CR 97-141 Approve Feasibility Report & Order Project Hopkins Plaza/Hopkins Home Center Storm SewerG ~,.~ T
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July 30, 1997 ti o p e ~ Council Report 97-141
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Approve Feasibility Report and Order Project
Hopkins Plaza/FIopkins Home Center
Storm Sewer
Proposed Action.
Staff recommends the following motion: Move that Council accept a feasibility study as it relates
to the construction of storm sewer between Hopkins Plaza Apartments and Hopkins Home Center
and authorize an aereement with RCM Associates for plans and specification ~re~aration
Overview.
In 1991 the City undertook storm sewer improvements at the Bursch Restaurant site to enhance
redevelopment capabilities. At the time a movie theater concept was under consideration.
Assuming a theater would be built and that underground basement storage at the south end of the
restaurant would be abandoned, plans were made to make a future connection between 8th
Avenue storm sewer and a catch basin/manhole north of Hopkins Plaza Apartments and offthe
southeast corner of the vacant restaurant. The theater concept floundered and eventually the
Home Center came into being. A building addition compliments the older structure but is located
very near remnants of the old storm sewer system still in use. The City needs to complete a
project that it anticipated doing at some time in 1992-1993 in order to finally achieve full
development capabilities of the block and to reroute underground pipes to locations where
maintenance is unimpeded.
Primate Issues to Consider.
• Feasibility study -conditions and recommendations
• Costs and funding
• Staff recommendation
Supporting Information.
• Feasibility Report
Jame'"s Gessele
Engineering Superintendent
Analysis.
_ Feasibility study -conditions and recommendations
In May of this year City staff ordered a feasibility report to study a storm sewer project at the
Hopkins PlazalHopkins Home Center site identified in the current CIP. The study has been
drawn up by RCM Associates and includes a geotechnical exploration report and a building
condition report of the two affected buildings.
The report summarizes existing conditions as those of a current storm sewer pipe along the
east side of Hopkins Home Center with adverse grade, a catch basinJmanhole at the southeast
corner of the Home Center pivotal in the adverse grade issue, and an 18" storm sewer pipe
stub in 8th Avenue South near the southwest corner of the Home Center. The report goes on
to discuss issues related to making a connection between the 18-inch 8th Avenue stub and the
pivotal catch basinlmanhole. Two methods of construction are evaluated: open trench
construction and pipe jacking. Because of increased protection to adjacent building walls and
reduced impact on landscaping, pipe jacking appears to be a most preferred construction
method.
Costs and funding
The engineer has spelled out three alternatives to carry out a project and attached costs to
each:
1. Open trench method
Construction $43,000
Engineering(Admin. 8 600
Total $51,600
2. Pipe jacking (55 LF)
Construction $40,800
EngineeringlAdmin. 8.100
Total $48,900
3. Pipe jacking (135 LF)
Construction $49,100
Engineering/Admin. 9 800
Total $58,900
TIF revenues are the anticipated funding source for this project.
• Staff recommendation
Staff feels this project will solve an adverse pipe grade problem, answer concerns about
maintenance of an old and deep sewer system very near the Home Center building, and
provide more and varied options for development of the remainder of the site. Staff
recommends acceptance of the feasibility report and ordering of plans and specifications.
Stafffeels a middle ground between alternatives 2 and 3 would provide the best solution and
advises Council to focus approval on such a project scope.
RCM Associates have proposed engineering costs in the range of $8,100-$9,800 when
alternatives 2 and 3 are considered. Staff recommends authorization of an agreement with
RCM with the above range in quotes as a guide in financing the engineering costs.