Title
Consider $40,000 payment to SCDOT for right of access required to construct new entrance to River Park.
Strategic Goal: Build awareness of Rock Hill's nature-based tourism opportunities
Body
Since 2005 the City has sought to relocate the entrance to River Park from Red River Road to Waterford Park Drive. The current park entrance from Quality Circle is poorly designated and provides inadequate security. In 2006 a remnant parcel was purchased along Waterford Park Drive to provide adequate frontage as well as access to city owned property where a new entrance road could be constructed. Later that same year an encroachment permit was submitted to SCDOT requesting permission to enter this property from the controlled access area of Waterford Park Drive. SCDOT responded that the City would have to purchase a deed for a break in access and by mid-2007 had completed appraisals that valued the deed at $80,000. For an extended period the City attempted to negotiate a more reasonable fee but all attempts were rejected by SCDOT citing FHWA statues. Finally, with the aid of Senator Wes Hayes, SCDOT agreed to recommend a reduced fee. With the concurrence of the FHWA the agreed upon fee is $40,000.
With the break in access secured, the City can move forward with design of the new entrance. The scope of the project will include turning lanes from Waterford Park Drive, 1500 feet of gravel road connecting to the existing River Park access road, a 10 foot wide walking trail, a security gate, fencing, signage, and landscaping. A construction contract for these improvements will likely be brought to council for consideration in November, 2010. The source of construction funds will be a combination of RR TIF and Hospitality Tax revenues.
Staff recommends that council approve the purchase of a break in access deed from SCDOT/FHWA in the amount of $40,000.
The source of funds for the deed will be the Red River TIF. Because this entrance will eventually serve property owned...
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