Request of Action (TAP Grant Funding) 10052017
Town of Chapin Council Request of Action Subject: Zoning Department: Lexington Avenue Sidewalk Extension Project A. Purpose Council is requested to provide direction for how to proceed with the Lexington Avenue Sidewalk Extension Project. B. Background / Discussion On October 4th, staff was informed by newly assigned SCDOT project manager that the Lexington Avenue Sidewalk Extension Project was likely going to exceed $500,000 in order to be completed and that would only cover the Phase II portion (to Fairhaven and not reach Firebridge). As this amount exceeds the previously reported funding that has been secured staff is bringing the issue to Council for guidance. C. Legislative / Chronological History Staff completed and was awarded TAP funding ($227,540 with $180,000 federal and $47,540 local match) in 2016 to complete the Lexington Avenue Sidewalk Extension Project Phase II (Inez’s Day Care to Firebridge subdivision). In the process of trying to move the project forward SCDOT representatives conducted a field study with staff in December 2016. During the visit it was determined that due to potential wetlands impact and the need for a culvert widening just past the Fairhaven subdivision additional funding needed to be secured in order to bring the sidewalk to Firebridge. In 2017 staff requested and was awarded additional TAP funding ($225,006 with $180,000 federal and $45,006 local match) in order to complete the Lexington Avenue Sidewalk Extension Project Phase III (Fairhaven subdivision to Firebridge subdivision). In June 2017, upon further review by the Council of Governments and SCDOT, the Phase III project was pulled and instead an additional $104,000 was awarded in federal funds in order to complete Phase II prior to moving on the Phase III. SCDOT subsequently moved this project from one Project Manager to another in September and staff received a call clarifying the change in managers and voicing concern over project funding. Staff requested a detailed costs estimate and breakout of local match requirements. On October 4th staff received a rough estimate claiming the project would likely exceed $500,000 even without some of the curb and gutter proposed. D. Financial Impact A more detailed financial impact is listed below with each alternative. E. Alternatives Staff has come up with the following alternatives: 1. Approve the additional fund commitment necessary in order to proceed with the Lexington Avenue Sidewalk Project Phase II and pay the required local match ($68,380) with the expectation that an additional $147,660 may be required in order to complete the project. Total Cost for the project may exceed $500,000 according to SCDOT leading to the Town committing a total of $216,040.
2. Withdraw the TAP funding request and utilize only the local match ($92,540) and sidewalk fund ($18,403) monies already budgeted and manage the sidewalk project internally. Available funds to complete the project would be $110,943. 3. Request that SCDOT move the funds (total of $352,340 with local match of $68,380) to a new project in order to install crosswalks and new lighting systems at the intersections of Lexington Ave/Chapin Rd and Amicks Ferry/Chapin Rd while also requesting that Lexington County reallocate the $82,300 CTC funds dedicated to the NW Columbia Avenue sidewalk project to use on Lexington Avenue. Along with the sidewalk fund monies a total of $100,703 would available for Lexington Avenue Sidewalk project (if approved by Lexington County). 4. Withdraw the TAP funding request and request that Lexington County reallocate the $82,300 CTC funds dedicated to the NW Columbia Avenue sidewalk project to use on Lexington Avenue. Along with the sidewalk fund monies a total of $100,703 would available for Lexington Avenue Sidewalk project (if approved by Lexington County). 5. Withdraw the TAP funding request and do nothing with the monies already budgeted. If this path is chosen the improvements are still going to be necessary in the future and alternate funding sources should be pursued to serve the residents living in the Firebridge and Fairhaven subdivisions. F. Recommendation It is recommended that Council request that SCDOT move the funds to complete new crosswalks and new lighting systems at the intersections of Lexington Ave/Chapin Rd and Amicks Ferry/Chapin Rd to ensure pedestrian safety and promote walkability, while at the same time asking to reallocate the CTC funds from NW Columbia Ave to Lexington Ave. If SCDOT is unable to move the funds to a less labor intensive and artificially inflated project then withdraw the funding request and pursue the Lexington Avenue sidewalk project with budgeted Town resources. Recommended by: Chris Clauson
Department:
Zoning
Date: 10/6/2017
Project Expense Summary
Project Component Section A (5' Sidewalk) Section B (5' Sidewalk) Section E (5' Sidewalk) Section F (5' Sidewalk) Walking Bridge Soft Costs (Permiting) Surveying Engineering
Distance Price (lf) (Per lf) 140 $ 50 $ 266 $ 50 $ 481 $ 50 $ 503 $ 50 $ $ $ $ $ Total Cost $
Cost 7,000 13,300 24,050 25,150 15,000 3,500 8,000 10,000 106,000
2. Withdraw the TAP funding request and utilize only the local match ($92,540) and sidewalk fund ($18,403) monies already budgeted and manage the sidewalk project internally. Available funds to complete the project would be $110,943. 3. Request that SCDOT move the funds (total of $352,340 with local match of $68,380) to a new project in order to install crosswalks and new lighting systems at the intersections of Lexington Ave/Chapin Rd and Amicks Ferry/Chapin Rd while also requesting that Lexington County reallocate the $82,300 CTC funds dedicated to the NW Columbia Avenue sidewalk project to use on Lexington Avenue. Along with the sidewalk fund monies a total of $100,703 would available for Lexington Avenue Sidewalk project (if approved by Lexington County). 4. Withdraw the TAP funding request and request that Lexington County reallocate the $82,300 CTC funds dedicated to the NW Columbia Avenue sidewalk project to use on Lexington Avenue. Along with the sidewalk fund monies a total of $100,703 would available for Lexington Avenue Sidewalk project (if approved by Lexington County). 5. Withdraw the TAP funding request and do nothing with the monies already budgeted. If this path is chosen the improvements are still going to be necessary in the future and alternate funding sources should be pursued to serve the residents living in the Firebridge and Fairhaven subdivisions. F. Recommendation It is recommended that Council request that SCDOT move the funds to complete new crosswalks and new lighting systems at the intersections of Lexington Ave/Chapin Rd and Amicks Ferry/Chapin Rd to ensure pedestrian safety and promote walkability, while at the same time asking to reallocate the CTC funds from NW Columbia Ave to Lexington Ave. If SCDOT is unable to move the funds to a less labor intensive and artificially inflated project then withdraw the funding request and pursue the Lexington Avenue sidewalk project with budgeted Town resources. Recommended by: Chris Clauson
Department:
Zoning
Date: 10/6/2017
Project Expense Summary
Project Component Section A (5' Sidewalk) Section B (5' Sidewalk) Section E (5' Sidewalk) Section F (5' Sidewalk) Walking Bridge Soft Costs (Permiting) Surveying Engineering
Distance Price (lf) (Per lf) 140 $ 50 $ 266 $ 50 $ 481 $ 50 $ 503 $ 50 $ $ $ $ $ Total Cost $
Cost 7,000 13,300 24,050 25,150 15,000 3,500 8,000 10,000 106,000
