TITLE: Title
Update on the design for the Jones Creek Greenway (C-5181)
PURPOSE: The purpose of this agenda item is to provide the Board with an update on the Jones Creek Greenway.
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DEPARTMENT: Planning
CONTACT INFORMATION: Christina Moon - 919-918-7325; Patricia McGuire - 919-918-7327; Zachary Hallock - 919-918-7329
INFORMATION: At the April 9th and May 7th Board of Aldermen meetings, the Board received presentations from the design consultant, Wetherill Engineering, on the design of the Jones Creek Greenway at 15 percent and 30 percent design. Each of these meetings included opportunities for public comment during the Board meetings and for more informal drop-in sessions for members of the public before the Board meetings. The Jones Creek Greenway is a short segment of greenway that will extend north from the northern end of Lake Hogan Farms Road to the southern end of the existing Jones Creek Greenway running through Twin Creeks Park and continuing on to the Morris Grove Elementary School. This new segment of the greenway (C-5181) will run roughly parallel to an OWASA sewer line and Buckhorn Branch and will involve a crossing of Buckhorn Branch.
Discussion at the April meeting focused on different aspects of the design of the physical infrastructure, such as what would the bridge look like, truss style, decking material, what type of trail surface, etc. At the May 7th meeting, comments were directed more toward the relationship between the proposed alignment and the existing “goat path” and the extent of clearing that would be necessary for the proposed multi-use path. The Greenways Commission received a presentation from Wetherill on June 10th and also expressed interest in specific aspects of the alignment, along with ways to allow the corridor to remain open during construction for continued access to Morris Grove Elementary School. Staff, moreover, has been working with the consultants to anticipate the alignments of the future north-south connector road from Lake Hogan Farms to Eubanks Road and the future east-west road extending from Old NC 86 to parts east and providing the main entrance to Twin Creeks Park and the Ballentine subdivision.
As a reminder, greenway projects typically include check-in points at key intervals in the design process-usually 30 percent and 60 percent completion. Staff had anticipated holding the public hearing at 60 percent completion, but recommends postponing that input session until early September to provide sufficient time to thoroughly evaluate and respond to site conditions and comments. Staff will also request renderings or similar graphics to assist members of the public to visualize the greenway and is location in the corridor to aid in their final input on the design of the project. Once 60 percent design is complete, the consultants will focus on obtaining permits and associated easements as part of the preparation of the project proposal for bid.
FISCAL & STAFF IMPACT: The anticipated total cost of the project is $850,250: 80 percent ($680,200) to be funded by federal Congestion Mitigation Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) funds and the remaining 20 percent ($170,050) through local match. The use of CMAQ funds includes a Greenhouse Gas emission analysis before and after completion.
RECOMMENDATION:r Staff recommends that the Board receive the update and offer any additional feedback for the design for the Jones Creek Greenway.