Main Street extension update: design adjustments, right-of-way needs and utility costs highlighted

City staff presented a progress report Oct. 20 on the Main Street extension project and the preliminary design changes intended to connect Main Street through the Town Center and provide access to a new all-inclusive playground.

Tom Lee said the plan has been adjusted to incorporate an ADA-accessible parking area and a redesigned pathway leading to an inclusive playground. To construct the full design as presented, staff said the city needs right-of-way from seven north-side property owners and additional easements on the south side. The project was placed in the city's capital improvement program, with $200,000 shown in 2025 for right-of-way work and multi-year construction funding included in 2026–2028 in the current CIP documents.

Lee also cited a preliminary engineering estimate to underground utility lines on the north side that exceeds $2 million; staff said those undergrounding costs are not included in the current base construction budget but will be part of future discussions. Committee members discussed timing, developer coordination (noting a nearby private development known as N 38/Latitude) and whether the city should proceed without waiting on developer-driven improvements.

Several committee members urged the city to move forward on the public improvement without indefinite delay. Staff said the design accommodates a median cut allowing a westbound U-turn for park parking and that the design will be refined to address driveway lengths and other right-of-way details. The committee endorsed moving the design forward and asked staff to continue outreach to affected property owners on easement negotiations.

Provenance: Design presentation and discussion begin at 00:46:27 (approx. 02:78:07 in the transcript) and continue through the item recorded at 01:00:00.