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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 2c - Phase Two of Huntington Drive Capacity Improvements project. GQsLIFORN —�9 A.6ust 5, 1903 V DATE: November 4, 2014 STAFF REPORT Development Services Department TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council FROM: Jason Kruckeberg, Assistant City Manager /Development Services Director Philip A. Wray, Deputy Director of Development Services /City Engineer By: Kevin L. Merrill, Associate Engineer SUBJECT: CONTRACT WITH GMC ENGINEERING, INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF $506,373 FOR PHASE TWO OF THE HUNTINGTON DRIVE CAPACITY IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT WITH A PROVISION TO ALLOW U -TURNS AT THE HUNTINGTON DRIVE AND COLORADO PLACE INTERSECTION AND APPROVE A 10% CONTINGENCY Recommendation: Approve SUMMARY This item was originally presented to the City Council for award at the City Council meeting of October 21, 2014. At that meeting, two neighboring property owners expressed concerns about the project because they felt that the proposed raised median in Huntington Drive would create the need for U -turns at both adjacent intersections. U -turns were already planned to be allowed at the Santa Clara Street intersection; however, additional right -of -way is needed for U -turns at Colorado Place. The recently - approved hotel development on the Santa Anita Inn site requires the property owner to make dedications for street widening and discussions will begin with the property owner to advance the dedication. It is recommended that the City Council authorize and direct the City Manager to execute a contract to GMC Engineering Inc., in the amount of $506,373, for Phase Two of the Huntington Drive Capacity Improvements Project, with a minor modification to the design to allow U -turns at the Huntington Drive and Colorado Place intersection. Post construction, the intersection will be monitored to determine the need to widen further to accommodate larger vehicle U- turns. Contract with GMC Engineering November 4, 2014 Page 2 of 3 BACKGROUND The Huntington Drive Capacity Improvement Project proposes a raised center median in Huntington Drive between Santa Clara Street and Colorado Place. At the City Council meeting of October 21, 2014, the owner of the 100 -to -1 Club, and the owner's representative for the office building at 125 West Huntington Drive expressed their opposition to the median because patrons of their businesses would not have left turn access into and out of their sites and would depend on U -turns at the adjacent intersections. U -turns at Santa Clara Street will be allowed, which was the concern of the property owner of 125 West Huntington Drive. U -turns at Colorado Place would not be allowed because there is insufficient street width. The City Council delayed the decision to award a construction contract for the project in order for the issue to be investigated further. Please see the attached staff report from October 21, 2014. In addition, aerial photos are included to show the project location and the approximate location of the raised center median. DISCUSSION The proposed design of the Huntington Drive and Colorado Place intersection was investigated and it was determined that by shortening the end of the median, the minimum width could be achieved to allow U- turns. This will be sufficient for all passenger vehicles. Because this is not a standard four -way intersection, it does not accommodate U -turns for larger vehicles where they could partially utilize the intersecting street to make a wider U -turn. In the absence of the intersecting street, a larger vehicle making a U -turn would have to either utilize some of the adjacent lane on the right to make a wider turn, make a three -point turn, or pull forward to the Santa Anita Inn driveway and utilize the drive approach for part or all of the turn. To accommodate larger vehicle U- turns, the south side of Huntington Drive would need to be widened slightly; as such, additional right -of -way would be necessary from the Santa Anita Inn property. The additional dedication was required as a condition of approval of the proposed new hotel development. However, because the dedication is not required until a building permit is requested, there is no way to control or predict the timing of the dedication and the potential coordination and construction. If the project is to proceed as originally designed, but with the allowance for U -turns at the intersection, the intersection could be monitored upon completion for the need for further widening for larger vehicles. Concurrent with the project, discussions will be held with the owner of the Santa Anita Inn property to encourage the dedication of the additional right -of -way in advance of the hotel project so the City can be in the position to improve the intersection if the need is warranted. Contract with GMC Engineering November 4, 2014 Page 3 of 3 RECOMMENDATION It is recommended that the City Council authorize and direct the City Manager to execute a contract with GMC Engineering, Inc. in the amount of $506,373 for Phase Two of the Huntington Drive Capacity Improvements Project with a modification to allow U -turns at the Huntington Drive and Colorado Place intersection, and approve a 10% contingency. Approved. Dominic Lazzar d City Manager Attachments: October 21, 2014 Staff Report Aerial Photos . GQsLIFORN —�9 A.6ust 5, 1903 V DATE: October 21, 2014 STAFF REPORT Development Services Department TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council FROM: Jason Kruckeberg, Assistant City Manager /Development Services Director Philip A. Wray, Deputy Director of Development Services /City Engineer By: Kevin L. Merrill, Associate Engineer SUBJECT: CONTRACT WITH GMC ENGINEERING, INC. IN THE AMOUNT OF $506,373 FOR PHASE TWO OF THE HUNTINGTON DRIVE CAPACITY IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT AND APPROVE A 10% CONTINGENCY Recommendation: Approve SUMMARY In 2012, the City undertook a project to complete traffic improvements to three very important intersections along Huntington Drive at Santa Anita Avenue, Santa Clara Street, and Colorado Place. The project was funded in part by a grant from the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) with matching funds from the City. The project was completed in December 2012 at a cost substantially lower than the budget. After completion, Metro re- evaluated the funding status. They informed the City that they would support an extension of time to complete the balance of the scope of work items that were unable to be constructed originally for various reasons. KOA Corporation, the engineer of record for the project, was hired to prepare the design plans for the balance of the work, which will include the installation of a median west of Santa Clara on Huntington, signal phasing improvements, restriping to enhance capacity, and sidewalk enhancements in the area. The project was advertised for bids in September 2014, and bids were opened on October 7, 2014. The successful low bid was from GMC Engineering, Inc., in the amount of $506,373. It is recommended that the City Council award a contract for Phase Two of the Huntington Drive Capacity Improvements Project in the amount of $506,373, and approve a 10% contingency. Contract with GMC Engineering October 21, 2014 Page 2 of 5 BACKGROUND The Huntington Drive Capacity Improvement Project was intended to enhance the capacity of three intersections on the Huntington Drive corridor at Santa Anita Avenue, Santa Clara Street, and Colorado Place. The project was funded by a Metro Grant where the City is responsible for 60% and Metro 40% of the total costs. The initial project added left turn lanes at Santa Anita Avenue, a right turn lane at Santa Clara Street, and a through lane at Colorado Place, as well as other traffic signal, signing, and striping improvements. The project was originally intended to include two additional important elements that were subsequently left out. They were the widening of the north side of Huntington Drive between San Rafael Road and Colorado Place to add a through lane on Huntington Drive, and the construction of a raised center median in Huntington Drive between Colorado Place and Santa Clara Street. The widening was dependent on an offer of dedication from the property owner of 161 Colorado Place as a condition of approval of the medical office development at that location. The dedication was anticipated at the time of the City's initial project construction, but was delayed due to the delays in that development project. The required dedication has now been provided to the City. The raised center median was proposed for Huntington Drive in the initial project, but was removed because of conflicts with Gold Line construction. The Gold Line construction had closed Colorado Boulevard from Colorado Place to Santa Anita Avenue, which restricted access to the entire neighborhood north of Huntington Drive and west of Santa Anita Avenue. In fairness to this neighborhood, full access to San Rafael Road was determined to be necessary for the duration of the Gold Line construction and the raised median was removed from the original project. The Gold Line work on Colorado Boulevard is now complete. The initial construction project only used approximately 60% of the budget. The City requested that Metro extend the time limit for expending the grant funds in order to allow the City to complete the entire project. Metro agreed and granted the City an extension until the summer of 2015. KOA Corporation, the engineer of record for the project, was retained to prepare the design plans for the balance of the work. In addition, KOA evaluated the post - construction conditions, made recommendations for modifications, and received input from the Police Department and others who frequent the intersection. From these efforts, the following scope was developed: • Widen Huntington Drive between Colorado Place and Santa Clara Street to make room for an additional through lane in each direction • Install a raised center median between Colorado Place and Santa Clara Street • Make operational improvements for southbound to westbound right -turns to eliminate the conflict with the northbound to westbound left -turn movement Contract with GMC Engineering October 21, 2014 Page 3 of 5 • Add signs and improve striping for the northbound to eastbound right -turns • Install sidewalk in front of the 100 -to -1 Club and improve the southwest corner of Huntington Drive and Santa Clara Street for pedestrian and ADA purposes • Improve the pedestrian crosswalk phasing sequence at Colorado Place and Huntington Drive intersection • Implement traffic signal coordination improvements • Miscellaneous striping and signage modifications The scope was initially presented to the City Council at a study session on November 5, 2013. The City Council provided direction to proceed with the scope as proposed, and KOA proceeded with the construction plans. A second study session was held with the City Council on July 1, 2014, to brief the new City Council on the project, and again review the scope of improvements, particularly the raised center median on Huntington Drive. Direction was given to proceed with the project and to notify the surrounding residents and businesses of the City's intention. DISCUSSION Notices of the project, including the raised center median, were mailed to all residents north of Huntington Drive between Santa Anita Avenue and Colorado Place and the businesses along Huntington Drive. Two responses of opposition were received and these are attached to the staff report. One response was from a resident of the neighborhood north of Huntington Drive complaining of the inconvenience to local residents that may be caused by the raised median. For those drivers that make left turns from San Rafael Road, the median will cause them to find another route to Huntington Drive. While it is clear this will be an inconvenience to residents, the widening of Huntington Drive will make left turns more difficult and dangerous because the stop on San Rafael Road will be pulled back and sight lines of oncoming traffic from the east will be more challenging. The other response was from the owner of the existing and proposed office buildings located on the north side of Huntington Drive, at 125 Huntington Drive and 161 Colorado Place. This comment alleges that the loss of left turns into San Rafael Drive will inconvenience patrons travelling eastbound. It was pointed out that left turn access would still be available into the site at the main driveway west of San Rafael Road, and U -turns will be allowed at Huntington Drive and Santa Clara Street. Further, this applicant was made aware of the planned median when the new project was proposed and, in fact, the traffic study for this project included a review of the turning motions with the future median in place. In general, it has been explained to complainants that the median is recommended because Huntington Drive is an extremely important corridor, and this segment is a confluence of traffic from several different directions. Traffic will increase over time in this area, especially with the new developments planned, and continuing to allow left turns in this area will only create more conflicts and hindrances to the traffic flow. Contract with GMC Engineering October 21, 2014 Page 4 of 5 The plans and specifications for the Project were completed in August, 2014. The most current Engineer's Estimate for construction of the project was $600,000. The project was advertised for bids in September 2014, and bids were opened on October 7, 2014. There were 11 bidders as follows: GMC Engineering, Inc. $506,373.00 Gentry Brothers, Inc. $521,507.00 Unique Performance Construction $549,799.00 Los Angeles Engineering, Inc. $568,946.00 All American Asphalt $587,000.00 Tora $588,752.00 Sully - Miller Contracting Co. $594,895.00 PTM General Engineering $596,569.00 Palp, Inc., dba Excel Paving Co. $599,252.00 E C Construction $657,381.30 Roadway Engineering $667,008.75 The low bidder was GMC Engineering, Inc. in the amount of $506,373. GMC Engineering's qualifications and work history were investigated and found to be satisfactory. They have the required license and have successfully completed similar projects in the past. It is anticipated that work will begin by mid - November 2014 and will be completed by February 27, 2015. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT The Initial Study and Mitigated Negative Declaration were noticed and made available for review for the 30 day period required under CEQA and on January 3, 2012, the City Council adopted the Mitigated Negative Declaration. This project is in conformance with the previous environmental review. FISCAL IMPACT In the Capital Improvement Programs for Fiscal Year 2009/10 through Fiscal Year 2011 -12, the City Council approved a total budget of $2,500,000. The initial construction project expended $1,400,000, leaving approximately $1,100,000 available for Phase 2. Therefore, there are sufficient funds remaining to cover the construction of this phase of the project. Including the construction bid, the total project costs are estimated as follows: Contract with GMC Engineering October 21, 2014 Page 5 of 5 Design Inspection Administration Materials Testing Construction Contract 10% Contingency TOTAL PROJECTED COSTS RECOMMENDATION $75,000 $20,000 $10,000 $15,000 $506,373 $50,637 $677,010 It is recommended that the City Council authorize and direct the City Manager to execute a contract with GMC Engineering, Inc. in the amount of $506,373 for Phase Two of the Huntington Drive Capacity Improvements Project and approve a 10% contingency. Approved Dominic Lazza d City Manager Attachments Kevin Merrill From: Ted Zhou <ted848848 @gmail.com> Sent: Tuesday, August 05, 2014 4:23 PM To: Kevin Merrill Subject: Upcoming street construction on Huntngton drive from Santa Clara Street to Colorado street Follow Up Flag: Follow up Flag Status: Completed Hi Mr. Merrill: I am an Arcadia resident and live close to Santa Clara street and San Rafael road. I think the proposed median to restrict left turn movements will only add the inconvenience to the local residents. In fact, most the time except for traffic hour, the left turn is not difficult at all. Were there many traffic accidents reported due to this left turn issue? Is there a traffic flow study or alternative ways to address the left turn issue? Is it possible that you can provide a site plan showing the proposed Phase II work? I thank you for provide the requested information and address the concerns. Regards, Ted VG PROPERTY INVESTMENTS, LLC. 25 E. Huntington Drive Arcadia, CA 91006 September 29, 2014 Philip A. Wray Deputy Director of Development Services /City Engineer City of Arcadia 240 West Huntington Drive Post Office Box 60021 Arcadia, CA 91066 -6021 (626) 548 -8777 Office (626) 548 -8778 Fax RE: Upcoming Street Construction on Huntington Drive from Santa Clara Street to Colorado Street Phil, Thanks for meeting with me recently to discuss the City's plans to complete its 2012 project to improve Huntington Drive from Santa Anita Avenue to Colorado Place. As we discussed in our recent meeting and in May of 2012, VG Property Investments, LLC firmly believes that the changes being proposed by the City will result in several negative impacts on our property at 125 W. Huntington Drive. Specifically, 1. The banning of left turns from Huntington Drive onto San Rafael will eliminate what has historically been the main entrance to our existing office building. Our long -term tenant, WorleyParsons, views this as a "loss" of easy access to the premises. Since we will be entering into renewal negotiations with them in January, 2015, the tenant's broker could (and no doubt will) use this "loss" to the landlord's disadvantage. 2. Eliminating left turns from San Rafael onto Huntington Drive will dictate that all of the tenants' employees that need to travel east on Huntington Drive will have to use the existing driveway on the west side of the building. This will result in a back -log of vehicles at this exit at the close of the day. Additionally, once our new medical offices and parking garage are operational, traffic from the garage will also be utilizing this driveway, resulting in even more back -log. In lieu of using this driveway, employees may decide to utilize the neighborhood streets to the north of the building to attain access to Santa Anita Drive. Either way, at full occupancy, these buildings could be releasing up to 583 vehicles. We understand that vehicles will be able to make a legal left turn at San Juan, but the vehicles parked in our existing parking lot will not have access to San Juan, leaving them at a distinct disadvantage. 3. Ease of access and access visibility are paramount when launching new real estate. If the City constructs the median, the main entry to the campus will become a driveway versus a marked street (San Juan, or San Raphael. If someone travelling east on Colorado Place misses the driveway, they will have to make a left turn onto another street past San Rafael, perform another left into a parking lot or driveway and return to Huntington Drive to turn right onto San Rafael or the driveway. Alternatively, the driver could proceed to the first legal u -turn which would be Monterey in Monrovia. Clearly this does not create an ideal scenario for a start-up medical campus. We fully understand and appreciate that the City of Arcadia is growing and changing in many positive ways. We want the growth of our project (Huntington Center) to be a viable part of the City's success. To provide us with the best support to attain that goal, we ask that the City reconsider our original requests made on May 15, 2014: " (i) reconsider the decision to eliminate left turns from Huntington Drive onto San Rafael; (ii) consider the installation of a turning inlet onto San Rafael; (iii) allow u -turns at the existing light at the intersection of Huntington Drive and Santa Anita; or (iv) allow u -turns at the intersection of Huntington Drive and Santa Clara." At this time, it appears that allowing u -turns at the Huntington Drive /Santa Anita intersection may be the most viable alternative. Given the land dedicated by VG Property Investments to the City last September, there should be adequate turning radius to complete a u -turn in a safe manner. Thank you for your time and consideration. Mike Soo and I are available to meet with you and /or others to reach a solution that will work for the success of both the City and VG Property Investments. Sincerely, Sharon A. Logan Asset Manager cc: Mike Soo