Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Public Works

 

TO:

David L. Corliss, City Manager

FROM:

Charles F. Soules, Director of Public Works

CC:

Diane Stoddard, Casey Toomay, Brandon McGuire, Mark Thiel, Scott McCullough, David Cronin, Philip Ciesielski

DATE:

August 11, 2014

RE:

Infrastructure/BD; Westar Substation

City Commission Agenda Item for August 19, 2014

 

Background

Ø  September 2010 the City took ownership of the former Farmland Industries nitrogen fertilizer production plant on Highway K-10

 

Ø  2011 the City began demolition of the abandoned structures on the site removing over 1600 tons of scrap metals

 

Ø  February 2012 the City contracted with Bartlett & West Engineers to develop a masterplan and infrastructure plans for the future industrial land use of the property

 

Ø  May 2012 the City held meetings with neighbors and businesses to discuss the concept plan

 

Ø  December 18, 2012 the City Commission approved the final plat

 

Ø  December 11, 2012 the City Commission awarded the intersection improvements at O’Connell and K-10 including signalization and turn lanes into the Farmland site

 

Ø  April 2013 awarded infrastructure bid

 

Project Status

Westar has constructed a new substation to accommodate the VenturePark entrance and improve the overall aesthetics of the property at a cost of approximately $20 million and will begin demolition of the old substation after the first of the year (see attached photos).  New transmission (steel pole) and distribution (wood pole) lines are also being installed from the new substation to 23rd Street/K-10.  The attached photos are what they would look like with the two systems side by side.  The City and Westar have discussed placing the distribution lines (wood pole in photo) underground for improved visual aesthetics and reduced electric line clutter.  The cost to place the lines underground is approximately $250,000 for the distribution line (yellow line on map).  The City and Westar are in agreement that the City would pay $100,000 and Westar would incur the balance.  The City’s share could be paid for from the benefit district for infrastructure. 

 

Streets, sidewalks, water and sewer should be complete by mid-September.  Landscaping continues to progress.  Drainage improvements are to be bid in next few weeks for regional detention.   

 

Action

Authorize Westar to construct an underground electric distribution line at VenturePark.  The City expense will be $100,000 to be paid within the benefit district.

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

Charles F. Soules, P.E.

Director of Public Works

 

CFS/ch