| 7/22/2009 10:53:00 AM | Email this article • Print this article | Jefferson council OKs master plan for developing riverwalk
By Ryan Whisner
Regional Editor
JEFFERSON - The master plan for developing a riverwalk along both sides of the Rock River, from Puerner Street to Riverview Drive, was approved Tuesday by the Jefferson Common Council.
Development of a downtown riverwalk previously was identified as a project in the amendment to Tax Incremental Finance District No. 5.
The city received a $21,000 Wisconsin Waterfront Initiative Grant to pay for all the conceptual work for the master plan. Cost of the plan development was approximately $35,000, with the remaining $14,000 allocated from TIF No. 5.
The Architectural Firm worked on the framework plan in conjunction with Vandewalle & Associates. At the July 14 council meeting, architect Craig Ellsworth, of The Architectural Firm, presented an overall view of the entire riverwalk as it is envisioned. The report presented a general overview of the riverwalk concept, as well as a specific focus on the west side of the Milwaukee Street walkbridge in the downtown area.
Initial phases are projects that could be completed within the next several years. Additional phases of the riverwalk development might not be developed for many years, it noted.
Generally, the riverwalk is envisioned to be a project funded by the city on property the city owns or that it would obtain by long-term leases. Planners envision making use of potential state and federal grants, and also funding a portion of the work through a fundraising effort similar to that which supported the Milwaukee Street pedestrian bridge.
Phase I sections of the riverwalk are considered to be the existing walkway along Rotary Waterfront Park in downtown Jefferson and an easement on Puerner Street on the west end.
The focus for the city now is on Phase 2: the west side of the river from the U.S. Highway 18 bridge along the south side of the Jefferson Area Business Center property.
Phase III and beyond would extend the riverwalk along privately owned open space north of Racine Street on the west side of the Rock River, and south of Racine Street on the east and up to the Foremost site.
Further extension of the proposed walkway would involve negotiating with Jefferson County to run the riverwalk along the Jefferson County Highway Department property.
Development of the riverwalk is anticipated to be spread out over a lengthy period.
Phasing would partially depend on how private properties are developed north and south of the pedestrian bridge, as well as how financing for any work could be accomplished.
Also Tuesday, the council hired Ehlers and Associates Inc. and Quarles Brady LLC for $10,800 to provide services necessary to designate the $950,000 State Trust Fund Loan for the extension of sanitary sewer service to the Riverview Heights subdivision as a Build America Bond under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
In addition, the council approved a $42,5000 contract for construction administration and a $52,000 contract for an inspection supervisor with Town and Country Engineering Inc. related to the sanitary sewer project.
Riverview Heights is a subdivision containing 57 parcels (56 single-family residential lots and one lot with a duplex) that abut the city's north municipal boundary east of the Rock River and west of Watertown Road. Most have been annexed into the city, with only 13 remaining in the Town of Aztalan.
Improvements are expected to include sanitary sewer, lateral installation and street reconstruction along 2,069 feet of Hillebrand Drive, 708 feet of Watertown Road, 941 feet of Thrush Lane, 336 feet of Hillcrest Lane and 367 feet of Aztalan Court.
Total cost of the project is anticipated to be approximately $809,544. The city earned an interest rate on the state trust loan of 5.5 percent.
To date, the city has reduced the rate through a Clean Water Fund subsidy to around 4.2 percent.
City Administrator Tim Freitag noted that obtaining the Build America fund designation would further reduce the rate to below 3 percent.
Also, he said there would be a recommendation for the council to approve a 0.25-percent administrative charge over the interest rate.
During a brief presentation, Jefferson city engineer Jill Zalar said assessments will be made on per lot basis. The estimated cost of the special assessment is $14,140 per single family parcel and $17,675 for the duplex parcel.
Zalar explained that, due to its original construction as a single-family home, the duplex is being assessed as 1.25 units and not a full two units.
Freitag said the property owners would be assessed over 20 years with the option to be assessed over 10. Each will have the option to pay all costs up front rather than over the 20 years.
A special assessment hearing is slated at the Aug. 4 council meeting at 7:30 p.m.
A special meeting for the property owners was held June 30 to discuss the assessments, and review the bids and cost impacts.
Additional costs for the property owners outside of the special assessment will including having the lateral installed to the house, a $1,100 sewer connection fee, a $55 plus $.35 per foot of lateral to be installed over 100 feet inspection fee, closure of septic system by a professional and optional driveway paving at $5 per square foot.
Work on the project is slated to begin in August, with a completion date in November. Final paving would be done in spring.
In other business the council:
• Tabled discussion of allowing El Chaparral to sell tacos, chicken and corn on the sidewalk along West Milwaukee Street immediately adjacent to 135 South Main Street.
The matter was tabled due to lack of information and pending an appearance by the applicant.
• Rezoned the Jefferson Area Business Center from industrial to mixed use with the anticipated redevelopment of the property.
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