ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

Date: January 29, 2001
Author/Local: F. Klotzbach/7118

RTS NO. 01849

CC File No. 5762

CS&B: February 15, 2001

TO:	Standing Committee on City Services and Budgets
FROM:	General Manager of Engineering Services
SUBJECT:	Denman Street Reconstruction

RECOMMENDATION

A. THAT the reconstruction of Denman Street be undertaken with funding of $910,000 provided in advance of the 2001 Streets Basic Capital Budget.

B. THAT Council approve $32,000 in advance of the 2001 Streets Capital Budget for temporary staffing, advertising and supplies, to ensure a greater level of service to the public through increased communication of the numerous capital improvements planned for city streets this construction season.

COUNCIL POLICY

Street Capital reconstruction is approved by Council as part of the annual Streets Capital Budget.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this report is to obtain Council approval for the reconstruction of Denman Street and temporary staffing in advance of the 2001 Streets Basic Capital Budget.

DISCUSSION

DENMAN STREET RECONSTRUCTION

Engineering Services is currently planning a comprehensive infrastructure replacement program for Denman Street from Georgia Street to Beach Avenue.

Much of the City’s infrastructure on Denman Street is aging and in need of replacement. The water and sewer mains are more than 80 years old and at the end of their service lives and should be replaced. In addition, the street and much of the sidewalks are cracked, uneven and generally in poor condition.

The following is a list of the work proposed:
· sewer reconstruction between Georgia Street and the lane south of Alberni Street
· water reconstruction between Georgia Street and Beach Avenue
· sewer connections to buildings near Georgia, Robson, Barclay and Comox Streets
· several blocks of sidewalk reconstruction
· road re-paving between Georgia Street and Beach Avenue

To alleviate the inconvenience to local businesses, the Water, Sewers and Streets Branches of Engineering Services are undertaking a coordinated construction plan to ensure the work occurs in an efficient and timely manner. As well, this construction work is occurring this spring to avoid the merchants’ busier summer period.

Flyers were delivered to the businesses on Denman Street inviting them to an Open House held on Thursday, January 18 at the West End Community Centre. Representatives from Water, Sewers and Streets were on hand to answer questions that the merchants had regarding the project. Those who attended the Open House were interested in the project and supportive of the work planned.

To meet the needs of merchants in the neighbourhood, this construction is planned to commence prior to approval of the 2001 Streets Basic Capital Budget. As a result, approval of the estimated $910,000 for the street repair is required in advance of the Budget approval. The Water and Sewer work is funded by approved Capital funds for water and sewer main replacement.

TEMPORARY STAFFING

For 2000, a temporary staff member was hired for six months to run the Road Aheadprogram, a comprehensive communications plan developed by Corporate Communications and Engineering Services to better convey the numerous construction projects underway in Vancouver to the public.

The Road Ahead program includes the following components:
· the Roadwork Info Line, 871-6308, for construction updates and information;
· the Road Ahead web page, www.city.vancouver.bc.ca/roadwork, with project and contact information;
· a series of advertisements in community and daily newspapers, outlining the major construction projects planned and links for more information and City contacts;
· construction signs at all project locations;
· news and press releases prior to start of construction; and
· daily communications with the various media outlets in the City, to keep them apprised of project details.

The Road Ahead program has proven to be very successful. Fewer phone calls were received than in previous years and the roadwork web page became the number one site visited for Engineering Services. As well, the website was used daily by a local television station to display construction locations in the City of Vancouver.

Due to the success of this program and the number of projects planned for 2001, it is recommended that a temporary staff member and associated budget, again be approved at approximate cost of $32,000. This position will be temporary for six months and staff will report back on the effectiveness and possibility of extending the position further.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

Funding and construction approval for reconstruction of arterial streets is traditionally given by Council when approving the Streets Basic Capital Budget. Arterial reconstruction, estimated at $3.1 million, will be included as Project A-1a, of the approximate $15 million budget proposed for 2001.

The Street’s portion of the work on Denman Street is estimated to be approximately $910,000 to resurface the roadway and replace much of the curb and gutter and $32,000 is estimated for temporary staff and budget for the Road Ahead program. Therefore, $942,000 is requested in advance of the 2001 Streets Basic Capital Budget.

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(c) 1998 City of Vancouver