HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-19-22 Study Session Agenda PacketSTUDY SESSION AGENDA
CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE, COLORADO 7500 W. 29th Ave. Wheat Ridge CO December 19, 2022
6:30 pm
This meeting will be conducted as a virtual meeting, and in person, at 7500 West 29th
Avenue, Municipal Building, if allowed to meet on that date per COVID-19 restrictions. Some City Council members or City staff members will be physically present at the Municipal building for this meeting. The public may participate in these ways:
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Public Comment on Agenda Items
1. 44th Avenue Subarea Plan Update
2. Wadsworth construction update – Phase II
3. Staff Report(s)
4. Elected Officials’ Report(s)
Memorandum
TO: City Council and Mayor
THROUGH: Lauren Mikulak, Interim Community Development Director
Patrick Goff, City Manager
FROM: Stephanie Stevens, Senior Planner Mark De La Torre, Planning Consultant
DATE: December 9, 2022 (for the December 19 Study Session)
SUBJECT: 44th Avenue Subarea Plan Update
PURPOSE The purpose of this study session is to provide City Council with an update on the W. 44th Avenue subarea planning process and give City Council the opportunity to provide feedback on the recommendations to be included in the Plan.
BACKGROUND On December 9, 2019, City Council awarded a contract to MIG, Inc. (“MIG”), a professional
planning firm, to lead the community through the subarea planning process. This effort was
put on hold due to the pandemic and need to prioritize the Lutheran Master Plan.
The City of Wheat Ridge and consultant team, MIG Inc., restarted the W. 44th Avenue Subarea
Plan in early 2022. The plan focuses on W. 44th Avenue between Youngfield Street and Clear Creek (near Field Street) and will more broadly include the portion of the City between Clear
Creek and I-70. The plan combines public input with technical analysis to establish a long-range
vision and guiding principles for the W. 44th Avenue planning area. Plan recommendations will guide public and private investments in the future.
This process will culminate in a written document that supplements and amends the City’s
Comprehensive Plan. The final plan is anticipated to come before City Council in the first quarter of 2023. This project last came to City Council at a study session on May 16. It was also reviewed by Planning Commission on May 19 and December 1.
PROJECT STATUS
Engagement and Technical Analysis Since early 2022, the City of Wheat Ridge and MIG have been working on the 44th Avenue
Subarea Plan, which focuses on the portion of the city between Clear Creek and I-70.
Item No. 1
2
The project is over two-thirds of the way through the process and has been organized into three phases: 1) vision and foundation; 2) strategy and synthesis; and 3) final recommendations and
action.
Phase one input was received in winter and spring of 2022, with over 150 community members
involved. Phase two engagement occurred throughout the summer and came to a close at the end of August with over 200 community members involved through advisory committee meetings, focus group meetings, a community open house event, an online strategy survey, a business
walk, and presence at Performances in the Park, Carnation Festival, and Dumpster Days.
Summary materials from phase two engagement and the survey can be found on the project page at WhatsUpWheatRidge.com/44th-Avenue. The final round of engagement kicked off in September and will continue through January. It is
focused on confirming recommendations and exploring implementation considerations that will
help make the vision a reality. Communications for the project have been robust, utilizing all available City media outlets
including direct mail, traditional media, and regular updates via social media, emails, City
website, yard sign postings and What’s Up Wheat Ridge communications. A full list of
engagement and communications related to the project thus far are provided in the attached
Engagement Status Report (Attachment 1). Technical analysis of the market, traffic and existing conditions are being conducted in parallel
with public engagement to guide ultimate recommendations of the plan and ensure actionable
outcomes. These technical reports are being used in conjunction with public input to shape the recommendations and ensure they are grounded in reality. The reports will be part the final plan appendices and are available for review on the 44th Avenue project page at
WhatsUpWheatRidge.com/44th-Avenue.
Plan Organization and Draft Recommendations The final deliverable for this process will be the 44th Avenue Subarea Plan. Enclosed as
3
Attachment 2 is the outline for that written document. Much of Sections I and II were presented to the public during the first two phases of engagement.
High-level themes from the community during the first two phases of engagement include the
following:
• Eliminate the perception of W. 44th Avenue being vehicle-oriented by establishing pedestrian-oriented developments and accessible routes between amenities.
• Increase safe connectivity across and along W. 44th Avenue for non-vehicular access to
Clear Creek trails and future mixed-use developments.
• Preserve and enhance agriculture, heritage, and green space to expand on the community’s unique character.
• Support and utilize local businesses as the geographic basis for future, pedestrian-friendly, commercial development.
• Beautify existing and future pedestrian/bicycle infrastructure to encourage non-vehicular transportation.
• Mimic existing zoning characteristics, such as height and typology, for compatible residential development. Prioritize density that is cohesive with established neighborhoods.
Some of the themes that came out of the initial phases of engagement were focused on specific geographic locations, and those were overlaid onto ‘strategy diagram’ maps to advance community conversations. The maps will be part the final plan and are available for review on the 44th Avenue project page at WhatsUpWheatRidge.com/44th-Avenue.
MIG has organized these themes into the guiding principles and recommendations that are presented in Section III and IV of the plan outline. Attachment 3 visualizes the guiding principles (in blue) and recommendations (in orange). The three major categories of recommendations include: 1. primary corridor investments,
2. community subarea enhancements, and
3. overall connectivity. Recommendations are detailed further in Attachment 4. Within each recommendation category,
there are two or three topics each with their own strategy. These strategic recommendations
include a descriptive narrative and supporting bullet points. The draft recommendations document (Attachment 4) has been the focus of public input during this final phase of engagement. These were shared at the public open house on September 27 and
have been the subject of the online survey currently live on the project page. So far, public
feedback is showing that the draft recommendations align with the vision and input provided
earlier in the process. The purpose of the December 19 study session is to seek similar feedback from City Council on the draft recommendations.
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ATTACHMENTS: 1. Engagement Status Report 2. Plan Outline
3. Principles & Recommendations Overview Graphic
4. Draft Recommendations
Attachment 1
Page 1
Engagement Status Report – November 2022
Meetings/Activities: The project is over two-thirds of the way through the process and has been organized into three phases: 1)
vision and foundation; 2) strategy and synthesis; and 3) final recommendations and action. Each phase of
the projects builds upon the next and brings additional engagement opportunities, including advisory
committee meetings, focus group meetings, public open houses, online engagement, and presence at local
events. The dates of these events included the following:
• January 31 – Advisory committee meeting – 14 members
• February 3 - Business/Residential focus group A meeting – 5 members
• February 7 – Business/Residential focus group B meeting – 5 members
• February 7 – Business/Residential focus group C meeting – 5 members
• February 9 – Residential focus group meeting – 10 members
• February 23 – Open house public meeting #1 – ±60 attendees
• February 24 - Visioning Survey and Mapping Exercise (February 23 meeting + online + printed) –
31 responders
• March 26 – Intercept Event at Wheat Ridge Recreation Center - ±30 attendees
• May 16 – City Council study session
• May 19 – Planning Commission study session
• June 21 – Advisory committee meeting – 14 members
• June 28 – Business/Residential focus group – ±8 attendees
• July 6 – Open house public meeting #2 - ±60 attendees
• July 7 – Strategy Survey (July 6 meeting + intercept events + online + printed) – 44 responders
• July 14 & July 8– Business Walks - ±35 business conversations
• July 27 – Intercept event at Performances in the Park ±25 stopped by
• August 13 – Intercept event at Carnation Festival - ±25 stopped by
• August 20 – Intercept event at Dumpster Days - ±90 flyers distributed
• August 25 – Community conversations at Hops with Cops - ±5 attendees
• August 29 – Community conversations at District IV Council Meeting - ±9 attendees
• August 24 – Community conversations Wheat Ridge Business Association Monthly Coffee - ±10
attendees
• September 27 – Open house public meeting #3 - ±35 attendees
• September 28 – Recommendations Survey (September 27 meeting + online + printed) – 54
responders as of November 17 (survey closes November 28)
Attachment 1
Page 2
• Future: • December 1 – Planning Commission study session
• December 19 – City Council study session • January – Advisory committee meeting
• TBD – Adoption Hearings
Direct Mail:
• The City’s Connections newsletter is mailed to every household and business in Wheat Ridge and
is the primary source of direct mail for citywide projects such as this one. The project has appeared in 1 edition of Connections so far:
• March – This project first appeared in the March (2022 winter/spring) Connections as
an introduction to the project to inform of the project start and upcoming engagement activities, opportunities to get involved, and to point people to the What’s Up Wheat
Ridge project page for specific dates.
• May – The 44th Avenue Subarea Plan project was featured in the 2022 spring/summer
Connections and included advertising of the second public meeting held on July 6.
• August – The summer/fall Connections article titled “The Future of 44th Avenue” took a
deeper dive to outline the phases of the project and largely focused on promoting
phase two summer engagement, including August intercept events and the online
strategy survey.
• October – “44th Avenue Subarea Plan: The Final Phase” article was included in the
fall/winter Connections which provided a recap of the September 27 open house event,
next steps and advertised the online recommendations survey.
• Postcards were mailed to residents in Fruitdale Park and Anderson Park in conjunction with Let’s
Talk Resident Engagement Program to notify of the joint open house event with Let’s Talk and
the 44th Avenue Subarea Plan on February 23.
• Postcards were mailed to all residents and businesses with the subarea to notify of phase two
summer engagement, including the open house event, online strategy survey, and intercept
events.
Email: Several different distribution lists were utilized to send email updates directly to stakeholders:
• Mayor’s Matters is a monthly e-newsletter containing updates on the City’s latest news, current
projects, and upcoming events. It is mailed on or just before the 1st of each month. The project has appeared in ten (11) consecutive newsletters as a specific project update and included in
the calendar of events. Those months were: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October and November 2022.
• An email was sent to City Council and all active board and commission members on January
7 to inform of the project launch and directing recipients to the What’s Up Wheat Ridge page
to register and subscribe for updates; on February 18 to remind of the upcoming public
meeting.
• An email was sent to City Council and all active board and commission members on July 5 to
provide an update on project status and to remind of the upcoming public meeting.
• An email was sent to City Council and Planning Commission on September 26 to remind of
the upcoming public meeting.
• What’s Up Wheat Ridge allows users to register on the site and subscribe to various projects.
The City can send newsletters through the site to all registrants or to the subscribers of specific
Attachment 1
Page 3
projects. A total of thirteen (13) emails have been sent so far on the following dates:
• 1/4/22
• 2/17/22
• 2/24/22
• 3/9/22
• 3/22/22 • 6/23/22
• 6/29/22
• 7/14/22
• 7/28/22
• 8/11/22
• 9/27/22
• 9/20/22
• 10/11/22
• 11/8/22
• 11/21/22
Traditional Media:
• Formal press releases are provided to local newspapers and media at key milestones by the City:
• December 28, 2021 by the City “City of Wheat Ridge Launches West 44th Avenue
Subarea Planning Process” and included advertising of the first public meeting on February 23
• June 24, 2022 by the City “City of Wheat Ridge to Host Second Open House for
the 44th Avenue Subarea Plan” and included advertising of the second public
meeting on July 6 • September 15, 2022 by the City “Wheat Ridge Residents Invited to Weigh-In on
Proposed West 44th Street Improvements Projects” and included advertising of
the third and final public meeting on September 27
• The Neighborhood Gazette prints 16,000 copies and will include multiple stories related to the
project:
• February 2022 “Join Neighborhood Engagement Programs And Help Make Our City Even
Better”, a special piece by the Mayor, included advertising of the first public meeting on
February 23
• February 2022 “Possible West 44th Makeover Kicks Off With Feb. 23 Meeting”
Social Media: The City’s social media channels are used to advertise project-specific events including upcoming public
meetings, intercept events and active surveys:
• Next Door posts on January 5, February 8, February 17, February 22, March 11, March
23, June 22, June 29, July 5, July 12, October 13, October 26, September 14, September
27, November 21 (posted to all neighborhoods within the City)
• Facebook posts on January 4, February 9, February 16, February 22, February 24, March 11,
March 23, June 22, June 29, July 5, July 7, July 12, July 27, July 29, August 9, September 6,
September 13, September 20, September 27, October 13, October 26, November 8, November
21 (the City has 2.5k followers)
• Twitter posts on February 16, March 11, March 23, June 22, June 29, July 5, July 12, July 19, August 9,
September 6, September 20, September 27, October 13, October 26, November 8, November 21 (the
City has 835 followers)
Social media posts also include notice of Connections, Mayor’s Matters, and City Council meetings/study
sessions.
Miscellaneous:
• The front page of the City’s website included a news flash for the project each week starting 3
weeks out before each public meeting, intercept event, and online activities.
• Public meetings were included on the City’s website calendar.
Attachment 1
Page 4
• Verbal updates were provided at Planning Commission meetings from January through November.
• Flyers were posted at the Wheat Ridge Recreation Center to promote phase two summer engagement, including the July 6 open house, online strategy survey, and intercept events.
• The 44th Avenue Subarea Plan was featured in the LocalWorks newsletter in September and October
2022.
What’s Up Wheat Ridge:
In addition to emails sent to registrants and subscribers (see page 2), the What’s Up Wheat Ridge
platform allows staff to see how many people interact with the site.
• The project site launched on December 28, 2021 and has been regularly updated as the plan
progresses.
• As of November 7, 2022 there were 3.8k unique visitors to the project page. Of these, 2.6k
individuals interacted with the project in some way (downloaded documents, viewed key date
details, visited multiple pages, or engaged in an activity).
• The chart below shows the volume of pageviews and visitors for the duration of the project so
far. It peaked in March with 1,209 pageviews which correlates with the timing of the online visioning activities.
Attachment 2 Page 1
44th Avenue Subarea Plan
Plan Outline
Draft: 11.14.22
Presented below is the draft outline for the 44th Avenue Subarea Plan. Much of the content for Section I
(Introduction) and Section II (Input and Analysis) was presented to the public, to Planning Commission,
and to City Council during phases one and two of the project. The focus of this final phase and of the
December study sessions is Sections III and IV which synthesize the common themes into a set of
principles and recommendations. There are three overarching recommendations and several more
specific recommendations within each category.
i. Acknowledgements
ii. Table of Contents
I. Introduction
a. Project Description Overview
i. Intent of the Plan / What is this Plan?
b. Subarea Boundary
c. History and Background
i. Prior Planning Efforts
d. Process and Timeline
e. Plan Organization
II. Input and Analysis (Highlights of Relevant Community Input and Associated Analysis)
a. Introduction
b. Input
c. Outreach Methods
i. Let’s Talk Resident Engagement Program
ii. Advisory Committee
iii. Focus Groups
iv. Community Meetings – Joint Open Houses
v. Community Pop-Up / Intercept Events
vi. What’s Up Wheat Ridge Online Activities
vii. Biannual Business Walk(S)
viii. City Council and Planning Commission Study Sessions
ix. Summary by Phases
d. Analysis
i. Identity, Character, and Development Patterns
ii. Land Use
iii. Market Economics
iv. Safety, Mobility, and Access
v. Parks, Trails and Community Amenities
III. Guiding Principles and Overarching Strategy (refer to overview graphic in Attachment 3)
a. Introduction
b. Guiding Principles
Attachment 2 Page 2
i. Safety and Comfort
ii. Connectivity
iii. Character and History
iv. Local and Small Business
v. Housing Diversity
c. Overarching Strategy
(with high level description of the legend; detail descriptions and specific projects in next chapter)
i. Strategy Diagram
IV. Recommendations (refer to Attachment 4)
a. Introduction
b. Primary Corridor Investments (44th Avenue and Kipling Boulevard)
i. Large Area Development
1. Kipling Mixed Use Node
2. Travel Center Mixed Use Node
3. Mixed Use Interstate Node
ii. Existing Uses and Infill Development
1. Small Business Focus
2. Residential and Neighborhood Focus
3. Site Improvements
4. Building Improvements
iii. Pedestrian Experience
1. Streetscape Design
2. Adjacent Connectivity and Infrastructure Easements
3. Family-Focused Activity Center
c. Sub Area Enhancements
i. Historic Character
1. Agricultural Heritage and Recreational Tourism
2. Employment Node
3. Open Space Management Plan Integration
ii. Residential Uses
1. Existing Neighborhoods
2. General Housing
d. Overall Connectivity Improvements
i. East/West Connectivity
1. Neighborhood Connectivity
2. Northwestern Loop
ii. North/South Connections
1. Creek Access
2. I-70 Bridges and Underpasses
iii. Priority Crossings
1. 44th Avenue Intersection Improvements
2. General Intersection Improvements
3. 44th Avenue Bridge at Clear Creek
V. Implementation
a. Introduction
Attachment 2 Page 3
b. Summary Matrix of Recommendations
c. Funding Strategies
d. Priority Actions and Next Steps
VI. Appendices
a. Appendix A: Public Engagement Summary
b. Appendix B: Online Activity Reports
c. Appendix C: Traffic Memo
d. Appendix D: Economic Memo
e. Appendix E: Economic Opportunity Analysis
f. Appendix F: Crime Memo
GUIDING PRINCIPLES
SAFETY AND
COMFORT CONNECTIVITY CHARACTER
AND HISTORY
LOCAL AND
SMALL BUSINESS
HOUSING
DIVERSITY
LARGE AREA
DEVELOPMENT
HISTORIC
CHARACTER
EAST/WEST
CONNECTIVITY
EXISTING USES
AND INFILL
DEVELOPMENT
RESIDENTIAL
USES
NORTH/SOUTH
CONNECTIVITY
PRIORITY
CROSSINGS
PEDESTRIAN
EXPERIENCE
MAJOR RECOMMENDATIONS
PRIMARY CORRIDOR
INVESTMENTS
CATEGORY
TOPIC A STRATEGIES STRATEGIES
LEGEND
STRATEGIES TOPIC FTOPIC D
TOPIC B TOPIC GTOPIC E
TOPIC C TOPIC H
CATEGORY CATEGORY
COMMUNITY SUBAREA
ENHANCEMENTS
OVERALL CONNECTIVITY
IMPROVEMENTS
•Kipling MU node
•Travel CenTer MU node
•MU inTersTaTe node
•44Th ave Corridor
enhanCeMenTs
•nBhd ConneCTiviTy
•norTh WesTern loop
•sMall BUsiness FoCUs
•residenTial
& neighBorhood FoCUs
•siTe iMproveMenTs
•BUilding iMproveMenTs
•CreeK aCCess
•i-70 Bridges and
Underpasses
•exisTing neighBorhoods
•general hoUsing
•MU: Mixed Use
•inT: inTerseCTion
•nBhd: neighBorhood
•sTreeTsCape design
•nodal ConneCTiviTy
& easeMenTs
•FaMily-FoCUsed
aCTiviTy CenTer
•44Th ave inT. iMproveMenTs
•general inT. iMproveMenTs
•44Th ave Bridge aT
Clear CreeK
•agriCUlTUral heriTage &
reCreaTional ToUrisM
•eMployMenT MU node
•open spaCe ManageMenT
Attachment 3
44th Avenue Subarea Plan
COUNCIL/COMMISSION STUDY SESSION(S)
DRAFT RECOMMENDATIONS
In association with:
EPS | Fehr and Peers
Attachment 4, Page 1
Recommendations Overview
44th Avenue Subarea Plan Attachment 4, Page 2
primary corridor
investments
Attachment 4, Page 3
A.Large Area Development
Large Area Developments are nodes that have
been identified as having the greatest
potential for change given several factors,
including scale of individual or aggregated
properties, land utilization, and
access/proximity to the major corridors.
Attachment 4, Page 4
44th Avenue Subarea Plan
A-1 Kipling Mixed Use Node
This node is focused on the Kipling Street frontage (east and west)
and the large area of vacant land along the east edge of Kipling Street
and north of 44th Avenue. This area should include:
1.A diverse mix of uses including residential, office, and retail
2.High-quality aesthetic requirements
3.Pedestrian connections to and through this area
4.Minimal surface parking along the major roadways
Attachment 4, Page 5
44th Avenue Subarea Plan
A-2 Mixed Use Interstate Node
The area immediately to the south of I-70 and Kipling Street presents
a high potential for redevelopment as a larger-scale mixed-use center
to support both existing and future desired commercial uses in the
area. This area should include:
1.Better access to the interstate and regional transit
2.A higher density mix of uses (i.e., residential, commercial, hospitality),
with an emphasis on a range of housing options
3.Site amenities that promote safety, wayfinding, access, etc.
4.Local businesses and neighborhood-serving uses where feasible
Attachment 4, Page 6
44th Avenue Subarea Plan
A-3 Travel Center Mixed Use Node
This node is focused around the TA Travel Center and
recommendations are organized into both short-and long-term
solutions to increase safety, minimize pedestrian/vehicle conflicts,
and resolve circulation issues. This area should include:
Short-Term:
1.Improved signage and wayfinding
2.Additional sidewalk connectivity and access
Long-Term:
1.Traffic calming strategies such as medians or lane reconfigurations
2.Pedestrian safety prioritization and access during any redevelopment
3.Mix of uses, prioritizing commercial and hospitality
Attachment 4, Page 7
B. Existing Uses and Infill Development
One of the primary investments along the
major corridors should be to enhance the
existing uses and provide new community
needs through individual property
improvements, infill development, and
strategic redevelopment. These types of
changes are key to maintaining the character
and ensuring future success of the corridor.
Attachment 4, Page 8
44th Avenue Subarea Plan
B-1 Small Business Focus
For the properties along 44th Avenue east of Kipling Street, and
including the intersection-adjacent properties, there is a strong
emphasis placed on maintaining existing character, supporting
existing business, and encouraging new uses. This area should
include:
1.A mix of uses, with an emphasis on commercial uses, prioritizing local
businesses
2.Prioritization of a range of city-led strategies that promote and support
local businesses
3.Reuse of existing vacant structures where feasible
4.Few or no additional auto-oriented uses
5.Accommodation for non-vehicular travel methods such as
walking/biking
Attachment 4, Page 9
44th Avenue Subarea Plan
B-2 Residential and Neighborhood Focus
For properties along 44th Avenue west of Kipling Street, any change
considered should aim to reflect the character of the surrounding
neighborhoods while prioritizing housing. This area should include:
1.A mix of uses with housing as the priority
2.Redevelopment that tapers towards existing neighborhoods
3.Pedestrian-friendly, walkable development
4.Street and sidewalk connections with new development
5.Few or no additional auto-oriented uses
Attachment 4, Page 10
44th Avenue Subarea Plan
B-3 Site Improvements
General investments and site enhancements should be encouraged
and made to existing properties in the area where feasible. These
areas should include:
1.Less impervious surfaces
2.Landscape improvements and tree planting
3.A bigger and healthier tree canopy
4.Public amenities on commercial properties
Attachment 4, Page 11
44th Avenue Subarea Plan
B-4 Building Improvements
In addition to potential site improvements, many existing buildings
may benefit from both internal and external improvements to better
serve the needs of the owner, user, and passersby. These
improvements should include:
1.A building improvement toolkit to support re-use
2.Development and design standards for new development that
promote the unique identity of the area
Attachment 4, Page 12
C. Pedestrian Experience
The pedestrian experience of the area was
identified as a major contributor to the quality
of life for existing and future residents and
businesses, and therefore should be a major
target of investment. In addition to safety,
walkability and ease of access discussed under
the Overall Connectivity Improvements (OCI),
the experience for a pedestrian along a major
corridor should be memorable and enjoyable,
benefiting users of all ages and abilities.
Attachment 4, Page 13
44th Avenue Subarea Plan
C-1 Streetscape Design
The streetscape design for the primary corridors should be focused on
the safety and quality of the experience for non-motorists, as
motorists generally operate with minimal restrictions in this area.
This includes:
1.Both pedestrian-and vehicular-oriented signage and wayfinding along
the corridor
2.Streetscape design elements that are consistent throughout the corridor
3.Water-wise and climate appropriate landscaping
4.A wider sidewalk on the south edge of 44th Avenue
5.A wider buffer zone on the north edge of 44th Avenue
Attachment 4, Page 14
44th Avenue Subarea Plan
C-2 Nodal Connectivity and Infrastructure Easements
The City should work with existing commercial property owners to
identify primary, public-facing area on private property and to
encourage off-corridor connectivity. This includes:
1.Signage and wayfinding on private properties
2.Pedestrian connections to off-corridor gathering spaces or commercial
entries through private property owner partnerships
Attachment 4, Page 15
44th Avenue Subarea Plan
C-3 Family-Focused Activity Center
The area adjacent to Anderson park should leverage this tremendous
community asset with new supportive uses and additional
community amenities, while still accommodating current uses. This
area should include:
1.Family-oriented commercial uses or services
2.Supportive residential development
3.Existing crossing enhancements
4.Parking lot programming to create regular or pop-up events and spaces
5.Cultural and educational design elements
6.Adaptive reuse of the current city-owned facility with a community-
serving use
Attachment 4, Page 16
communitysubarea
enhancements
Attachment 4, Page 17
D. Historic Character
Historic Character reflects many of the long-
time uses, including agriculture, employment,
and open space that have made up the land-
use fabric of the area for many years. These
recommendations include strategies that
would better support those existing amenities
and the established character.
Attachment 4, Page 18
44th Avenue Subarea Plan
D-1 Agricultural Heritage and Recreational Tourism
The Baugh House and Prospect Park, as well as adjacent properties,
should create a larger potential destination to highlight heritage
through tourism, recreation, and education opportunities. This area
should include:
1.A stronger connection between Prospect Park to the Baugh House and
Historic Park
2.Prospect Park’s northward expansion to create a new community park
3.Corridor-adjacent redevelopment that incorporates and supports
commercial uses
4.Programming expansion for all open space
Attachment 4, Page 19
44th Avenue Subarea Plan
D-2 Employment Node
The northeast corner of the subarea serves an important employment
role, and should evolve over time to capture a larger mix of
employment types, allowing new users to better address community
needs. This area should include:
1.New pedestrian and bicycle connectivity to the Clear Creek Trail
2.A mix of uses with a priority focus on employment, and a greater
diversity of industrial
Attachment 4, Page 20
44th Avenue Subarea Plan
D-3 Open Space Management Plan Integration
The Clear Creek corridor is a major open space asset for both this
subarea, the larger Wheat Ridge community, and the region and
should prioritize 1) improved safety and access, and 2) sustainable
natural resources management. This includes:
1.Integration of the community’s Open Space Management Plan (OSMP)
recommendations
2.Local committee and organization partnerships to support the open
space management plan’s goals and strategies
3.Increased connectivity between the Clear Creek corridor and the
surrounding communities.
Attachment 4, Page 21
E. Residential Uses
Off the primary corridors, much of the subarea
is made up of established, single-unit and
duplex housing. Continuing to serve the needs
of current and future residents, these
residential areas and uses should incorporate a
wider range of lower-scale and compatible
housing strategies and types to better
maintain the housing role within the subarea,
while incorporating needed and desired
community assets, such as increased
connectivity and additional/improved open
space.
Attachment 4, Page 22
44th Avenue Subarea Plan
E-1 Existing Neighborhoods
Maintain the individual character of the four existing residential
quadrants (NW, NE, SW, and SE) while identifying possibilities for
change through lighter interventions. These areas should include:
1.An increase in overall housing stock through multiple development
and redevelopment strategies
2.New east/west pedestrian and bicycle connectivity should
redevelopment occur
3.Areas where open space could be maintained or expanded
Attachment 4, Page 23
44th Avenue Subarea Plan
E-2 General Housing
To better align with the realities of housing in the today’s market, a
wide range of housing opportunities should be integrated
throughout the subarea to support a healthy land use mix and more
neighborhood-serving commercial uses along the primary
commercial corridors. This includes:
1.Integration of the community’s Affordable Housing Strategy and Action
Plan recommendations
2.Engagement of affordable housing developers, especially along
primary corridors
Attachment 4, Page 24
overallconnectivity
improvements
Attachment 4, Page 25
F. East/West Connectivity
With 44th Avenue serving as the only major
east-west connection in the subarea, it is
essential to improve multimodal connectivity
along the corridor as well as to the greater
community, regional networks, and major
destinations in and around the subarea.
Attachment 4, Page 26
44th Avenue Subarea Plan
F-1 44th Avenue Corridor Enhancements
Targeted enhancements and infrastructure changes along 44th
Avenue should regulate traffic flow, increase pedestrian and bicycle
safety, and enhance the user experience. This area should include:
1.Additional lighting at primary crossings, and adjacent to new
development
2.A city-funded undergrounding of overhead utilities
3.Creativity in the sign code while maintaining a certain level of
consistency
4.Public art adjacent to major community designations along the
corridor
Attachment 4, Page 27
44th Avenue Subarea Plan
F-2 Neighborhood Connectivity
There are opportunities to provide new connectivity options off of the
primary corridors through new development specifically and targeted
signage and wayfinding. This includes:
1.Additional east/west connections as part of development review for
parcels in alignment with 45, 46, or 47th Streets
2.Traffic calming measures in conjunction with new development
3.Additional shared street signage
4.Sidewalks on primary connections to Clear Creek
Attachment 4, Page 28
44th Avenue Subarea Plan
F-3 Northwestern Loop
While a “loop” does not satisfy immediate connection needs, it does
provide both a community amenity as well as a connectivity
alternative for leisurely movement. This includes:
1.A pedestrian/bicycle pathway connecting 44th Avenue to the I-70
Frontage Road as a “Loop Trail”
2.A “Loop Trail” signage and wayfinding brand
3.A new street cross section for the I-70 Frontage Road to accommodate
a “Loop Trail”
Attachment 4, Page 29
G. North/South Connectivity
While 44th Avenue serves as the only
continuous east/west connection through the
entire subarea, Kipling Street serves as the only
north/south connection, and north/south
connectivity is equally challenging given the
interstate to the north and Clear Creek to the
south. The following strategies provide
recommendations to increase both access and
safety to major destinations in and around
Wheat Ridge.
Attachment 4, Page 30
44th Avenue Subarea Plan
G-1 Creek Access
Formalizing creek trail access in strategic locations can better protect
the natural environment, distribute crowds, and further support new
commercial or residential development closer to 44th Avenue. This
includes:
1.New formal points of entry to Clear Creek Trail at Van Gordon St., Tabor
St., Parfet St., and Iris St./Hoyt Court
2.A “Tabor Lake Trail” for passive recreational uses such as walking,
running, and birding
3.Potential active, non-motorized water-recreation uses at Prospect Park
Attachment 4, Page 31
44th Avenue Subarea Plan
G-2 I-70 Bridges and Underpasses
I-70 creates a major barrier for the Fruitdale and Anderson Park
communities. The following recommendations explore creating safer
crossings across the interstate for non-vehicular uses, at existing and
future potential crossings. This includes:
1.Design alternatives to modify the existing Tabor Street Bridge to
accommodate bicyclists and pedestrians
2.Potentially a new bridge connection in alignment with Miller Street
3.Increased lighting and a physical buffer at the Ward Road, Kipling
Street, and Carr Street underpasses, where feasible
4.Additional safety elements and design features at the Kipling Street
underpass
Attachment 4, Page 32
H. Priority Crossings
44th Avenue is a major barrier for north/south
movement in the subarea. Current crossing
elements and desired crossing locations have
been explored in detail and while general
crossing improvements will benefit the area
east of Kipling Steet, there are several priority
intersections that need to be addressed to the
west. Beyond 44th Avenue, safe street
crossings are an important consideration
throughout the subarea, and additional
improvements have been considered as well.
Attachment 4, Page 33
44th Avenue Subarea Plan
H-1 44th Avenue Intersection Improvements
There are four primary intersections, and one larger sub-geography
along 44th avenue where the current crossing configuration is not
ideal for motorists or pedestrians. Final plan recommendations for the
intersections at 44th Avenue and:
1.Tabor Street
2.Miller Street
3.Parfet Street
4.Robb Street
5.Travel Center
are being refined pending the completion of a more detailed signal
warrant analysis
Attachment 4, Page 34
44th Avenue Subarea Plan
H-2 General Intersection Improvements
Beyond the priority intersections where addressing safety and
operations is essential for near-term functionality improvements, all
crossings should convey safe movement along the corridor. This
includes:
1.Reoriented curb-ramps to align pedestrian movement parallel to 44th
Avenue
2.Relocated utilities and other infrastructure from the the primary
pedestrian path of travel
Attachment 4, Page 35
44th Avenue Subarea Plan
H-3 44th Avenue Bridge at Clear Creek
Access from the east is largely limited to a constrained sidewalk over
Clear Creek. Additional improvements should better connect those
east of the subarea. This includes either:
1.Repurposing the non-travel lane to allocate additional spaces to
pedestrians and bicyclists, or
2.Constructing a new pedestrian/bicycle bridge parallel to the existing
bridge
Attachment 4, Page 36
Memorandum
TO: Mayor and City Council
THROUGH: Mark Westberg, Projects Supervisor Russ Higgins, Field Services Supervisor Patrick Goff, City Manager
FROM: Maria D’Andrea, Director of Public Works
DATE: December 19, 2022
SUBJECT: Wadsworth Improvement Project – Phase II Construction
ISSUE:
The city has always hoped to complete the entire Wadsworth Improvement Project in one phase. However, in 2020, the decision was made to phase project construction, due to a lack of funding. Therefore, construction plans were completed for Phase 1 of construction which extended from I-
70 to 41st Avenue. Phase 2, from 41st Avenue to 35th Avenue, is the final phase of the project.
Recently, staff solicited pricing from the city’s contractor for the Wadsworth Improvement project, Concrete Works of Colorado, in an effort to assess whether there would be cost and time savings in proceeding with Phase II at this time. The intent of the Study Session discussion is to determine City Council’s preferred direction for the Phase II construction.
BACKGROUND: In 2016, Wheat Ridge voters supported a temporary sales and use tax increase to complete four projects. One of those projects was to improve Wadsworth Boulevard to relieve traffic congestion, improve business access, and provide better options for pedestrians and cyclists.
Last improved in 1950, this project includes modernizing and improving Wadsworth from 35th
Avenue to I-70 with efficient and safe intersection designs at 38th and 44th Avenues, safer entrances and exits for vehicles accessing businesses, and a continuous sidewalk on the west and a bike/pedestrian path on the east side of Wadsworth from 35th Avenue to the Clear Creek Trail.
This project will transform Wadsworth into a multimodal roadway that enhances traffic operations,
improves access, and supports the vision of a livable, walkable mixed-use corridor. An Environmental Assessment (EA) was completed in 2019 with input from the local community. The needed right-of-way was then acquired. At the time of the EA, the entire project cost was estimated to be approximately $65 million. The current total cost of the project (EA, design right-
of-way acquisition and Phase I construction) is $63.4 million. This price does not include Phase II
construction. More information on the timeline of project development and cost estimates was
provided at a September 21, 2020 City Council meeting. The memo from this meeting is provided in Attachment 1.
Item No. 2
Wadsworth Improvement Project – Phase II Construction December 19, 2022
Page 2
The first phase of construction improves Wadsworth Blvd from 41st Avenue to I-70, as well as completion of the streetscape work scheduled for Phase II from 35th to 41st Avenues. The design for the initial phase was completed in early 2021 and then advertised for bids in mid-April 2021.
Bids were opened on July 1, 2021. A contract in the amount of $34,971,468.01, (which includes
the base bid, all four bid options, related water, and sanitation work) was awarded to the lowest
responsive bidder, Concrete Works of Colorado (CWC) on August 23, 2021. Four federal transportation grants, three State safety grants, a CDOT MainStreets grant, a Jefferson County Open Space grant, CDOT maintenance funding, Wheat Ridge Water and Sanitation Districts funding, and City funding are being used to fund this Phase. Work began in October 2021 and will
continue through fall 2024.
Phase II Construction & Costs The city’s desire is to complete all work to deliver the entire Wadsworth Widening Project from
35th Avenue to I-70. Phase II would involve constructing the Continuous Flow Intersection (CFI)
at 38th and Wadsworth and complete the permanent concrete pavement from 35th Avenue to 39th Avenue. This would then eliminate the need for temporary medians and asphalt overlay south of 39th Avenue.
In August, staff solicited pricing from CWC to complete Phase II of the Wadsworth Widening
project. Staff felt that there could be potential cost and time savings by having the current
contractor complete the additional phase concurrently with the Phase I work. Until recently, staff has communicated that the estimate for completion of Phase II was $8 million. This estimate was prepared in late-2021 and was based on the pricing received from CWC in their
Phase I bid. However, the estimate did not reflect the current construction environment where costs
for both materials and labor have increased significantly. CWC has provided a price for Phase II of $14,258,048.60. In addition, there would be costs of
approximately $1.3 million for water-related work, to be paid by the Wheat Ridge Water District
(WRWD). During subsequent discussions between the City and CWC, they lowered this price by about $160,000 to $14,098,050.00. The current engineer’s estimate from the designer, HDR, is almost $17 million. An analysis done by AECOM, the City’s construction management consultant, of the Phase II scope, using current CDOT pricing, shows that the Phase II costs might range between $14 and $16 million.
In addition to the contract costs with CWC, there would also be approximate costs of $1.5 million to cover construction management costs for AECOM. There would also be additional contingency funds, approximated at $1.0 million to cover additional items in both the current/initial phase as well as for Phase II items. Therefore, a total of approximately $16.6 million, not including the
water-related work.
CWC Contract Amendment $14,100,000
AECOM Contract Amendment $1,500,000
Additional Contingency $1,000,000
Estimated Total $16,600,000
Wadsworth Improvement Project – Phase II Construction December 19, 2022
Page 3
Potential Project Funding When the project was estimated to cost around $8 million, the city had included these costs in the long-term Capital Improvement Program with the intent of utilizing a portion of the $10 million
reimbursement from the Clear Creek Crossing project. Staff had also submitted a federal earmark
request for $4 million to Congressman Perlmutter’s and both Senators’ Offices to aid in funding
Phase II. As of early-November, an aide from Congressman Perlmutter’s office indicated that consideration of these requests might be negotiated as a part of an omnibus spending package and potentially be
signed by the President before the funding deadline of December 16, 2022. However, it is more
likely that these projects will not be considered until next year. Absent any external funding, the city could potentially identify funding by utilizing the entire $10
million CCC reimbursement plus other potential sources (General Fund reserves, delay or
reduction of other capital projects, etc.). If the City Council wished to move forward with Phase II at this time, more detail will be provided by staff on a recommended funding plan. Traffic Analysis
As a part of the EA, completed in 2019, a comprehensive traffic analysis was completed which
showed the need for additional capacity at both intersections of Wadsworth with 44th Avenue and
38th Avenue. A Continuous Flow Intersection (CFI) was proposed as the preferred solution to better accommodate increased vehicle turning capacity at both intersections. With the initial phase, a CFI will be constructed at the 44th Avenue intersection but the 38th Avenue intersection was planned to remain in its current configuration (as a “typical” signalized intersection until Phase II
would construct the CFI at that location). After completion of the EA, it was announced that the
Lutheran Medical Campus (LMC) would relocate to the Clear Creek Crossing area. Once the replacement facility is open, acute hospital operations at the current location would cease. The target opening of the new facility is estimated to be in summer of 2024.
The city undertook a master plan study for the Lutheran Campus area in the fall of 2021. As a part of that master plan, a traffic analysis was conducted. This study determined that, assuming redevelopment of the existing campus area with a mix of residential, office, and commercial uses, traffic volumes would reach current traffic levels by approximately 2045. Therefore, the traffic volumes during the early phases of redevelopment would not necessitate construction of the CFI
at 38th Avenue, at this time.
In reviewing traffic data from CDOT for Wadsworth Avenue, volumes between I-70 and 32nd Avenue have not reached pre-pandemic levels. However, as construction has been underway since late-2021, these totals may be skewed by drivers using alternate routes to avoid the construction
area. Options Staff has evaluated the pricing, the contract documents, and other pertinent data to arrive at three
potential options for consideration by the City Council. These options are described in more detail
below with associated pros and cons for each option.
Wadsworth Improvement Project – Phase II Construction December 19, 2022
Page 4
The intent of the Study Session discussion is to determine Council’s preferred direction for the Phase II work.
Option 1 – Proceed to Complete Phase II with the existing contract
With this Option, the city would execute a change order with CWC for the Phase II work. Pricing would be negotiated for all existing and new bid items to arrive at an additional dollar amount. CWC would still be required to adhere to their pricing for the existing Phase I contract.
Staff has met with CWC to discuss possible advantages and disadvantages, from their
perspective, as well as to brainstorm potential items where savings could be identified. There are several factors leading to the higher estimate for this work including: 30% higher concrete costs, higher fuel costs, and higher material and labor costs in general. For example, CWC’s concrete supplier increased their prices by $30/cubic yard and plastic piping has increased by
300%. This roughly overall 30% higher cost estimate is reflected in the revised Engineer’s
Estimate from HDR and is typical of what other agencies, including CDOT, are experiencing for construction costs across the Denver metro area
Advantages
• Completing Phase II at this time would allow the work to be incorporated into the Phase I scheduling and allow for work on various tasks to proceed concurrently. Due to delays in the current phase from underground utilities, it has not been specified how much time could be saved.
• Eliminates the need to construct future “throw away” items such as asphalt paving and temporary medians. The approximate “savings” is estimated to be $860,000. These “savings” are reflected in the price from CWC.
• CWC would immediately start utility work on Phase II which would allow for all
utility/underground work to be completed before traffic is switched from the west side to the east side.
• While a longer time frame, the construction impacts would be consolidated (an additional 15 months) which would extend the entire project (current Phase and Phase II) to fall 2025.
• CWC would be the one general contractor on the entire project and would not need to coordinate with another general contractor.
• Pricing might be the lowest given that CWC is already on site and their mobilization costs
would be potentially lower than any other contractor.
• A good project team has been established with the contractor, construction manager, CDOT, and communications teams working to develop and maintain relationships with businesses, property owners, and corridor users. This will allow for seamless transition for Phase II.
Disadvantages
• Completing Phase II at this time would require an additional 260+/- working days (roughly 15 months) which might be intolerable for adjacent businesses and commuters.
Wadsworth Improvement Project – Phase II Construction December 19, 2022
Page 5
• Pricing is not competitive; i.e. by soliciting bids, the city would ensure it received a competitive bid where all contractors have the chance to bid on the work.
• Pricing could be higher if the city were to bid it out and incur additional time to complete
the work. Also, without bids, the city cannot definitively say that this is the lowest price. The Wheat Ridge Water District (WRWD) has already raised this as an issue as they have state requirements for bidding that they must adhere to.
• A traffic signal pole with a 75’ mast arm has already been purchased for the 38th Ave
intersection. Besides the re-stocking fee and any material costs, the 48” caisson also needs to be relocated by about 12”-18” to avoid the new underground utility bank.
Option 2 – Proceed to Complete Phase II with new bids
With this Option, the city would solicit bids for Phase II work in early 2023. This would follow the “normal” bid process. A new contract would be executed and managed for the Phase II work.
Advantages
• Transparency to the public; follows procurement policy.
• Allows for all potential contractors to bid on the work.
• Allows for WRWD to compare actual bid prices with their Engineer’s Estimate and
determine if they wish to have the city include their work in the Phase II contract or
undertake it independently. Disadvantages
• Pricing is unlikely to go down in the near future so a significantly lower bid is unlikely.
• CWC would have an advantage in their actual costs to the do the work, i.e. lower mobilization costs, which might preclude others from bidding.
• Eliminates some of the concurrent activities and, in turn, possible cost savings from the
contractor and the construction manager.
• Bid prices could likely be more than the price received from CWC.
• Additional time would be needed to go through the bidding process, (8-10 weeks).
• Would likely require the city to eliminate some elements of the current contract from CWC
and putting them in the Phase II package thus reducing CWC’s work and possibly resulting in higher costs than the unit prices received in Phase I.
Option 3 – Delay Proceeding with Phase II, at this time
With this option, the city would complete Phase I with CWC by fall 2024. For phase II, staff would budget for the planned increase in project costs, in relation to other CIP priorities, and schedule the Phase II work for a future construction date.
Advantages
• Impacts to adjacent businesses, citizens, and property owners is limited to the current phase (fall 2024).
Wadsworth Improvement Project – Phase II Construction December 19, 2022
Page 6
• Per the traffic analysis, traffic impacts at 38th Avenue would be improved with the current project until a future time period when the CFI at 38th Avenue would be warranted.
• Allows the city to save and program funding for this project and, potentially, seek other
funding sources.
Disadvantages
• Some “interim” items such as the traffic signal at 38th Avenue, temporary medians, and
mill and overlay of the pavement south of 38th Avenue, that will be constructed with the current Phase would later need to be removed with the future contract thus incurring more costs.
• Future construction impacts between 40th Avenue and 35th Avenue to adjacent businesses, neighbors and motorists.
• Pricing will likely continue to increase over time resulting in higher future costs. Other Considerations
The current contract language allows for changes that would legally allow including Phase II work
under the existing contract as a change order with pricing agreed upon between the two parties. The agreement between the city and the WRWD indicates that WRWD must agree to the pricing for any change orders, in advance. It also states that the WRWD has the right to negotiate a new
agreement for any future phases. WRWD has indicated willingness to move forward with the Phase II work, if the pricing is in line with their Engineer’s Estimate. That cost difference, if any,
is still being determined. Therefore, city staff is still working with the WRWD to determine how
to proceed. If the WRWD decides not to move forward with their Phase II work, then it would not be feasible to move forward with Phase II at this time since that water-related work involves significant underground excavation and impacts to the remainder of the work.
Next Steps The current contract language allows for changes that would legally allow including Phase II work under the existing contract as a change order with pricing agreed upon between the two parties. The downside to this is that, without bidding, the city must determine whether these costs are
reasonable or not in the current construction environment. However, as noted previously, soliciting
bids could very well result in higher pricing than that provided by CWC. Various advantages and
disadvantages to each approach have been identified. Staff is requesting the City Council to weigh these various considerations and provide direction on next steps.
ATTACHMENT: 1. September 21, 2020 Council Memo
Memorandum
TO: Mayor and City Council THROUGH: Steve Nguyen, Engineering Manager Ken Johnstone, Community Development Director Patrick Goff, City Manager
FROM: Mark Westberg, Projects Supervisor DATE: September 11, 2020 (for September 21, 2010 Study Session)
SUBJECT: Wadsworth Improvement Project Budget Update
ISSUE:
Preliminary budget estimates for the Wadsworth Improvement project have been provided to Council during various Council meetings that have occurred over the past 6 years. Those figures have always been conceptual in nature as progress was made through the various phases of
design and right-of-way (ROW) acquisition. The purpose of this memo is to update Council on
final estimated project costs now that we are nearing final design documents and are in the midst of acquiring necessary additional ROW for the project. Working with our consulting team during these latter phases of design and ROW acquisition, it has become apparent that existing available project funding will necessitate a phased approach to construction.
BACKGROUND: Original Funding and Budget In October 2014, the City applied to the Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG) for federal transportation funds to fund an improvement project on Wadsworth Boulevard from 35th Avenue to 48th Avenue. In April 2015, DRCOG awarded a Transportation Improvement
Program (TIP) grant with a total budget of $31.6 million. The federal share was $25.28 million
and the City’s required local match was $6.32 million. This grant had $20.5 million allocated for a conceptual construction budget estimate. It was well understood by the time that the grant was awarded, that additional funding might be needed to complete the full scope of the project, particularly knowing that it would not likely be out to bid and under construction for a number of years. With that understanding, during the required environmental design review processes, staff
began aggressively pursuing various potential additional funding sources.
In early 2017, the City was awarded a Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) grant for $2.6 million to construct the medians with a federal share of $2,340,000. CDOT is covering the
local match of $260,000 because Wadsworth Boulevard is a state highway.
Soon after, CDOT also committed to providing $4.1 million in additional funding that was
previously programed for CDOT maintenance on this portion of Wadsworth Boulevard. An
overlay was planned in 2019 from 35th to the Clear Creek bridge for a total of $3 million and the
ATTACHMENT 1
Wadsworth Improvements Budget Update September 21, 2020
Page 2
traffic signals at 3-Acre Lane and 44th Avenue were going to be replaced for a total of $1.1
million.
From those funding sources, the total available non-City funding was increased from $25 million
to $32 million. With the voter’s approval of additional local City funding of $7 million through
the 2E ballot question, the total identified funding at that time was $39.237 million. The funding
was estimated to be allocated to the four phases of the project as follows:
• Environmental - $750,000
• Design - $2.7 million
• ROW - $7.85 million
• Construction - $27 million
• Total - $39.237 million
During the required environmental review and approval processes, conceptual project cost estimates were updated periodically. In 2015, the total estimated budget had increased to
between $40 and $45 million. Updated conceptual cost estimates were finalized in early 2017 with a total estimated cost of $50 million. Within those cost estimates, ROW costs were
approximately 50% higher and construction costs 25% higher than estimated in 2015.
In April 2018, a formal value engineering (VE) process was completed that identified potential savings of $5 million without significantly impacting the scope and benefits of the improvement
project. This VE process is required for all federally funded projects with a total budget over $40 million. A team made up of City staff, City’s design and review consultants (HDR/WSP and
AECOM), and CDOT staff who were not familiar with the project (“new sets of eyes”) reviewed
the design to ensure that the best and most economically efficient design was being proposed.
Early in the development of the project and as part of the required environmental approvals, the
decision was made to extend the project to tie into the I-70 eastbound ramps which basically extended the project to the Clear Creek bridge. Due to this increase in scope and costs, in
October 2018, the City applied to DRCOG for a second TIP grant for the portion of the project
north of 48th Avenue. In August 2019, DRCOG awarded the second TIP grant with a total budget of $6.6 million. The federal share was $5.28 million and the City’s required local match was $1.32 million. This grant was allocated solely for construction. The total available funding
for the project was then allocated to the four phases of the project as follows:
• Environmental - $750,000
• Design - $2.7 million
• ROW - $7.85 million
• Construction - $33.6 million
• Total - $44.9 million Updated Funding and Budget The construction cost estimate was updated in April 2020 and the updated ROW costs were received at about that same time. These costs estimates were based on much better information
Wadsworth Improvements Budget Update September 21, 2020
Page 3
available with more thorough and final design documents. Analysis of the project costs was completed in late July 2020 and revealed that the project was estimated to be over budget by $14.3 million with the costs for each phase as follows:
• Environmental - $1.4 million
• Design - $3.7 million
• ROW - $16.4 million
• Construction - $37.7 million
• Total - $59.2 million
Compared to the $44.9 million in funding that has been identified in late 2019, as shown above, the overrun for each of the phases is as follows:
• The environmental costs were almost $700,000 over.
• The design costs are $1 million over.
• The majority of the overrun is in ROW acquisition at almost $8.6 million.
• The latest construction costs are $4.1 million over.
Environmental and Design Phases
Almost all of the environmental overrun, for a total of $660,000, was for work associated with transitioning from the Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) Study and the extra historical
work. CDOT identified several additional potential historic properties in the project scope when the project transitioned from the PEL to the environmental assessment (EA). Analysis of potential impacts to these properties resulted in significant additional consultant fees and added
to the timeline of the environmental approvals.
The incremental increases in the environmental and design budgets were small compared to the
overall budget and so each time funds were transferred from the construction budget to keep the project moving forward. In February 2019, Option Letter #1 with CDOT was executed to increase the environmental phase funding from $750k to $1.5 million. The environmental phase
was completed in late 2019 with the final total cost of $1.428 million.
ROW Phase
The ROW costs are nearly double what was originally estimated in preparation to submit for the 2014 DRCOG TIP. In the intervening 6 years, property values in the Denver Metro area have increased dramatically.
An updated ROW estimate was received in late March 2020 at $15 million for the property
acquisitions, which was based on what the City’s appraisers were finding for property values.
Prior to having the appraisal consulting team engaged, it had not been possible for staff to accurately update estimated ROW acquisition costs. In June 2020, CDOT administratively approved Option Letter #2 to increase the ROW budget to allow the acquisitions to proceed with
the first closing occurring in July 2020.
Wadsworth Improvements Budget Update September 21, 2020
Page 4
Construction Phase Early in the project, concerns regarding potential construction cost funding gaps were identified and so that has been the reason staff has gone to great lengths to identify additional funding,
adding $13.3 million to the initial project funding of $31.6 million in the 2015 DRCOG TIP
award.
However, in order to keep the project moving forward, much of those additional funding sources were used to pay for costs in the environmental, design, and ROW phases, which has left the construction budget short by $4.1 million.
Options Explored
Once the scope of the estimated project budget shortfall was fully understood in late July 2020, City staff contacted DRCOG and CDOT staff to discuss a multitude of options to keep the project moving forward including obtaining additional funding from a variety of potential sources, using toll credits, completing design/ROW phases only, and building as much of the project as can be afforded with the available budget.
At this time, no additional funding that the project qualifies for has been identified. However, several additional sources of funding are still being pursued, but will likely not be enough to complete the entire project and might not be available until a later date. Staff will continue to aggressively pursue additional funding options. Since the 2018 TIP grant ($6.6 million) was for the northern portion of the project, and would be lost if that construction work were not to be
completed, the decision was made to recommend that we start the construction at the I-70 ramps
and improve Wadsworth as far south as available construction funding allows.
Phase 1 – 41st Avenue to I-70 Some of the CDOT overlay and HSIP funding will likely not be available due to the reduced
scope of the project. Staff estimates that this loss will be less than $2 million, leaving
approximately $21.5 million available for construction. A cost estimate has been completed for a
construction project that starts just south of 41st Avenue, basically where Wendy’s/McDonalds are located and terminates at the I-70 ramps. This project is estimated at just over $21 million, aligning with the available construction budget. There are also a number of design and traffic considerations that make this a logical southern termination for phase one of construction. Staff
can elaborate on some of those examples at the City Council study session at Council’s direction.
Phase 2 – 35th Avenue to 41st Avenue This portion of the project, including the continuous flow intersection (CFI) at 38th Avenue
would be constructed at a later date once a funding source of around $14 million is identified. If
the funding source is identified within the next year, then this phase of the project could possibly be added to the contract for Phase 1 with little or no additional environmental or design work involved. If the funding is obtained later, then some minor environmental and design work will be required. Staff intends to place the project out to bid with Phase 2 as a bid alternate, so that if
funding becomes available, we could seamlessly transition into that second phase of
construction.
Wadsworth Improvements Budget Update September 21, 2020
Page 5
Next Steps The preparation of the construction plans and ROW acquisition for the entire project will continue so that the Phase 2 work will be “shovel ready” should a funding source be identified.
The construction plans should be finished two months ahead of completing the ROW acquisition,
so there will be adequate time to prepare the Phase 1 set of plans for advertisement in late
December 2020. Construction would then start in Spring 2021.