Community Advisory Committee Meeting

January 15, 2004

A meeting of the River Bend Roadway Community Advisory Committee (CAC) was held on Thursday, January 14, 2004, at 6:00 p.m. at the Jewish Community Center. Pat Buckley, Project Manager for Pima County, presided at the meeting.

Attending:

Staff:

Pat Buckley, Pima County Department of Transportation

Rick Ellis, Pima County Department of Transportation

Carol Anton, Pima County Department of Transportation

Sal Caccavale, Pima County Department of Transportation

René Gastelum, Pima County Department of Transportation

Dave Dotson, City of Tucson Department of Transportation

Frank Fry, Castro Engineering

Sheila Bowen, Castro Engineering

Carolyn Allen, Castro Engineering

Ian Sharp, Castro Engineering

Paul Van Calster, MMLA

Scott King, MMLA

Geoff Bradmon, MMLA

Melanie O’Quinn, MMLA

Bob Brittain, HDR – Johnson Brittain

Joe Hatch, HDR – Johnson Brittain

Dan Lundwall, Structural Concepts

Ted Marshall, TMHS

Kathy Hoyer, Artist River Road

Selina Littler, Artist River Road

Barbara Grygutis, Artist Alvernon Way

Jan Gordley, Gordley Design Group

Marsha Baker, Gordley Design Group

CAC Members:

Carmen Christy, Homeowner

Kristin Coleman, Binghampton Rural Historic Landscape, Homeowner

Manuel Gadea, Bellas Catalinas Estates

Evan Kligman, MD, Homeowner

Ken Light, Tucson Jewish Community Center

George Lord, Homeowner

Ken Sternstein, Homeowner

Peggie Wagoner, Horsefeathers Farm, Homeowner

Bill Selby, Tucson Racquet Club

Others:

See attached sign-in list

Opening Comments

Pat Buckley, Project Manager introduced himself and all members of the River Road and Alvernon Way teams present at the meeting. He announced that the new master plan for the Brandi Fenton River Bend Park would be presented the following Thursday evening, in an Open House meeting at the Jewish Community Center.

Meeting Purposes

Mr. Buckley noted that the meeting topics that evening would focus on presentations and discussion of progress on the design of River Road and Alvernon Way projects, current stages of public art design on both projects and landscaping plans along River Road.

Alvernon Way Project Update

Bob Brittain, of HDR, discussed the alignment of Alvernon Way extension from Dodge to Fort Lowell Roads. The team has made minor adjustments to the alignment to miss the TEP pole. He noted that the team will be doing a little bit of work on the soil cement to assure that the roadway will leave at least 10 feet of clearance for pedestrians, cyclists and equestrians under the bridge.

Alvernon at Dodge begins with a 4-lane divided roadway with a raised median to the area just south of the bridge. From that point south, the roadway will transition into a 5-lane section with a left turn lane. Mr. Brittain noted that a new road named “Paradise Falls Drive,” which will exist by the end of this construction leading to a new school and subdivision.

Mr. Brittain stated that no right-of-way purchase is necessary south of the river, but that a purchase may be necessary for a section next to the Jewish Community Center. He also noted that the River Path would be accessible from both directions in the area. Mr. Brittain announced that the team would have 30% complete plans sometime within the next few months.

Q. Has funding for the Alvernon Bridge been obtained?

A. Pima County is still in the process of securing the remaining funding needed. River Road construction is scheduled to begin in August and last approximately 16 months. The intention is to begin construction on the Alvernon Way project in December, and be completed simultaneously with River Road if funding is available. The county does not want to open River Road without having Alvernon Way constructed.

Q. Is the anticipated speed limit going to be 45 mph?

A. It will be posted at 35 mph.

Q. Is there an allowance for deceleration lanes north onto Paradise Falls Drive and south to Kleindale, Hardy and Farr Place?

A. There are no plans for deceleration lanes at this time.

Q. Approaching Ft. Lowell on Alvernon Way, will there be one left turn lane or two?

A. One lane.

Q. How many left turn lanes will there be off River Road as drivers turn left to continue eastward?

A. Two lanes.

Public Art – Alvernon Way Project

Barbara Grygutis, Artist for the Alvernon Way project, stated that she had met with the project engineers to gain a better understanding of the structure of the bridge and the roadway. She also is working closely with artists Kathy Hoyer and Selina Littler on the River Road project to assure that there will be a smooth visual transition between the projects. Ms. Grygutis noted that she is 38-year Tucson resident and is devoted to producing a work of art the complements the community.

Ms. Grygutis showed samples of materials and designs that may be appropriate for art on the structure. A rusted and perforated metal, similar to the existing bridges along the linear park will be used for the sculpture so that the scenery and the mountains can be seen through the structure. The bridge will utilize tapered pillars to create the graceful look of the structure growing out of the wash. Ms. Grygutis presented a profile of the proposed bridge structure so that the CAC and the audience could see her initial thoughts about the design. She asked for input and remarks, and handed out her card to interested parties.

Q. Who was on the committee to choose the artists for both projects?

A. Bill Selby; Carmen Christy; Carol Anton; Dana Hook; Don Luria; Eugenia Pell; Gene Solon; Gonzalo Espinosa; Jane Hallett; Ken Light; Laurie Rufe; Patricia Morgan; Regina Heitzer-Momaday

community Outreach

Jan Gordley announced that a Web site containing updates and information pertinent to the River Road and Alvernon Way projects was live as of January 15, and that a contact telephone number and e-mail address are listed on the site. The site also contains such information as minutes of all CAC meetings, copies of pertinent ordinances, and sketches of the projects. It will be updated regularly as the projects progress. Ms. Gordley noted that input on the site and the projects is welcome. The web address for the site is www.roadprojects.pima.gov/riverbend

River Road Progress

Frank Fry, Project Manager from Castro Engineering gave a brief overview of progress and noted that 75% plans are about to be submitted for the design of River Road from Campbell to Alvernon Way. Castro Engineering is working with MMLA, splitting the project into two halves – east and west. Mr. Fry stated that the team has added a free right-turn movement to the intersection of River Road and Alvernon Way. Motorists turning right (south) onto Alvernon Way will not have to stop before turning, unless pedestrians need to cross. The team is also detailing a 36-inch storm drain down Roger Road with a series of detention basins located along River Road to improve drainage.

Q. A property owner asked about drainage improvements on Roger Road and noted that her property is still flooding.

A. Part of the new design is to direct smaller flooding events under the roadway. The ditch, which is about 3 feet deep, has been designed with a 6 to 1 side slope rather than the regular 3-to 1 side slope.

Q. How will pedestrians cross Alvernon at River?

A. There will be a signalized crosswalk. Most of the traffic will be coming from the north side, so that is probably where pedestrians will want to cross. The design team is still working out the details of how exactly the crosswalk will look.

Q. What is the status of the signal at River Road and Hacienda del Sol?

A. Developers must place a temporary traffic signal before residents will be allowed to move into the development. So far, they have not done that. Pima County will be installing a permanent light later on with this project.

Q. Picor is advertising land for sale at the northeast corner of River Road and Hacienda del Sol. Aren’t they a commercial developer – has there been a zoning change there?

A. We will have to verify that.

Q. How can residents find out if developers are putting pressure on the County to rezone?

A. When a plan is submitted which requires rezoning, it goes to a rezoning case through City or County Development Services. If it is in an historic district in the County, it is far less likely to be approved. Residents within a set number of feet are notified of the rezoning hearing. Mr. Buckley will ask Development Services about the notification procedure and if there is a website, where residents can review any plans.

Q. Other than at Hacienda del Sol, will there be permanent lights at other intersections?

A. Yes, there will be a light at Alvernon and River and at Dodge and Alvernon Way.

Q. Will the Dodge Bridge remain open across the river once this project has been completed?

A. Yes. There are no plans within this project to change the bridge.

Q. Did you say that the portion of Dodge between existing River Road and the proposed Alvernon Way will be closed?

A. Yes. The Environmental Assessment and Mitigation Report (EAMR) shows that the portion of the road between the new Alvernon Way and Dodge and River Road and Dodge, which is right in front of the JCC, will be closed to through traffic, and we will work out details with the Jewish Community Center and other owners. There will be access to the JCC northbound from Alvernon Way and southbound on Dodge from River, but you will not be able to drive through to tie into Alvernon Way easily. Bicycle paths and pedestrian paths will be made available.

The proposed closing of Dodge Boulevard between Alvernon Way and Old River Road prevents motorists from attempting to “shortcut” the new alignment and possibly causing unneeded congestion. Keeping traffic on the major roadways will be the safest and most efficient through routes in this area.

Q. With all of the new development on River Road, the noise level will be increased. Although there are no plans for noise walls now, whom can we contact about noise walls?

A. A noise mitigation study in the EAMR (posted on the Web site) indicated that rubberized asphalt would be the noise mitigation method, which would be effective and most appropriate for the historic area. The team would be happy to discuss individual property noise levels with owners. Owners are welcome to put up their own walls, if they choose.

Q. What happens if when the project is complete, noise levels are greater than projected?

A. The Noise Mitigation Regulations (NMR) are very conservative when projecting future noise levels. We used more traffic than the Pima Association of Governments (PAG) studies projected for the future designer.

Q. What is the percent of noise reduction from rubberized asphalt? Does it wear better?

A. Tests on rubberized asphalt have show that it effectively reduces roadway noise on an average from 3 to 6 dBA. Rubberized asphalt also wears better and requires less maintenance.

Public Art – River Road Project

Kathy Hoyer and Selina Littler addressed the group, noting that they received responses to the questionnaires passed out at the last CAC meeting, and incorporated them into their thinking about the project. Ms. Hoyer and Ms. Littler had a number of meetings with CAC members, the Historic Commission and with Linda Mayro from Pima County in regard to the area’s designation as a National Historic District.

Three criteria were deemed most important and woven into their concepts. The first was keeping the continuity of visual theme all along River Road, which is a serpentine flowing line and the use of river rock. The second criterion was the use of natural materials and keeping the look as natural as possible. The third was respect for the historic nature of the district.

The artists have divided the River Road project into three logical sections. The first section is the urban area from Campbell Avenue to Hacienda del Sol. The second section is the more natural desert area with bluffs and desert plant life extending east from Hacienda del Sol to the River Bend area. The third is the historic area encompassing the future River Bend Park.

Selena Littler presented the art along the first, urban section. This section will have enhanced sidewalks using ground glass and exposed aggregate in 250-foot sections. Recycled glass from Seattle in the colors of water will be used.

In the second section, where no glass is used, leaf impressions will be placed in the possibility of buff-colored concrete used for the sidewalks. The designs in the sidewalk will weave north and south along the roadway. Bluffs along the second section of the roadway will maintain their natural surfaces where cut and will be imbedded with a meandering line of river rock.

Kathy Hoyer presented the art in the third, historic section. She presented drawing concepts of split rail and stone fences with a hand crafted look, which will be interspersed along specific sections of the road in that area. Fences might be installed along curves, along the frontage road where Roger Road crosses the frontage road. The fence will rise and fall in height from short to tall and short again, varying from three to five feet high. Signage designed with river rock and metal with cutout wording and a brick lining at the top will mark the beginning and end of the historic district, followed by sections of fence. The pedestrian path along this area may be a hardened surface, but not concrete. A series of benches made from natural materials such as flagstone and dotted along the pedestrian path will have text sandblasted into the tops telling stories of the area.

Q. Are the retaining walls along the project high enough to need metal fences at the top?

A. It is not known yet if that will be the case.

The request was made to set the fence well back from the edge to be less noticeable if they are needed.

Q. What area will have sidewalks?

A. The area from Campbell Avenue to Hacienda del Sol will have sidewalks.

Q. Why would anyone want to sit on benches and watch five lanes of traffic?

A. The benches are for pedestrians to rest in the shade.

River Road Landscaping

Ted Marshall of TMHS, landscape architects for the River Road project presented plans for the area. Mr. Marshall noted that their designs were governed by the Native Plant Ordinance and followed Environmentally Sensitive Roadway (ESR) guidelines. The larger plant materials will mimic what they are replacing and follow the general pattern that the artists laid out for the three distinct areas.

From Campbell to Hacienda del Sol the plantings will include non-native Acacias, native Mesquites and Palo Verde. From Hacienda del Sol to the edge of the historic district, trees will include Foothills Palo Verde and some Mesquite. In the historic district, trees may include native Cottonwoods, Ash, Hackberry, Desert Willow, Catclaw and Whitethorn Acacia and Mesquites. Seed mixes will include native grasses, which will use sprayed irrigation in larger areas to get the seed mix started. Native shrubs will round out the plantings. The project will use reclaimed water for irrigation, and no plantings will be allowed that would require the use of ground water to be sustainable long-term. Landscaping designs will be posted on the River Bend project Web site.

Q. What will you be doing with saguaros and other large native plants that must be moved?

A. We will be salvaging and transplanting anything that has a good chance of survival.

Q. Cottonwoods are not sustainable now, so does it make sense to try to reestablish them? Wouldn’t it be better to keep the area more consistent with its evolving native plants?

A. Others have commented that they would like to have Cottonwoods (one comment concerned Harris Hawks’ need for tall trees). A similar situation exists regarding nearby historic pistachio orchards and the possibility of planting pistachio trees within the project. The County will not plant anything that cannot be maintained with available reclaimed water.

General Project Questions

Q. There are no telephone poles in sight on River Road – has the County decided to put them underground?

A. No. There is not enough money in the budget to put utilities underground. The option of forming an improvement district where property owners agree to pay for the improvement was explored, but most said it was not likely to gain enough support. To form an improvement district to put them underground, 51% of the property owners must agree to it.

Q. What is the cost to put utilities underground?

A. Pima County estimates that it would be approximately $150 per linear foot. If an improvement district were formed to pay for it, property owners would be assessed over a ten-year period for each foot of the frontage of their property.

Q. If we wish to take a survey of property owners, who should do that?

A. It might be done through an open house, or the interested parties should initiate it. Carol Anton mentioned that requests to form an improvement district must go through Pima County‘s Real Property Division She will assist anyone interested in initiating the process.

Q. Is Tucson Water still bringing water into the area referred to as desert?

A. Yes. A 12-inch water line will be installed all the way to Fort Lowell.

Q. What is the status of lights in River Bend Park?

A. There will be no lights in the park – soccer fields, but no lights. Nancy Cole noted that such lights are not allowed in an historic district.

Q. Can construction begin at Campbell and work eastward?

A. Phasing of construction is up to the contractor. The contractor will decide how best to accomplish the work. Utilities will begin moving in May or June, but actual construction is scheduled to begin in August.

Q. Will River Road be kept open during construction?

A. Yes. The concept for doing this has not been worked out yet, but all other Pima County projects have maintained at least one lane open in each direction at all times.

Q. How will the linear park be improved in the area?

A. The Department of Natural Resources will be here next Thursday to talk about that. Planning for the linear park and the River Bend Park master planning are tied together. Supervisor Ann Day will also be present at the Open House next Thursday.

Adjournment

Mr. Buckley concluded the meeting and noted that team members would be available after the meeting to speak with attendees individually. The meeting was adjourned at 7:35 p.m.