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Town of Lexington - FY 2014-FY 2018 Capital Improvement Projects Lexington Center Pocket Park&Alta Design Phase 1 of I I 27-Sep-12 Project Name: g 9 ...w,... Date: p- Project ID Number: 857_ Revision Date: 02-Jan-13 Submitted By: Melisa Tintocalis Department: Economic Dev Priority 0 •• First Year Submission? d❑ Phone#: 781-862-0500 ext.23 E-mail mtintocafis@lexingtonma.gov • • THIS PROJECT WILL. BE AMENDED; GRAIN MILL ALLEY WILL BE Description of Project: ONLY PARK DESIGNED IN FY14,AMENDED BUDGET IS $21500. The Lexington Center Pocket Park and Alley Design Project proposes to convert two underutilized pedestrian alleys into small public parks. The two locations are:1) the Grain Mill Alley,also referred to as the"Bank of America Alley",approximately 1,200sf (between 1761 and 1775 Mass Ave.) ;and 2) the pedestrian alley between Citizen's Bank and Michelson's Shoes,approximately 800sf (between 1776 and 1780 Mass Ave.) . The alleys are currently paved with asphalt and offer pedestrian connections to the retail center and other buildings that front Massachusetts Avenue. The alleys are currently on private property.The property owners associated with both alleys have been consulted about the proposal and are amenable to creating a park easement or some other agreement.It should be noted that some Town documents show that the Grain Mill Alley has an existing easement recorded;further reseach is underway to collect the details on this easement. The proposed project would be completed in two phases. The first phase includes funding for a cohesive design intended to transform the spaces into attractive tiny parks with pedestrian connections that enhance the historic center and offer new welcoming places for people to interact and access the Center. The project will also improve the safety of pedestrian and bike connections to the Minuteman bikeway and a public parking lot.This project presents a special opportunity to enhance Lexington's historic center district by adding attractive public space with the potential for adding creative features that reflect the Town's place in American history.The project would complement the larger Center Streetscape project which focuses exclusively on traffic and streetscape design along Massachusetts Avenue from the north street-facing property line to the south street- facing property line.The second phase of the project would include a request for construction funding.The construction costs listed are based on a pocket park design in Barnstable which was approximately$43 per square foot;refinement of the construction costs would be necessary once the design has been completed.If approved,other sources of funding for construction will be explored with the Trustees of the Public Trust and the Center Improvement Fund. Justification/Benefit: The Lexington Center Pocket Park and Alley Design Project offers several meaningful benefits at each park site.The Grain Mill Alley was closed to vehicle traffic in June 2012. With good design,the closure creates an opportunity to enhance the public realm and bicycle infrastructure through the Center,creating a park and pedestrian connection between the business district and the Minuteman Bikeway. This improves safety for pedestrians and cyclists and activiates an underutilitzed area,enhancing the public realm.The pedestrian alley between Citizen's Bank and Michelson's Shoes,between 1776 and 1780 Mass Ave.is a dark and poorly paved walkway. It also lacks any directional signage for parking or • the retail center. Designing an alley park,albeit small,would improve pedestrian safety and add to the historic charm of Lexington Center.In • addition,it improves access to the public parking lot in the rear of 1780 Massachusetts Ave. Impact if not completed: No studies have been conducted to quantify any monetary loss if this project is not completed. Timeframe: Replace. Freq: FY2014;The community design would take approximately six months. 0 Years Stakeholders: Community Preservation Act Committee;Center Committee,Police,Recreation,Fire,&Tourism Operating Budget Impact: Not applicable Cost Analysis: Funding Source: 0 Levy 0 CPA Q Revolving Q State Aid Q Water Q Sewer 0 Recreation Q Private Q Other 1/3/2013 9:23:43 AM