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VII.1. 8th Avenue Reconstruction Project Design Update – City Project 2014-09; Stanley (CR2016-094) September 20, 2016 Council Report 2016-094 TH 8AVENUE RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT DESIGN UPDATE CITY PROJECT 2014-09 Proposed Action There is no formal action needed, below is a summary of key items that will be covered in the update presentation. Overview th Final design on the 8 Avenue Reconstruction Project, termed The Artery, has been progressing and remains on schedule for bidding this winter. This update is intended to provide information and an opportunity for input on several items that have developed since Council’s last review of the project details. A presentation with graphics and more detailed information will be provided at the meeting. Primary Issues to Consider thst 8 Avenue from Mainstreet to 1 Street North Art Room Development Call for Public Art Monument and Signal Improvements at Excelsior Boulevard Coordination with Adjacent Properties Future Maintenance _________________________________ Nate Stanley, P.E., City Engineer Financial Impact: Budgeted: Y/N __ Source: __________________________________ Related Documents (CIP, ERP, etc.): CIP _ Notes: _________________________________________ Council Report 2016-094 Page 2 ANALYSIS OF ISSUES THst 8 Avenue – Mainstreet to 1 Street North A two way cycle track has long been proposed to extend from the future Downtown Hopkins LRT Station to Mainstreet. During the preliminary design process Three Rivers Park District expressed a desire to continue the cycle track north of Mainstreet to the Lake Minnetonka Regional Trail. Installation of the cycle track th along this stretch of 8 Avenue will have impacts to the corridor including: th  Relocation of the westerly curb line and loss of on-street parking on the west side of 8 Avenue. thst  Reclaimation/resurfacing of 8 Avenue from Mainstreet to 1 Street North. th  Relocation of light poles, signal poles and storm drains on the west side of 8 Avenue. th  Reconstruction of sidewalk on the west side of 8 Avenue. Staff has met with Three Rivers Park District to review and receive support for the design details. Three Rivers will also be funding the improvements related to completing the trail connection. Art Room Development One of the more unique features that will add to the identity of the Artery will be the Art Rooms spread throughout the corridor. The proposed Art Rooms are themed spaces approximately 10-feet by 30-feet in size, the following themes are proposed:  Garden Room  Water Room  Green Infrastructure Room  Gallery Style Art Room  3-D Art Display Room  Artist Installation (changeable annually)  Hopkins History Walk Call for Public Art The Artery’s identity will not only be defined by the underlying infrastructure, but also unique features developed by local artists. Staff has distributed a request for proposals for this public art, which will be incorporated into the following items:  Photo-Op Bench  Shade Canopy th  Iconic Illuminate Sculpture – to be placed at the NW corner of 8 Avenue/Excelsior Boulevard  Art Screen Panels – proposed to be placed at Garden and Water Art Rooms st  Street Closure Device/Sculpture – to be placed at 1 Street South The call for public art includes a proposed budget for each item and requests proposals including artists experience as well as functional requirements of each feature. Council Report 2016-094 Page 3 Monument and Signal Improvements and 8th Avenue and Excelsior Boulevard A new monument and signal improvements are proposed at this intersection. The entrance monument is intended to provide identity for the pedestrian, train rider, and motorist passing by. The signal improvements will involve the addition of a new signal head and timing for suitable interaction for pedestrians and cyclists. Coordination with Adjacent Properties Staff has been engaged in ongoing communication and coordination with adjacent property owners. Some of the key items of interest include construction schedule and access. Staff expects the conversations to continue, but feels significant progress has been made. Future Maintenance The Artery is going to require an intensive maintenance effort to keep all the various aesthetic features looking good and the sidewalks, street and cycle track safe during the winter months. For instance, there are more than 60 separate planted areas and about 30 container planters proposed in the corridor. There are also significant permeable paver areas, custom features, specialty lighting, the art rooms, tree grates with electrical outlets, benches, refuse containers, etc. We are hoping, of course, to be able to do a majority of the maintenance with in-house staff but we will, no doubt, require some amount of outside contract assistance to keep the corridor looking great year-round. Public Works staff anticipates that in the future additional funding for maintenance of the corridor will be necessary.