Title
Acquisition of Real Property and Related Easements and Licenses for the Capitol Extension (CAPEX) Light Rail Project (Ordinance S-51963) - District 7
Description
Request to authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to acquire all real property and related property interests through either: (1) donation, (2) purchase within the City's appraised value, (3) purchase at a settlement amount arrived through mediation and determined by the City Manager or his designee to be reasonable under the circumstances, or (4) eminent domain, for the CAPEX, and to provide relocation assistance and benefits as federally mandated. Further request authorization to dedicate land with roadway and/or public improvements to public use for right-of-way or utility purposes via separate recording instruments, accept and grant all easements along the alignments, and execute all necessary licenses and agreements in furtherance of this ordinance. Further request authorization for the City Controller to disburse, and for the City Treasurer to accept, all funds related to this item.
Further request the City Council to grant an exception pursuant to Phoenix City Code § 42-20 to authorize inclusion of indemnification and assumption of liability provisions that otherwise would be prohibited by Phoenix City Code § 42-18 within the documents for those transactions between the City and other government agencies.
Report
Summary
The City will acquire real property; dedicate rights-of-way; accept, dedicate, and grant easements; and execute real property licenses and agreements necessary for the construction of public improvements based on design plans for CAPEX. Improvements include: rail, stations, curbing, gutter, sidewalks, landscape, and other infrastructure required to accommodate the project. The City will also provide relocation assistance and benefits as mandated for federal and federally-assisted programs under the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Act (Uniform Act).
CAPEX is a 1.6-mile single-track loop (0.8-mile extension) that will connect with the existing Valley Metro Rail system in downtown Phoenix to the Arizona State Capitol. This extension is a critical component of the long-term plan to extend light rail transit along Interstate 10 West. The CAPEX project will also connect several state, regional, and local agencies, as well as community partners. The improvements include 1.6 miles of track, two stations, one traction power substation, one signal building, and public art elements. The properties impacted by CAPEX are identified in Attachment A, based on the current level of design. This list will be refined as the final design is advanced.
Financial Impact
CAPEX is funded with federal, regional, and T2050 funding. Funds are available in the Public Transit Department's Capital Improvement Program budget.
Location
CAPEX is located along Washington and Jefferson streets, between 3rd and 15th avenues.
Council District: 7
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Mario Paniagua and the Public Transit and Finance departments.