Work Order 16-05 Central Avenue will widen Central Avenue from 32nd Street West to Shiloh Road. City staff has been negotiating with the adjacent owners for the necessary right-of-way.  The needed right-of-way was identified on the design project plans and must be acquired prior to construction. The Montana University System owns the property on the north side of Central Avenue at 38th Street West. The extra right-of-way is required to build a roundabout at the intersection of Central Avenue & 38th Street West.  The University System has agreed to donate the necessary right-of-way in exchange for a portion of the improvements being installed along their Central Avenue frontage.

City Council may:

• Approve the right-of-way agreement and deed with the Montana University System, or;
• Disapprove the right-of-way agreement and deed.  If not approved, there will not be enough right-of-way to widen Central Avenue.

The Montana University System is donating the right-of-way and construction easement. In exchange for the right-of-way, the project will construct a portion of the Central Avenue improvements.  These improvements include street widening, curb, gutter, and sidewalk adjacent to their property.  The cost estimate for these improvements is $84,131.78.  The cost for the right-of-way to build the roundabout is $61,217.12.  The University System will be assessed for any improvements greater than the cost of the right-of-way.

Staff recommends that Council approve the right-of-way agreement and deed with the Montana University System.