Title
EASEMENT E-1819-22: CONSIDERATION OF ACCEPTANCE OF A PERMANENT RIGHT-OF-WAY EASEMENT DONATED BY THE CITY OF NORMAN FOR THE 36TH AVENUE N.W. WIDENING FROM TECUMSEH AVENUE TO INDIAN HILLS ROAD.
Body
BACKGROUND: On August 28, 2012, the citizens of Norman voted in favor of a Bond Issue to finance the local share of eight transportation/stormwater improvement projects. One of the eight 2012 bond projects is the 36th Avenue NW Widening Project between Tecumseh Road and Indian Hills Road. Please see the attached location map showing the project boundaries.
On November 22, 2011, the Norman City Council approved Programming Resolution R-1112-64, requesting federal funds for the 36th Avenue NW Bond Project. This resolution states the City’s commitment to adhere to the terms and conditions of a federally funded project including engineering design, acquisition of all necessary rights-of-way and relocation of utilities and encroachments at 100% the City’s cost. In return, the Association of Central Oklahoma Governments (ACOG), through the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT), agrees to provide 80% of the construction cost, estimated at $11,500,000, and administration of the construction with the matching share from the City of Norman.
Proposed improvements for the 36th Avenue NW Bond Project include:
• Widen two miles of roadway from two lanes to four lanes
• New traffic signals at 36th Avenue NW and Franklin Road and 36th Avenue NW and Indian Hills Road
• Interconnect signals between Tecumseh Road and Indian Hills Road
• Dedicated left turn lanes at All Saints Catholic School
• Fifth lane north of Indian Hills Road to Market Place
• Storm water improvements
• Continuous sidewalks along both sides of the roadway with the 10 foot wide legacy trail from Tecumseh Road to Franklin Road on the east side
• Bicycling facilities as listed in the Norman Bike Plan
On March 12, 2013, City Council approved engineering services Contract K-1213-170 with the engineering firm of CP&Y, in the amount of $703,878.50, to design the 36th Avenue NW Bond Project from Tecumseh Road to Indian Hills Road.
DISCUSSION: Widening of the roadway, stormwater improvements, signal installations, safety improvements, continuous sidewalks, bike lanes and utility relocations requires the dedication of additional street right-of-way by the City of Norman on land designated for Ruby Grant Park. The right-of-way dedication has been approved by the City Department of Parks and Recreation and Norman Parks Board. The attached exhibit illustrates the proposed right-of-way easement (Parcel 1) and utility easement (Parcel 1.1) necessary to complete the 36th Avenue NW widening. Parcel 1 contains 2.08 acres and is approximately 32 feet wide by 2600 feet long. Parcel 1.1 contains 1.78 acres and is approximately 30 feet wide by 2560 feet long.
RECOMMENDATION NO. 1: Staff recommends that the above right-of-way be accepted and the filing be directed thereof.