The Town Council met for a special session on March 7 to discuss a plan for an observation platform at Fountain Park and lighting upgrades for Avenue of the Fountains.

Council members conceded the ideas were “cool” but also agreed that it is probably not prudent for the council to be discussing capital improvements totaling well over $2 million that are not necessary.

Staff was following up on earlier council direction to find ways to improve pedestrian safety and access into Fountain Park along Saguaro Boulevard at the east end of Avenue of the Fountains. Council direction was needed for staff to prepare a presentation on the overall Capital Improvement Plan at a special meeting that took place Tuesday this week.

Consulting engineers with Kimley-Horn came up with a concept for an observation platform stretching 260 feet along Saguaro Boulevard and reaching 60 feet at its farthest point into the park.

An ADA compliant sidewalk would run separate from the existing walkway north from the platform, gradually easing along the sloping terrain. It would loop around the drainage structure near Parkview Avenue, continue out into the park and connect with the existing lake perimeter walkway.

Jeff Kratzke with Kimley-Horn said the observation platform would provide a safe pedestrian overlook for Fountain Lake and distant mountains. The walkway would provide access for people of all abilities into the park from the Avenue area.

The slope down from Saguaro Boulevard and drainage channel in the park make access in the area by the handicapped all but impossible.

Councilman Alan Magazine called it a “beautiful concept” and significant addition to the town.

“But this is a ‘nice to have’ and not a necessity,” Magazine said. “This is a Cadillac approach and we may very well want to go to the public to ask for a (property tax). The optics could not be worse.

“I cannot agree to this type of plan at this time.”

Other council members expressed similar apprehension to the overall plan.

Mayor Linda Kavanagh asked whether or not Kimley-Horn could quickly provide an estimate for a simpler ADA compliant walkway into the park from along Saguaro, possibly near Parkview Avenue.

Public Works Director Paul Mood said the terrain makes it very difficult to meet the ADA slope requirements. He also noted crosswalks on Saguaro at Parkview would be needed as well as the curb cut and access to the sidewalk from the street. He said he would get the figures, however.

Avenue lighting

Ideas to enhance the lighting along the Avenue of the Fountains were also discussed at the session.

Kimley-Horn also did the consulting work on this proposal with Michael Colombo presenting.

This project stems from a number of residents suggesting that the tree wrapping at the holidays be maintained throughout the year, as well as technical issues with the holiday lights that need to be corrected.

Colombo had three concepts to suggest with a fourth as an alternate to one of the main ideas.

One concept would wrap the palm and Palo Verde trees on either side of the Avenue with LED light strings. The alternate to that would also wrap trees in the center plaza with lights.

The second idea would require the installation of poles along the median on either side and stretch strings of LED lights zig-zagging across the roadway.

The third idea is the installation of an entry arch across the plaza at either end of the Avenue, with added lighting.

Over the holidays there were issues with the light strings failing due to conventional bulb failure and issues with out-of-sync timing devices. This past season the problems were exacerbated by wet weather.

Colombo said the tree wraps with LED lighting and the infrastructure corrections could be accomplished with about $310,000.

Staff was asked to refine numbers replacing the $25,000 annually for leasing the holiday light installation and replacing with a permanent, more durable option, as well as updating equipment with new timers or photo cells for automatic operation.

Councilman Art Tolis suggested working with local electrical contractors for design or consulting assistance.