Res 1996-070 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

qq;¡ vTI. PROJECT DESCRIPTION. Imagine an entire community, the center of transportation for the county linked together by a pedestrian!bicycle trail network. Trails that families can access directly trom their homes;-that wind through parklands to the center of downto""TI, the library, city hall, the activity center and churches and retail areas; that winds through parkland, along and across a lovely river past wildlife habitats, and significant archaeological sites; that features a river and endangered species oriented education and interpretation center with plenty of parking for visitors arriving trom the adjacent rH35. Implementation of this proposal will make such a vision a reality for the City of San Marcos. This project has two primary features. The first provides a system of hike and bike trails and pedestrian waIk>vays for intra-city transportation and recreation that unifies all modes of transportation: Automobile, trolley and train. The trails will connect several neighborhoods, including those of low & moderate income, to shopping, Courthouse Square, and other city facilities. Downtown walk-way improvements, in addition to being safer and more inviting to users, will enbance the historic integrity of the Square. The second feature is construction of a river education and interpretation center (Ere) at - TH35, the "Gateway" and a focal point of the hike and bike system. This project includes the stabilization of buildings along San Antonio Street, part of the historic downtown district in 1 Marcos by mitigating highway runofftrom Hopkins Street (Ranch Road 12) on the north side of the "square." Due to . excessive layers of asphalt on Ranch Road 12, highway runoff is being diverted toward the courthouse property, a previously selected enhancement project, and destroying the structural integrity of foundation and bearing walls of some structures on courthouse square. In addition, the City of San Marcos has built small asphalt berms in tront of the downtown businesses to keep them trom being flooded during seasonal rains. The basements of several businesses are 1Ulusable due to street flooding and structural damage is occuning to the bearing walls of these structures. The untreated runoff is diverted directly into the San Marcos River through the storm drain system. This project ""ill reduce the pollutants that go into the river. Trail Links: Along its length the Hike and Bike Linked City-Wide Intermodal Transportation System directly impacted by this proposal will extend trom IH35 for 2.6 .Ian to the boundary with Sewell Park and Aquarena, headwaters of the San Marcos River. In width it extends trom Guadalupe Street on the west to Riverside St. on the east. Of 5 km of existing trails, 1.52 m. require restoration or upgrading (erosion control, bridge replacement or step removal.. The proposed linkages and trail enhancements will tie the existing trails together to provide a total of nearly 8.85 lm1 ofbeautiful trails and walk-ways usable as a safe, auto-tree alternative transportation route within the city. The longest new section of trail will link neighborhoods and the proposed Mercado area to the central trail system. The second longest new section will link three densely populated neighborhoods and connect directly to the Education and Interpretation Center. One new trail link connects with the Al\1TRAK station. Two existing foot bridges will be replaced. Two new trail access parking areas are planned. The larger one at the apex of the Ramon Lucio Little League Field will also serve as a commuter parking lot which will maximize its weekday use and promote carpooling, thereby reducing pollution. Additional bike racks ""ill be installed at this site. The second parking lot will be at a major trail and river access point, near the Rio Vista Dam and picnic area on the Southeast side of Cheatham/Houston Street. Included in the \va1l-...vay connectors to downtown are tVlO sections of two blocks each which will have sidt::waL~ landscapitig and lighting enhancements (underground wiring) \'Yillli.!k the parklailds to ..' 'VTItown and SWTSU (23,000 students). The results ofengineerù;1g studies will determine whether one of the links is E. 1 pkins or San l\.ntonio Street. These enhancements ""ill provide convenient entry points to the river and trails without to ceasing traffic or parking pressure on the city center. The South side of Hopkins St. on the square will be the site of the central tenninus for the city-wide trolley system. River Education and Interpretation Center: The ErC is envisioned as: 1. an education and resource center for enriching the experience of trail and the river use. Tour and display emphasis will be placed on the uniqueness of the San Marcos River \vith special emphasis on the numerous indigenous threatened or endangered species. 2. a point of origin for tours of the wildlife and natural areas of the parkland. 3. an entry point with convenient parking for vi~itors accessing what ""ill ultimately be a network of trails extending throughout Hays County. The 30x90 foot 1940 era greenhouse-style building that will house the facility once stood on the grounds of the governor's mansion. It was donated to the city by a non-profit org3.IÙzation.. Although the building has an historically interesting past and evokes the mood of another time, for the purposes of this proposal it will not be designated an historic property. Visible and accessible ITom IH35 it will directly enhance the travel experience of casual as well as resident-stay visitors. The building and parking area will be attractively landscaped. Design and construction of trails, bridges and parking areas will be performed by Parks and Recreation staff. Site, architectural and ErC work \vill be bid and built to comply with city, state and federal policies. The work to be performed with TxDOT Statewide Enbancement Program funds includes, but is not linúted to the following: bridge & architectural design, parking lot design, sidewalk construction., bidding, directional/interpretive signage, contracting/negotiation., trail construction, bridge construction, landscaping/xeriscape, drainage and sewer improvements, and lighting installation. Statewide Transportation Enhancement Program 'Page B4