Results from CRA meeting of 7/22

I thought you would like to know that the CRA approved the project design and contract amount for the 10th Avenue reconstruction project last night. The total amount of money budgeted for the project is $8.4 million and includes streetscape, landscaping, medians, lighting, under-ground electrical utilities and replacement/upgrade of water and sanitary sewer infrastructure. Physical work could begin as early as October of this year.

There was much discussion last night whether the design should or should not include provision for bike lanes. Given the width of the right-of-way, and the desire to have a shady/landscaped swale area between the 10th Avenue pavement and the adjacent sidewalk, the decision was made not to include the bike lanes. However, staff was directed in the same motion to come back with a proposed bicycle network for the City that would include access to areas around 10th Avenue. We also concluded that 10th Avenue would not be ideal from a safety perspective for bikes and the amount and type of landscaping would be less with the bike lanes. The vote was 4-2 on the design of the project and 5-1 regarding the financing. Chairman Mark Rickards was absent due to a family emergency. All other board members were present.

This happened to be Matt Constantine's last meeting as a CRA board member. He received well-wishes from the members that had the good fortune to work with him during the time he was a member of the board.