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HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 8297 INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 8297 January 16, 2001 ' t5A To the Mayor and Members of the City Council �+r i 1YF�+ SUBJECT: IH35W/IH30 INTERCHANGE URBAN DESIGN REPORT The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), in conjunction with the City of Fort Worth has undertaken an ambitious program of freeway reconstruction which will reshape the urban fabric of downtown Fort Worth. Over the past nine years, TxDOT has spearheaded a planning and design effort to rebuild those portions of Interstate Highways 30 and 35W that approach and are adjacent to downtown. The proposed improvements extend beyond the IH-30/IH-35W Interchange east to Riverside Drive and west to Forest Park Boulevard on IH-30, and north to Luella Street and south to Hattie Street on IH-35W. The purpose of this report is to outline the level of landscape improvements along the right-of-ways, TxDOT's responsibilities for installation and the City's proposed responsibilities for maintenance. All construction improvements within the right-of-ways will be funded by TxDOT as proposed in the "Urban Design for the IH35W/IH30 Interchange Reconstruction" commissioned by the City and TxDOT in ��41995. TxDOT has agreed to fund approximately $1,500,000 for landscape beautification of the right-of- `ways, which includes plant material and irrigation and a one-year irrigation and plant life maintenance and warranty. The ending dates of the warranty will vary from site to site since the landscaping will be phased in as sections of the project are completed. The design intent for the Project Plan focuses on the simple and effective use of plant materials within the freeway environment typically viewed by automobile passengers at high rates of speed. Taking this into consideration there will be approximately 3,342 trees, 88,032 square feet of bed/planting space for 7,336 shrubs, 45 acres of turf and more than 16 miles of irrigation pipe serving over 4,000 irrigation heads. The landscape work began in the fall of 1999 with the start of Phase One, which includes areas on IH-30 between Summit Avenue and Hemphill Street as well as the IH30/US287 interchange area, and will include the installation of selected trees, shrubs, turf, and associated portions of the irrigation system. All landscape phases should be completed by 2004. Since TxDOT accepts the landscape work from the contractor in sections (each water service point, its related irrigation system and associated plantings may be accepted individually), the dates on which the City would assume maintenance will vary accordingly. Following installation of plant materials and prior to initial acceptance by the State, there is an initial 90- day Plant Establishment period. This is followed by a one-year Plant Maintenance period, during which the TxDOT contractor is responsible for operating the irrigation system and for maintaining the plants in a vigorous and healthy state. Following successful completion of the one-year maintenance period, TxDOT will accept the plantings in sections as described above, and notify the City that it is to assume maintenance of the accepted section. i The extent of the new freeway construction will inevitably have a dramatic impact on the image and increased viability of downtown Fort Worth. A high level of maintenance to these areas will be necessary ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS ,... ....... INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 8297 January 16, 2001 aarrA�p Page 2 of 3 To the Mayor and Members of the City Council �yr�xas '87 SUBJECT: IH35W/IH30 INTERCHANGE URBAN DESIGN REPORT to retain the design intent and overall aesthetic goal. In order to ensure a high level of maintenance is completed on a regular basis for these areas, it is recommended that the City of Fort Worth assume responsibility for maintaining the landscape and irrigation systems. TxDOT has proposed that an interlocal agreement be executed with the City. The general terms of the agreement with TxDOT allow for the City's maintenance responsibilities to begin upon completion of each of the landscape development projects and shall remain in effect for a period of two years from the date that maintenance and operation responsibilities are first assumed by the City. It is proposed that the agreement be renewed annually thereafter in perpetuity unless modified or terminated by mutual agreement. The main responsibilities for both parties would include: The State agrees to complete the following: • Construct the landscape improvements in accordance with the approved design plans and specifications; • Sufficiently maintain the landscape beds, plantings and irrigation system until final acceptance by the U " ' State and assumption by the City. The City agrees to perform the following landscape maintenance functions: • Complete all possible and reasonable means to preserve the plant material in a healthy and vigorous growing state; • Mow, trim and remove litter on all turf areas on the City's established mowing schedule similar to that in the area (currently every 7 days); • Operate and maintain the irrigation system to ensure the plantings receive an ample amount of water to maintain a healthy and vigorous growing state. A landscape project of the magnitude of the IH35W/IH30 will require additional resources to include a plumbing/irrigation crew, a mowing contract and an electrical contractor to monitor electrical boxes for the irrigation system. Estimated costs for these services are as follows: • Irrigation crew: Two technical staff plus a utility bed pickup with supplies. First year cost $154,796 Annual cost $126,796 • Contract mowing program that will include litter removal seven days a week plus trimming and mowing on a seven-day schedule. (Note: the Central Business District is currently on a seven-day schedule). First Year cost $120,890 Annual cost $172,700 ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 8297 January 16, 2001 Page 3 of 3 TV To the Mayor and Members of the City Council -ONXA fe7'j SUBJECT: IH35W/IH30 INTERCHANGE URBAN DESIGN REPORT • Electrical contractor to perform regularly scheduled inspections and preventive maintenance of electrical irrigation systems. First year cost $5,000 Annual cost $8,000 Total First Year Cost $280,686 Total Annualized Cost $307,496 In summary, the IH35W/IH30 landscape program will be a vital link to the downtown area. The visual impact will affect the downtown work force and become a tourist draw. It is important that a high degree of maintenance be performed to guarantee the aesthetic value remains top priority. Unless the City Council directs otherwise, a Mayor & Council Communication will be brought forward to enter into the interlocal agreement with TxDOT. Should you have any questions regarding this matter, please contact Richard Zavala, Parks and Community Services Director or Libby Watson, Assistant City Manager. o Terrell 'qty Manager ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS ...............