BACKGROUND:

Staff and the County’s consultant are prepared to begin the development of detailed design plans for the Crozet Streetscape Phase 2 improvements to Crozet Avenue, which include a new stormwater drainage system that will serve as the main “trunk” line for the Downtown Crozet area.  The project is planned to be bid this winter and construction to begin in spring 2009.  In a separate project, VDOT is planning improvements to Jarmans Gap Road.  VDOT will begin the right-of-way acquisitions later this summer and anticipates that acquisitions will take 14 to 16 months.  The new drainage system for the Streetscape project is dependent upon completion of the new Jarmans Gap Road drainage system to convey stormwater from Crozet Avenue to the outfall across from Carter Street.  With VDOT’s expected construction date of 2010, the new Jarman’s Gap Road drainage system will not be completed before the Streetscape project is ready to connect to the system.  To delay the Streetscape construction to coincide with the Jarmans Gap Road improvements could result in escalation of the construction cost.  To move forward with the Streetscape project without permanent drainage improvements would require a temporary drainage system, at increased design/construction cost to the County.

STRATEGIC PLAN:

Goal 1:  Enhance the Quality of Life for all County Residents.

Goal 3:  Develop Policies and Infrastructure Improvements to Address the County’s Growing Needs.

DISCUSSION:

After discussion among staff, the County’s consultant, and VDOT representatives, the parties agreed in principle to a solution in the best interest of both projects: VDOT would break out the first block of its Jarmans Gap Road project (Crozet Avenue to Carter Street), advance the right-of-way and easement acquisition, and then turn the project over to the County to construct the road and drainage improvements in that block concurrently with the Crozet Streetscape project.  VDOT would provide funding to the County in an amount that is adequate to construct the improvements according to the approved VDOT plan.  The County and VDOT are working to develop a proposed Memorandum of Agreement for execution by the County Executive that will specify the funding and other details of this cooperative effort. 

BUDGET IMPACT:

No budgetary impact is expected.  Under the Agreement an initial increase in the County consultant’s design fee will be necessary to modify VDOT’s drainage system design plans; however, staff expects this cost will be offset by construction cost reductions resulting from the County’s modifications. 

RECOMMENDATIONS:

Staff recommends that the Board of Supervisors authorize the County Executive to execute a Memorandum of Agreement with VDOT, in a form approved by the County Attorney, authorizing the County to construct the VDOT road and drainage improvements along Jarmans Gap Road east of Carter Street in conjunction with the Crozet Streetscape Phase 2 improvements.

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