Exh 8HAGENDA ITEM #8H
NOVIr1VIBI;R 14, 2005
Memorandum -October 26.2005
From: Rick Carper, P.E., Public Works Director
To: Jim Hanson, City Manager
Subj: Plaza Road Turn out as ara Alternatee Mailbox Location
Jim, as previously discussed, construction of the 5 Points Intersection Improvements will close
the median opening previously used for a USPS Mailbox at the eastern side of the 5 Points
intersection. Coordination with the Post Office has resulted in moving the mailbox to the next
median opening to the east on Plaza Drive. Because of resident complaints, the Commission
directed the mailbox be relocated to the driveway access to the tennis court parking lot at the
south end of Russell Park (see Option 2 picture). This option included construction of a new exit
onto Seminole Road from the parking lot and marking the entrance as "One Way". This
modification was estimated to cost less than $2500.
As listed in the original Staff Report, this site has the following pro's & con's:
Advantages: Least impact to traffic patterns, easy access into and out of site, moves
traffic away from 5 Points.
Disadvantages: Less convenient for users on other legs of 5 Points, impact to parking at
Tennis Courts, could impact Parks & Recreation workers. (New: potential conflict with
Seminole Road crosswalk to Howell Park immediately north of new opening - we have
moved the access further south to minimize the is conflict).
Numerous users of the tennis courts expressed children safety concerns resulting from
increased traffic in the tennis court parking lot. Although Staff evaluates these concerns as
being exaggerated, one additional option was evaluated.
New option 4: Construction of a turn out lane along east bound Plaza Road to the east of the 5
Points Improvements (within Fraser Park) was evaluated. Assuming this would be executed as
a Change Order to the 5 Points Project, and using unit prices from the 5 Point award, this option
is estimated to cost about $10,000. In addition to new asphalt, curb & gutter changes and
modifications to the sprinkler system, this option would require removal of one Golden Rain tree
and relocation of several shrubs.
Advantages: Moves mailbox traffic away from 5 Points, minor increase in safety (over
tennis court option), easy access to site.
Disadvantages: Significant cost increase, will still have increased traffic at Plaza Road
median opening, co-location of newspaper boxes in Fraser Park (more visible than tennis court
option).
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' CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH
CITY COMMISSION MEETING
STAFF REPORT
AGENDA 1TEM #SH
NOVEMBER 14, 2005
AGENDA ITEM: Potential Relocation of the 5 Points /Plaza Road Mailbox
SUBMITTED BY: Rick Carper, P.E., Director of Public Works ~C-~--
DATE: August 25, 2005
. , BACKGROUND: Construction of the 5 Points Intersection Improvements will close
the median opening previously used for a USPS Mailbox at the eastern
' side of the 5 Points intersection. Coordination with the Post Office has
resulted in moving the mailbox to the next median opening to the east on
Plaza Drive. This location has generated complaints from a resident
because of headlights shining into their home, and is more difficult to use
. , because the on street parking allowed in that section_of Plaza results in
less room available for turning out of the median opening.
Staff has evaluated three options for Mailbox Location:
' 1. Leave the mailbox at the current location (-275 feet east of 5
Points). Modify the curb on the western side of the median opening to
improve user access by installing a cutout to lower and move the mailbox
' ~ slot closer to the road. This modification is estimated to cost less than
.. $1000.
Advantages: least cost, mailbox users already starting to get used
to new location;
' Disadvantages: increased traffic on Plaza, difficult tum from
.. median opening onto west bound Plaza, inconvenience to nearby
residents.
2. Relocate the mailbox to the driveway access to the tennis court
parking lot at the south end of Russell Park (see picture). This option
' would include construction of a new exit onto Seminole Road from the
parking lot and marking the entrance as "One Way". This modification is
estimated to cost less than $2500.
Advantages: Least impact to traffic patterns, easy access into and
out of site, moves traffic away from 5 Points;
Disadvantages: Less convenient for users on other legs of 5
Points, impact to parking at Tennis Courts, could impact Parks &
' Recreation workers.
3. Construct a new median opening just to the east of the 5 Paint
Improvements. Assuming this would be executed as a Change Order and
.. using unit prices from the 5 Point award, this option is estimated to cost at
least $9000 including removal /replacement of two existing Sabal Palms.
AGENDA ITRM #8I-i
NOVEbIBER 1Q, 2005
Advantages: Returns box to historical location, more convenient for
, , users traveling on any of 5 legs, easier turn from median opening onto
westbound Plaza because there is no on street parking at exit;
, _ Disadvantages: Reduces safety improvement resulting from
' moving the mailbox away from the 5 Points intersection, using this
location means newspaper boxes wi{I also be here, detracting from
esthetic value of improvements, most expensive option.
RECQMMENDATION: Staff recommends Option 2 be approved.
ATTACHMENTS: Sketch of Option 2
Sketch of Option 3
BUDGET: This request is not in the budget. Construction of either Option 1 or
Option 2 would be funded from the Streets & Maintenance Division
operating budget: Option 3 would be funded from the'/Z.cent Sales Tax
Fund via Change Order to the 5 Points improvements construction
contract.
REVIEWED BY CITY MANAGE `~,1-
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