2000-10-25 - Laserfiche WebLink

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2t3 Mr. Cox asked if. it is an option for the City to admire'stet the contract for the Parkway, and Mr. Caravati said it is an option and is being done elsewhere in the state. Mr. Cox said he is taken by the images ofthe proposed interchanges and feels it speaks to Council's expectations. Mr. Cox said that building a bridge in a park changes things significantly and he would like m see it done. Mr. Cox said he would want to be assured that the City is willing to take on the responsibility of administering the contract. Mr. Cox asked how long it would take to do this and for review by VDOT. Mr. Rieley said it would take from six months to a year. Ms. Angela Tucker, Development Manager in Neighborhood Services, said that VDOT would have to hold a public hearing and conduct an environmental study of the grade separated interchanges, which could take 18 months to two years, though some of this work may have already been done when VDOT initially proposed the grade separated interchange. Ms. Angela said in the best case the process would take a year. Ms. Richards asked about getting such an interchange funded, and Ms. Tucker said she has not been able to get an answer that question yet. Mr. Lynch said that $8 million will be available for widening Ivy Road and those funds could be used for the interchange. Mx. Caravati said the question is does Council want to reconsider the design of the intersection. Mr. Lynch proposed the following language "Council feels that an at-grade intersection is not acceptable, and that a tight urban, interchange should be constructed in lieu of an at,grade intersectiom~' Mr. Lynch said he favom discussing with VDOT the possibility of the City taking over the project. Mr. Lynch said the sense he got from VDOT officials is that they can find the money if they want to. Mr. Lynch said that Reggie Beasley told him VDOT could do it if Council approved a four-lane roM. Ms. Richards expressed concern that Council is not ~ a clear decision to approve the project, and we mm asking VDOT to commit the funds, but we may change our minds. Mr. Cmmvati said we are talking about a long period of time for the intemhange, approximately two to three years, which would mean another Council. Mr. Caravati said Council is already changing what the last Council did and expressed concern about what good faith the County or VDOT will put in Council's decision. Mr. Lynch said the best way to show Council's good faith wouM be to have a unanimous vote. Mr. Lynch said he would like to get to the point where we have a good mad, but does not feel we are there now, but we could be when done with this. Mr. Cox said the project has only improved and gotten more pala~te,, and said that after a certain point there will be no resistance. Mr. Cox said he does not see any down side~ and noted that all projects are subject to politics. Ms.. Richards said that a lot of effort has been put into re~n_ing the project, the letter was sent to VDOT a year ago, many have expected that the decision was made, VDOT has agreed to the City's position, and the County has hired a consultant. Ms. Richards said she is now hearing that certain Councilors want m raise the bar and change the conditions. Ms. Richards asked why Council should expec~t VDOT to sperd taxpayer money on this project with alt the new contingencies. Ms. Richards asked how we can reassure VDOT and the County that it is our sincere intention to build the road. Mr. Cox saki we are doing what we are elected to do, represent the pubfic, and if he thinks they want a mad built he will agree to it.