08. Temporary Delay of Meridian Road ROW Acquisition`1U
REPORT TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Jim Hansz, Director of Public Works
SUBJECT: Temporary Delay of Meridian Road ROW Acquisition
MEETING DATE: December 6, 1999
BACKGROUND: At the last City Council work session there was a discussion of the possible relocation
of the County fairground site and redevelopment of the existing site to commercial/retail use. During that
discussion, Public Works expressed the opinion that this potential change would have a substantial impact
on Meridian Road and that the currently designed improvements of Meridian Road have not accounted for
this impact. Public Works also indicated that the complexity of the proposed redevelopment impacts along
with the restricted right of way make it infeasible to redesign the Meridian Road project and continue to
support the 2001 construction date.
Public Works has discussed this issue with the Meridian Road project designer, Robert Peccia
Associates of Helena. We are in agreement that the potential impact of a redevelopment of the fairground
site requires a reevaluation of the Meridian Road design to ensure that all reasonable steps have been taken
to design the best project. RPA indicated that a redesign of the project would require a delay from the 2001
construction schedule. RPA believes that MDT will consider delaying the Meridian Project when they
understand the situation.
MDT has recently given its final approval of the property catalog for this project and the ROW
acquisition process is set to begin shortly. For the interim, based on our understanding of the proposed
fairground proposal process schedule, RPA and Public Works have agreed that the present ROW
acquisition process should be temporarily interrupted in order to allow the fairground proposal process an
opportunity to provide some answers. If the proposal process fails to return a satisfactory proposal for the
eventual relocation of the fairgrounds then the ROW acquisition process can resume. The few months
delayed should not jeopardize the 2001 construction date. If a satisfactory fairground proposal is received,
then we could proceed with requesting a delay of the Meridian Road project so it can be redesigned around
the fairground redevelopment project.
Post Office Box 1997 • Kalispell, Montana 59903-1997
Telephone (406) 758-7700 • FAX (406) 758-7758EMEM III
RECOMMENDATION: Based on the City Council's current assessment of the feasibility of relocating
the fairground and redeveloping the existing site, direct staff to:
1. Take no action to delay the Meridian Road Project ROW acquisition process, or
2. Request a delay in Meridian Road Project ROW acquisition to allow the fairground proposal
process to provide results.
FISCAL EFFECTS: Possible added construction cost that cannot be estimated at this time.
ALTERNATIVES: As suggested by the City Council
Respectfully
James C. Hansz, P.E.
Director of Public Works /
Chris A. Kukulski
City Manager
Report compiled November 30, 1999