Commission OKs $147,460 design contract for 12th and Bluemont pedestrian improvements after safety briefing

The City Commission authorized a $147,460 professional services agreement with Olsen Inc to produce design drawings for pedestrian-safety improvements at the 12th Street and Bluemont Avenue crossing.

Public Works Director Brian Johnson told the commission the intersection has recorded 27 accidents since 2021, including seven injuries, and that redevelopment around Aggieville and two hotels has increased pedestrian activity during evening hours. "We have 27 accidents, including 7 injuries," Johnson said, summarizing the accident history and explaining that current signage and islands have not eliminated conflicts between pedestrians and vehicles.

Staff presented design options that include a HAWK (high intensity activated crosswalk) pedestrian signal or a full pedestrian signal, reconfiguration of the median island to provide a receiving area, sidewalk rerouting, lighting and potential parking changes. Johnson said a HAWK signal can shorten the pedestrian crossing time and be integrated into the corridor's signal control, but that construction costs for a HAWK and the associated island and power work may exceed the design fee and require separate capital funding.

Commissioners discussed tradeoffs between driver delay and pedestrian safety, corridor signal timing and prioritization of worst intersections. The commission approved the design contract 5–0 and asked staff to return with final design alternatives and cost estimates for construction and funding sources.