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HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 8111 INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No, February 24, 1998 fart To the Mayor and Members of the City Council I Page 1 of 2 Subject: CAMP BOWIE BOULEVARD/7THSTREETIBAILEY AVENUE/UNIVERSITY DRIVE INTERSECTION PROJECT On May 9, 1995 (M&C C-14806), the City Council authorized the execution of a Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Improvement Project with the Texas Department of Transportation (NDOT) for corridor improvements at the Camp Bowie Boulevard / 7th Street / Bailey Avenue / University Drive intersection for an estimated cost of $1,250,000. The State will be responsi- ble for securing the eighty percent (80%) Federal share and the City is re- sponsible for securing the twenty percent (20%) Local share. On December 17, 1996 (M&C C-15824), the City Council approved an engi- neering services agreement with Barton-Ascbma-n Associates to conduct an extensive public outreach program, and prepare plans and specifications for the project. On February 18, 1997, a Project Advisory Committee was formed to provide guidance on the improvement alternatives. The Committee members include The Honorable City Councilmember Jeff Wentworth, Bonnie Holmes (Presi- dent of the Associated Businesses of the Cultural District), Thomas Reynolds (Fort Worth Cultural District Committee), Marla Price (Director of the Mod- ern Art Museum), Diane Dolan (Monticello Neighborhood Association Repre- sentative), and key staff from TxDOT and the City of Fort Worth. The Proj- ect Advisory Committee has met 6 times over the past year. Barton-Aschman Associates interviewed a total of 22 key individuals from the private and public sector between the period of March 11 through April 15, 1997 to receive input on their perspective of the intersection. REVIEW AND DISCUSSION OF ALTERNATIVES An extensive public outreach program was conducted to develop and review various alternative concepts. Three public meetings were held at the Amon Carter Exhibit Hall on April 22, 1997, November 6, 1997, and January 15, 1998. Nine (9) alternatives were presented at the first public meeting held on April 22, 1997. The alternatives varied from a traffic circle concept to partial clo- sure and full closure of the West 7th Street approach and Bailey i vy,"qp ap., proach to the intersection. Subsequent meetings were held with t '8o, ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH.TEXAS INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 8111 oF.- To the Mayor and Members of the City Council February 24, 1998 Ut. �' �_ Page 2 of 2 }fXP6 Subject: CAMP BOWIE BOULEVARD/7TH STREET/BAILEY 1873 AVENUE/UNIVERSITY DRIVE INTERSECTION PROJECT Directors of the West Area Council on May 22, 1997 and with the Associated Businesses of the Cultural District (ABCD) on June 10, 1997, to discuss the proposed alternatives. The nine (9) alternatives were refined to four (4) alternatives for further de- tailed review. The four (4) alternatives were evaluated and ranked based on criteria developed by the Project Advisory Committee that included providing a gateway into the Cultural District, enhancing urban design features, minimizing negative impacts, and improving traffic flow. The four (4) alter- natives were presented at the second public meeting held on November 6, 1997. Approximately 120 citizens attended the second public meeting. RECOMMENDED PREFERRED .ALTERNAT]VE Based on the input received at the public meetings and input received from other interested organizations, the Project Advisory Committee recommended support of the alternative shown on the following attachment. This alterna- tive provides additional open space for planned gateway treatments into the Cultural District such as extensive landscaping, monuments, fountains, and/or other special features. The alternative also minimises negative im- pacts to adjacent properties and businesses, and enhances urban design fea- tures that include improved pedestrian safety and signage. This alternative requires no street closures to the intersection. The alternative was presented as the recommended preferred alternative at the third public meeting held on January 15, 1998. Approximately 100 citizens attended the third public meeting. The overwhelmingly response from citizens who attended the meeting was support for this alternative. Unless otherwise directed by the City Council, staff will proceed with final design and bid advertisement for the recommended preferred alternative. The schedule for completing final design and right of way acquisition is six (6) months. The schedule for completing construction is seven (7) months. S aff p completion of the project by April of 1999. Bob Terrell City Manager ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT wowm,TEXAS �� U .r w U ,. �.. r �ry r r (J 63 / ° ..._.. ....... r roll RECOMMENDED PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE CAMP BOWIE / 7 T" STREET / BAILEY AVENUE/ UNIVERSITY DRIVE INTERSECTION