Title
Update on Lower 5 Plaza
Summary
COUNCIL GOAL: Operational Excellence
(2B: Balance available resources to accommodate the growth and maintenance needs of the city)
MEETING DATE: April 16, 2024
DEPARTMENT: Development Services / Engineering
CONTACT: Kim Flom, Assistant City Manager
Gary Graham, Director of Engineering
Blake Sills, PE, Engineering CIP Manager
Brook Retta, PE, CIP Engineer
RECOMMENDED CITY COUNCIL ACTION:
• Receive presentation and discuss items related to ongoing development of the Lower 5 Plaza Project that provides enhanced pedestrian linkage and community stitching along State Highway 5 (SH 5) between Virginia Street and Louisiana Street.
ITEM SUMMARY:
• Discuss items related to ongoing development of the Lower 5 Plaza Project that provides enhanced pedestrian linkage and community stitching along SH 5 between Virginia Street and Louisiana Street.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
• TxDOT’s design for SH 5 roadway improvements from McMakin Street to Power House Street is underway referenced as CSJ 0047-05-054. The planned improvements to SH 5 include a complete reconstruction as a 4-lane divided roadway. Construction of the planned improvements is estimated to begin in 2026 following City of McKinney water/wastewater and Franchise Utilities’ relocations and TxDOT acquisition of necessary right-of-way.
• The FY24 Capital Improvement Plan budget includes funding under CIP Project ST2234 for the preliminary bridge layout, drainage design, park layout, and grading related to the Lower 5 Plaza Infrastructure Improvements located at SH 5 between Virginia Street and Louisiana Street.
• The City is currently under contract with Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. who is providing professional consulting engineering services for the Lower 5 Plaza Infrastructure Improvements related to the development of pedestrian connection enhancements east of Downtown McKinney at SH 5.
• The North Texas Central Council of Governments (NCTCOG) has committed $30 million funding towards the project. This includes the engineering design and environmental impact assessment, ROW acquisition, and construction of the infrastructure needed for the crossing.
• The NCTCOG has committed $15 million of federal funding towards the project and applied for $15 million from the FY23 Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods Grant Program. On March 13, 2024, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced the selection of this grant.
• An AFA between the City and TxDOT must be fully executed for the City to utilize a portion of the funding for the components it will be responsible for designing and constructing.
• On April 16, 2024, City staff submitted a resolution for City Council approval authorizing the City Manager to execute an Advance Funding Agreement (AFA) for the Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) Program and Any Necessary Supplemental Agreements with TxDOT for reimbursement of expenses for the design and construction of the Lower 5 Plaza Infrastructure Improvements Project (CIP Project ST2234).
• An updated presentation has been prepared covering the following areas:
o Project Overview and Update
o Environmental Impact Assessment
o Funding
o Timeline
o Next Steps
• Staff is presenting this informational presentation to receive concurrence on direction as the project progresses into required adherence to National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and utilization of federal funds administered through NCTCOG.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY:
• N/A.
BOARD OR COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION:
• N/A