5. HRSR 08-07-2007 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

City of Elk River REQUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION Item Number 5.2. Agenda Section Meeting Date Prepared by Administration May 1, 2006 Scott Clark, Community Development Director Item Description Reviewed by Temporary Changes to Downtown Traffic Flow Plan Introduction Staff is in receipt of a letter dated Apri127, 2006 from the Bank of Elk River's contractor (VanMan) to temporarily re-route a portion of Main Street for a period of three months, starting on or around May 2, 2006. In turn, Metro Plains has submitted a letter dated Apri124, 2006 stating that they will abide by the construction schedule and traffic plan that was approved by the City on July 18, 2005. These two positions appear to conflict with each other since the re-routing of a portion of Main Street, coupled with the MetroPlains approved plan, creates aone-way Jackson Avenue that will create a temporary dead-end in downtown. Staff is of the opinion that by a series of signage and other changes this situation, although not ideal, could work and will appear as an option. The work on Main Street will have extensive utility work for two to four weeks (the majority of this work is driven by Metro Plains) with the additional two months necessary for the bank's contractor to complete retaining wall work and other improvements on the front side of the bank. This aforementioned work must be completed with equipment located along a portion of Main Street between Jackson Ave and Highway 10. The second factor that complicates the picture is the necessity of MetroPlains to start construction on Jackson Place. At this time, Metro Plains is of the opinion that their financing will be in place by June and a June 15, 2006 construction start is a possibility. At this time, MetroPlains has completed all of the necessary steps in the Development Agreement to accomplish the transfer of Jackson Square and all building permits have been reviewed and approved. Staff has reviewed with MetroPlains the feasibility of having their construction limits extend only to the curb line until the re-opening of Main Street (which keeps Jackson Avenue atwo-way) and then have the construction limit fence extend into Jackson Avenue (30 ft.) as agreed to by the Council in the summer of 2005. MetroPlains is of the opinion that this physically does not work and that due to the limited construction area, they need the 30 ft. construction limit in order to build. It should also be noted that the City's park construction and ERMU's directional boring summer project should not affect these schedules. Discussion Staff has had a series of internal meetings with all departments affected by this request. In addition, staff has been constantly in contact with the Rivers Edge Downtown Business Association's members (both by e-mail and in person) to explain the fact situation and the preliminary recommendations. As discussed