As a part of the Collin County Regional Trail Plan and The City of Allen Trails and Bikeways Master Plan, the Rowlett Trail Extension - South Section project will add new trail and close trail gaps along the Rowlett Trail Corridor, and connect to Watters Trail. The Trails and Bikeways Master Plan (pg. 41) highlights important priorities over the next 5-10 years and the top two priorities are: 1) reducing or eliminating key gaps; and, 2) developing 1-2 long distance, continuous major trail routes. This South Section is the first step in completing both priorities for the Rowlett Trail Corridor which is one of the city's four primary greenbelt trails.  This project will also provide interjurisdictional trail connectivity between the Cities of Allen and Plano on the west side of of US Hwy 75.

In December of 2020, the Purchasing Division issued a Request for Qualifications for various Professional Services for Parks and Recreation Capital Improvement Projects.  On January 30, 2021, forty-three (43) vendors responded the this RFQ  and Arredondo, Zepede & Brunz, LLC, is among firms that are pre-qualified for two categories; Civil Engineering and Drainage Facilities, and Hydraulics & Hydrology / Floodplain Engineering.

Arredondo, Zepeda & Brunz, LLC, (AZB) will be responsible for geotechnical services, the surveying of all trail construction areas, gathering of data for planimetric, topography, cross-sections, and other related site features to ensure accurate engineering and design for no impact on the floodplain elevations, utilities, drainage, structural design for bridge setting and other structures, trail alignment and to minimize construction impact on the Rowlett Creek forest.  AZB will also conduct an environmental investigation and prepare an environmental impact statement for use in the design work. Due to the location within the floodplain, hydrological concerns will require a detailed study.  The trail will extend approximately 0.42 miles and include a new 14' wide prefabricated bridge approximately 70' in length. Several low water crossing structures will be designed to prevent and divert water and debris from the trail.

Funds for this design in the amount of $231,458 are a combination of developer fees and Allen Community Development Corporation dollars identified in the Parks and Recreation CIP Project PR1806. These funds cover this design contract of $210,416 and additionally provide for a 10% contingency of $21,042 to establish the project budget.

 The section of this trail project west of the proposed pedestrian bridge, was due to be built by the developer of the Montgomery Ridge Phase 2 residential subdivision in 2018-2019; however, at that time, the NTMWD was planning a large sewer project along Rowlett Creek at this location. In lieu of building the trail and knowing it would be damaged by the NTMWD project, the developer Ashton Dallas Residential, provided the city with trail funding in the amount of $164,475 to construct trail adjacent to the subdivision upon completion of the NTMWD project. 

This contract is strictly for design of  trail. The city will construct the trail at a later date through a separate construction contract.

Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to execute a contract with Arredondo Zepeda & Brunz, LLC, for design of the Rowlett Trail Extension - South Section in the amount of $210,416. 

I make a motion to authorize the City Manager to execute a contract with Arredondo Zepeda & Brunz, LLC, for the design of the Rowlett Trail Extension-South Section in the amount of $210,416.