Background
In August, 1998 the City executed a Memorandum of Agreement with the RIDOT regarding the Washington Square Enhancement Project which was selected to receive Transportation Enhancement Funding as part of TEA-21. Between 1998 and 2001 the original scope of work was amended to include the Southern Thames St Historic Paving Project. The work limit of the Southern Thames St. project is America’s Cup Ave. to Ann St.

In February, 2001 the City Council approved the award of the contract to the Louis Berger Group (LBG) for engineering consulting services associated with the Washington Square and Southern Thames Street historic paving projects. Funding for the design and construction of the 2 projects was provided by the RIDOT as follows, Washington Square- $1,150,000.00 and Southern Thames Street- $350,000.00.

After the 90% design submission to RIDOT in 2002, discussion began to amend the original streetscape improvement scope of the Southern Thames Street project to include relocation of overhead utilities underground. Work on finalizing the design of the streetscape improvements ceased while efforts to secure additional funding for the utility relocation began. In 2004, with the additional funding for utility relocation not available, the City and the citizen advisory group contacted the RIDOT about continuing the project as originally proposed: as a streetscape improvement project. The RIDOT approved the request and indicated an additional $100,000 was available for the project, bringing the total design and construction project budget to $450,000.

In September, 2005 the City Council approved an amendment to the LBG contract to complete the design of the streetscape improvements for the Southern Thames Street project. The following elements are approved by the RIDOT as streetscape improvements: ADA compliance; decorative sidewalk and crosswalk treatments (such as stamped concrete and/or asphalt); roadway improvements (reclamation, new asphalt with belgian block gutter and granite curbing); new trash receptacles. LBG will finalize the 90% plans originally developed in May, 2002 after meeting with the interested parties and city staff.

Current Status
City staff has met with the original members of the STEP group and other interested parties to begin revising and completing the plans. Issues that need to be addressed have also been identified and include but are not limited to: secure temporary use agreements with the condominium owners for approval to modify the privately owned brick sidewalk on the west side; establish calendar limits when work can proceed; identify detour routes; coordinate with businesses and deliveries during construction; identify type of decorative treatment for sidewalk and crosswalk surfaces.

Preliminary discussion involved having no work occurring between Memorial Day and Columbus Day. During the sidewalk improvement construction, Thames St will be open to traffic with minor delays and only one side will be worked on at a time to allow for a pedestrian detour. During the actual roadway surface improvements the road would be closed to traffic during work hours (normal hours are 7am to 4pm). The road would be open to traffic at the end of each day and on weekends. The discussion has begun on how deliveries would be coordinated but a plan was not finalized. The coordination with the businesses was identified as a priority as the work will create disruption but efforts will be made with stipulations in the contract language to keep any disruption to a minimum. The length of time to complete the project is also being discussed. City Staff believes based on experience the project will require work to take place both before Memorial Day and after Columbus Day. Progress on the project will also be dependent on weather.

A presentation of the proposed final plans will be made to the City Council for approval prior to advertising for construction bids. The final plans will also require review and approval by the RIDOT prior to initiating the bidding process.