Laserfiche WebLink
68 <br /> <br />stated that the estimate was based on recent estimateS to <br />underground in the Park Street and Market Street areas and <br />included undergrounding up Long Street to St. Clair and up <br />River Road and East High Streets, Mr. Roop explained that <br />utilities on the bridge itself are already scheduled~to be <br />underground. Mr. Roop stated that contributing to the high <br />cost was the fact that multiple circuits exist in the area <br />surrounding the bridge. <br /> <br /> .Ms. Slaughter questioned what Virginia Power's plans for <br />undergrounding are for the future. <br /> <br /> Mr, Roop stated that generally utilities in new <br />developments are put underground. Mr. Roop further explained <br />that in the Free Bridge area, only a few poles need to be <br />relocated, but if lines in the entire area were put <br />underground, all lines would need to be put underground, even <br />those that are not now scheduled to be relocated. Mr. Roop <br />also noted that there would be~considerable cost to adjacent <br />businesses if lines are put underground which is not included <br />in the estimate. <br /> <br /> Mr. Stuart Donley, representing Centel, explained that <br />Centel!s cost to underground wOuld be minimal since <br />underground facilities already exist in the area and only <br />small distribution cables are overground. <br /> <br /> Mr. Gib Akin, Planning Commission member, stated that <br />little information is available to determine whether the <br />cost of undergrounding could~be reduced. ~ <br /> <br /> It was the sense of Council not to pursue undergrounding <br />utilities in the Free Bridge/Long Street project area. <br /> <br />ORDINANCE;. CLOSING ALLEY ADJACENT TO UNIVERSITY THEATRE <br />(2nd reading) <br /> <br /> The ordinance entitled "AN ORDINANCE CLOSING, VACATING <br /> AND DISCONTINUING A PORTION OF AN!ALLEY OFF UNIVERSITY <br /> AVENUE," which was offered at the October 1st meeting, was <br /> approved by_the following vote. Ayes: Rev. Edwards, Ms. <br /> Slaughter, Mr. Toscano, Mr. Vandever. Noes: None. Absent: <br /> Ms. Waters. <br /> <br />RESOLUTION: <br /> <br />FREE BRIDGE/LONG STREET PROJECT - BRIDGE DESIGN <br /> <br /> Mr. Stan-Tatum, ~Chairman of the Urban.Design Committee, <br />stated that agreement had been reached with the Department of <br />Transportation (VDOT) on an improved design for Free Bridge <br />with pedestrian ways, railing changes which will provide some <br />visibility to the river, and modification of the <br />substructure. Mr. Tatum explained that VDOT has determined <br />that there is no need for overhead lighting on the bridge', <br />but if lights are installed, they must meet minimum state <br />standards. Mr. Tatum stated that new information provided by <br />VDOT indicates that the minimum standards could be met using <br />decorative poles which would reduce the cost to the City. <br />Mr. Tatum stated that the Urban Design Committee has <br />forwarded options and cost.estimates ~for Council's <br />consideration and recommended that appropriate lighting <br />fixtures be purchased, installed and maintained by the City, <br />with VDOT providing the electrical supPly and installing the <br />conduit during the construction process. Mr. Tatum continued <br />that a possible variation cOuld be to provide for the future <br />installation of fixtures during construction and defer the <br />actual purchase and installation of fixtures to a later date. <br /> <br /> Ms. Slaughter asked what the Planning Commission's <br />recommendation had been regarding lighting and Mr. Akin <br />replied that the Planning Commission had only been presented <br />with VDOT's standard lighting plan and had not had the <br />opportunity to consider the alternative plans for pedestrian <br /> <br /> <br />