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Council authorizes Phase 1 public improvements for Founders Avenue; staff to bid in May
Summary
The council voted unanimously to authorize bidding and construction for Phase 1 of Founders Avenue and related village-center improvements, a package that includes underground utilities, base pavement, High Street intersection work and pedestrian crossings; staff said Phase 1 could begin as early as June with city underground work expected to finish by November.
City staff presented a phased public-improvements plan for the Founders Avenue village-center block and asked council to authorize advertising, awarding and executing contracts for Phase 1 (primarily underground utilities, stormwater chambers, base pavement and High Street intersection improvements). The authorization also allows the city to amend the existing development agreement so the city can construct additional stormwater detention on a portion of the developer's private site and then transfer ongoing maintenance to the developer.
Staff said Phase 1 includes underground stormwater infrastructure mostly under Founders Avenue and portions under a private parking area, storm tie-ins to an existing line that ultimately outlets to Rose Run, and new pedestrian crossing treatments consistent with village-center design. The city plans to put the Phase 1 work out to bid in May, start construction as early as June and finish the city's underground portion by about November; the private developer's three buildings are expected to be complete in spring 2027, with final city-facing improvements returning to council for authorization in 2027.
Councillors pressed staff on sidewalk widths, how on-street parking would be shifted, coordination with the Market Street extension, how stormwater detention will avoid increasing discharge to Rose Run, and how property impacts and demolitions would be handled for small existing houses in the alignment. Staff said design requires controlling peak discharge so the post‑construction discharge rate will not exceed current conditions and that some existing structures are expected to be demolished as part of the development; staff also noted coordination meetings are ongoing and biweekly with the developer to sequence work to minimize disruption.
Council opened a public hearing on the resolution to authorize bidding for Phase 1 and, after hearing no public comments, moved to adopt Resolution R09-20-25. The motion passed with seven yes votes. Staff will return to council for authorization of remaining public-infrastructure work (Phase 2) after developer construction progresses.
