Agenda - 09-19-2000-9g - Laserfiche WebLink

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would then be available for other Streetscape projects. We anticipate providing options to the Council for the use of available Streetscape funding this coming fall. Construction Scheduling As discussed in the section on construction planning, additional design work would be needed before construction can begin. Working with the County's consultant, we believe that this work can be completed this summer. Option A: Private Contractor Constructs Because construction of the Streetscape improvements is so closely linked to construction of the landscaped area we believe that there are advantages to constructing the two components concurrently. This would most readily be accomplished by contracting with the contractor responsible for landscape construction and having the sections in the public right -of -way billed separately. One significant advantage to this approach is that it permits the County to schedule all the construction work at times most advantageous to the Skills Development Center and it does not require that the Town's limited labor resources be used for this project. By doing so, this approach has the effect of increasing the amount of Streetscape construction we can do in the upcoming year without redirecting the construction crew from other needed projects. Contracting out the work would also provide the Town staff with a first -hand opportunity to quantify the cost effectiveness and construction quality associated with utilizing a private contractor. This will assist us in determining whether this approach should be considered during upcoming years to increase the speed in which Downtown improvements are being made. A disadvantage is the relative cost of utilizing a private contractor versus Town labor. Also, although this approach will not utilize Town construction labor resources, it will require careful oversight by Town staff. Adoption of Resolution A would authorize the Town Manager to allocate $60,000 in available Streetscape funding to cover the anticipated cost of this private contractor option. If the bids received for the project exceed this estimated $60,000, we believe it would be reasonable for the County to pay the difference in cost. Option B: Town Constructs Considering the size of the project we anticipate that it would take approximately 6 weeks to complete utilizing Town labor. The Town Construction Division intends to begin this summer's Streetscape construction project on East Franklin Street on rune 4, 2000, and complete it in mid to late August. If the Council wishes, Town labor could then be used to construct the proposed improvements in front of the Skills Development Center. An advantage to this approach is that the desired improvements would be done relatively quickly at an estimated materials cost of $20,000. Disadvantages to this approach include not being able to fully