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Memo - St. Joseph's Church Petition for Vacation of 13th Ave S . Public Works Department Memorandum TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council COPY: Steven C. Mielke, City Manager Steven J. Stadler, Director of Public Works FROM: . . E' ~.~lul1.. Steven G. Bot, AssIstant CIty ngmeer ..D1)'~ DATE: December 6, 2001 SUBJECT: Review ofSt. Joseph's Church Petition for Vacation of 13th Ave. So. December 11, 2001, City Council Work Session On November 7, 2001, St. Joseph's Church submitted a petition request for the vacation of a portion of the road right of way on 13th A venue South between 1 st Street South and Mainstreet. St. Joseph's has submitted the attached concept plan for what they would propose to do should the street be vacated. Representatives of the Church will make an in-depth presentation of the plan to Council at the work session. . St. Joseph's hosted a neighborhood meeting on December 5, 2001, at th~ John Ireland School to discuss the potential vacation with the neighborhood and to try to address any concerns that the property owners in the area might have with the vacation proposal. In addition to City staff (Steve Stadler and Steve Bot), representatives of the City Gables Condominiums, the American Legion, and property owners of three apartment complexes on 13th Avenue South were in attendance. Highlighted below are some of the issues that came up during that meeting, and additional information is also provided that has been gathered by City staff since the meeting in an attempt to shed more light on the concerns raised by the residents. If the road were vacated, where would the alternate route be for emergency vehicles to access the area south of 1st Street South if the intersection of 1st Street South and 12th Avenue South becomes blocked for some reason (accident, etc.)? This issue was reviewed with the City Fire Marshall and he indicated there are three feasible alternate routes that emergency vehicles could take to access this area if the intersection of 1 st Street South and 1 ih Avenue South was blocked or restricted. These alternates include using the alley located between 11 th Avenue South and 1 ih Avenue South, using the parking lot and trail located on the south side of Central Park, and using the St. Joseph's parking lot and the trail in the potentially vacated 13th Avenue right of way. City staff would work with the Church to make sure the last option was designed into the St. Joseph's site plans. . Could an entrance into the St. Joseph's parking lot be made from 1 st Street South in order to alleviate some of the traffic from lih Avenue South? After discussing some possible options with representatives of the Church, it . seems feasible that a drive entrance to the parking lot could be located on the north side of 1 st Street South adjacent to the alley on the south side of 1 st Street South. The drive entrance would then curve to the east and head north so that the playground area space can be maximized. Could on-street parking along lih Avenue South in the vicinity of the City Gables Condominiums be eliminated to allow better visibility for the City Gables residents as they enter lih Avenue South? Elimination of anyon-street parking on 1 ih A venue South would most likely only be considered if equal and alternate public parking were allowed in the St. Joseph parking lot. The Church has expressed willingness to allow public parking in their lot if an agreement could be reached that would address liability and police patrol issues. City staff would highly recommend that a lighting upgrade in the lot be required of the Church if any agreement is made for public parking in the St. Joseph's lot in order to decrease the risk of incidents occurring. The counts for the traffic study (attached) which were done to look at the impacts of vacating 13th Avenue South were taken in January and do not reflect the traffic that comes to the area when activities take place at Central Park during the summer. What would the traffic study have shown if the counts were taken in the summer rather than the winter? After a lengthy discussion with the recreation coordinator in charge of the Central . Park activities regarding the use of the park and the impacts of this potential vacation, the following conclusions can be made. An average of approximately 25 cars come in 2 shifts per night (approx. 50 cars total per night) to use the ball fields directly adjacent to 13th Avenue South. Approximately half of these cars would normally come from the north and likely use 13 th A venue if it is available. It can be assumed that all of these cars park as close to the ball fields as possible. As a result, parking for the activities in the park at the St. Joseph's lot would be necessary to compensate for the lost on-street parking along 13th Avenue South. Since the main activities at the park occur at night (after the peak hour), the added traffic would not be included in the peak hour counts which represent the highest period (hour) of traffic in both the morning and the evening when people are going to and from work, school, etc. Because of this, the City staff feels that the report and the counts taken are accurate and a good representation of the potential traffic consequences of closing 13th Avenue South. The Church has also pointed out that during the summer, when the park traffic is the highest, the traffic going to and from the Church is the lowest due to school not being in session. There also has been some discussion revolving around possibly turning the existing alley running from lih Avenue South to 13th Avenue South into a one-way alley rather than two-way as it currently exists. At least one business owner located north of this alley has . . indicated that he would not be in favor of such a change. The general consensus to this point has been to leave the alley as is for now regardless of what decision gets made. The possibility of making the alley a one-way could be brought up at any point in the future if problems arise. The statement was also made by the owners ofthe apartments located on 13th Avenue South between 1st Street South and 2nd Street South that having to turn and go up I ih Avenue rather than being able to just go straight north on 13th Avenue would be more inconvenient for their renters. Although the inconvenience of going one block over verses going straight is undeniable, it does seem to be minimal and isn't completely unusual for many residential areas. In an attempt to help the numbers make more sense for the expected volume changes on 12th Avenue S. north of 1st Street S. if 13th Avenue S. is closed, I have put together the following summary of some other peak hour volume counts for comparable streets in Hopkins. Street AM Peak Hour lih Ave. S. if 13th Ave. S. is closed 126 (from traffic study) 11th Ave. N. (north of Mainstreet) 11th Ave. S. (south of Mainstreet) 8th Ave. N. (north of Mainstreet) 8th Ave. S. (south of Mainstreet) PM Peak Hour 181 408 626 148 306 201 472 147 336 . City staff feels it is also appropriate to inform the council of the estimated costs for reconstructing 13 th Avenue South. The estimated pending assessment for reconstruction is $47,994.70 for S1. Joseph's Church. The estimated City costs for the reconstruction project are $66,268.00. This estimated City cost does not include costs for the proposed watermain looping that may possibly be done regardless of the decision on the possible vacation. At this time, neither the Church or the City are proposing any direct City costs for the changes proposed with the potential vacation. All direct costs associated with the proposed vacation changes would be the responsibility of St. Joseph's. The public hearing and first reading of an ordinance for the petitioned vacation is scheduled for December 18, 2001. Staff is hopeful that a decision will be able to be made at that time as to the potential vacation. If a decision is made not to vacate the roadway, final design for the reconstruction of this portion of 13 th Avenue South (which has been on hold to this point) will be ordered to continue and the project could be constructed next year as was deemed necessary due to the existing pavement condition, which is at the point of failure. . g~~. ~ x I i ~'. X .s~5 ~ ,.~--~~~~~- II - , ./ / '\._, , I / / I I , , , , I , /....-......\. /~__._________~__~...J' \ f'" ...-.---.-----.........; f 1/ 1....--........ ',,...ol I Yo. r " 1(' I .'J.' ( \ :',..; \ ; I \ X \ I. '\,,--j \ I \__.~--_..~ 7,,'-,:... f , I I i ; \ \ . I \ \, \. '''-, "-" H i . . . . Mr. Steve Mielke City of Hopkins 1010 S. 1 st Street Hopkins, MN 55343 ~"," . ;,. '--. 61....ID y == !l'.~ri~':.,3 .~~=M-~=-- RE: Request for vacation of 13th Avenue South between the alley South of Mainstreet to I st Street South Dear Steve, The Church ofSt. Joseph is requesting the vacation of the above mentioned roadway in an effort to improve safety for the children attending the school and daycare. The extending of green space from the current comer of Central Park to the grassy playground area will enable us to provide safe access to what we are planning to be a nice youth play area with playground equipment and pathways. Based on a past City Traffic Survey showing little change in traffic patterns to the surrounding streets and the savings to the City for the upcoming reconstruction project, we feel that it is awin-win situation for both the City of Hopkins, the City Taxpayers and the Church of St. Joseph. We are in the process of having some plans drawn up to present to the City and will have those available for a neighborhood meeting The church is in the process of setting up a neighbor hood meeting with the surrounding neighbors and letting them know what our intentions are and to work with them to make sure that their concerns are heard. - We have also had a discussion with Mark Anderson, on behalf on Ron Clark Construction, who would like to build a project on the property. Since we still are in the process of a search for a new pastor and would rely on him for his leadership and guidance, so anything along those lines would be extremely premature. We appreciate your consideration on this matter and look forward to continue to be a good neighbor to the City of Hopkins. Sincerely, 7:J fL/. ()~ Paul Q'Gorman L1 ~!J~ jn JeHnek ;' ~ . . . saine ~osephs paRish 1310 MAINSTREET / HOPKINS, MINNESOTA 55343/ PHONE (952) 935-0111 November 27,2001 Mr. Steven G. Bot Assistant City Engineer, City of Hopkins 10 1 0 1 st Street South Hopkins, MN 55343 Dear Mr. Bot: The Church of S1. Joseph's has been in conversations with the City of Hopkins regarding the vacating (closure) of a portion of 13th Avenue South. The Church of S1. Joseph's is going to host a meeting with the residents and property owners on 12th and 13th Avenues that are most affected by this change. We respectfully request your attendance at a meeting to be held on Wednesday, December 5 at 7:30 P.M. in room 12 of the John Ireland School building. The purpose of this meeting is to hear the concerns of the property owners and to explain what St. Joseph's is contemplating. We want this to be a brainstorming, workable session to arrive at satisfactory recommendations addressing the needs of all the people. Representatives from the City will also be at this December 5 meeting. The closure of 13th Avenue is primarily for the safety of the children at the daycare center and John Ireland School and those attending our CCD and other related programs continuously during the week. Th;:: C~~.!rch. ~J"o plans on developing a playground area on the grass portion of the property for the use by the children. The Hopkins City Council has scheduled a work session to meet with the Church and the neighborhood to review the plan we develop on December 5 and discuss the potential options before the Council makes a formal decision on December 18. This December 11 meeting will take place at 6:30 P.M. in the Raspberry Room of City Hall. You are naturally invited to attend all three of these meetings but please be aware the December 5th and 11 th are working sessions which will probably result in recommendations to the City Council. Enclosed for your review and insIght into:,this matter is a traffic I'eVieVl of this proposal completed by Benshoof and Associates, Inc. at the request of the City of Hopkins. This report is dated February 15, 1999. It may be beneficial to review this report prior to our December 5 meeting. Once again, we encourage your attendance at the December 5 meeting so we can hear your concerns. As stated above, we believe a workable and beneficial solution can be achieved. Thank you for your time and consideration. J..rtJ vL1 Jelinek, Trlstee ?J!I)cL- Paul Q'Gorman, Trustee Directions: enter the east door of the John Ireland School building (parking lot), down the stairs, turn left J,VIIL.V'4,VVI JI...J/JUI nv. V I I I, .J .1 i" .. J ".w BENSHOOF & ASSOCIATES, INC. TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERS AND PLANNERS 10417 EXCELSIOR BOULEVARD, SUITE TWO / HOPKINS, MN 55343 / (612) 238-1667 / FAX (612) 238-'671 February 15, 1999 REFER TO FILE: 99-08 MEMORANDUM TO: Steven Stadler ~ FROM: James A. BenShO~~d Kenneth W. Anderson RE: Traffic Review of PrQPosed 13111 Avenue S. Closure PROPOSAL . St. Joseph Catholic Church School has requested that Hopkins close a portion of 13th Avenue S. from the ~ey south of Main St. to a point just north of 1 Bl Street S. The purpose of this closure would be to connect church property east of I311l Avenue S. with the schooVchurch development west of 131ll Avenue S. This closure would redirect vehicle trips, which are presently using this street, and the City has asked our fmn to review the probable impacts of such redirection on the neighborhood street system. BACKGROUND Eleventh Avenue S. connects the Main Street business area with Excelsior Blvd. at a signalized intersection. Central Park forms a neighborhCo~d boundary west of l3f1l Avenue S. A one and a half block area between III and zot. Streets S., east of Central Park and west of 111h Avenue has a mixrure of single family homes and apanments. Access to and from this area is restricted to 1" Street S. (easterly) and 12th or 13'" Avenue S. (northerly). ' A church play field and parking lots, along with the Legion Club, which'fronts on 12th Avenue S, utilize the ,area between 12th and 13th, north of 1st Street S. The church wishes to use the 13l1l Avenue S. right-of-way as an expansion area for parking and as access to the church play field (Figure 1). The City would retain the street section to the commercial alley south of the Main St. businesses. Access to the church, school and parking lots would be reconfigured to discourage through trips. . Town houses and apartment buildings in the south 'half of the block between 1111I Avenue S. and 12111 Avenue S., north of First Street take access via 12Tl1. Avenue S. Redirection of trips from 13111 Avenue S. to 12th Avenue S. will have some impact on access and egress to these units. ,\lVY,,-u,'-VVI ,j..JJllfJ v,L I I_VI_IJUI [\.LI\lV IlV. V I I I, U -- ~~.l ~J ~4~~"i> ''':; - ~~"'~~ ~ "\l :tHctJl. / f R r I ' - I 1 ~ rri I CD ~@: '" . I 'S (" ~ " N t APPROXlMAIE SCALE I iOO' 3 CITY OF HOPKINS TRAFFIC REVIEW OF PROPOSED 13TH AVENUE CLOSURE FIGURE 1 CURRENT CONCEPT PLAN m BENSHOOF &: ASSOCIATES, INC. V TRAIlSPORTATIOHeltllHEEJlSANDPUNNER8 nV1tL,V'L.VVI ,.IIJ.l11I1 V.l. I '_VI_IIV11'.l.I'tV nv. V I I I. I 1{r.Steven Stadler -3- February 15, 1999 . TRAFFIC COUNTS City traffic counts on 11lh Avenue S. show mar the segment berween Excelsior Blvd. and Main SL carries 10,000 vehicles per day. Main St. west of 1 I'" A venue S. carries 8, I 00 vehicles per day. Manual traffic counts were made by City staff from.7 to ~ a.m., from 11:00 a.m. to 1 :00 p.m., and from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. on two consecutive days in January 1999 (Monday, January 11, 1999 and Tuesday, Ja.llUary 12, 1999). Tuming movernems were counred on I" Avenue S. at 121ll Street S. and at 1311I Streer S. Entering and exiting movements were also recorded at the Legions parking lot, townhouses and condos on 1211I Avenue and a.t the St Joseph's schooL Two-hour volumes . (average of tWO days) are shown on Fig. 2-4. It should be noted that activity in Central Park is less intense in winter months and that additional trips could be expected during the summer period in conjunction with ball games and/or other park related activities. OBSERVATIONS Based on review of the City traffic data and observations in the area, we have determined that most: trips using streets in this neighborhood consist of the following movements: a) Neighborhood trips - Travel with an origin or destination at dwelling units served by IU Street S., 121lt Avenue S. or 13!A Avenue S. b) Business trips - Travel to or from the Legion Club or orher businesses nonh of I st Street S. . c) Church traffic trips - Primarily related to the church school during peak periods on weekdays. This includes parents dropping of or picking up students. d) Short;..cut traffic - Some motorists traveling between the west on Main Street and the south on 1111> Avenue are using 12'" or 13<11 Avenue in order to avoid delays at the Main Street/II Ul Avenue traffic signal. PROBABLE CP..ANGES IN TRAFFIC MCVElVIENT . Based on OUI traffic review, we have determined that the proposed closure of 13rll A venue will have the following effects on the neighborhood: · Residential traffic, which presently uses 13th A venue S. to reach Main Street, will have to relocate to 12th Avenue S. This is estimated to be 30 to 40 trips per hour during the peak hour. 1211> Avenue S. carries amoming peak hour volume of 401:0 SO vehicles per hour and an evening peak hour volume of 50 to 85 vehicles per hour. With 13 III Avenue S. closed, neighborhood trips will increase volumes on 12111 Avenue S. to an estimated 70~80 a.m. trips. and 90-125 p.m. nips. It should be noted that the predominant flow on 12111 Avenue S. is southbound and the predominant flow from the neighborhood is northbound. Therefore, rhe_ i~l?ac!_Qfthj~-reciire~;e;cJJl~':'{~:Uttl.Q~.P.~J),_signi:fica:o.~.~ble~. · Some trips between Main Street (west of 13i1l Avenue S.) and the nth Avenue S./ExceIsior Blvd. intersection presently shorr-cut through the neighborhood to avoid delays at signals along Main Street. (Note the heavy southbound to eastbound left !Urns from 12 and 13'" Avenue S. to First Street S. and the heavy westbound to norrhbound right turns from westbound First Street S. to the north). We would expect a shift of some traffic back to the 111ll AvenuelMain Street inrersection and some movement of trips from 13\11 Avenue to l2111 Avenue if 13111 Avenue is vacared. We project that the segment of 12th Avenue S. between Main Street and First Street S. will show an increase of approximately 20 trips (10 northbound and 10 southbound) in each of the peak hours due to redirected short cut trips. . IVV Y. LV. L V V I .J . I V I Iii V! II_VI_"VII\!IVV IVV. V I I I. U Legion CIj ~ i ::>. q: ~ .,... 1 U 5--.t =N.j 1 CI5 ~ c:: ! q: ~ Cl) .,... School j 19 Legion 3 l Condos r 6 r3 r 1 o ~ t2 r4 r Townhomes 1 2149 J~ N t L42 r2 iri 334 1 sf Street S. r--.. .C\IC1J~ JJl 8-3 L18 70 ~ ~49 1~ r2 1!fr- NOT TO SCAI..E Note: Volumes ars averag f en Monday, Jan. 1f.'S~9~U:STu~~edJ by CRy:staff . .....~y, an. 12, 1999 CITY OF HOPKINS TRAFFIC REVIEW. OF PROPOSED 13TH AVENUE , CLOSURE FIGURE 2 EXISTING TRAFFIC VOLUMES FROM 7:00 TO 9:00 AM \Xi BENSHOOF & ASSOCIATES INC U TlUHSPORTATlDNSliGIN5iRUNIl P~NNE~S " . . . ,..... ,. 4,..... L. V V I School N t NOT TO SCAl..E c:r.i ~ c::: !! '" s OJ - J 5 Legion ~- 1 914 J~ .... "__, _""'" "01."... - I.....' v I I ,. J Ctj ~ i s 'q;' ~ ~ Legion 12 W B-1' =N., 12 6 l Condos r2 r 2 o l t1 r2 r Townhomes 2 ..... l%)CClO -J ~ l 3 --.1' L 39 17 -? -E-24 2~ .r7 . ~lrl L23 r4 In 15 3 1 sf Street S. Note: Volumes are averages of cau on Monday, Jan. 11. lS99 an~~ed by Cily slaff I ~y. Jan. 12, 1995 erTY OF HOPKINS aD BENSHOOF 8: ASSOCIATES INC V TRANSPORTATlONelGINESRSAHD P~HN~~S TRAFFIC REVfEW OF PROPOSED 13TH AVENUE CLOSURE , FIGURE 3 EXISTING TRAFFIC VOLUMES FROM 11:00 AM TO 1:00 PM ';''-' " V 1 I '- v. L. V V ! .I I -( V I III V.I. I I VI IIVJ 1\.1. J'V crj Q) ::J c: ~ "'( S ~ School I 16 Legion ri 17 3055 ~~ L42 r4 N i Ii 424 t " 1st Street s. 11V. V I I I I I V c6 ~ as :::so oq; ~ - Legion 10 U 16--1" 4=N, "/ 5 6 L t Condos r1 r 1 3 l t::, r-3 r Townhomes 3 LOIO~ , .JJ ~ lL 3 33 56 --7 -E-- 54 2~ r10 1!fr- NOTTO SCAl..E Neta; Volumes are avemges of on Monday. Jan. 11, 1S9S~~~~edJ by City staff ........... an.. 12;. 1999 CITY OF HOPKINS \Xi BENSHOOF & ASSOCIATES INC ~ TRAUsPoRiAnONENGIN~RSAHDP~NN~a TRAFFIC REVIEW OF PROPOSED 13TH AVENUE CLOSURE FIGURE 4 EXISTING TRAFFIC VOLUMES FROM 4=00 TO 6:00 PM .' . . . "v ,~v Y. L U. L V V I ) . 't V, IYI II! I I_VI_IIVI I\!I~V I. I I liV. V I I Mr. Steven Smdler -7- February 15, 1999 · Some trips to and from the Legion parking lot will be forced to use the 12111 Avenue entrance/exit rather than entering or leaving via 13t11 Avenue. We estimate this to add six vehicles to 12lh Avenue S. in the morning and 16 vehicles in the evening with an even directional split. · Another group of drivers to be impacted by this change is parents dropping off or picking up children at St. Joseph's School. The present movement from First Street S. via 13th Avenue will be replaced by an access from the alley behind the Legion Club, We estimare rhat ten cars per hour in each direction will be added to 12ll\ Avenue S. during each of the rush hours as a result of these movements. Note that this increase will also be added to the alley traffic. For analysis. the two-hour COUnt periods were converted to one-hour (peak hour) volumes. Noon period (11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.) volumes were also evaluated and were found to be significanrly lower than either of the peak hours. The following table presents rhe expected volume changes on 12lD Avenue S. nonh of Ifl Street if 13111 Avenue is closed. The evening peak hour has rhe higher volumes' and represents the criteria for impact evaluarion Summary of Expected V oh.une Changes on 12111 A venue S. North of IJI Street S. if 13:ll A venue is Oosed Existing volumes AM Peak Hour NB ~ Toral 20 30 50 85 PM P~ak Hour N"B SB Total 35 50 Additional volumes if 13111 Avenue is closed ;Neighborhood nips ~.Short-cut trips Legion trips ~(Scho-9J. !rips Toral volumes if 13111 A venue is closed 20 10 30 25 15 40 10 10 20 10 10 20 3 3 6 8 8 16 10 lQ 20 10 lQ 20, 63 63 126 88 93 181 EVALUATION Im acts on Nei~hborh Closing 13<1\ Avenue S. will redirect Some neighborhood nips to l211l Avenue S. We do not feel rhat the resultant one or two blocks of additional travel distance will represent a major imposition on the neighborhood. ImoactS on the 12:ll Avenue S. Townhouses and Cond~ Increased traffic on 12th Avenue S. north of 1" Street S. will result in slight increases in delay for entering or exiting motorists using these driveways on 12th Avenue. The resultant delays, however, are not expected to be substantial because driveway volumes are lighr and because the toral projected volumes on lZ/ll Avenue are JUSt in the moderare category. t~V'.LV.LVVI .I1'TJI1f1 \/.1.1 '_VI_IIVt J\J.llV !IV. V I I I. II.. "" Mr. Steven Stadler . .8- February IS, 1999 Fire and Safetv Impacts . Closing i3'" Avenue S. will redirect police surveillance paths. The police department should comment on any concerns for patrol patterns. We have some concern that fire response apparatus will have only a single path access to the neighborhood. However, 1'1 Street S. is the most direct approach path and this will nor change. We recommend that a second emergency only access be provided at 11 tlI A venue S. and 2114 Avenue S. for use if the }'" Street SJ12111 Avenue S. intersection. is blocked. " School Drop-off Impacts-- Parents travelingberween the school and the southeast on l311l Avenue and 1'" Streer will have to redirect their travel path, most likely to lllb A venue S. and Main Street. Effect on "Short-Cm" Traffic Drivers who want to. a'loidthe Main Street signals will have one less option available. This impact should no!, in and of ~tself, be a deciding factor. However, tlrese trips along with the other traffic diverted to the 1211\ Avenue SlMain Street signal will increase delays at that intersection. There also will be some diversion of rhe~e "short-cU'c" trips back to the 11111 A venuelMain Street intersection. We view any shift of trips to the lllA A venuelM:ain Street intersection as a posia ve change because these streets are intended for such use. CONCLUSIONS VlhiIe peak hour volumes on 1211l Avenue S. are expected to increase from 50 vehicles per hour to 126 vehicles per ho.ur (a.m. peak) and from 85 vehicles per honr to 181 vehicles per hour (p.m. peak), the volumes still would be in the normal range for local downtown su-eets. We have some concern for design derails at the 13lh Avenue S. intersection with the commercial alley. This alley is too narrow for two-way traffic movementS. If 1311l Avenue is closed south of the alley. we recommend that the alley be restricted to one. way travel, eastbound from 131h Avenue S. to 12lh Avenue S. . If the City is interested in closing the subjecr segment of 13'" Avenue. we recommend thar the church and school develop a basic traffic operations plan for approval by the City before final action occurs [0 close the street. This operations plan is impOrtant to identify the basic ingress and egress patterns that would be used for different church and school functions and routing suggestions that would be communicated to users. Objectives that should be accomplished in this operations plan include: · Maximize traffic use of Main Srreet and 11 <l1 Avenue · Minimize rraf'fic use of l21h Avenue by the condominium and townhouse developments. · Minimize traffic use of the alley between 121h and 131h Avenues south of Main Street. · Minimize vehicle/pedestrian conflicrs in the expanded parking lot. Provided char the suggestions expressed in this repor! are implemented., we are confident that the subject segment of 131ll Avenue S. can be closed without causing any significant traffic difficulties. .