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CC - ACTION ITEM: Discussion and Direction Regarding (1) a Potential New Bicycle and Pedestrian Ramp and Pathway Connecting Ince Boulevard to Ballona Creek; and (2) a Potential New Bicycle and Pedestrian Bridge across Ballona Creek Connecting Jefferson Boulevard to Ince Boulevard.
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Meeting Date: August 12, 2024
Contact Person/Dept.: Mate Gaspar/Public Works Department
Christopher Evans/Public Works Department
Phone Number: (310) 253-5602
(310) 253-5621
Fiscal Impact: Yes [X] No [ ] General Fund: Yes [ ] No [X]
Attachments: Yes [X] No [ ]
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - City Council (08/07/2024)
Department Approval: Yanni Demitri, Public Works Director/City Engineer (07/18/2024)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council discuss and provide direction regarding (1) a potential new bicycle and pedestrian ramp and pathway connecting Ince Boulevard to Ballona Creek; and (2) a potential new bicycle and pedestrian bridge across Ballona Creek connecting Jefferson Boulevard to Ince Boulevard.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION:
The City Council directed staff to prepare an agenda item to discuss and provide direction for a potential bicycle and pedestrian ramp and pathway connecting Ince Boulevard to Ballona Creek and a bicycle and pedestrian bridge across Ballona Creek to connect to Jefferson Boulevard and Ince Boulevard.
Staff reviewed the matter and is providing the following information for discussion purposes.
Potential new bicycle and pedestrian ramp and pathway connecting Ince Boulevard to Ballona Creek
• For the public to reach Ince Boulevard, an easement across the private property located at 8680 Hayden Place would need to be executed. The cost of the easement agreement would be determined through negotiation with the property owner. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Works would have to be included in the easement agreement so that they could access the new gate at Ballona Creek and lock it before major storm events.
• The Army Corps of Engineers and Los Angeles County Department of Public Works would require the City to complete a list of pre-application studies and deliverables for a proposed bicycle and pedestrian ramp from Ballona Creek to the property at 8680 Hayden Place.
• Upon completing the pre-application studies and checklist, the City could submit a formal application for a bicycle and pedestrian ramp project into Ballona Creek. By comparison or reference, the permitting process for the recently completed bicycle and pedestrian ramp at Higuera Bridge to Ballona Creek took about two years.
Potential bicycle and pedestrian bridge over Ballona Creek connecting Jefferson Boulevard to Ince Boulevard.
• A proposed non-vehicular bridge across the Ballona Creek Channel to connect Ince Boulevard and Jefferson Boulevard would require public access through two private properties. The only private property northwest of Ballona Creek to connect to Ince Boulevard is located at 8680 Hayden Place (same property for the potential ramp). To connect to Jefferson Boulevard, there are several potential private property sites. If the City Council is interested in pursuing a potential bridge, it is recommended that the City first contact the property owners along Jefferson Boulevard and hopefully find one that would not only agree to such a project but contribute funding for its design and construction and provide a required public access easement. The estimated total budget to build a bridge across Ballona Creek is about $6 million. If a property owner is found and onboard, a preliminary study would then be the next step.
• The Army Corps of Engineers and Los Angeles County Department of Public Works would require the City to complete a list of pre-application studies and deliverables for a proposed bicycle and pedestrian bridge over the limits of Ballona Creek Channel.
• Upon completing the pre-application studies and checklist, the City could then submit a formal application for a bicycle and pedestrian bridge over the Ballona Creek Channel. By comparison or reference, the permitting process for the recently completed bicycle and pedestrian ramp at Higuera Bridge to Ballona Creek took about two years.
If the City Council would like to proceed with either or both of these projects, staff would recommend the City Council direct staff to prepare a Request for Proposal (RFP) for a feasibility and cost study detailing the scope of work, including the location and dimensions of the required private property easement, costs for permitting engineering studies and construction and a timeline to complete the specific project. The cost to conduct such studies is estimated to be about $100,000 for the potential ramp and another $100,000 for the potential bridge. It would require the four-fifths approval of a budget amendment appropriating the funds from the General Fund Unassigned Balance. This budget amendment would need to be brought to the City Council at a future meeting. Staff also recommends that the Rancho Higuera Neighborhood Association, residents on Ince Boulevard, and businesses on Jefferson Boulevard be notified of this possible future meeting.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
There is no fiscal impact to discussing this issue. The fiscal impact will depend on the direction given by the City Council.
ATTACHMENTS
1. 2024-08-12-CC-ATT-Map-Ramp/Pathway-BallonaCreek-8680Hayden-Ince.pdf
Map of potential bicycle and pedestrian ramp from Ballona Creek to the property at 8680 Hayden Place and pathway to Ince Boulevard.
2. 2024-08-12-CC-ATT-Map-BallonaCreek-PedestrianBridge.pdf
Map of potential bicycle and pedestrian bridge across Ballona Creek from Jefferson Boulevard to Ince Boulevard.
MOTIONS
That the City Council:
Discuss and provide direction to the City Manager regarding (1) a potential new bicycle and pedestrian ramp and pathway connecting Ince Boulevard to Ballona Creek; and (2) a potential new bicycle and pedestrian bridge across Ballona Creek connecting Jefferson Boulevard to Ince Boulevard.