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Carefree Truth
Issue #914, April 19, 2021
Issue #914, April 19, 2021
Mayor Les Peterson introduced for review and discussion a plan to extend the existing Comprehensive Master Signage Plan contract with Kimley-Horn for the amount of $63,500 to provide recommendations to improve vehicular and pedestrian traffic access and circulation and to enhance parking capacity. This would include conceptual drawings, and 15% construction drawings and cost estimates on options to implement parking along Tom Darlington Drive and Cave Creek Road in the Rights of Way (ROW) that would improve visibility and would be complimentary to the pedestrian crosswalks safety recommendations. The cost includes shared activities and fact finding, consumer access behavior, and stakeholder engagement.
Stacey Bridge-Denzak noted that with the wonderful gateways in place, Carefree needs to figure out the best ways to bring people in and direct them around the town center, how to utilize the circulation, and to understand the parking issues. Any signage should take into account not just the static situation but the dynamic transition occurring with the revitalization, infill development, and safety measures.
Steve Prokopek pointed out that the original contract had been approved in March of 2020, but everything was delayed due to Covid. But this delay provided an opportunity to re-evaluate the needs. The Kimley-Horn contract contained a provision allowing the contract to be amended. A signage plan needs to encompass how the town will be developing over the next 5 years or so.
Rebecca, from Kimley-Horn, explained that they were looking at a 6 month process from start to finish, concurrent with the signage plan, combining all the facets into one project with the goal of increasing "walkability and the pedestrian environment" within the town center. They would create a menu of options for parking along the roadways. The implementation would be looked at from a funding perspective.
Coucilwoman Cheryl Kroyer asked if Kimley-Horn would be duplicating some of the work being done by Rick Engineering for the crosswalks. Stacey Bridge-Denzak said it would not dupilcate or negate Rick's work. The crosswalks will be isolated and that goal is to modify traffic behavior. Some sections of Tom Darlington Drive and of Cave Creek Road will be reduced to one lane, as discussed previously during the crosswalks presentation. Rebecca said Rick Engineering's designs, including the lane reductions and the traffic study reports, would be taken into consideration by Kimley-Horn when making their recommendations for ROW parking. She added that those analyses were not included in Kimley-Horn's scope of work. Ms. Kroyer thanked them for the clarification. She asked to be reminded of the cost of the original contract. Gary Neiss replied, $74,310.
Councilman Stephen Hatcher asked if the "stakeholders" were the businesses in town. Rebecca confirmed that they are, saying one session had already been held with the business owners in reference to the original signage contract so they could understand the impact these changes would make, and a second one was being planned to get feedback from the residents and the businesses.
The motion to approve expanding the contract with Kimley-Horn passed unanimously.
https://vimeo.com/535342951
Lyn Hitchon
Prepared by Carefree Truth
Copyrighted
Visit our website at www.carefreetruth2.com If you know anyone who would like to be added to the Carefree Truth email list, please have them contact me. Feel free to share Carefree Truth with others on your list.
Visit www.carefreeazbusinesses.com to see more info about businesses in Carefree. Please support our merchants.
Stacey Bridge-Denzak noted that with the wonderful gateways in place, Carefree needs to figure out the best ways to bring people in and direct them around the town center, how to utilize the circulation, and to understand the parking issues. Any signage should take into account not just the static situation but the dynamic transition occurring with the revitalization, infill development, and safety measures.
Steve Prokopek pointed out that the original contract had been approved in March of 2020, but everything was delayed due to Covid. But this delay provided an opportunity to re-evaluate the needs. The Kimley-Horn contract contained a provision allowing the contract to be amended. A signage plan needs to encompass how the town will be developing over the next 5 years or so.
Rebecca, from Kimley-Horn, explained that they were looking at a 6 month process from start to finish, concurrent with the signage plan, combining all the facets into one project with the goal of increasing "walkability and the pedestrian environment" within the town center. They would create a menu of options for parking along the roadways. The implementation would be looked at from a funding perspective.
Coucilwoman Cheryl Kroyer asked if Kimley-Horn would be duplicating some of the work being done by Rick Engineering for the crosswalks. Stacey Bridge-Denzak said it would not dupilcate or negate Rick's work. The crosswalks will be isolated and that goal is to modify traffic behavior. Some sections of Tom Darlington Drive and of Cave Creek Road will be reduced to one lane, as discussed previously during the crosswalks presentation. Rebecca said Rick Engineering's designs, including the lane reductions and the traffic study reports, would be taken into consideration by Kimley-Horn when making their recommendations for ROW parking. She added that those analyses were not included in Kimley-Horn's scope of work. Ms. Kroyer thanked them for the clarification. She asked to be reminded of the cost of the original contract. Gary Neiss replied, $74,310.
Councilman Stephen Hatcher asked if the "stakeholders" were the businesses in town. Rebecca confirmed that they are, saying one session had already been held with the business owners in reference to the original signage contract so they could understand the impact these changes would make, and a second one was being planned to get feedback from the residents and the businesses.
The motion to approve expanding the contract with Kimley-Horn passed unanimously.
https://vimeo.com/535342951
Lyn Hitchon
Prepared by Carefree Truth
Copyrighted
Visit our website at www.carefreetruth2.com If you know anyone who would like to be added to the Carefree Truth email list, please have them contact me. Feel free to share Carefree Truth with others on your list.
Visit www.carefreeazbusinesses.com to see more info about businesses in Carefree. Please support our merchants.