Item B: River Avenue Improvements

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term needs for Beltline; 3) redefine the boundaries of the road improvement project to include improvements for bike and pedestrian traffic for the full length of River Avenue, along with improvements to the River Avenue/River Road intersection, support for natural swale drainage and replacement tree plantings using native species; or 4) accept the City Engineering Staffs original design for improvements to River Avenue. The stakeholder representatives expressed varying perspectives regarding the amount of landscaping that River Avenue should receive as part ofthe road improvement project, whether improvements on the west and east of River Avenue should be included in the proposal, and the use of natural swales for stormwater drainage. After much discussion, the group agreed to the following motion, amended and approved by a 10-0 vote of the stakeholders. Stakeholder Approved Design Alternative River Avenue Proposed Improvement List as amended and approved on October 5, 2005: A three (3) Lane roadfor the continuous length of River Avenue with the center lane being a turn lane only; fully improved with curb, gutters and storm drainage. The use of curbs and gutters will be consistent with, and supportive of, bioswale designs where possible. Setback sidewalks on both sides (5 '-wide,) on the west end of River Avenue up to the east end of the Post Office. Curbside sidewalk (5'-wide) on the north side onlyfrom the east end of the Post qfJice to the east end of River Avenue with no side}valk on the south side of River Avenue east of the Post Office. Bike lanes on both sides of River Avenue up to the east end of the Post Office and connected to the bike path at the west end o.fthe Wastewater Treatment Plant and then connecting to a setback 12 'wide, multi-use, off-street path on the south side only for the continuous length of River Avenue. Striped crosswalks (to control speed) at the east end of the Post qfJice, at Ross Lane and at the east end of the bike path acrossfrom the Orowheat store and possibly at the Veteran's Administration building. No landscaped islands or planters on any portion of the three (3) lane road. Street trees to be planted at the west end only in the setback sidewalk area up to the east end of the Post Qflke. East of the Post qfJice, trees will be planted on the south side in accordance with City policy. On the north side, east o.fthe Post Office, trees will be planted at the discretion of the property owners. In addition, the River Avenue Stakeholder Group also recommends that the.following work be advanced and implemented with the River Avenue improvement project: