Consider Award of Contract for Engineering Services to Complete the Required Armstrong Boulevard Improvements Related to the Proposed Sunwood Drive Realignment

At a previous HRA worksession, consensus direction was given to proceed with the development of the area near the Sunwood Drive and Armstrong Boulevard intersection based on current interest in the proposed development.  As part of this project, Sunwood Drive would require realignment to it's eventual location based on current plans for the Armstrong interchange at Highway 10.

There are a number of components necessary to consider in assessing the feasibility of this realignment.  The most significant being traffic, and the phasing of work done on Armstrong Boulevard.   The AUAR prepared for the COR, by the previous developer, is due to be updated and several of the components in the AUAR update overlap with the feasibility analysis necessary for the Sunwood realignment project.

Landform was awarded a contract on June 28, 2011 to prepare a feasibility study for the realignment of Sunwood Drive, and update the necessary AUAR components.  The scope of services to complete their work did not include any items outside of the development area and within Anoka County right-of-way along Armstrong Boulevard.  The idea that was discussed through the approval process was to have WSB, the consultant that has been working on both the TH 10 interchange and the Bunker Lake Boulevard intersection signalization, perform the work within the Armstrong right-of-way.  Doing so would maximize efficiencies with the previous work they have completed on the traffic modeling, and provide Anoka County with assurances that the work within their right-of-way was being performed by a consultant they were familiar with and have confidence in.

Currently the traffic and land use components of the AUAR are in need of an update to reflect the current conceptual design approved by the HRA.  These two components are also necessary to properly assess and design the proposed Sunwood Drive realignment, as the uses and anticipated traffic have significantly changed since the original AUAR was drafted.  This work is proposed to be split between items located within the developable property owned by the HRA (Landform), and County right-of-way (WSB).

Attached to this case is a proposal from WSB to complete the necessary items for the feasibility study; update the traffic models along Armstrong Boulevard based upon the most current development scenario and adjacent improvement projects, and prepare a conceptual layout for a revised Armstrong/Sunwood intersection.  Additional information on the estimated cost to complete preliminary & final design is also shown for reference purposes.  Staff is looking for approval of a contract to complete the necessary feasibility study improvements, and the ability to negotiate a future design contract based upon the information provided.

An item of note is the fact that the estimate does not include any costs for property acquisitions or construction administration.  These items will likely be resolved during the feasibility study phase, as to who would be the best entity to perform this work (and associated costs), which would be brought back to Council for consideration.  If scope changes should occur for the design component of this contract during the feasibility study phase of the project, staff will bring any potential budgetary adjustments forward for Council consideration.

Staff recommends that the City Council award an engineering services contract to WSB & Associates in the amount of $35,290, to complete the required feasibility study items, AUAR traffic updates, and conceptual layout of the realigned Armstrong Boulevard and Sunwood Drive intersection.

Staff further recommends that the City Council authorize staff to negotiate a future design contract with WSB & Associates in an amount not to exceed $140,212 for this intersection, consistent with the estimated budget for such services.

Funding is proposed to come from State Aid, to be reimbursed with TIF District 14 proceeds (similar to all other regional roadway improvements contained within the AUAR for the COR).

Motion to award an engineering services contract to WSB & Associates in the amount of $35,290, to complete the required feasibility study items, AUAR traffic updates, and conceptual layout of the realigned Armstrong Boulevard and Sunwood Drive intersection.

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Motion to authorize staff to negotiate a future design contract with WSB & Associates, in an amount not to exceed $140,212, consistent with the estimated budget for such services.