Title
Lower 5 Plaza Update
Summary
COUNCIL GOAL: Operational Excellence
(2B: Balance available resources to accommodate the growth and maintenance needs of the city)
Enhance the Quality of Life in McKinney
(5E: Develop sustainable quality of life improvements within the City of McKinney)
MEETING DATE: December 05, 2023
DEPARTMENT: Development Services / Engineering
CONTACT: Kim Flom, Assistant City Manager
Gary Graham, Director of Engineering
Blake Sills, Engineering CIP Manager
Brook Retta, 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:
• The FY24 Capital Improvement Plan budget includes funding under CIP Project ST2234 and PK2234 for the preliminary bridge layout, drainage design, and conceptual park layout related to the Lower 5 Plaza located at SH 5 between Virginia Street and Louisiana Street.
• The North Texas Central Council of Governments (NCTCOG) has committed $30 million funding towards the project. This includes the engineering design and environmental documentation, ROW acquisition, and construction of the infrastructure needed for the crossing.
• The NCTCOG has committed $15 million of federal funding towards the project and has applied for $15 million from the FY23 Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods Grant Program. If selected, those funds would not be available until late 2024. An agreement between the City and TxDOT will be needed for the City to utilize a portion of the funding for the components it will be responsible to construct.
• On April 18, 2023, City staff presented an update at the City Council Work Session meeting on the SH 5 Downtown Pedestrian Connection Feasibility Study and City Council provided direction to move forward with the Inverted Deck Park currently referred to as the ‘Lower 5 Plaza’.
• Since receiving direction from City Council to move forward with the Lower 5 Plaza, City staff has been working with Kimley-Horn & Associates, Inc, TxDOT, and NCTCOG staff on developing a framework which will assist in the project’s transition to the design and environmental documentation phase.
• On December 05, 2023, City staff submitted a resolution for City Council approval authorizing the City Manager to execute two professional services contracts with Kimley-Horn & Associates, Inc. for the Lower 5 Plaza Infrastructure and Parks Improvements related to the development of pedestrian connection enhancements east of Downtown McKinney at SH 5.
• An updated presentation has been prepared covering the following areas:
o Project Overview
o Lower 5 Plaza Overview
o Funding
o Timeline
o Next Steps
• Staff is presenting this informational presentation to receive concurrence on direction as the project progresses into formal design efforts, 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