2004-05-17 - Laserfiche WebLink

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6 Responding to a question from Mr. Caravati, Mr. Tolbert said the Fontaine Avenue project is put off a year anywa y until the Southern Area B study is complete. He said there is currently $5 million in that budget and the total project cost is $6 million. Ms. Richards asked what amount has already been moved from the Fontaine project to the Hillsdale Drive project, and Mr. Tolbert said he believes $1 million. Mr. Lynch made a motion to move $1 million from the Fontaine Avenue project to the Meadowcreek Parkway interchange study, and Mr. Caravati seconded the motion. Ms. Richards said she thinks Council should h old a public hearing before moving this money as many people on the south side of the City feel that Council is indifferent to that area. Ms. Richards said that the Fontaine project is more of a beautification project than a widening project, and she does not feel money should be taken away from that project without asking the neighborhood. Mr. Cox said he supports the motion. He said so many issues on in flux in the Southern Area B study that it could make the Fontaine widening unnecessary. Ms. Richa rds said that is presupposing the results of the study. She said that if the project is removed as a VDOT project, the City will not be able to do anything about bike lanes or streetscape improvements. Mr. Lynch said that people on Fontaine Avenue are w orried that their yards are going to be taken and he feels keeping it at two lanes would be a win for the City. Ms. Richards said that only two feet of widening is proposed on each side of the road. She said the City would have to be responsible for bui lding sidewalks which is estimated to cost $2 million. Mr. Caravati said he does not want to stop or change the focus of the Fontaine project or change the construction schedule. Mr. Schilling said he shares Ms. Richards' concern over the process and f eels that this is a last minute motion and we do not really know the ramifications. He said there has been no process with the neighborhood. He said he does support getting the Meadowcreek Parkway on track. The motion to move $1 million from the Fontai ne Avenue project to the Meadowcreek Parkway interchange study was approved by the following vote. Ayes: Mr. Caravati, Mr. Cox, Mr. Lynch. Noes: Ms. Richards and Mr. Schilling. Mr. Cox asked if bridge repairs, such as the Avon Street bridge, are inse rted in the plan can they move with better speed than now, and Mr. Tolbert said that only those funds that are there now can be moved.