Submitted by: Dan Marks, Director, Planning and Development Department. Aquatic Park Connection Streetscape Improvement Design Development Approval

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1 Office of the Executive Officer ACTION CALENDAR December 5, 2006 To: From: Honorable Chairperson and Members of the Redevelopment Agency Phil Kamlarz, Executive Officer Submitted by: Dan Marks, Director, Planning and Development Department Subject: Aquatic Park Connection Streetscape Improvement Design Development Approval RECOMMENDATION Adopt a Resolution approving a Mitigated Negative Declaration and the Aquatic Park Connection (APC) Streetscape Improvement Design Development Plan as the Master Plan for streetscape improvements for Addison Street from Bolivar to Fourth Street and Fourth Street from Addison to Hearst Street. SUMMARY The Aquatic Park Connection Streetscape Improvement project includes streetscape improvements in the public right-of-way on 4 th Street between Hearst and Addison Streets, and on Addison Street, from 4 th to Bolivar. The Agency is being asked to approve Design Development Plans that will direct Agency construction, as well as construction by private development when proposed adjacent to the Project s right of way. The PAC has prioritized the area most proximate to the park for Agency investment with additional priorities including new on-street parking on 4 th Street, additional parking meters, undergrounding utilities, wayfinding and signage, and pedestrian enhancements to the rail crossing on Addison. FISCAL IMPACTS OF RECOMMENDATION No funding commitments are currently requested. Funding is available for capital projects in the Redevelopment Budget. There will not be any impact to the General Fund. Specific details about the $4 million project, of which $1.4 million is expected from redevelopment funds, are provided below. CURRENT SITUATION AND ITS EFFECTS The Bike and Pedestrian Bridge, built, in part, with Agency funding, has been largely cut off from the Redevelopment Area by visual barriers, such as the University Avenue overpass, and physical barriers, such as the rail crossing at Addison. Improvements such as the Berkeley Bay Trail segment and opening of the East Shore State Park have increased amenities on the waterfront for pedestrians and cyclists, while proposed Ferry Service at the Berkeley Marina may increase waterfront trips. Further, blight at the rail stop including vandalism, abandoned vehicles and poor lighting have been alleviated by a $2.4M investment by the Agency, while such conditions remain on Addison Street, compounded by utility poles within a narrow sidewalk Milvia Street, Berkeley, CA Tel: (510) TDD: (510) Fax: (510) manager@ci.berkeley.ca.us Website:

2 Aquatic Park Connection ACTION CALENDAR December 5, 2006 Pedestrian and cyclist access to and from the Project Area is reduced by the sub-par conditions in the commercial gateway, just outside the Redevelopment Project Area. 1. Project Overview The Aquatic Park Connection project includes streetscape improvements in the public right-ofway including sidewalks, landscaping, bulbouts, crosswalks, and street furnishings. Individual components are described in more detail below. The Project covers the south side of the intersection at 4 th and Hearst, 4 th Street from Hearst to Addison, excluding the intersection at University and 4 th 1, and on Addison from 4 th to Bolivar including the intersection at Addison and Bolivar. Implementation is expected in four phases: Phase I: Agency construction of streetscape improvements at the foot of Addison Street to create a Promenade-like entrance to Aquatic Park, pedestrian and bicycle enhancements to the rail crossing and improvement to the 4th and Addison intersection. Phase II: Private development, currently proposed on the north side of Addison Street from 2nd to 4th Street will construct adjacent sidewalk frontage in conformance with APC standards. Phase III: Adjacent utilities will be undergrounded, pending a City action to form an undergrounding district, with expectations that this will occur within three years from Promenade construction. Phase IV: Remaining frontage, particularly the Spenger s block and the south side of Addison at Takara Sake and Audubon Cellars will construct adjacent sidewalk frontage in conformance with APC standards, concurrent with site investment or allocation of grant funds. Full development of the proposed improvements in the APC Streetscape Improvement Design Development Plan is expected to cost $4 million if constructed by the Agency in current dollars. However, phased implementation is proposed with development applicants constructing most of the project when developing adjacent properties. Agency funding is currently estimated at $1.4 million for the portions of the project as described below. Build the Promenade-like park entrance on Addison from Second to Bolivar (initially estimated at $650,000 with reductions expected due to design changes). Improve the rail crossing on Addison (fees are as much as $35,000 plus $100,000 placeholder for work and inspection). Design a proposed underground district and fund, if feasible, construction of a joint trench in Promenade (allowed $240,000 for design, no information regarding trench construction cost). 1 Previously improved under the Agency s Rail Stop Enhancements Project Page 2

3 Aquatic Park Connection ACTION CALENDAR December 5, 2006 Parking improvements ($72,000 for nine pay and display meters). Integrate wayfinding and design elements from 4th and Hearst to the promenade (up to $100,000). The costs to the Agency also include the design, contracted at $145,000, and staff costs estimated at $50, Project Components Bellecci and Associates and Harris Design designed streetscape improvements appropriate to adjacent uses, which offer transition of elements as from the retail environment of 4 th Street to the park environment on Bolivar. Key elements include: a. Park Entry (Promenade): Addison Street s vehicular lanes are narrowed to just 20 feet west of 2nd Street allowing for spacious sidewalks on both the north and south side of the street and a clearly articulated entrance to a pedestrian friendly realm within the park. Hornbeam trees with their conical shape will allow visitors a clear view back up the hills, providing a scenic backdrop in either direction. Plentiful seating will invite way finders to linger, while new signage will allow new visitors orientation to not only the park system, but nearby amenities and retail services. Furnishings in this area will set the standard for streetscape improvements to be required of all adjacent developments with new lighting for pedestrians, trashcans, seating and signage. Specialized sidewalk paving will accentuate the pedestrian importance in the area transitioning to the Bike/Ped. Bridge and East Touchdown Plaza in Aquatic Park. Street paving in this short block will accentuate a pedestrian realm, offering at minimum, colored asphalt, while final material selection is dependent on coordination with the adjacent design for East Touchdown Plaza in Aquatic Park. b. Rail Crossing Improvements The Addison crossing appears to be relatively safe, having had no pedestrian or bicycle accidents and only a few limited-injury vehicle accidents. However, with both train and pedestrian/bicycle traffic increasing, the risk is likely to increase. Further, the tracks offer a perceptional barrier as well as a real barrier to mobility-restricted individuals. The sidewalk ends in rubble and wheelchair ramps lead into the street over the tracks. The contiguous provision of sidewalk to the concrete track pad is proposed for Agency priority investment, along with seating and trashcans and additional safety markings. The PUC recommends removal of parking within 100 feet of any active track. The Plan removes parking as recommended by the PUC for the approach side of the tracks, but only restricts parking within 50 feet of the other side of the Page 3

4 Aquatic Park Connection ACTION CALENDAR December 5, 2006 tracks. The Design utilizes part of the approaching curbside with prohibited parking to provide bike-waiting areas out of the lane of waiting traffic. c. Parking While the Design removes parking at the Park entry to create expansive sidewalks and at a few corners to facilitate truck turning and bulbouts, it adds parking in the area most proximate to retail demand. The proposed addition of parking on 4 th Street, from Hearst to University, and the consolidation of some driveways, results in no appreciable net parking loss project wide. Further, to facilitate shopping ease and reduction of utility clutter in the project, pay and display meters are proposed throughout the project s metered areas. d. Functional Improvements Facilitating Pedestrian and Bicycle Access Bulbouts throughout the project will increase pedestrian safety at key crossings, while carefully considered to avoid creating hazards to bicyclists. As large trucks turn through key project intersections, bulbouts have been included strategically to shorten crossing lengths, yet avoid creating undue hazards to pedestrians from possible truck turns over the curb. Lighting fixtures and trashcans will integrate the design ethics of the rail stop with the streetscape, offering functional amenities now lacking in the length of the area. Tree plantings throughout will offer shade and an inviting pedestrian environment. London Planes will be continued for the length of 4 th Street to provide continuity with existing 4 th Street retail space, while native Red Alders have been selected for Addison from 2 nd to 4 th, provide a native conical tree intended to allow an uninterrupted view from the park to the hills and fit with the park setting. Red Alders may also be chosen for the Park within the adjacent East Touchdown Plaza. Adjacent development will be required to provide materials to the specifications of the project. (Probably need to say something about bulbouts too) e. High Quality Furnishing And Amenities With Unified Design, Honoring The First West Berkeley Inhabitants Throughout Functional forms such as paving materials, seat walls, banners, and interpretative signage will be commissioned to integrate Ohlone basket weaving designs, offering artistic enhancements throughout the Streetscape project. An Ohlone basket weave inspired pattern will be integrated into the concrete sidewalk and the seat walls, while new banners on 4 th street south of the Overpass may include a weaving pattern into the metal brackets for the banners. Olivetti shells used by the Ohlone will provide the design basis for skate stoppers in the seating and/or impressions in the seating and paving. Wayfinding and interpretive signage at the rail stop and park entrance may be accented with Ohlone design borders and provide historical background. f. Designing for Future Undergrounding Given the existing moratorium on undergrounding utilities in the City and the backlog of existing projects, the Project will not be able to integrate undergrounding into the preliminary construction conducted by the Agency. However, the PAC and adjacent developers recommend Page 4

5 Aquatic Park Connection ACTION CALENDAR December 5, 2006 undergrounding highly, and a joint trench design is being considered to facilitate future undergrounding opportunities. 3. Environmental Review As identified in the attached Mitigated Negative Declaration, two key areas in the project required mitigation of potential impacts. The APC runs from sensitive areas on each end, the Ohlone Shellmound on one and the lagoon habitat of Aquatic Park on the other. The project is to be managed to avoid negatively impacting either. Best management practices of the BAAQMD for construction will reduce air impacts of the construction and a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) will manage effluents otherwise impacting the lagoon, such that potential biological impacts to the lagoon habitat are controlled. Archeological monitoring and protocols such as limited depth of work ensure no disturbance of the Shellmound s resources, while artistic and interpretive enhancements celebrate the Shellmound. 4. Project Area Committee (PAC) Action The Project Area Committee endorsed the Aquatic Park Connection Streetscape Improvement Project Design Development for adoption by the Agency on October 5, The PAC met 10 times over the last year to advise the consulting team on the preferred design and held two public workshops sharing the preliminary design with concerned constituents and representatives of related Commissions, with over 50 members of the public in attendance at one or the other workshop. BACKGROUND The Five-Year Implementation Plan adopted in June 2005 included the Aquatic Park Connection as the highest priority to enhance public improvements. Further, Agency staff coordinated project design with staff from Public Works (ADA, engineering, and maintenance), Parks (planning, waterfront, and arborist), Policy Planning, Office of Transportation, Energy and Sustainable Development, City Manager s Office, and the Arts Commission. RATIONALE FOR RECOMMENDATION The proposed design improves the quality of the entrance to the Project Area, provides connection to key alternative transportation infrastructure, and improves conditions for additional commercial investment. Interdepartmental collaboration ensured a design that is consistent with City policies and standards. ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS CONSIDERED Alternatives considered included dedicated bike lanes, 16-foot sidewalks on the northside of Addison and 8 feet of sidewalk on the southside, a serpentine path of travel in the last block of Addison to reduce the grade change for wheelchair users, and the exclusion of the rail crossing from proposed scope of work. Each of the alternatives were evaluated and then dismissed due to technical or financial infeasibility or user opposition. Page 5

6 Aquatic Park Connection ACTION CALENDAR December 5, 2006 CONTACT PERSON Wendy Cosin, Deputy Director, Planning and Development Department, Amber Evans, Senior Planner, Berkeley Redevelopment Agency, Planning and Development Department, Attachments: 1: Resolution to approve a Mitigated Negative Declaration and adopt the Aquatic Park Connection (APC) Streetscape Improvement Design Development as Master Plan 2: Mitigated Negative Declaration Aquatic Park Connection Streetscape Improvement Project 3: APC Design Development Plans (to be provided) Page 6

7 RESOLUTION NO. ##,###-N.S. APPROVING A MITIGATED NEGATIVE DECLARATION AND ADOPTING THE AQUATIC PARK CONNECTION (APC) STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENT DESIGN DEVELOPMENT PLAN AS THE MASTER PLAN FOR STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS FOR ADDISION STREET FROM BOLIVAR TO FOURTH STREET AND FOURTH STREET FROM ADDISON TO HEARST STREET WHEREAS, on June 28, 2005 the Redevelopment Agency adopted a Five-Year Implementation Plan for the West Berkeley Redevelopment Project Area stating the Aquatic Park Connection Streetscape Improvement Project was the highest priority for Agency implementation following the now completed Rail Stop Improvements; and WHEREAS, the Mitigated Negative Declaration was submitted for the Aquatic Park Connection Streetscape Improvement Project for 30 days public review from October 31, 2006 to December 1, 2006; and WHEREAS, a Notice of Intent to Adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration was posted in the Project Area for the Aquatic Park Connection Streetscape Improvement Project for 30 days public review from October 31, 2006 to December 1, 2006; and WHEREAS, the Agency considered the Mitigated Negative Declaration together with any comments received during the public review process on December 5, 2006, and finds, on the basis of the whole record before it, that there is no substantial evidence that the project will have a significant effect on the environment in that potentially significant effects on the Ohlone Shellmound and the biological resources in the lagoon habitat of Aquatic Park were identified but mitigation measures (archeological monitoring and restrictions on the depth of construction within the Shellmound and implementation of best management practices of BAAQMD and adoption of a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan), agreed to by the Agency and attached as conditions to the project, would avoid or reduce the effects to a point where clearly no significant effects would occur; and WHEREAS, the adoption of the Mitigated Negative Declaration reflects the independent judgment of the Agency; and WHEREAS, the record of the proceedings relating to the Mitigated Negative Declaration is on file at the Permit Service Center, 2120 Milvia Street, Berkeley, CA 94704; and WHEREAS, the Agency hereby adopts the following monitoring program for the mitigation measures listed in the attached Mitigated Negative Declaration: (1) All mitigations requiring sign off prior to issuance of a building permit shall be signed by the responsible City monitor on the building permit plans. (2) the inspector assigned to the project will verify Mitigations requiring continuous implementation.

8 WHEREAS, the Project Area Committee on October 5, 2006 after ten (10) public meetings endorsed the Aquatic Park Connection Streetscape Improvement Project Design Development for adoption by the Agency; and WHEREAS, Aquatic Park Connection Streetscape Improvement Project benefits the Project Area and businesses and residents within the Project Area by providing those traveling by foot, bike, or wheelchair with a safe crossing over the rail right-of-way at Addison and improved access to the Project Area from the north end of Aquatic Park and via the newly developed I-80 over-crossing from the Marina, newly opened East Shore State Park, and the newly improved segment of the Bay Trail. Thus the Aquatic Park Connection Streetscape Improvement Project, by extending improvements previously made by the Agency at the Rail Stop and the I-80 overcrossing, is intended to: increase access to the Project Area for all users including pedestrians, bicyclists, and the disabled; improve safety of access by adding lighting as well as waiting areas for bicyclists and pedestrians at the tracks; enhance amenities of the area urban design by adding trees, seating and trash cans and by undergrounding utility poles, and increase revenue to the area through increased number of patrons using improved access routes to and from the Project Area; and WHEREAS, the Aquatic Park Connection Streetscape Improvement Project will assist in provision of public improvements and elimination of blighted conditions and is consistent with the Five-Year Implementation Plan. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Redevelopment Agency Board adopts the Mitigated Negative Declaration based upon the findings above and the Design Development Plan for the Aquatic Park Connection Streetscape Improvement Project as the Master Plan for streetscape improvements for Addison Street from Bolivar to Fourth Street and Fourth Street from Addison to Hearst Street.

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