DATE: November 28, 2015
TO: Board of Mayor and Aldermen
FROM: Eric Stuckey, City Administrator
Vernon Gerth, Assistant City Administrator for Community and Economic Development
SUBJECT:title
Knoll Top Lane - Funding overview and construction update.
body
Purpose
The purpose of this memorandum is to provide information to the Franklin Board of Mayor and Aldermen (BOMA) concerning the funding and construction of Knoll Top Lane between Liberty Pike and the Ovation mixed-use development, adjacent to the new Columbia State Community College campus.
Background
In the fall of 2011, the Board of Mayor and Alderman approved Resolution 2011-53 which rescinded the previously approved Waterford Subdivision PUD. This action paved the way for the Tennessee Board of Regents to purchase approximately 36 acres of the property for a new Columbia State Community College campus in Franklin. The Tennessee State Legislature subsequently appropriated $40 million to construct Phase I of the campus on Liberty Pike which is on schedule to open in early 2016.
During the discussions that led to the eventual dissolving of the Watercress PUD, representatives from the City, Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR), Columbia State Community College (CSCC), and the owners of the remaining approximately 24 acres, Doane Petcare (a subsidiary of Mars Petcare) negotiated an agreement to ensure the eventual construction of Knoll Top Lane. The attached exhibit shows Knoll Top Lane bisecting the CSCC property from the Doane Petcare property. SS Knoll Top, LLC (SouthStar, the developer of Ovation) recently purchased the 24 acre parcel from Doane Petcare and is in the process of seeking approvals for a multi-family residential development, “The Standard”.
During the aforementioned negotiations it was determined that the cost of constructing Knoll Top Lane would be divided between Doane Petcare and the Tennessee Board of Regents with the expectation the Knoll Top Lane improvements would not exceed $1,000,000. As a result, Doane Petcare and the TBR each agreed to contribute $500,000 toward the construction of Knoll Top Lane. When Doane Petcare transferred their property to SouthStar, SouthStar agreed to the condition of contributing $500,000 toward the construction and completion of Knoll Top Lane.
On September 18, 2015, a meeting was held with representatives of the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR), SS Knoll Top, LLC (SouthStar) and the City of Franklin (COF). The purpose of the meeting was to ensure the construction of Knoll Top Lane was completed concurrently with the opening of the CSCC campus. During this meeting the scope of work, associated pricing, and respective responsibilities associated to Knoll Top Lane were discussed. Dick Tracy with the TBR committed to proceed with the design and construction of Knoll Top Lane to include the following improvements: all necessary, clearing and grubbing, grading, erosion control, storm water collection, water main construction (Mallory Valley District to design), sanitary sewer (previously installed by TBR for Columbia State Community College), concrete curb and gutter, aggregate base, asphalt paving, installation of topsoil and final grassing of right-of-way to create a final stand of grass. Furthermore, Mr. Tracy agreed all of the aforementioned items of work would be designed and perform to meet current City of Franklin technical street and development standards. This work was estimated to be completed at a total cost of $1,200,000. Excluded from the project were the purchase and installation of street trees, a five (5) foot wide concrete sidewalk along western side of the road, a ten (10) foot wide concrete multi-modal trail along eastern side of the road, street lighting, and traffic signalization at the intersection of Knoll Top Lane and Liberty Pike.
Mr. Tracy (TBR) and SouthStar represented by Ralph Knauss agreed to increase their respective contributions toward the construction of Knoll Top Lane by $100,000 each. Additionally, the TBR and SouthStar agreed to incur the cost of the traffic signal the intersection of Knoll Top Lane and Liberty Pike if it was later determined a signal is warranted as CSCC and the adjacent SouthStar properties seek additional development approvals from the City. SouthStar also agreed to incur the cost of the five (5) wide concrete sidewalk along western side of Knoll Top Lane when their property is developed.
City of Franklin staff, represented by Assistant City Administrator Vernon Gerth, Engineering Director Paul Holzen, and Engineer Lance Fittro agreed to ask the City of Franklin BOMA to consider funding the ten (10) wide concrete multi-modal trail on the CSCC side of Knoll Top Lane ( estimated at $80,000), the street lighting along this section of Knoll Top Lane (estimated at $300,000), and to utilize the City of Franklin Tree Bank to acquire and install street trees on both sides of Knoll Top Lane between Liberty Pike and the Ovation Development. Since design work had commenced for Knoll Top Lane, Mr. Tracy (TBR) agreed to add these improvements to the Knoll Top Lane roadway design and construction contract.
During the Budget and Finance Committee Meeting on November 12, 2015, City Administrator Eric Stuckey provided a summary of the Knoll Top Lane discussions and the Committee Aldermen subsequently recommended approval to fund the multi-use path, street lighting, and using the City of Franklin Tree Bank for acquiring and installing street trees along this portion of Knoll Top Lane. It was further agreed the information included in this memorandum would be shared with BOMA during their work session scheduled for December 8.
Financial Impact
On November 12, 2015, the City of Franklin Budget and Finance Committee recommended approval to increase the Capital Projects Fund with the additional funding needed to construct the ten (10) wide concrete multi-modal trail on the CSCC side of Knoll Top Lane ($80,000), construct street lighting along this section of Knoll Top Lane ($300,000), and to utilize the City of Franklin Tree Bank to acquire and install street trees on both sides of Knoll Top Lane between Liberty Pike and the Ovation Development. If approved, it is understood City staff will require reasonable documentation from the TBR of actual construction costs of the described improvements prior to payment.
Recommendation.
Staff recommends approval of the additional funding to ensure Knoll Top Lane in completed in conjunction with the opening of the new Columbia State Community College Franklin Campus. This action is reflected in the proposed budget amendment currently under consideration by the BOMA.