TO: Mayor and City Council
THROUGH: Steve Powers, City Manager
FROM: Peter Fernandez, PE, Public Works Director
SUBJECT:
title
Funding and project approval for a pedestrian crossing median on the 2600 Block of Pringle Road SE
Ward(s): Ward 2
Councilor(s): Councilor Andersen
Neighborhood(s): Morningside
end
ISSUE:
Shall the City Council approve construction of, and partial funding for, a pedestrian crossing median on the 2600 Block of Pringle Road SE?
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
Staff recommends Council approve construction of, and partial funding for, a pedestrian crossing median on the 2600 Block of Pringle Road SE.
body
SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND:
The Willamette Education Service District, located at 2611 Pringle Road SE, is in the process of completing work on their new Early Childhood Center, located at 2600 Pringle Road SE-directly east of their existing building. With the opening of the Center, District staff anticipate numerous daily pedestrian crossings of Pringle Road as staff move back and forth between buildings for meetings and job duties. They are concerned for the safety of their employees in crossing a heavily traveled arterial street.
District and Public Works staff have discussed ways to address the safety concern and have concluded that a pedestrian crossing median will provide the best solution. Attachment 1 shows an illustration of the median and its approximate location. Public Works staff estimate that design, widening of Pringle Road SE, and installation of the median will be $135,000. The District has offered to pay $35,000 to defray the estimated construction cost of the median itself (see Attachment 2). Staff recommends that the City absorb the costs for design, street widening and other ancillary items.
FACTS AND FINDINGS:
1. The Willamette Education District has requested a pedestrian crossing median to increase safety on Pringle Road SE at their location.
2. Public Works staff believe that pedestrian crossing medians are an effective tool to increase pedestrian safety at mid-block crosswalks.
3. The estimated cost for design and construction of this project is $135,500. The Willamette Education District has offered to pay $35,000 to defray these costs. The City’s share of the costs will come from 2008 Streets and Bridges Bond savings.
4. The 2008 Streets and Bridges Bond has sufficient savings to cover the City’s share of this project. The project is consistent with the bond covenants.
5. Other organizations have inquired about installing pedestrian crossing medians on streets adjacent to, or near, their buildings. If Council approves the Willamette Education District’s request, staff will suggest to these organizations that they consider funding at least half of the installation costs as part of the project approval process.
Peter Fernandez, PE
Public Works Director
Attachments:
1. Pringle Road SE pedestrian crossing median location illustration.
2. August 1, 2016 letter from Willamette Education District.
08/17/2016