ConocoPhillips has petitioned to vacate South 23rd Street between 3rd Avenue South and 4th Avenue South and 4th Avenue South between South 23rd Street and South 24th Street totaling 54,380 square feet. ConocoPhillips owns all of the property abutting the proposed right-of-way and may develop the property in the future, but has no immediate redevelopment plans.  Conoco's goal is to reduce traffic on the streets by making them private and allowing private road signs to be installed.  Currently, there is a water and a sanitary sewer line running through the proposed vacated area. ConocoPhillips will enter into an easement agreement that will allow full access to these lines and will require ConocoPhillips to relocate the water and sanitary sewer lines if they ever propose to construct a structure over the lines, including constructing a fence that limits access to the property and utilities.

The Council may:

• Approve acknowledgement of petition to vacate the above-mentioned right-of-way and set a public hearing for March 14, 2011.
• Do not acknowledge the petition and terminate the street vacation process.

A comparison land sales report was completed by Charles H. Hamwey, valuing the right-of-way at $2.25 to $2.50 per square foot. ConocoPhillips is offering the city $2.50 per square foot. In the past, the City has accepted $2.35 per square foot from ConocoPhillips for right-of-way. The total amount offered from ConocoPhillips is $135,950.00.

Staff recommends that Council acknowledge the receipt of petition to vacate portions of South 23rd Street and 4th Avenue South and set a public hearing for March 14, 2011.