TO: Members of the City Council
FROM: Mayor Angela Birney
DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR CONTACT(S):
|
Finance |
Malisa Files |
425-556-2166 |
|
Planning and Community Development |
Carol Helland |
425-556-2107 |
|
Public Works |
Dave Juarez |
425-556-2733 |
DEPARTMENT STAFF:
|
Finance |
Terry Marpert |
Real Property Specialist |
|
Planning and Community Development |
Peter Dane |
Senior Planner |
|
Public Works |
John Mork |
Senior Engineer |
TITLE:
title
Acceptance of an Easement for the NE 31st Street Pedestrian/Bicycle Connection Project
OVERVIEW STATEMENT:
recommendation
This is a request for the City Council to authorize the Mayor to accept a public pedestrian-bicycle easement to be donated by the Microsoft Corporation. The proposed easement would connect the future Sound Transit Overlake Village Station Bridge with 148th Avenue NE in approximately the NE 31st Street right-of-way alignment (see maps in Attachments A and B, and draft easement in Attachment C). On June 23, 2020, City staff made a presentation to the Council Committee of the Whole (COW) on the pedestrian-bicycle improvements planned for the proposed easement. After discussion with staff, the COW directed that authorization to accept the proposed easement be placed on the Council’s Consent Agenda at an upcoming meeting.
body
☒ Additional Background Information/Description of Proposal Attached
REQUESTED ACTION:
☐ Receive Information ☐ Provide Direction ☒ Approve
REQUEST RATIONALE:
• Relevant Plans/Policies:
The City’s Comprehensive Plan and the Transportation Master Plan both support multi-modal travel through increased access to transit. The pedestrian-bicycle improvements planned for the proposed easement will significantly increase access to light rail service at the Overlake Village Station, particularly from office and residential areas along the west side of SR 520. The improvements will also provide better circulation within the City’s Overlake Urban Center (see Attachment D).
• Required:
N/A
• Council Request:
On June 23, 2020, the COW directed that authorization to accept the proposed easement be placed on the Council’s Consent Agenda.
• Other Key Facts:
The Overlake Village Station Bridge and the proposed NE 31st Street Pedestrian/Bicycle Connection Project are the final phase of a series of projects to improve access to light rail service in Overlake. Sound Transit is building the bridge with City funding, mostly from a $6.6 million grant. The bridge will be finished by early 2021, and if the easement is accepted by Council, the NE 31st Street connection will be completed by late 2021.
OUTCOMES:
The City benefits from the proposed easement because it provides the necessary space to allow for direct access to light rail service from one of the densest employment areas both in Redmond and the Eastside. If the easement is accepted by the City Council, the NE 31st Street Pedestrian-Bicycle Connection Project can be built quickly after completion of the Overlake Village Station Bridge.
COMMUNITY/STAKEHOLDER OUTREACH AND INVOLVEMENT:
• Timeline (previous or planned):
If the City Council accepts the easement donated by Microsoft, the NE 31st Street Pedestrian-Bicycle Connection Project can be built in 2021 in time for light rail service to Overlake beginning in 2023.
• Outreach Methods and Results:
N/A
• Feedback Summary:
N/A
BUDGET IMPACT:
Total Cost:
The Microsoft Corporation is donating the easement to the City at no cost.
Approved in current biennial budget: ☐ Yes ☐ No ☒ N/A
Budget Offer Number:
N/A
Budget Priority:
N/A
Other budget impacts or additional costs: ☐ Yes ☐ No ☒ N/A
If yes, explain:
N/A
Funding source(s):
N/A
Budget/Funding Constraints:
N/A
☐ Additional budget details attached
COUNCIL REVIEW:
Previous Contact(s)
|
Date |
Meeting |
Requested Action |
|
6/23/2020 |
Committee of the Whole - Finance, Administration, and Communications |
Provide Direction |
Proposed Upcoming Contact(s)
|
Date |
Meeting |
Requested Action |
|
|
None proposed at this time |
N/A |
Time Constraints:
City acceptance of the easement from Microsoft means that construction of the pedestrian and bicycle connection can be completed in 2021.
ANTICIPATED RESULT IF NOT APPROVED:
If the easement is not accepted by the City, public access to light rail service from the west side of SR 520 would be over a circuitous route: south along 148th Avenue NE to the 148th/SR 520 interchange area, then onto the SR 520 pedestrian-bicycle trail along the west side of SR 520, then to the Overlake Village Bridge and the Overlake Village light rail station.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A: Easement Location for the NE 31st Street Pedestrian/Bicycle Connection Project
Attachment B: Planned Improvements
Attachment C: Draft Easement - Public Pedestrian and Bicycle Access
Attachment D: Walking Access Maps