TO: Honorable Mayor & Members of the North Port Commission
FROM: Jonathan R. Lewis, ICMA-CM, City Manager
TITLE: Direction and approval to acquire one or more undeveloped parcels along Eldron Avenue and Crittendon Street for the construction of a sidewalk connection to the east side sidewalk of Sumter Boulevard.
Recommended Action
Direction and approval to acquire one or more undeveloped parcels at the junction of Eldron Avenue and Crittendon Street for the construction of a sidewalk connection enhances the project currently under design.
Background Information
The Eldron Avenue/Crittendon Street Sidewalk project is currently in design with anticipated design completion in June 2017. Staff held a meeting on October 27, 2016, to solicit comments from neighborhood residents regarding the location of the sidewalk relative to the paved roadway and abutting properties. Several participants at the meeting and several phone calls received from residents suggested connecting the proposed sidewalk at the Eldron Avenue/Crittendon Street corner to the existing sidewalk along the east side of Sumter Boulevard. An existing dirt path traversing two vacant residential lots at this corner supports this suggestion.
The three northerly lots on the west side of Crittendon Street are vacant. When conducting the surveying data for the project, the design consultant had performed a tree survey on the two northerly vacant lots where the existing dirt path meanders to the Sumter Boulevard sidewalk.
Staff is seeking direction from the Commission as to whether including in the design of this short segment of sidewalk to the existing sidewalk on Sumter Boulevard enhances the project. Adding this segment of sidewalk to connect to the existing Sumter Boulevard will not negatively impact the design of the Eldron Avenue/Crittendon Street sidewalk.
The attached topographic sketch of the two adjacent vacant lots provides examples of how the short sidewalk segment may traverse through either of the two northerly lots (of the three adjoining vacant lots) without impact to mature trees and also outlines the existing path used by pedestrians. The southerly vacant lot of the three was discounted as preferable as the existing dirt path is through the other two vacant lots and the southerly lot is not as direct of a connection to the proposed Eldron Avenue sidewalk as would be afforded by either of the other two lots. However, if either of the other two vacant lots cannot reasonably be acquired, this lot could then be considered for this sidewalk connection. It is estimated that the needed survey of this lot would cost an additional $2,000.
The Eldron Avenue/Crittendon Street Sidewalk Project, as it is currently approved, is anticipated to be ready to advertise for construction bidding in early June 2017.
If the Commission directs staff to pursue acquiring property to enhance this project, staff would take the appropriate steps to pursue acquisition and not slow down the existing project.
Based on the Sarasota Property Appraiser’s Just Value the estimated amount for the acquisition and land cost should be approximately $8,000. The Sarasota County Property Appraiser’s information on all three lots is attached.
Strategic Plan
Maintained/Upgraded/Expanded City Infrastructure
Financial Impact
To be determined based on Commission direction.
Procurement
Attachments:
1. Topographic Sketch Vacant Lots
2. Location Map
3. Sarasota County Property Appraiser Parcel Information
4. Power Point Presentation
Prepared by: Benjamin Newman
Department Director: Juliana B. Bellia