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City of Missoula, Montana Item to be Referred to City Council Committee Committee: Conservation Item: Northside Pedestrian Crossing Date: 10-7-09 Prepared by: Kathy Mehring Initiated by: Donna Gaukler Action Required: Approve and authorize the Mayor to sign the agreement with HDR in the amount not to exceed $18,653.00 for the Northside Pedestrian Crossing Maintenance and Improvement project. Recommended Motion: I move the City Council approve and authorize the Mayor to sign the agreement with HDR to provide Missoula Parks and Recreation with construction documents and project management in the amount not to exceed $18,653.00 for the Northside Pedestrian Crossing Maintenance and Improvement project. Timeline: Referral to committee: 10-02-09 Committee discussion: 10-2109 Council action 10-26-09 Background and Alternatives Explored CDBG-R funds will be used primarily to address structural deficiencies that have developed with age. This project will also support the installation of mechanisms intended to address public health and safety concerns associated with the pedestrian bridge that spans the railroad tracks that separate the North Side neighborhood from the remainder of the City of Missoula. This facility connects two neighborhoods containing 1544 households, 74% of which have been identified as low- and moderate-income, and is one of only three access points between the predominantly LMI North Side neighborhood and the rest of the City. Of the other two crossings, one is through an underpass which is particularly unsuitable and unattractive for pedestrian use and the other is as the extreme western end of the North Side neighborhood and not generally convenient for pedestrian use. The pedestrian bridge is plagues by bird droppings from nests that are located in the bridge’s superstructure. Measures to prevent nesting and roosting will be installed. The bridge also contains several locations where individuals and activities are screened from sight. These “hiding places” have contributed to crimes against persons using the pedestrian bridge and they will be eliminated through proposed improvements. Financial Implications: The project is funded through a grant from the CDBG. There are no additional anticipated costs to the City. ---PAGE BREAK--- Attachments: Agreement Attachment B