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Consideration of request from the Engineering Division for advanced approval to enter into contract for real estate professional services for the reconstruction of North Ave from Met to Wee Lane to Wauwatosa Avenue (CIP Projects #2301 & #1127), in an amount not to exceed $400,000
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Submitted by:
Boris Veleusic, PE
City Engineer
Department
DPW, Engineering Division
A. Issue
Request from the Engineering Division for advanced approval to enter into contract with a firm for professional services to evaluate and acquire the real estate needed for the reconstruction of North Ave from Met to Wee Ln. to Wauwatosa Ave. (CIP Projects #2301 & #1127) based on qualifications and cost, in an amount not to exceed $400,000.
B. Background/Options
The North Avenue reconstruction project includes replacing two bridges over the Menomonee River and the roadway from 95th St to Wauwatosa Avenue. Project plans include raising the roadway profile up to seven feet over the river, replacing the pavement, storm and sanitary sewers, watermain, signals and street lighting throughout, as well as constructing new separated bike lanes, ADA curb ramps and streetscaping.
The project improvements cause impacts to 120 properties adjacent to North Avenue within the project limits. (Right of Way Plat attached) Because of the magnitude and complexity of this project, City staff has deemed it necessary to engage in a contract with a real estate firm for professional services to include the following:
DESCRIPTION QUANTITIY UNIT
Sales Study 1 Project
Project Management 1 Project
Preparation of Nominal Value Offers 55 Each
Appraisals 65 Each
Acquistions 120 Each
Partial Release of Mortgage 120 Each
Utitlity Release of Rights 12 Each
Recording Fees 132 Each
The Engineering Division will advertise a Request for Proposals (RFP) for professional services. Upon receiving and reviewing the proposals, staff is requesting advanced approval to engage in contract with the firm which is the most advantageous to the City based on qualifications and costs in an amount not to exceed $400,000.
It is the Department of Transportation’s (DOT’s) standard procedure to begin the real estate process after the Environmental Document is approved. This project has significant impacts to parkland because of the roadway profile changes over the river. The profile elevation was set based on hydraulic analysis of the bridge opening. The impacts to the parkland must be approved by Milwaukee County and the State Historical Preservation Office (SHPO) through the Section 106 process before the Environmental Document can be submitted. The Section 106 process is taking much longer than anticipated and jeopardizing our project schedule. The Environmental Document isn’t expected to be approved until April/May 2026.
The City needs to get a real estate firm under contract to start the property evaluations, nominal offer reports and acquisition statements, so that when the Environmental Document is approved, we can immediately start making offers to property owners. Because of the size of this project, the acquisition process is expected to take 18 months. All property fee and easements need to be acquired by August 1, 2027. We have coordinated with DOT and they agree with this approach.
C. Strategic Plan (Area of Focus)
Priority 2: Public Safety, Goal 2 - Proactively address pedestrian, bicycle and vehicular safety.
Priority 3: Infrastructure, Goal 1 - Optimize infrastructure to handle 100-year weather events.
Priority 3: Infrastructure, Goal 2 - Ensure the City’s infrastructure supports public health through multi-modal transportation and recreation opportunities.
D. Fiscal Impact
This project is partially funded through WisDOT’s Local Bridge Program and Surface Transportation Program - Urban. Eligible project costs are funded 80% federal and 20% local in each.
Real Estate is not an eligible cost with these programs and is to be 100% funded by the City. The cost to acquire the real estate property is included in the CIP. This request is for the funds needed to engage in a contract with a firm for real estate services necessary for the valuation and acquisition of property being acquired for the North Ave reconstruction project in an amount not to exceed $400,000.
E. Recommendation
Approve the Engineering Division to enter into contract with a firm for professional services to evaluate and acquire the real estate needed for the reconstruction of North Ave from Met to Wee Ln. to Wauwatosa Ave. (CIP Projects #2301 & #1127) based on qualifications and costs and in an amount not to exceed $400,000.