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Request by Sarah Hillenbrand of Mandel Group for construction staging in the public right-of-way adjacent to 7470 Blanchard Street
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Submitted by:
Jennifer Stilling
Department:
Public Works (Engineering Services Division)
A. Issue
Due to planned construction activities at the proposed development at 7470 Blanchard Street, the applicant has requested the following construction staging measures for a 24-month time period within the public right-of-way due to insufficient setbacks for construction:
• A parking/traffic lane closure on the east side of Wauwatosa Avenue
• Cranes that will swing within the Wauwatosa Avenue and Blanchard Street public right-of-way
• A sidewalk closure on the east side of Wauwatosa Avenue and the north side of Blanchard Street
B. Background/Options
As shown in the attached site logistics plan, a construction material staging area and haul route is proposed directly adjacent to the property on the east side of Wauwatosa Ave in the existing northbound travel lane. The staging area/haul route will be separated from Wauwatosa Avenue vehicular traffic with jersey barriers and fencing. The main construction delivery entrance to the site is proposed at the northeast corner of Wauwatosa Avenue and Blanchard Street. Construction vehicles must enter in the site at this location via northbound Wauwatosa Avenue, travel one-way south to north and exit onto Wauwatosa Avenue via the northbound lanes. Engineering recommends that the contractor shall be responsible for the snow removal in the staging area/haul route.
The Wauwatosa Avenue center line will be shifted to the west to allow for one lane of traffic in each direction. Based on the proposed construction duration, it is required 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 pavement marking transitions to the north and south of the lane closure are subject to approval by Engineering. 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.
A construction gate/access point from Blanchard Street is also shown. No construction vehicles will be allowed to travel in Blanchard Street east of the property.
The site logistics plan also shows the proposed crane swing radius. The crane will be used for the construction of the proposed 5-story, 157-unit multi-family building. 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 north side of Blanchard Street. 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. The contractor will be held responsible for maintaining all sidewalk signage during the requested duration.
City street light poles within the staging area/haul route 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 street light poles 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. The existing hydrant at the northeast corner of Wauwatosa Avenue and Blanchard Street must be preserved and protected. The applicant has paid tree removal fees for the two existing trees with the staging area/haul route on the east side of Wauwatosa Avenue. City Forestry crews will plant new two trees after construction completion.
All construction staging drawings must be included in the application for a Storage in the Right-of-Way permit. This permit must be approved by Engineering prior to placing any construction staging in the City right-of-way.
Any public roadway pavement, sidewalk, curb and gutter, 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 number 9610 is located on Wauwatosa Avenue near the northwest corner of the site. The applicant will be required to coordinate with Milwaukee County Transit determine if bus stop should be temporarily moved or closed during construction.
Due to the location of this construction site within the Village, Engineering staff recommends that the applicant attend the Village Business Improvement District (BID) monthly meetings (at a minimum) to provide updates to the BID and to encourage communication between the applicant and the BID.
Engineering provided the attached construction staging plans to the Police and Fire Departments for their review. Because there is one fire hydrant located within the staging area/haul route that is essential to Fire operations in the Village, the Fire Department has requested that a fire location sign must be mounted on the construction fencing. The hydrant must also have at least 3 feet of clear space around the hydrant free of construction materials. Knox locks must be purchased for the construction gates so that the Fire Department can access the site during an emergency. 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 a 24-month time period. 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 Wauwatosa Avenue pavement marking modification drawings prior to Storage in the Right-of-Way permit issuance.
• The Contractor providing construction updates at the monthly Village BID meetings.