Greetings neighbors,
We hope this message finds you safe and well. Below are the latest updates on our progress at "The Emery".
OFFSITE WORK:
Power Connection Work:
We anticipate a power interruption when we connect our permanent power to the site; estimated early September 2021. We will continue to request clearer communication and more careful planning by PG&E for future planned outages that affect the neighborhood.
Street Tree removal on West side of Horton Street:
Yesterday our contractors removed the existing street trees from the West side of Horton Street between Sherwin Avenue and 46th Street after receiving an order from the City Public Works Department on 6/16/21 that deemed them "nuisance" trees as defined by the City's Urban Forestry Ordinance. Our understanding is that the City made this determination given the extensive damage the trees had already caused to existing infrastructure and the potential safety hazards they would cause for pedestrians, cyclists, motorists and the construction personnel during construction when their roots were cut and the trees destabilized. It is our understand that the City was concerned that should the compromised trees survive construction they could also cause future damage and safety hazards to new infrastructure (curbs, gutters, sidewalks, bike lane, power line undergrounding, etc.)
This tree removal order followed a City Council meeting on 6/15/21 where after lengthy and thoughtful discussion it was decided that these trees (previously ordered to be preserved) would be in direct conflict with the new infrastructure improvements and that despite best efforts to preserve the trees they would likely not survive the impacts from construction work.
LMC had recommended and requested this determination from the City after our engineers and consultants conducted a lengthy investigation of the tree roots and infrastructure needs for this area over the past several weeks after removing the sidewalks. LMC will be responsible for planting new trees on Horton Street with deep structural soil that will allow roots to grow appropriately and without damage to future infrastructure. At the Council meeting LMC also agreed to plant 5 new trees on Park Avenue where there are empty tree wells in an effort to help improve the neighborhood's forest canopy.
While the loss of mature trees is never our preference if it can be avoided we strongly support the City's decision for Horton Street given the constraints and are confident the neighborhood's residents pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists will benefit in the long run from new undisturbed infrastructure and healthy new trees.
Joint Trench Undergrounding Work on Horton Street:
The Joint Trench (power and telecom utility trenching) work on Horton Street will began on 6/14/21. Please be aware that extensive traffic controls will be in place during this work and it will take approximately 8 - 12 weeks to complete between 46th street and Park Avenue. There will be saw cutting, heavy machinery excavation work, increased truck traffic for soil off haul, etc. occurring during working hours, generally 7am - 6pm each day.
Sherwin Avenue Sidewalk Construction:
Sidewalks are under active construction on the North side of Sherwin, please be aware of extra traffic controls in this area.
Once this work is complete we will be shifting sidewalk construction to the South side of Sherwin, east of Hubbard. This work will probably start in 4-6 weeks.
45th & Hollis Intersection:
One of the improvements we are constructing as part of the development is a traffic signal at 45th and Hollis. That work is under way now and will take place in stages over a few months. Please look out for traffic controls in that area temporarily. We have worked with shuttle providers to temporarily relocate their pick up locations.
ON SITE WORK:
Building B1 stucco/plaster/ brick installation ongoing. Drywall has started to be placed inside the building.
Building B2 Window installation is in progress. Mechanical trades are working inside the garage and the wood frame structures. Drywall installation inside the building is underway.
Building D Wood framing is in progress. Fire Sprinkler and plumbing installation continuing.
Building C Wood Framing work is now in progress.
Have a safe week and we will be in touch with additional updates as the work progresses.