This neighborhood has the highest rate of water main breaks than any other subdivision in the City. Due to the numerous water main breaks and repairs, the streets have deteriorated to poor conditions. The public utilities, such as water, sanitary sewer and storm drainage system were installed in the late 70’s to early 80’s. These public utilities are nearing the end of their useful life and should be replaced. The City will first replace all of these public utilities within the street and then reconstruct the street and sidewalks.

The City anticipates the length of construction will take about two and a half years. There are 13 streets of varying lengths and the City is recommending that the contractor work on one street at a time before proceeding to the next street.

The project has 13 streets including a portion of two alleys that will be reconstructed. The City is recommending that the contractor work on one street at a time before proceeding to the next street. Each street has multiple phases of construction. First the public utilities will be constructed and trenches backfilled daily. Temporary paving will be placed to cover the trench and maintained until permanent pavement is installed. Typically, the sanitary sewer line will be constructed and then services will be transferred over to the new line. The storm sewer improvements will be next with the water line and transferring of services to follow. During the installation of public utilities the vehicular traffic will be limited to one direction and parking will be restricted and or prohibited during daytime construction hours. After the installation of the public utilities, the construction of the roadway pavement activities will begin. Half of the street will be constructed at a time. The remaining old pavement and curbs will be removed on one side of the street. Traffic will continue to be limited to one direction and parking restrictions will continue. The new pavement and curbs will be installed. Then the parkway items including removing and replacing sidewalks and driveways will be addressed. After the first half of the street and parkway items are reconstructed, the contractor will then move to the other side and beginning removing the remaining pavement and curbs. The new pavement and curbs will be installed. After words, the parkway items will be addressed. After the street is opened to full traffic, the contractor then can move on to the next street.

The first street would be Live Oak Court/Walnut Drive including a portion of an alley off of Live Oak Court. The contractor may choose to further break up longer stretches.

The 2015 Bond Program included $71.6 Million for Street Projects. This project was identified as a top priority and included as a sample project. The project is estimated to cost $14.7 million.

The retaining walls identified for removal are typically located on the property line and the walls were typically constructed out of landscape timber. These wood walls would be replaced with concrete walls. The walls made out of stackable blocks will be removed and restacked after the sidewalk has been installed. The property owners were contacted back in April regarding impacts to their existing walls.

There will be times in which access to your driveway will be restricted. Fortunately, a majority of the driveways are accessed from the alleys.

During the construction activities adjacent to your mailbox, the mailbox will need to be temporarily relocated, but some form of access to the mailboxes will be maintained throughout construction. The postal office will be coordinated with regarding these temporary relocations of mailboxes.

The City would notify the property owners if their trees are identified for removal. Letters to property owners were sent out in early April regarding tree removal.

Prior to construction, the City would host another community meeting. At this meeting, the authorized contractor would provide an updated project schedule. Based on the schedule the property owner would have a rough idea when personal items need to be removed. In addition, door hangers would be placed 48 hours prior to the approaching construction adjacent to the property. This hanger would also include information regarding parking restrictions and access.

The City requested that the existing stumps and any new stumps be ground down at least 4” below the placement of the new sod. During the 90% plan review, staff identified all of the properties with stumps. The property owners with stumps were notified in early April 2019.

Depending on the existing health, size, type and current root configurations, the trees might be removed. The consultant’s arborist reviewed the trees within the parkway. Trees in poor health, larger than 27” and roots encroaching over the existing curbs or pushing up on sidewalks were identified for removal. Notifications were sent to property owners in early April 2019. Prior to construction, the contractor will request that property owner run their sprinklers so that he can confirm that it is operational and determine the location of the sprinkler heads. If the irrigation is in the way of construction activities, the lines will be temporarily capped to the area of concern. During the parkway restoration, the lines will be reconnected and made operational once again.

The current locations of the existing lights meet the City’s development standards.

Presently, one family has requested assistance. The contractor will be notified that an accessible route must be maintained during construction adjacent to this property for these items.

The contractor will do his best to not disrupt private utility services.

There should be minimum disruptions to the public utility services as they are moved from the old line to the new one. Notification would be handled by knocking on the door to see if anyone is home prior to the short outage.

The City’s Engineering Department forwarded on this informal request to the City’s Park and Recreation Department for further consideration.

Information regarding City’s Property Enhancement Program can be found under the Neighborhood Services Department.

Brick mailboxes will try to be preserved. It will be up to the contractor to determine the best action to preserve the mailboxes.