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Poquoson Council directs right-of-way surveys for targeted sidewalk connections
Summary
Council asked staff to solicit proposals and return cost estimates to begin right-of-way surveys and preliminary engineering, starting with a small set of prioritized segments including Little Florida and parts of Pecosin Avenue, using $350,000 seed funding previously appropriated.
Poquoson City Council directed staff to begin right-of-way surveys and to solicit consultant proposals to begin preliminary engineering for targeted sidewalk projects, using $350,000 previously appropriated as seed funding.
The council emphasized connectivity to existing sidewalks and pedestrian safety as priorities when selecting projects for design and construction.
City Manager Randy Wheeler reviewed the city’s sidewalk planning context and budget background. Wheeler told council the city had previously appropriated $350,000 as seed money for sidewalk development and said the next steps require detailed right-of-way surveys and topographic work. He said many Poquoson roadways were built before the city incorporated, that rights-of-way and roadway locations sometimes do not line up, and that coastal ditches and stormwater considerations increase project complexity and cost.
Wheeler told council that small, uncomplicated projects (fewer utility or ditch conflicts) could be taken through preliminary engineering more quickly, while larger projects will require consultant-led right-of-way surveys. He also said there are economies of scale: surveying multiple properties together would reduce per-property costs versus individual surveys. Wheeler noted the 2011/VHB study informed past recommendations but did not include detailed right-of-way surveys; the city will need new surveys before construction.
Council asked for specific starter locations and agreed on a narrowed set. By council consensus, staff was directed to obtain detailed right-of-way survey cost estimates and project scopes for: (1) Little Florida Road between the CVS and Galen Drive; and (2) Pecosin Avenue, both sides, from Cedar Road to the intersection of Pecosin Avenue and Wythe Creek Road. The direction authorizes staff to solicit proposals from consulting engineers and to return with anticipated costs and timelines before proceeding further.
Councilmembers highlighted local priorities for connectivity to Wythe Creek Road, schools and commercial corridors, and noted that construction approaches (curb-and-gutter with ditch piping versus behind-ditch alignment) will affect property impacts, stormwater design and cost. Wheeler said survey time can vary with property count and complexity; as a general rule, an individual property survey can take about four weeks, though group surveys have economies of scale.
Next steps: staff will solicit proposals for right-of-way surveys and preliminary engineering for the two named corridors, return cost and time estimates, and provide periodic updates to council during regular meetings as the procurement and design process advances.
