Sponsor
Alderman Jones
Title
College Avenue from 14th Street to Dekoven Avenue - Guidance for its Maintenance, Repair, Restoration and Preservation
WHEREAS, as part of the October 18, 1977 entry on the National Register of Historic Places of the Southside Historic District, in the district’s description, College Avenue has been described as a contributing factor as “Shaded by large trees… The street pavement between Fourteenth and DeKoven is red brick with granite curbs. It dates to 1897 and is one of two remaining brick pavements left in the city…”, and
WHEREAS, Resolution No. 8861 of June 7, 1983 provided instruction to the Commissioner of Public Works regarding the maintenance of College Avenue between 14th Street and DeKoven Avenue by stating the street is to be “maintained in its present condition with brick pavement and he be authorized to replace the limestone curbs with concrete curb segments on an as-needed basis”, and
WHEREAS, over the years and into the future, certain projects arise which can pose detrimental impact on the nature and character of College Avenue as described on the October 18, 1977 entry on the National Register of Historic Places, and
WHEREAS, on November 14, 2016 the City of Racine Landmarks Preservation Commission conducted a public hearing under the authority of Racine Municipal Code Chapter 58, Section 80 to deliberate on a request to designate College Avenue, from 14th Street to DeKoven Avenue a historical artifact, and
WHEREAS, on March 13, 2017 the City of Racine Landmarks Preservation Commission recommended that this resolution be adopted to replace Resolution No. 8816 of June 7, 1983, and
WHEREAS, the purpose of a new resolution is to allow a flexible yet more defined vehicle that reflects the concerns and responsibility of the City, given limited resources, to provide a safe and passable public thoroughfare in a cost effective manner, to foster adequate utility services, and to effect timely repairs to the same, balanced with the concerns of impacted College Avenue residents and property owners pertaining to retaining historic scale and texture, protecting an aesthetic streetscape, maintaining a sense of neighborhood, and providing good stewardship of an irreplaceable window on the Victorian era of the City of Racine and the Nation.
THEREFORE, IT IS RESOLVED, that the brick pavement on College Avenue between 14th Street and DeKoven Avenue not be designated a historical artifact, but, rather, the protection of this section of College Avenue be guided through this resolution.
FURTHER, for purposes of this resolution, the term “College Avenue” includes the lands, and public and utility improvements and appurtenances, above and below grade, between the east and west right-of way lines of College Avenue, between the south right-of-way line of 14th Street and the north right-of-way line of DeKoven Avenue. Lands between the north and south right-of-way lines of 16th Street, 17th Street, and 18th Street shall not be included in the description of College Avenue.
FURTHER RESOLVED, that all repair, replacement and improvement work impacting the pavement or public and private infrastructure within the College Avenue right-of-way shall be executed in a manner that results in a streetscape appearance that is not injurious to the historic character and period described in the National Register of Historic Places Inventory nomination form for the Southside Historic District as entered on the National Register of Historic Places, October 18, 1977, in that:
1. CONSULTATION: The City of Racine, as a Certified Local Government, through the City of Racine Landmarks Preservation Commission and Racine Municipal Code Sec. 58-27 shall consult with the Common Council, Plan Commission and other agencies and departments of government with regard to such matters as may be appropriate with respect to the historic district and the landmarks, sites and characteristics therein.
2. EMERGENCIES: In the event of the emergency repair, removal or replacement of pavement, curbing, street trees, lighting and utilities, such work shall be finished in a manner consistent with this resolution.
3. FUNDING: Repair, replacement and improvement activities shall be conducted in a fiscally responsible manner taking into account cost in excess of standard roadway treatments and planned capital outlays, and viable methods to address anticipated funding shortfalls. Such methods may be, but are not limited to: (a) establishment of a special assessment district as authorized by State Statute 66.62 or 66.0703, or neighborhood improvement district as authorized by State Statute 66.1110, (b) federal, state, local and foundation grants and loans, (c) other funding sources that may become available, (d) funding set-aside in capital improvement budget, when appropriate, that is representative of the estimated cost of a standard street replacement project and the additional costs associated with a historic street cross section being assessed to abutting property owners.
4. PAVEMENT: The Department of Public Works shall include a clause in all street reconstruction contracts stating that the City of Racine shall be notified when brick and stone pavers are uncovered, and the City of Racine reserves its right of refusal in retaining ownership of said pavers for future use by the City of Racine. Pavers deemed by the City of Racine to be desirable and/or salvageable shall be transported, in amounts determined by the City of Racine to be adequate in order to maintain an appropriate reserve, to a Department of Public Works yard for stockpiling for future brick street repair and replacement projects.
5. CURBING: Cultured stone or concrete slabs are an acceptable alternative if fabricated in a manner that reflects the color and dimension of the limestone curbing, and is consistent with the cross-sectional detail prepared by The City of Racine-Department of Public Works and dated April 20, 1983.
6. STREET TREES: Every practicable effort shall made to maintain a safe and existing mature tree canopy within the public right-of-way. In general, tree maintenance and replacement activities shall be conducted in accordance with Racine Municipal Code Chapter 102. Replacement trees shall be selected for qualities which, at mature growth, approximate the mass and shading of the existing mature tree population. When possible and practicable, species selected may be similar to those which may have been available between the years of 1897 and 1927. Replacement trees may be planted as “bare root” and having a minimum trunk caliber of 1 ½ inches as measured 6 inches from the tree base.
7. STREET LIGHTING: Existing light poles, bases and fixture installations shall continue to be repaired and replaced in a manner consistent with or complimentary to the period being emphasized by the Southside Historic District. All projects shall be conducted in a manner consistent with City of Racine Municipal Code Section 82-41 Ornamental lighting.
8. UTILITIES: Public and private utility work shall be concluded with the restoration of a finished surface that restores the appearance, texture, color and pattern of the area disturbed by such work. Such work shall be conducted in a manner that protects, to a reasonable extent, those areas on the periphery of the work site.
9. PERMITTING: For all permits for activities which may impact the condition of the existing surface improvements of College Avenue as defined in “FURTHER” above, at the time of permitting the permit holder shall receive notice of the street restoration specification applicable to the 1400 through 1800 blocks of College Avenue.
Fiscal Note: N/A