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Council authorizes design funding for $3.8 million Beekman Street rehabilitation
Summary
Council approved authorization for the Beekman Street rehabilitation project, including preliminary and final design funding of about $315,000; staff said a $3.6 million grant covers most of an estimated $3.8 million cost, leaving a small local share for this fiscal phase.
City staff presented the proposed Beekman Street complete‑street reconstruction from Main Street to Redfin Drive and asked the council to authorize funding for the first project phase: survey, preliminary and final engineering design, and right‑of‑way incidentals. Staff said the project’s estimated total cost is $3.8 million and that the city was awarded a $3.6 million grant to pay the bulk of the work.
“We were awarded a grant for $3,600,000 last year for the $3,800,000 cost,” the city administrator said, explaining that the city’s immediate authorization request covers roughly $315,000 (about $300,000 for design and $15,000 for right‑of‑way incidentals). Staff said funding is approximately 80% federal, 15% state and 5% local for this phase.
Council members asked detailed design questions: whether the project will add bike lanes and new sidewalks, how crossings will be configured near Beekman and West Main, lighting choices (staff prefers pedestrian‑scale lighting over highway‑style poles), and how parking near the Metro‑North station will be managed. Staff responded that the design proposes a separated uphill bike lane (5–6 feet wide), potential pedestrian‑scale lighting, and ongoing negotiations with the MTA to adjust parking agreements; staff acknowledged constraints from limited right‑of‑way and topography.
The council moved, seconded and approved the authorization for implementation and phased funding by voice vote; the transcript records no roll‑call tally. Staff said the next step is a consultant selection process and that a consultant is expected to be brought back to council in approximately two months to begin design work.
