SHORELINE — Despite rocky grounds, the final decision in favor of redeveloping a mile of Aurora Avenue N. was not a complete cliffhanger.
With a 4-3 vote, Council members approved a construction contract for $23.6 million at the June 6 City Council meeting.
Council members’ opinions on the project have largely been divided, with the majority supporting redevelopment. Dissenting members were Maggie Fimia, John Chang and Bob Ransom.
“We have heard from business owners who support this,” Council member Paul Grace said. “It is not divisive of the community; I think it is a great step forward.”
The bid was awarded to Gary Merlino Construction Company to construct the Aurora Avenue North Multimodal Corridor Project from N. 145th to 165th streets, as well as the Interurban Trail Pedestrian and Bicycle Crossing projects. The Aurora Avenue Project includes 7-foot sidewalks, two Business Access Transit lanes, bus shelters, telecommunication undergrounding, a center median with left and U-turn pockets and other landscaping.
The contract includes a 5.9 percent contingency to address unknown problems that could arise during construction.
City manager Steve Burkett acknowledged that throughout the long process, there has been substantial discussion and debate about impacts related to medians and width of sidewalks. However, he said there has been agreement about safety, aesthetics and transportation benefits, as well as economic benefits in the future.
The project is largely being completed with money leveraged through federal and state governments, the city of Seattle and King County Metro transit. The city’s share is about 13 percent of the total project, Burkett said.
City staff received two bids, which were opened May 17. The low bid was within 9 percent of the city engineer’s estimate.
The bid includes five projects. In conjunction with the Aurora Corridor Project and Interurban Trail bridge crossings, Seattle City Light will underground power lines, Seattle Public Utility will install a new water main and Ronald Wastewater and Sewer District will adjust manhole elevations. Although included in the city’s bid, these three partners will reimburse the city for all project costs.
In awarding the bid, the Council also chose to upgrade two pedestrian bridges that will cross N. 155th Street and Aurora Avenue as part of the Interurban Trail. The bridges will be enclosed in glass and will include lighting and archways.
During public comment, former Council member Kevin Grossman encouraged the Council to sign the contract. Grossman was one of three co-chairs of the first Aurora Avenue comprehensive planning groups about 10 years ago. Grossman stressed that projects of this nature do not come along very often, and if the Council did not award the bid, the redevelopment project would not likely happen.
“It has always been about money, right-of-way and access to businesses,” Grossman said. “Now, we have a solution that addresses safety issues.”
Rick Stephens, owner of Highland Ice Arena on Aurora Avenue N., said there are still unanswered questions.
Stephens said it is unknown how the project will affect businesses, or if it will create unemployment in the area. He was also disappointed that the city places a higher priority on entrance-ways rather than sidewalks and streetlights.
“Many things could have been corrected had you listened to citizens, community, businesses,” Stephens said. “This is the most expensive one-mile project on urban renewal on Aurora; other cities have done it for $10 million less.”
Council member John Chang stressed that safety improvements to Aurora Avenue could be achieved with projects that cost less money.
“Everybody feels the need to do the project is for safety,” Chang said. “There are many things we could accomplish without spending so much money.”
Council member Bob Ransom had several concerns, including what he said were irregularities in the bid price, the fact that maple trees every 30 feet may block business signs, and that businesses may not be reasonably accommodated, with fewer left turn lanes than he anticipated.
Fimia proposed an amendment to add an additional traffic light at 149th Street, which was withdrawn after Burkett said it could not legally be included in the bid, as it is not designed.
Fimia said the decision to award the bid was extremely difficult, as she has been vested in the project since 1995, when she served on the Metro King County Council. She favored funding sidewalks in the city.
“Symbolically, the plan has divided the community,” Fimia said. “I am not ready to support $30 million, I hope we can do Phase 2 and 3 with less money.”
Deputy Mayor Scott Jepsen supported spending about $25 million and stressed that the project is not a divisive project, but will make a statement for the community.
Jepsen supported funding for improvements to the bridges, saying they were important for safety reasons. He said overall cost increases can be blamed on factors such as an Environmental Impact Statement appeal in September 2003.
“We inherited dilapidated streets from King County,” Jepsen said. “This is an important project for business owners.”
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