Shelbyville council approves up to $40,000 for right-of-way acquisition services on Greenway Riverwalk overlook
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Summary
Council approved Amendment No. 4 for professional services with Neal Shaffer Inc. and retained OR Collin to handle federal right-of-way and Uniform Relocation Act requirements for the Greenway Riverwalk River Overlook project; the not-to-exceed amount is $40,000 and condemnation costs were not included.
City officials told the Shelbyville City Council April 29 that the Greenway Riverwalk River Overlook project requires limited property acquisition and federally mandated right-of-way procedures overseen by TDOT; the council approved a $40,000 not-to-exceed amendment to cover appraisal, negotiation and acquisition services.
A DealShaker Engineering representative explained that final engineering and survey work showed the project would likely need under 1,000 square feet of private property for the overlook and a small portion of adjacent county-owned land. Because the project has federal oversight, the Uniform Relocation Act applies; the act requires appraisals, offers of just compensation, negotiated acquisitions, relocation assistance as needed and documented procedures supervised by TDOT.
The engineering representative said the city had added OR Collin — a firm experienced in right-of-way acquisition — to the team to manage appraisals, negotiations, closings and required documentation. The amendment includes two acquisition tracks (private tracts and a county-owned portion) and covers five separately deeded tracts that will require review and recording. The consultant said the work will involve licensed appraisers, a review appraiser, a negotiator, a closing agent and a manager to coordinate the process.
City Manager Scott Collins confirmed the $40,000 figure is a not-to-exceed estimate and that pre-construction activities are not covered by an existing grant; he said the city anticipates beginning acquisition work in roughly 45 days. Council members asked whether condemnation was included; the engineering representative and staff said condemnation was not part of the $40,000 and that additional costs would be required if the city pursued eminent-domain procedures.
After discussion, a council member moved to approve the amendment and a second was recorded; the council voted to approve the contract amendment. Recorded votes in the meeting transcript showed unanimous affirmative votes by present council members (listed below).
Ending: Project staff said they will proceed with right-of-way acquisition planning and monthly coordination meetings with the consultant team. The $40,000 amendment covers appraisal and negotiation services only; condemnation or litigation would require separate authorization and funding.
