Adopt Resolution #22-285 Ordering Plans and Specifications for Improvement Project #23-02, Central Park main Parking Lot Reconstruction

Purpose:
The purpose of this case is to adopt Resolution #22-285 ordering plans and specifications for Improvement Project #23-02, Central Park Main Parking Lot Reconstruction.
 
Background:
City Improvement Project #23-02 proposes to reconstruct Central Park’s main parking lot. Reconstruction of the parking lot is in the 10-year Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for construction in 2024, but is proposed to be moved up to 2023 to be constructed concurrently with 161^st Avenue, a separate project identified within the 10-year CIP. The existing parking lot was built in 1985, is approximately 1.6 acres in area, and generally consists of 2.25” of bituminous pavement placed directly on sand subbase.
 
On April 12, 2022, the Ramsey City Council accepted a proposal for a topographic survey of the project area from Bolton & Menk.
 
On June 21, 2022, the Ramsey Public Works Committee (PWC) reviewed bicycle and pedestrian facilities as part of the 161^st Avenue Street Reconstruction. The PWC recommended extending a trail along 161^st Avenue, generally located north of the boulevard trees within Central Park, with a goal of minimizing tree impacts, and existing park facilities, along the entire corridor. Those recommendations will also be incorporated into the Central Park parking lot reconstruction.
 
On November 10, 2022, the Ramsey Park and Recreation Commission (PRC) had a discussion of the proposed Central Park parking lot reconstruction as part of consideration of the 2023 – 2032 Parks Capital Improvement Plan. The PRC supported the project in general, specifically using medians to collect stormwater runoff and provide shade trees. Additionally, using the available green space adjacent to the parking lot to increase the footprint of the parking lot, while not losing trees. The PRC supported a one-way directional parking lot layout to increase safety for pedestrians, but to also maximize stall count if possible. It was discussed for Staff to discuss a shared parking agreement with PACT Charter to help offset use, particularly on the easterly fields.
 
On November 15, 2022, the Ramsey PWC considered recommending City Council authorization to prepare plans and specifications for this project. The PWC generally supported the project, including creating the medians to provide shade trees, using the available green space adjacent to the parking lot to increase the footprint of the parking lot while not losing trees. The PWC supported a two-way parking lot layout to maximize the total stall count.
 
Project Scope
Staff has identified several goals associated with the parking lot reconstruction including:

• Increase safety for vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians
• Reduce stormwater runoff leaving the parking lot
  • Runoff currently flows across the surface of 161^st Avenue
  • Staff proposes to route stormwater runoff under 161st Avenue using storm sewer
• Increase access to park facilities for bicycles and pedestrians
• Increase overall parking stall count for Central Park (as noted below)

 
Staff has identified two preliminary proposed parking lot layouts which are attached to this case. Variations to these layouts are possible. After discussions with the Ramsey PRC and PWC Staff is proposing to move forward with the one-way traffic flow pattern for the parking lot reconstruction. This option increases safety for bicycles and pedestrians. By directing vehicles in a single direction, all users will have an immediate understanding of traffic movements into and out of parking stalls. This option provides the center medians which will both intake stormwater runoff and provide shade trees. Sidewalk is proposed to be connected to the proposed trail running through the existing green space south of the parking lot, and connecting to the building and existing park trail. The existing parking lot has 202 stalls, the one-way directional parking lot provides approximately 193 stalls. The reduction in parking stalls can be addressed during the future reconstruction of the Central Park internal road system and with the shared parking agreement with PACT Charter. Staff estimates an additional 30 to 35 spots can be added in the future as angled parking along the northern portion of the park drive and as an addition to the tennis court parking lot. PACT Charter’s northern parking lot proposes to have 139 stalls. If Staff can work with PACT Charter to have access to a portion of these stalls for Central Park use, it would be a significant net increase to parking for Central Park. (Developing a cross-parking agreement between PACT and the City was a stated stipulation of PACT's plat approval.)
 

Summary Table: Parking Lot Layout Options
Option	Traffic Flow	Aisle Width	Stall Count	Stall Dimension	Parking Angle	Shade	Stormwater
Existing	Two-way	28-29 feet	202	18-19’ deep 9-10’ wide	90°	None	Not Controlled
Option 1 Two-Way Flow	Two-way	24 feet	234	20’ deep 9’ wide	90°	Trees in medians	Lowered medians (infiltrate 1” rainfall)
Option 1A Keep existing median	Two-way	24 feet	214	20’ deep 9’ wide	90°	Trees in medians	Lowered medians (infiltrate 1” rainfall)
Option 2 One-Way Flow	One-way	17 – 24 feet	193	22’ deep 9’ wide	60°	Trees in medians	Lowered medians (infiltrate 1” rainfall)
Option 2A Keep existing median	One-way	17 – 24 feet	176	22’ deep 9’ wide	60°	Trees in medians	Lowered medians (infiltrate 1” rainfall)

 
Future Central Park Considerations
This project is proposing to only reconstruct the main parking lot and the easterly drive access as necessary for storm sewer to be connected to 161^st Avenue. The smaller southern parking lot, park drives, and parking lot bay across from the hockey rinks are the same condition and age as the main parking lot. Staff proposes to phase the construction of these facilities to allow for continual use of Central Park by the public. Additionally, the proposed construction window of this project is only 4 – 6 weeks to accommodate Spring and Fall use of the facilities by the Anoka Ramsey Athletic Association (ARAA), as well as consideration of other events within the City utilizing the park. Increasing the scope of this project beyond the main parking lot reconstruction would not allow the project to be completed within the desired timeline, which would negatively impact other scheduled users.
 
Project Timelines
Staff is proposing to prepare plans and specifications for these improvements in-house, as part of their normal duties. The following are the proposed general project timelines:
 
December 13, 2022     City Council Authorization to prepare plans and specifications
Dec 2022 – Feb 2023  Staff prepares plans and specifications
Feb 2023                     City Council approves plans, authorizes bidding
Feb – Apr 2023           Bids advertised and opened, City Council award contracts
May – June 2023        Begin construction
July 2023                    Target construction window (begin construction / substantial completion)
August 2023                Final Completion
 
Staff proposes to bid 2023 projects separately, but to bid and award projects as close together as practical, which generally allows for a better bidding environment for the City.

Notifications are not required for this case. However, Staff will maintain close communication with the Anoka Ramsey Athletic Association to coordinate athletic field programming and tournaments. Staff will also continue working with PACT Charter School to obtain a cross-parking agreement to provide additional parking for park users on PACT's site. 

Observations:
Estimates are CIP level and will be updated during the design process.
 
Alternatives:
Alternative #1: Motion to adopt Resolution #22-285 ordering plans and specifications for Improvement Project #23-02, Central Park Main Parking Lot Reconstruction.
 
Alternative #2: Motion of other.

Funding for these improvements is proposed to be a combination of Park Improvement Trust Funds ($345,000), Storm Water Utility Funds ($115,000), and Capital Maintenance Funds ($340,000). Total project costs are estimated as $800,000 per the 10-year CIP.

Staff recommends Alternative #1.
 
On November 15, 2022, the Ramsey PWC recommended City Council authorization to prepare plans and specifications for Improvement Project #23-02, Central Park Main Parking Lot Reconstruction.

Motion to adopt Resolution 22-285 ordering plans and specifications for Improvement Project #23-02, Central Park Main Parking Lot Reconstruction.