Board approves right-of-way, temporary construction easement for Eastside Pedestrian Pathway near Victor and Alice Elementary

The Garden City Board of Education on Thursday approved a request from the City of Garden City for additional right-of-way and a temporary construction easement to widen the sidewalk in front of Victor and Alice Elementary as part of the Eastside Pedestrian Pathway project.

City Public Works operations staff described the project as a larger effort to connect the Talley Trail, the US-83/Bypass area and other east-side sidewalks into a 10-foot-wide pedestrian/bicycle trail. “In 2023, the city received a $1,500,000 grant from the Kansas Department of Transportation, towards a $3,600,000 East Side pedestrian pathway project,” Tyler Patterson, Garden City Public Works Operations, told the board. The work in front of Victor and Alice would include replacing panels that do not meet ADA slope requirements, widening sidewalk panels to create a 10-foot trail, and a temporary construction easement along the school property to accommodate staging during construction.

Patterson and an engineer from Wilson & Company explained the work would be phased to limit disruption to school operations. Phase 1 would use temporary crossings and a temporary sidewalk across an undeveloped lot to maintain student pedestrian access; bus and vehicle entrances would be narrowed to single-lane traffic while concrete cures and tie-ins are completed. City staff said they plan to try to schedule the most disruptive work for times that minimize impact on school operations, including the possibility of completing certain sections during spring break, and to include coordination requirements in the contractor bid documents.

Board members asked about alternatives — including whether the trail could be routed on the south side of Spruce Street — and about timing and contract language to protect school access. Patterson said the south side had greater utility conflicts and fencing constraints and that routing there had been examined but was not feasible for the full 10-foot trail. City staff said they would include coordination with USD 457 in the bid package and attempt to schedule work near the school when classes are not in session.

The board approved the request by voice vote. The city representative who introduced the project said final project bidding and construction timing will depend on completing remaining right-of-way and temporary easement paperwork and the bid process, with the earliest construction start anticipated in 2026.

The vote was taken by voice; the board president called for hands and said the motion carried.