title
Request by Donald Michna of Catalyst Construction for construction staging in the public right-of-way adjacent to 7474 Harwood Avenue
body
Submitted by:
Jennifer Stilling
Department:
Public Works (Engineering Services Division)
A. Issue
Due to planned construction activities at the proposed development at 7474 Harwood Avenue, the applicant has requested the following construction staging measures for the time period of March 26, 2025 to August 31, 2026 within the public right-of-way due to insufficient setbacks for construction:
• Cranes that will swing within the Wauwatosa Avenue and Harwood Avenue public right-of-way
• A sidewalk closure on the east side of Wauwatosa Avenue and the northwest side of Harwood Avenue
• A parking/traffic lane closure on the north side of Harwood Avenue
B. Background/Options
As shown in the attached crane swing exhibit, three cranes will be used for the construction of the proposed 4-story multi-family building. Each crane swing radius is shown on the attached exhibit. The applicant has indicated that they will work with the adjacent north and west private property owners for swing rights. Engineering recommends that the Contractor name the City as additional insured on the insurance policy for this project.
The applicant has also prepared the attached pedestrian traffic control plan for the proposed sidewalk closures on the east side of Wauwatosa Avenue and the northwest side of Harwood Avenue. Due the long duration of the proposed sidewalk closure, Engineering will require that the pedestrian detour signs must be placed on poles installed in the grass near the back of existing sidewalk. Signage that is attached to the proposed construction fence is acceptable. Pedestrian signage must be placed in both directions of travel. Bike lane signage shown on the plans should be revised to state that bikes are allowed to use the full lane on Harwood Ave adjacent the development. The contractor will be held responsible for maintaining all sidewalk and bike lane signage during the requested duration.
As shown in the attached Sidewalk and Road Closure plan, a delivery lane is proposed directly adjacent to the property on the northwest side of Harwood Avenue in the existing parking lane. The delivery lane will be separated from Harwood Avenue vehicular traffic with jersey barriers and fencing. The Harwood Avenue center line will be shifted to the southeast to allow for one lane of traffic in each direction. The Harwood Avenue eastbound bike lane will be temporary closed during construction. The parking lane on the southeast side of Harwood Avenue will be maintained. Engineering recommends that the contractor shall be responsible for the snow removal in the delivery lane.
The attached Construction Logistics Plan proposes the use of tape to designate a new centerline in Harwood Avenue and to cover up existing pavement markings. However, based on the proposed construction duration, Engineering staff will require that all existing grooved in tape pavement marking will need to be ground off. Paint must be used to designate the temporary lane shift during construction. The applicant will be required to maintain all pavement marking during the construction duration. After construction is complete, the temporary paint must be removed and the pre-construction pavement marking re-established. All of these pavement marking adjustments along with the proposed pavement utility cuts that are necessary for the development will severely impact the appearance of Harwood Avenue that was paved in 2017. Harwood Avenue adjacent to this development will be required to be milled and a new asphalt overlay installed. The mill and overlay will be required for the whole pavement width of Harwood Avenue (curb to curb).
The main construction delivery entrance to the site is proposed at the northeast corner of the site at the Harwood Avenue drive approach. Delivery vehicles must enter in the site at this location via westbound Harwood Avenue, travel one-way east to west through the northern end of the site and exit onto Wauwatosa Avenue via the northbound lanes. The delivery route shown on the crane swing exhibit must be revised to show this direction and the proposed trucking route for the project must be reflect this traffic pattern.
The crane swing exhibit shows that an additional delivery lane is necessary on the east side of Wauwatosa Avenue. The direction of this delivery route must be revised so that construction vehicles are entering and leaving with the direction of northbound Wauwatosa Avenue traffic.
All existing city light poles, trees, silva cells, benches, bike racks, and hydrants located adjacent to the site and within the sidewalk closure areas must be identified on the construction logistics plan. City light poles, benches, and bike racks may be removed for construction and stored onsite or delivered to the Department of Public Works. If storage at Public Works is desired, at least three working days’ notice is required prior to delivery. Any City light poles, benches, and bike racks that are removed for construction must be re-installed at construction completion. Any construction equipment that is placed on top of the existing silva cells must not exceed the weight limit allowed for the silva cells. All existing hydrants and trees must be preserved and protected.
Any public roadway pavement, sidewalk, curb and gutter, trees, or other public street infrastructure damaged due to construction activities at the proposed development will be replaced by the contractor to the City’s satisfaction.
An existing bus stop is located on Harwood Avenue at the southeast corner of the site. Due to insufficient space for a bus to safely pull into the bus stop location, the applicant will be required to coordinate with Milwaukee County Transit to temporarily move the location of bus stop number 4575 during construction.
The contactor will be required to coordinate with We-Energies regarding construction activities that are located near existing overhead wires.
Contractor parking is not provided onsite due to insufficient room. Parking is available nearby in the Red Store Parking lot under the Harmonee Bridge (7720 Harwood Avenue), at the Hart Park Lot (7300 Chestnut Street) and at the Hart Park Lane Lot (7200 Hart Park Lane). The applicant must direct and monitor all contactor staff to park at these public parking lots.
Due to the location of this construction site within the Village, Engineering staff recommends that the applicant hold monthly meetings (at a minimum) with the Village Business Improvement District (BID) to ensure that construction updates are provided to the BID and to encourage communication between the applicant and the BID. Engineering staff must be included on BID meeting initiations.
Engineering provided the attached construction staging plans to the Police and Fire Departments for their review. Because there are two fire hydrants located within the construction boundary that are essential to Fire operations in the Village, the Fire Department has requested that a fire location signs be mounted on the construction fencing. The hydrants must also have at least 3 feet of clear space around the hydrant free of construction materials. The Police Department did not have any comments or concerns.
The applicant will be present at the Board meeting to answer any questions.
C. Strategic Plan (Area of Focus)
Priority Area One: Economic Development and Financial Resilience
D. Fiscal Impact
No impact to the City of Wauwatosa
E. Recommendation
Staff recommends that the Board of Public Works grant the temporary construction staging measures within the public right-of-way for the time period of March 26, 2025 to August 31, 2026. Approval is also recommended to be subject to the following:
• The Contractor naming the City as additional insured on the insurance policy for this project.
• The Contractor held responsible for snow removal within the delivery lane.
• Engineering approval of all construction staging, pedestrian detour, trucking routes, and Harwood Avenue pavement marking modification drawings.
• The Contractor holding monthly construction update meetings with the Village BID and the City (at a minimum).