TO: Mayor and City Council
THROUGH: Kristin Retherford, Interim City Manager
FROM: Peter Fernandez, PE, Public Works Director
SUBJECT:
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Acquisition of Property for the Lancaster Drive NE/Watson Avenue NE Pedestrian Crossing Project.
Ward(s): 6
Councilor(s): Hoy
Neighborhood(s): NOLA
Result Area(s): Safe, Reliable, and Efficient Infrastructure
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SUMMARY:
summary
The Lancaster Drive NE/Watson Avenue NE Pedestrian Crossing Project includes construction of a signalized pedestrian crossing on Lancaster Drive NE between Watson Avenue NE and Glendale Avenue NE, installation of street lighting, and construction of ADA-compliant sidewalk ramps (Attachment 1, Project Location Map). The project is currently in the design phase and it has been determined that easements will be required from adjacent property owners to construct the required improvements.
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ISSUE:
Shall City Council adopt Resolution No. 2022-32 (Attachment 2) declaring a public need to acquire and the City of Salem’s intent to negotiate for the acquisition of easements for the Lancaster Drive NE/Watson Avenue NE Pedestrian Crossing Project?
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
Adopt Resolution No. 2022-32, declaring a public need to acquire and the City of Salem’s intent to negotiate for the acquisition of easements for the Lancaster Drive NE/Watson Avenue NE Pedestrian Crossing Project.
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FACTS AND FINDINGS:
This project will improve pedestrian safety and connectivity along a Major Arterial street by providing a midblock pedestrian crossing and refuge. The project is being designed in the public interest and there is a public need to acquire easements from three properties to construct the required improvements. The locations and property owners of the easement acquisitions are shown on Resolution No. 2022-32, Exhibit 1 (Attachment 3). Two of the easements are within Salem City limits, while the third easement is within Marion County jurisdiction. The City will negotiate with the property owners to acquire the required easements and will pay just compensation for all acquisitions.
This project is fully funded by the Safer Crossings program. 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 schedule for 2023.
BACKGROUND:
The Salem Pedestrian Safety Study identified the need for a midblock pedestrian crossing on Lancaster Drive NE near Watson Avenue NE to alleviate observed vehicle and pedestrian conflicts. Under current conditions, pedestrians may only cross Lancaster Drive NE in this high-traffic area at one of two intersections, approximately 0.33 miles apart. A crossing at the proposed location will provide pedestrian connectivity between the two intersections.
Brian D. Martin, PE
City Engineer
Attachments:
1. Project Location Map
2. Resolution No. 2022-32
3. Resolution No. 2022-32 Exhibit 1