2024-004 PEC-4 Multimodal Paths ISR January 19, 2024 Report No. 2024-004
INFORMAL STAFF REPORT
TO MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT:
Information regarding the process required, benefits, estimated costs and potential impacts of
constructing multimodal paths along portions of the alignment of the proposed PEC-4 project and
existing open channels.
BACKGROUND:
The PEC-4 project is largely focused on improving drainage in the downtown area and reducing
the amount of floodplain to support future redevelopment. This will be accomplished by
constructing a total of approximately 4,700 linear feet of underground culverts to increase drainage
capacity. PEC-4 has been divided into 4 different phases with Phase 1 starting at the most
downstream portion of the channel and Phase 4 ending at the most upstream portion. Phases 1 and
2 of PEC-4 have already been constructed(approximately a 1,500 linear feet), and Phases 3 and 4
(approximately 3,200 linear feet) are being funded as part of the 2023 Bond election. Figure 1
below shows the approximate limits of each phase.
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January 19, 2024 Report No. 2024-004
On July 18, 2023, Council Member Meltzer requested an Informal Staff Report(ISR)be prepared
to evaluate the possibility of constructing off-street multimodal paths along the alignment of the
PEC-4 drainage project as a follow up to ISR No. 2019-156 dated Aug. 9, 2019.
DISCUSSION:
PEC-4 Phases 3 and 4 primarily consist of concrete open drainage channels which travel between
businesses and residential backyards. As part of the proposed drainage improvements in PEC-4
Phases 3 and 4, Phase 3 will consist of replacing the open concrete channels with underground
box culverts. These underground box culverts will also need to include above ground drain inlets
to allow the surface water to enter the underground system. Phase 4 will consist of constructing
new underground box culverts along Mulberry Street,while leaving the existing open concrete
channels in place.
Due to the need to keep part of the existing concrete open channel in place, as well as the need to
keep above ground drain inlets,placing a multimodal path on top of the improvements is not
possible. Instead, the proposed multimodal path would need to be placed adjacent to the
proposed culverts in Phase 3 and adjacent to the existing concrete channel located north of
Mulberry Street in Phase 4. Because the alignment would need to be adjacent to the
improvements, additional right-of-way would need to be acquired.
Currently, the City's land rights in this area only extend to the edge of the existing channels. The
construction of the PEC-4 project will already require additional drainage easements to
encompasses the proposed underground culverts, above ground yard inlets, and allow access to
maintain these structures. A multimodal trail would need to run parallel to the existing channel
and proposed culverts and would require additional public access easements. The minimum
width of a multimodal path is 10-feet, with a minimum clear space on either side of the
multimodal path of 2-feet; therefore, an additional 14-feet of easement would need to be
purchased. Since the existing channel runs through backyards and near businesses,
approximately 24 private properties will be impacted. There are areas along this alignment where
the minimum clearance needed for a multimodal path is not available due to many features such
as homes, auxiliary buildings, trees, and parking lots,which may be impacted and would
increase the cost of the project. A formal feasibility study (estimated cost of$60,000)would be
needed to develop a detailed proposed alignment.
A pre-feasibility cost estimate to acquire land rights, design, and construct three thousand two
hundred feet of 10-foot-wide multimodal trail along the alignment of the PEC-4 Phase 3 culverts
and Phase 4 open channel was calculated to be $4,287,000 ($1,579,000 for design and
construction and $2,708,000 for real estate acquisition). This estimate does not include the cost
of any potential relocation of structures, utilities, or tree mitigation. The anticipated annual
maintenance cost would be $9,000 per year.
After review, staff does not recommend a trail within the PEC-4 project as it would not provide
added benefits to the area. The alignment of the PEC-4 project does not match alignments shown
on the adopted Parks, Recreation, and Trails System Master Plan or the Mobility Plan. The
streets in the area already provide a high level of walkability, and an off-street trail creates
January 19, 2024 Report No. 2024-004
unnecessary mid-block road crossings while offering limited trail network improvements. Staff is
committed to expanding the City's multimodal and trail network and recommends allocating
resources to projects identified in the Parks, Recreation, and Trails System Master Plan, such as
the 10-foot trail along Sycamore Street from Welch Street(UNT) to the DCTA Train Station
which serves as the primary east-west corridor between the South Downtown area, and a future
north-south trail. These projects connect large areas to one or more high traffic destinations.
STAFF CONTACT:
Mike Linder
Senior Engineer—Engineering
Michael.Linder(k cityo fdenton.com
(940)-349-8942
REQUESTOR: Council Member Meltzer
PARTICIPATING DEPARTMENTS: Engineering, Parks and Recreation, Transportation
Services
STAFF TIME TO COMPLETE REPORT: 42 hours