The City Council authorizes the design team to proceed with the final design based on the total project budget of $20.6 million, and recommends that all of the costs associated specifically with maintaining a healthy downtown community be re-allocated to the general fund. Council recognizes that utility rate studies, grant opportunities and design refinements will continue to shape the project cost and cost allocations.

The motion did NOT appropriate or allocate funds for the project, nor did it preclude further discussion of funding strategies for the project.

This motion is predicated by the 2008-2013 Capital Facilities Plan (CFP), which identifies the funding mechanisms currently recommended for supporting the project. The CFP is strictly a plan for funding strategies, which may be updated or revised by the Council at any time through recommendations from City staff and the public hearing process. 

 

The motion is intended to provide a budget framework for the project, and to guide the COBI and Heery streetscape team in the development of the scope-of-work for phase 2 of the design contract. It is also intended to keep the project, as developed during the 30% design phase, on-track for construction bidding in early 2009. The motion recommends that a portion of the construction budget relating to night work, sidewalk accessibility and public noticing should be paid for exclusively through the general fund as outlined in the CFP, and not through the utility fund. It also recognizes that the project cost will continue to be refined through the design process, and the cost allocations will continue to be refined through grants and rate studies.

What we get for how much.

Option A: Non-starter (Substandard)

Just Replace the Utilities & Patch the Sidewalks & Streets ......... $13.7 M

Ongoing disruption, maintenance and repair

Sub-standard accessibility

Entire project cost borne by utility rate payers

Net loss of 3 parking stalls

Diminished sense of existing character

Option B: City Standard

Replace the Utilities & Rebuild to Existing City Standards .......... $18.1 M

Uniform treatment of all new elements

Durable, long-lasting streetscape requiring minimal maintenance

Enhanced accessibility for all

Net loss of 3 parking stalls

Diminished sense of existing character

Diminished opportunities to express community values of sustainability

Option C: Community Values

Preliminary Design with Refinements ................................... $20.6 M

Context-sensitive treatment of all new elements

Durable, long-lasting streetscape requiring minimal maintenance

Enhanced accessibility for all

Net gain of 1 parking stall

Existing character enhanced

Community values of sustainability demonstrated

Cost with 1-year project delay: add $2.6 Mtotal: $23.2 M

Cost with 3-season project schedule: add $4.9 Mtotal: $25.5 M

Option D: All the Bells and Whistles

Preliminary Design with Options Considered but Rejected ......... $31.1 M

Bridge over the ravine with delay costs for permitting                   $3.2 M

Realign Bjune to create 4-way intersection at Ericksen                  $2.4 M

Spread construction out across 3 seasons                                      $4.9 M

Alternative strategies for allocating and funding the costs of rebuilding Winslow Way, including one that involves the use of an appropriately structured LID [Local Improvement District], shall be presented to council for its consideration and approval.