HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemo - Read Before Packet - 09/03/2024 - Memorandum from Dana Hornkohl re: Engineering Department Capital Projects Follow up – September 3, 2024 Agenda Item Numbers 8, 9, and 10: Mail Creek Trail, Vine and Timberline Overpass, and Cordova RoEngineering Department
281 N. College Ave.
PO Box 2047, Fort Collins, CO 80522
970-221-6605
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CC: Clay Frickey; Ralph Campano
MEMORANDUM
Date: August 23, 2024
To: Mayor and City Councilmembers
Through: Kelly DiMartino, City Manager
Tyler Marr, Deputy City Manager
Caryn Champine, Director of Planning Development & Transportation
Brad Buckman, City Engineer
From: Dana Hornkohl, Capital Projects Manager
Subject: Engineer Department Capital Projects Follow-Up
August 12, 2024, Leadership Planning Team (LPT) Meeting
August 20, 2024, City Council Regular Meeting
At the August 12, 2024, Leadership Planning Team (LPT) meeting there was a question asked
about the August 20, 2024, Regular Meeting, agenda item 14. The question asked if the South
Timberline Mail Creek Trail Underpass would be complete prior to the Power Trail at Harmony
Underpass. The South Timberline Mail Creek Trail Underpass is complete and open to the
public. Construction of the Power Trail at Harmony Underpass will begin in 2025 and is
anticipated to be completed within 12-months.
At the August 20, 2024, City Council regular meeting there were questions from Councilmember
Ohlson concerning agenda items 15 and 16.
Item 15, Councilmember Ohlson was interested in getting a more formal timeline for the Vine
and Timberline Overpass Project. The project is identified in the City’s Master Street Plan (MSP)
as well as the Transportation Capital Projects Prioritization Study (TCPPS) completed in July
2023 and adopted by City Council on September 19, 2023. A conceptual level design and cost
estimate (~$56M) were developed as part of the TCPPS effort. For comparison, the Vine and
Lemay Overpass Project was substantially completed in 2021 for a cost of ~$30M. The Railroad
Crossing Elimination (RCE) Grant Program was included in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
passed in 2021. The Vine and Timberline Overpass Project qualifies for this program which
Docusign Envelope ID: 7BD2098A-6AFA-492E-9C1A-C6C1A3FEE580
Memorandum to Mayor and City Councilmembers, dated August 23, 2024
Page 2
would provide significant funding assistance and accelerate planning, design, right-of-way
acquisition, and construction if funds are awarded. The City unsuccessfully applied for planning
funds in 2022. Application feedback was positive, and staff is working on a new application to be
submitted by September 23, 2024, for Project Planning (Track 1) funding. If this application is
successful, this will put the project on a track for potential future funding for Project
Development (Track 2) and Final Design/Construction (Track 3) funding. Each track is expected
to take approximately two years. Grant awards are dependent on the City’s ability to meet local
match obligations (~20%) and successful complete of each track. Outside of the RCE Grant
Program, this project would be primarily dependent on City funding and development
contributions. The pace of development in northeast Fort Collins would play the primary role in
the project timeline.
Item 16, Councilmember Ohlson asked how often a developer had been unable to secure
property to be dedicated as right-of-way as part of their development requirements, and the City
had agreed to pursue acquisition of the property. Staff is unaware of any previous instances of
this occurring. Councilmember Ohlson also asked what would happen if the cost of the property
is greater than $500,000. The amount of the developer payment to the City was based on a the
lower-end estimate developed in conjunction with the Real Estate Services (RES) group in the
Operations Services Department. The lower-end cost is based upon a previously negotiated
price for the sale of the right-of-way, plus incentives to complete the acquisition. If the City can
acquire the property while The Landing at Lemay is under construction, the developer will
construct Cordova Road, likely at a lower cost than the City could build it in the future.
If the current property owner rejects the City’s offer, or is unwilling to sell the property in
question, the City could choose to pursue eminent domain, either now, or in the future. The
estimate developed with RES includes costs associated with acquisition, property value, and
eminent domain proceedings if necessary. The MSP and the shape of the parcel in question,
limit the use of the property to right-of-way for the future section Cordova Road. If the cost of
pursuing eminent domain appears significantly greater than $500,000, the City would likely
postpone acquisition for more favorable terms.
Docusign Envelope ID: 7BD2098A-6AFA-492E-9C1A-C6C1A3FEE580