Moab staff unveils sidewalk map and $350,000 project; downtown to get $200,000 first year

City staff presented an inventory and prioritization map for sidewalk repairs March 25 and described a planned construction project funded in the current fiscal year at $350,000, with roughly $200,000 targeted to downtown Main Street and the adjacent central area.

Sustainability/planning staff member Alexi led the presentation and displayed a GIS map compiled from a 2017 ADA audit, a 2024 road safety audit and public and council input. The map uses color-coded priorities: purple for the most critical gaps and missing sidewalk panels, red for heaves caused by frost or trees, orange for cracked panels and yellow for holes or small voids. “A lot of those are missing sidewalk,” Alexi said while walking council through the map.

Staff described the proposed procurement steps: staff expects to issue an RFP and receive bids in approximately six to eight weeks, and return to council with bid recommendations by June. Construction work would likely occur during the summer and into fall if the council approves the contract. Council and staff discussed unitary bid pricing; staff said they expected bids to be priced by linear or square feet and planned to include contingency quantities so the city can expand work if bids come in low.

Staff noted some repairs will require tree evaluations and, in some locations, tree removal. “Some of these things we were looking at…the plan is to get an arborist out to look at those trees,” Alexi said; staff also said the city would replant where irrigation and tree wells allow but may pave some small tree wells where space or irrigation is insufficient. Staff confirmed the city lost a prior Arbor Day Foundation pass-through grant for tree plantings and is pursuing alternative sources.

Council members requested early outreach to downtown property and business owners to limit construction disruption and to explain project timing and public-safety benefits. Staff said they are pursuing additional funding sources but cautioned that Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) support is uncertain and that some CDBG funds are committed to other playground projects this fiscal year. Mark (staff member) confirmed the sidewalk work was included in the city’s FY25 budget; staff said they would pursue CDBG or UDOT (state) funding options if available.

Staff emphasized the project’s goal is to address immediate pedestrian-safety hazards and to create a prioritized list for future years. Bids will determine final scope; the city will return to council with funding and contract recommendations.