HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 02/27/2018 - POUDRE RIVER WHITEWATER PARKDATE:
STAFF:
February 27, 2018
Kurt Friesen, Director of Park Planning & Development
Jeff Mihelich, Deputy City Manager
WORK SESSION ITEM
City Council
SUBJECT FOR DISCUSSION
Poudre River Whitewater Park.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The purpose of this item is to review the whitewater park project status, identify and prioritize unfunded features of
the whitewater park project, and identify potential funding options for those items.
GENERAL DIRECTION SOUGHT AND SPECIFIC QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED
1. Is there interest from Council to fund unfunded features of the whitewater park project?
a. If so, what features are a priority?
2. What funding sources would Council consider for these features?
BACKGROUND / DISCUSSION
Project Status
The whitewater park will be located south of Vine Drive between College Avenue and the BNSF Railroad. Design
and permitting for the project are nearly complete, with construction anticipated to begin Spring 2018, and the
project complete in Spring/Summer 2019. A contractor has been selected for the project, and has been working
with the team to develop accurate project costs, determine appropriate means and methods for constructing in the
River, and identifying value engineering options to bring the project within budget.
Funding Sources and Funded Project Elements
Current funding for the project is provided from several sources, including the CCIP (Community Capital
Improvement Program).
Funding Sources Amount
Community Capital Improvement Program (CCIP) $4,200,000
Natural Areas $1,000,000
Stormwater $1,000,000
General Fund (property acquisition) $1,000,000
Park Impact Fees (property acquisition) $855,400
Fundraising $1,500,000
Total Available Funding $9,555,400
In addition to the funding sources listed, City staff has been investigating a potential URA (Urban Renewal Area)
funding request of $300,000, which has received support from the URA CAG (Citizens Advisory Group) and the
Council Finance committee. The funding request to the URA Board is currently on hold until after the Council
Work Session.
As available funding is not sufficient to fully fund the project as envisioned, the team focused on three primary
areas to right-size the project to fit within the available budget:
February 27, 2018 Page 2
1. Property Acquisitions. Seven properties were acquired along Vine Drive, opening the site to allow for
views towards the river from Vine Drive, providing space for parking, walk connections, and providing for
a rare park space adjacent to the Poudre River. Purchasing these properties now was critical, as once the
project is complete, the properties will no longer be in the floodway, making the properties unaffordable
for the City to purchase later.
2. Vine Drive Improvements. As required by City Code, improvements to Vine Drive will include street
improvements for the south half of Vine Drive, including added parking, bike lanes, parkway and walk
improvements. These improvements will begin the transformation of Vine Drive into an important street
within the Innovation District, as identified by the Downtown Plan.
3. River Improvements. As construction within the River is costly, requiring multiple permits, specialized
construction techniques, and can only be accomplished within a limited construction window (winter), it is
important that all River improvements associated with the project be completed at one time. River
improvements proposed will include significant stormwater enhancements, construction of whitewater
features and fish passage elements, bridge abutments for the pedestrian bridge, and ADA access to the
river.
Optional Features
To fully realize the vision and potential of the project, the following features could be added:
Project Element Description Approximate
Cost
1. Pedestrian Bridge The pedestrian bridge will provide a key connection from
downtown to the Old Town North neighborhood and North
College businesses, and future crossing of the Poudre
Trail
$525,000
2. South Bank Wall
Enhancements
Enhancements to a blank, gray concrete wall facing the
river along the south bank. Enhancements may include a
patterned/colored texture on the wall or other aesthetic wall
treatments.
$150,000
3. South Bank Plaza
Enhancements
South bank plaza enhancements may include improved
paving, sandstone benches, seating areas, and improved
railing, and an enlarged shelter.
$175,000
4. Landscape Enhancements Landscape enhancements include additional trees, shrubs
& irrigation in the south bank plaza and park area.
$250,000
5. Concrete Walks Concrete walks to replace proposed crusher fine walks that
extend from the parking lot and Vine Drive to the river.
$175,000
6. Children’s Play Area Lower terrace, stepped sandstone boulders, and handrail
designed for children to safely access the river for play.
$175,000
7. Site Lighting Additional parking lot lighting, pedestrian light poles
adjacent to walks, stairway lighting,
$350,000
8. Security
Cameras/Emergency Call
Station
A combined security camera/emergency call station to
provide improved security.
$60,000
9. Additional Project
Contingency (if needed)
Additional project contingency for constructing in the river
during a limited construction season. The recommended
February 27, 2018 Page 3
To date, Natural Areas has contributed $1.75M towards the project ($1M for project costs, and $750,000 for
acquisition of the water right at the Coy that makes the project feasible). Stormwater has contributed $1.5M
towards the project ($1M for project costs, $500k for flood mitigation and other improvements prior to the project
start). Project benefits realized by each department include:
Stormwater Benefits
• Increased flood conveyance under the College Avenue Bridge
• Removal of several parcels of developable land from the 100-year floodway
• New storm sewer system that conveys runoff from Vine Drive into a reconfigured water quality pond.
Natural Area Benefits
• Removal of Coy diversion structure
• Fish passage
• Stream and bank restoration
The total estimated cost of the project, without the optional features is $9,555,400. The total cost of all optional
features is $2,025,000. The following chart illustrates a potential cost allocation by funding source, with the option
of the Stormwater Department bringing additional funding to the project to share in the total cost of the elements
where departmental benefits are realized. Additional Natural Areas funding is not being recommended at this time
as staff believes that the current level of contributions is appropriate and aligned with the level of benefit to the
Natural Areas Program. Under this scenario, optional features could be funded from CCIP, General Fund, and
unidentified philanthropic sources. This potential allocation is conceptual only - more work is needed to determine
if additional funds are available and suitable for the purposes described.
Cost Allocation by Funding Source
Project Elements Total
Natural
Areas
Stormwater CCIP Fundraising
Park
Impact
Fees
General
Fund
URA
(funding
pending)
Philanthropic
Support
Vine Drive, Parking
and Storm Sewer
Improvements
$513,000 $213,000 $300,000
Property
Acquisitions and
Cleanup
$1,855,400 $855,400 $1,000,000
River
Enhancements
$3,165,000 $721,666 $721,667 $721,667 $1,000,000
Bridge Abutments
& Gathering Areas
$1,157,000 $1,157,000
Minimum
Landscape
Enhancements
$233,000 $77,666 $77,667 $77,667
Design,
Engineering and
Contractor Costs
$2,418,000 $129,335 $650,000 $1,138,665 $500,000
Project
Contingency
February 27, 2018 Page 4
ATTACHMENTS
1. Powerpoint presentation (PDF)
1
Poudre River Whitewater Park
Kurt Friesen, Park Planning & Development Director
2/27/2018
ATTACHMENT 1
Council Questions
1. Is there interest from Council to fund currently unfunded features of
the whitewater park project?
2. If so, what features are a priority?
3. What funding sources would Council consider for these features?
2
3
Project Funding Sources
4
Community Capital Improvement Program (CCIP) $ 4,200,000
Natural Areas $ 1,000,000
Stormwater $ 1,000,000
General Fund 2015 (Property Acquisition) $ 1,000,000
Park Impact Fees (Property Acquisition) $ 855,400
Fundraising $ 1,500,000
Total Funding $ 9,555,400
Project Focus
1. Property Acquisitions
5
College Avenue
Vine Drive
1 2 3 4 5 6
Whitewater Park
7
Project Focus
2. Improved Vine Drive with Additional Parking
6
Existing Condition
Project Focus
7
Phase I
Improved ½ of Vine Drive
16 New Parking Spaces
Future Phase(s)
Improved Street with Innovation District Character
2. Improved Vine Drive with Additional Parking
Proposed Condition
Project Focus
8
3. River Improvements
9
3. River Improvements - Floodway
Project Focus
Existing Condition
10
3. River Improvements - Floodway
Project Focus
Proposed Condition
Funded Project Elements
11
Vine Drive, Parking and Storm Sewer Improvements $ 513,000
Property Acquisitions and Cleanup $ 1,855,400
River Enhancements $ 3,165,000
Gathering Areas & Bridge Abutment $ 1,157,000
Landscape Enhancements $ 233,000
Design, Engineering & Contractor Costs $ 2,418,000
Contingency $ 214,000
Total Estimated Cost $ 9,555,400
12
Optional Features
Pedestrian Bridge
Optional Features
13
Pedestrian Bridge
Pedestrian
Bridge
Optional Features
South Bank Wall
& Plaza
Enhancements
14
Optional Features
Landscape Enhancements
15
Optional Features
Concrete
Walks
16
Optional Features
Children’s Play Area
17
Optional Features
Site Lighting
Security Cameras
Emergency Call Station
18
Optional Features - Costs
19
Project Feature Estimated Cost
1. Pedestrian Bridge $525,000
2. South Bank Wall Enhancements $150,000
3. South Bank Plaza Enhancements $175,000
4. Landscape Enhancements $250,000
5. Concrete Walks $175,000
6. Children’s Play Area $175,000
7. Site Lighting $350,000
8. Security Cameras/Emergency Call Station $60,000
9. Additional Project Contingency $240,000
Total Estimated Cost $2,025,000
Potential Funding Sources
20
Cost Allocation by Funding Source
Project Elements Total
Natural
Areas
Stormwater CCIP Fundraising
Park
Impact
Fees
General
Fund
URA
(funding
pending)
Philanthropic
Support
Vine Drive, Parking and
Storm Sewer Improvements
$513,000 $213,000 $300,000
Property Acquisitions and
Cleanup
$1,855,400 $855,400 $1,000,000
River Enhancements $3,165,000 $721,666 $721,667 $721,667 $1,000,000
Bridge Abutments &
Gathering Areas
$1,157,000 $1,157,000
Minimum Landscape
Enhancements
$233,000 $77,666 $77,667 $77,667
Design, Engineering and
Contractor Costs
$2,418,000 $129,335 $650,000 $1,138,665 $500,000
Project Contingency $214,000 $71,333 $71,333 $71,334
Total Estimated Cost
without Optional Features
$9,555,400 $1,000,000 $1,733,667 $3,166,333 $1,500,000 $855,400 $1,000,000 $300,000 $0
Optional Features $2,025,000 $1,033,667 $492,335 $498,998
Total Estimated Cost with
Optional Features
$11,580,400
Current Funding $9,555,400 $1,000,000 $1,000,000 $4,200,000 $1,500,000 $855,400 $1,000,000
Additional Funding
Needed
$733,667 $492,335 $300,000 $498,998
21
$214,000 $71,333 $71,333 $71,334
Total Estimated
Cost without
Optional Features
$9,555,400 $1,000,000 $1,733,667 $3,166,333 $1,500,000 $855,400 $1,000,000 $300,000 $0
Optional Features $2,025,000 $1,033,667 $492,335 $498,998
Total Estimated
Cost with Optional
Features
$11,580,400
Current Available
Funding
$9,555,400 $1,000,000 $1,000,000 $4,200,000 $1,500,000 $855,400 $1,000,000
Additional Funding
Needed
$733,667 $492,335 $300,000 $498,998
contingency for the project is $455,000. Currently, there is
$214,000 available. The additional $240,000 would bring
the contingency to an appropriate level for a project of this
complexity.
$240,000
Total $2,025,000