}

Agenda Item #1

Columbus Consolidated Government

Council Meeting

1/30/2007


To
Mayor and Council
Subject
Memorandum of Understanding for Improvement to Schomburg Road
Initiator
Planning Department
Recommendation
Approval is requested to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the \n \n Muscogee County School District to widen Schomburg Road in front of the new \n \n Number 6 Elementary School, from two lanes to five lanes.
Approval
Approved
Background
The City has been requested by the Muscogee County School District to improve

the access to the new Number 6 Elementary School, by widen a portion of

Schomburg Road from North Stadium Drive to the vicinity of Bridlewood Drive.

The School District is currently constructing a new elementary school adjacent

to the existing Shaw High School with an anticipated opening date of fall of

2007. Access to the new school is being provided by the existing North and

South Stadium Drives, and will have no direct access onto Schomburg Road.
Analysis
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been prepared, calling for the widening

of the existing two-lane roadway to five lanes, with a flush center turn lane.

The project will be developed in two phases: the first will be that section of

Schomburg Road from North Stadium Drive to the north end of the J.R. Allen

Parkway bridge; and the second phase will be from the south end of the J.R.

Allen Parkway Bridge to Bridlewood Drive. The first phase will be done to

provide access improvements to the school site, with all construction costs to

be borne by the City. The second phase will provide improvements not only to

this section of Schomburg Road, but would also improve the traffic congestion

at the eastbound off ramp from the J.R. Allen Parkway. The City is responsible

for the necessary engineering and construction for this second phase. It is

the intent of the City and the School District to enter into a partnership to

construct these improvements, using the School District's general contractor

for all roadway construction. These improvements need to be completed by August

2007, which would correspond, with the opening of the new school year.
Financial Considerations
Funding for this project has been identified under the Capital Improvement

Program. Costs for this project have been estimated at a price not to exceed

$1,140,000.
Projected Annual Fiscal Impact Statement
Legal Considerations
The MOU identifies the responsibilities of both the City and School District,

and has been reviewed by the City Attorney.
Recommendations/ Actions
Adopt the resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into a Memorandum of

Understanding with the Muscogee County School District to widen Schomburg Road

in front of the new Number 6 Elementary School, from two lanes to five lanes.