update the plans for the Phase II Alessandro Alley Improvements, and authorize the Acting City Manager to execute the contract. Funds are available for the design in Account No. 4514341-4400100, Capital Bond Funds for the Alessandro Alley Improvements. Strateaic Plan The proposed action will further the goals of the Strategic Plan by providing a safer, more efficient, and more reliable transportation system for residents and visitors. It is also consistent with the Strategic Plan's goals to revitalize the Highway 111 corridor. Backaround Analvsis The rehabilitation of Alessandro Alley has been a City goal for many years. The project as originally envisioned would stretch from the east side of the Walgreens property on Monterey Avenue to Las Palmas Avenue. Project objectives included improving the condition of the asphalt, installing landscape and drainage improvements, and creating parking spaces along the north side of Alessandro. In addition, a block wall would be constructed to separate Alessandro from the properties to the north. In 2017 the City Council also considered undergrounding the overhead utilities, but ultimately decided against it due to the $3.8 million cost, the lack of a funding source, and the addition of about two years to the project schedule. Palm Desert's 2016 general plan update established a city center area or downtown. To help articulate a consistent vision for the area, the One Eleven Development Code was created, which provides detailed guidance for developments on and near the Highway 111 corridor. As a result, the vacant parcels north of Alessandro are now subject to the Downtown Edge District zoning overlay that acts as a buffer between the downtown development area and nearby residential neighborhoods. The zoning allows a wide array of uses, including developments up to three stories that include residential, office, service, and retail uses. October 15, 2020 - Staff Report Authorize staff to negotiate a contract for Phase II improvements to Alessandro Alley Page 2 of 3 Due to the new zoning overlay and the fact that the City owns the majority of the parcels on the north side of Alessandro, an opportunity for a large master planned, multiple parcel development emerged. For this reason, the larger improvements to Alessandro were split into two phases. Phase I of the project is in an area with established residential housing that is bounded by Las Palmas Avenue on the east to approximately 220' east of San Marcos Avenue. Phase I improvements include street rehabilitation, drainage improvements, the installation of parking stalls, landscape improvements, and a block wall. This phase of the project is currently under construction. The City has been working to obtain two additional parcels along Alessandro's north side and package all of the lots in that area for a developer to create a master planned project. During this time, significant rehabilitation of the pavement along this section'ofAlessandro has been deferred. Despite the City's best efforts, acquisition of the remaining parcels has not been possible. as the property owners have shown no interest in selling. Since it appears unlikely that improvements to this part of Alessandro will be completed any time soon as part of a large private development, it is appropriate for the City Council to consider interim improvements. This could be accomplished by prioritizing a project as part of the City's annual pavement rehabilitation program. The first step in moving such an interim project forward would be to update the existing plans. If the City Council desires to move forward, the Public Works would recommend that the Council authorize staff to contract with the Altum Group, the designer of both the original project and of the aforementioned Phase I, to update Phase II project design. Phase II improvements to the Alessandro Alley will be similar to the improvements constructed under Phase I, with the major difference being that no wall or landscape improvements will be constructed along the north side of the Alley. The Downtown Edge District zoning overlay encourages light industrial and commercial uses on the ground floor, which would benefit from access to Alessandro. Construction of a wall would inhibit access to these parcels, which is not in keeping with the goals of attracting businesses and development in this area. The improvements constructed under Phase II would include street rehabilitation, drainage improvements, and temporary parking along the north side of the alley. . Upon completion of the modifications to the plans and identification of a source of funding for construction, the project could be put out to bid in the first quarter of 2021 with a contractor ready to begin work as soon as June, 2021. Construction funding can come from various sources including bond funds, Gas Tax, Measure A, and General Fund reserves. Staff would provide a funding recommendation when a construction contract is presented to the City Council, should that be the Council's direction. October 15, 2020 - Staff Report Authorize staff to negotiate a contract for Phase II improvements to Alessandro Alley Page 3 of 3 Fiscal Analysis Upon receiving City Council direction, staff would negotiate a cost for updating the Alessandro Improvements Phase II plans with The Altum Group, which is currently under contract with the City for Alessandro Alley Improvements Project, Phase I. The cost to modify the plans is expected to be less than $50,000. Funds are available for the design in Account No. 4514341-4400100, Capital Bond Funds for the Alessandro Alley Improvements. Additional funding may be required for construction. LEGAL REVIEW DEPT. REVIEW -r0nVC7C,Yci.a1 FINANCIAL REVIEW Robert W. Hargreaves Tom Garcia, P.E. Janet M. Moore City Attorney Director of Public Works Director of Finance Interim City Manager, Randy Bynder ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER Andy Firestine Assistant City Manager Sanchez, Gloria From: Sent: To: Subject: Jim Wylie <jim@shunka.me> Thursday, October 15, 2020 10:36 AM CouncilMeeting Comments Agenda Item 14 We support the efforts of Mr. Castelli to advocate for the work on Allesandro Alley. We especially want to see the wall completed from its current end across San Marcos and to the West. The 24 hour car wash is a neighborhood n.uisance and a solid wall would hopefully reduce the noise considerably. We agree with the council that the Tamarisk trees on San Pablo should be removed. Thank you for your consideration. Mary White Jim Wylie 44860 San Clemente Cir Palm Desert, CA 92260 Sent from Mail for Windows 10 1