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Troy committee advances $12 million bid authorization for downtown streetscape
Summary
The Streets and Sidewalks Committee unanimously recommended authorizing a bid not to exceed $12,000,000 for a Downtown Safety Streetscape renovation that includes utility upgrades, pedestrian-safety features and roundabout changes; members and residents urged steps to improve pedestrian crossings.
The Streets and Sidewalks Committee of the Troy City Council voted unanimously to move forward with staff's recommendation to authorize bidding for the Downtown Safety Streetscape renovation, asking council to approve up to $12,000,000 for the project.
Mr. Titterington, who presented the request, said, "we are asking for authorization not to exceed $12,000,000," noting that amount reflects an $11,300,000 engineer's estimate plus roughly a 7% contingency. The package includes alteration of the downtown roundabout, reshaping quadrant parking, streetscape elements such as brick pavers, furniture, lighting and bollards, digital kiosks in each quadrant, and replacement and upsizing of aging water and stormwater infrastructure.
The upgrades to water infrastructure include upsizing service lines "from 2 inches to 6 inches" in places to accommodate fire suppression in buildings that currently lack it, a change proponents said is necessary for redevelopment and code compliance.
Councilman (name not provided) questioned the reliance on conventional traffic studies and argued devices that slow or better signal drivers are needed to protect pedestrians. He said that after flashing crosswalk signs were installed on a street near the high school, pedestrian-involved incidents dropped; "these things work," he said, urging colleagues to consult residents about preferences and saying he intends to offer an amendment and expects a vote next week.
Two residents spoke in support of stronger lighting and the option of flashing crosswalk lights. Susan Westfall (305 Water Street) said she wants Troy to be "one of the safest towns in the area" and supported lights and bump-outs as safety measures. Madison Hickman (402 Lincoln Avenue, 3rd Ward), who identified herself as an employee of Ruby's Downtown, said she would like to see improved crosswalk lighting.
The committee recorded that it would move forward with the staff recommendation without seeking emergency legislation. The recommendation from the committee will be forwarded to the full Troy City Council for further consideration; council-level timing was not specified in the committee discussion.
Next steps: committee members signaled the issue will return for further action and local input; one councilman said he plans to offer an amendment and expected a vote the following week.
