Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Mount Adams overlook would cost $1.32M

A new public viewing overlook at the corner of Carney and Pavilion streets in Mount Adams would cost $1.32 million to build, according to a recent memo to City Council from Department of Transportation and Engineering Director Michael Moore.

The memo is in response to a January motion by Councilmember Chris Seelbach – signed by Vice Mayor Roxanne Qualls and councilmembers Laure Quinlivan, Yvette Simpson, and Wendell Young – directing City administration to study the feasibility of building the project on the unused City right-of-way.

In the memo, Moore said that the project is "fraught with complexity and potential risk of hillside movement".

"Constructed in 1916, the existing Carney Street retaining wall utilizes an extremely unique wall construction form that is, unfortunately, unable to be used to support the proposed overlook," he said. "A new overlook will need to be constructed independently of the existing wall."

Moore said that a new wall could be constructed in front of the existing wall, which could then support an overlook approximately 220 feet in length and 10 feet in width.

"It may be possible to reduce the scope of the new retaining wall after a thorough investigation and testing of the existing wall, and after review of the scope and size of the viewing platform with the neighborhood and stakeholders," he said.

The cost estimate includes pedestrian lighting and decorative railings, but does not include special paving, finishes, or signage.

No funding has been identified for the project.

The Mount Adams Community Urban Redevelopment Corporation proposed the public overlook back in 2004, but subsequent community fundraising efforts have been unsuccessful.

Previous reading on BC:
Hillside planning 'underway' (7/29/08)
Dohoney reports on next steps of scenic view study (6/26/08)
Gorman: City needs 'hillside charrette' to connect OTR, Uptown (6/24/08)
Random project photos, 11/20/07 (11/28/07)
Random project photos, 11/20/07 (11/28/07)