TO: Mayor and City Council
THROUGH: Keith Stahley, City Manager
FROM: Brian D. Martin, PE, Public Works Director
SUBJECT:
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Acquisition of Property for the Sunnyview Road NE and Hollywood Drive NE Pedestrian Crossing Improvements Project
Ward(s): Ward 6
Councilor(s): Julie Hoy
Neighborhood(s): East Lancaster (ELNA), North Lancaster (NOLA)
Result Area(s): Safe, Reliable and Efficient Infrastructure
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SUMMARY:
summary
The Sunnyview Road NE and Hollywood Drive NE Pedestrian Crossing Improvements project includes construction of a rectangular rapid flashing beacon (RRFB) on the east side of the Sunnyview Road NE and Hollywood Drive NE intersection, construction of ADA-compliant sidewalk ramps, and installation of street lighting (Attachment 1, Project Location Map). The project is currently in design.
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ISSUE:
Shall City Council adopt Resolution No. 2023-43 (Attachment 2) declaring a public need to acquire and the City of Salem’s intent to negotiate for the acquisition of easements for the Sunnyview Road NE and Hollywood Drive NE Pedestrian Crossing Improvements Project?
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
Adopt Resolution No. 2023-43, declaring a public need to acquire and the City of Salem’s intent to negotiate for the acquisition of easements for the Sunnyview Road NE and Hollywood Drive NE Pedestrian Crossing Improvements Project.
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FACTS AND FINDINGS:
This project will improve pedestrian safety and connectivity along a minor arterial street by providing a RRFB and curb ramps on the East side of the intersection. The project is being designed in the public interest and there is a public need to acquire permanent and temporary easements from two properties to construct the required improvements. The locations and property owners of the easement acquisitions are shown on Resolution No. 2023-43, Exhibit 1 (Attachment 3). All easements are within City limits. The City will negotiate with property owners to acquire the required easements and will pay just compensation for all acquisitions.
This project is jointly funded by the ODOT Safe Routes to School program and City match funds (Gas Tax Fund). A single resolution for the entire project declaring the need to acquire is all that is required at this time. A separate resolution authorizing eminent domain will be issued at a later date if easement negotiations between the City and any property owner fails.
Construction of the project is scheduled for 2025.
BACKGROUND:
The City’s Safer Crossing Program identified the need for a pedestrian crossing on Sunnyview Road NE at Hollywood Drive NE to alleviate observed vehicle and pedestrian conflicts. This intersection is located between three schools (McKay High School, Blanchet Catholic School, and Swegle Elementary School) and has no curb ramps in the North-South direction. Pedestrians are using this intersection to cross Sunnyview Road NE even with the lack of curb ramps and driver awareness. The closest North-South curb ramp crossings are located roughly 1000 feet away from this intersection. A crossing at the proposed location would provide pedestrians better connectivity and a safer crossing location.
This project was originally scoped to construct a median island at the intersection instead of a RRFB. During the public outreach process, a significant preference was expressed for installing a RRFB instead of a median island. Staff requested the design change to ODOT and they recently approved the amendment for the RRFB modification.
Allen Dannen, PE
City Engineer
Attachments:
1. Project Location Map
2. Resolution Number 2023-43
3. Identified Properties (Exhibit 1 to Resolution)