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AGENDA RECOMMENDATION |
8.A.
City Council Regular Meeting
- Meeting Date:
- 03/10/2025
Agenda Item:
Resolution approving the Riverfront Drive Lighting and Streetscape Project (City Project # 11140).
Recommendation/Action(s):
Adoption of the attached resolution.
Summary:
This proposed project was reviewed by the City Council at its February 24, 2025, Work Session. It is a follow-up to the recently completed reconstruction of Riverfront Drive completed in 2024. The 2024 project includes the complete replacement of the existing four-lane roadway with a new three-lane roadway, new municipal utilities, expanded sidewalks, new traffic control signals and new roadway lighting. No additional streetscaping or aesthetic improvements were included in this project.
The Old Town Association represents the commercial core on Riverfront Drive between Plum Street and Madison Avenue. As construction neared completion in 2024, concerns were raised by Old Town businesses regarding the highway-style lighting being installed and the lack of streetscape amenities provided by the roadway project. The City initiated a feasibility study and worked closely with members of the Old Town Association to address concerns and develop improvements that could be implemented as soon as possible within the boundaries and constraints of the just completed project.
In addition, as part of the City’s routine streetlight replacement program, a project has been budgeted for in 2025 to replace roadway-style lighting on North Riverfront Drive. The total number of lights to be replaced is similar to the number of lights proposed to be exchanged in the Old Town area of Riverfront Drive.
This project proposes to combine the two projects on Riverfront Drive and to re-use the roadway lighting removed from the Riverfront Drive project on the North Riverfront portion of the project.
The total cost of the project is estimated to be $742,000. Funding for the proposed improvements would come from the following two sources:
Ultimately, the execution of this funding strategy will allow for a $3,000 surplus compared to the 2025 budget.
The Old Town Association represents the commercial core on Riverfront Drive between Plum Street and Madison Avenue. As construction neared completion in 2024, concerns were raised by Old Town businesses regarding the highway-style lighting being installed and the lack of streetscape amenities provided by the roadway project. The City initiated a feasibility study and worked closely with members of the Old Town Association to address concerns and develop improvements that could be implemented as soon as possible within the boundaries and constraints of the just completed project.
In addition, as part of the City’s routine streetlight replacement program, a project has been budgeted for in 2025 to replace roadway-style lighting on North Riverfront Drive. The total number of lights to be replaced is similar to the number of lights proposed to be exchanged in the Old Town area of Riverfront Drive.
This project proposes to combine the two projects on Riverfront Drive and to re-use the roadway lighting removed from the Riverfront Drive project on the North Riverfront portion of the project.
The total cost of the project is estimated to be $742,000. Funding for the proposed improvements would come from the following two sources:
- The 2025 Streetlight Operations Fund allocated $205,000 ($120,000 poles/fixtures and $85,000 installation) for streetlight replacement on North Riverfront Drive.
- $537,000 of levy supported one-time energy payoff payments from Debt Service (budgeted $540,000), used towards the front end of the annual energy-saving payments due from the Streetlight Operations Fund. This allows for a reduction in the streetlight fund expense, which will be re-allocated towards the annual payments to the Riverfront Drive Street Lighting and Streetscape construction fund until paid in full.
Ultimately, the execution of this funding strategy will allow for a $3,000 surplus compared to the 2025 budget.