Logan Hopp, Project Manager

Approval of this action item will provide the authorization necessary to proceed with the acquisition of the land rights necessary for the completion of CIP #42048 Sarival Avenue widening between Yuma Road to Elwood Street and for the completion of CIP #42047 for intersection improvements at Lower Buckeye and Sarival Avenue.

A combined total of $1,916,600 has been budgeted in fiscal year 2025 for land purchase in Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) projects 42047 Intersection Improvements at Lower Buckeye and Sarival Avenue ($46,400) and 42048 Sarival Avenue Widening between Yuma Road to Elwood Street ($1,870,200).  These budgeted amounts will be used to pay compensation for (i) the land rights being acquired, which will include by way of example, fee simple interest in additional right-of-way needed for the project; permanent easements, such as public utility and sidewalk easements, drainage easements, and sidewalk easements; and temporary construction easements; (ii)  payment for landscaping and other improvements impacted by the Project; (iii) payment of costs to cure; and (iv) transaction-related costs such as appraisals, title insurance, closing costs, and legal fees of outside counsel if eminent domain is required.

Mayor and Council of the City of Goodyear previously approved Capital Improvement Project Number 42048 to improve and widen the west half of Sarival Avenue between Yuma Road and Elwood Street and Capital Improvement Project Number 42047 to improve the intersection at Lower Buckeye and Sarival Avenue.  The two projects are included in the city’s Capital Improvements Program.  Because of the overlap of the improvement areas, city staff will complete the two capital improvement projects under one contract.  The improvements to be constructed include, by way of example but not limitation, the installation of traffic signals, additional street lanes, turn lanes, bus bays, bike lanes, sidewalks, drainage improvements, landscaping, and relocation of existing utilities. 

The objectives of the two projects are to improve traffic flow and safety at the intersection of Lower Buckeye Road and Sarival Avenue and to improve capacity, traffic flow, safety, and accessibility for motor vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians heading south on Sarival Avenue between Yuma Road and Elwood Street.  The purpose of this action is to authorize the acquisition of real property interests needed for the completion of the two capital improvement projects, which will include rights-of-way, public utility easements, drainage easements, sidewalk easements, and temporary construction easements.

The project impacts sixteen parcels located along the west side of Sarival Avenue between Yuma Road and Elwood Street and the intersection of Lower Buckeye Road and Sarival Avenue. A depiction of the 16 parcels that will be impacted by the projects is attached as Exhibit A to Resolution 2024-2419. CIP Engineering staff and the design team have worked diligently on a design that is cost-effective and minimizes the impact to affected property owners, while still achieving the goals of the project as described above. Based on current design plans, which are 60% complete, the city will acquire an approximate 66,122 sq. ft. of land in Fee Simple interest, 17,707 sq. ft. of Public Utility and Sidewalk Easement area, and 1,605 sq. ft. of Temporary Construction Easement area, although the square footage may increase or decrease as the plans for the project are further refined. The square footage of the drainage easement is still to be determined. 

Construction of the improvements cannot commence until the necessary real property interests are acquired. The design plans are 60% complete and are to the point that various real property interests can be quantified. Because of the time it can take to acquire real property interests, staff needs to move forward with the acquisition of the real property interests identified as being needed by the CIP Engineering staff and the design team. 

Accordingly, staff is recommending the Mayor and Council adopt Resolution 2024-2419 authorizing and directing City Staff to acquire, by dedication, donation, purchase, or the exercise of the power of eminent domain, the real property interests needed for the completion of improvements to the west half of Sarival Avenue between Yuma Road and Elwood Street and to the intersection at Lower Buckeye Road and Sarival Avenue from the owners of the properties identified on Exhibit “A” attached to Resolution 2024-2419.