City wins Metroplan design funds for Canis and Bowman Road phases; larger right-of-way request follows
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Summary
City staff said Metroplan awarded design funding for the next Canis Road phase and for a Bowman Road segment; staff will return seeking right-of-way and construction funding after design and property appraisals.
Little Rock staff told the Board of Directors on July 29 that Metroplan has awarded design funding for the next phases of two city road projects: Canis Road (westward from Gamble Road toward Cooper Orbit Road) and a Bowman Road phase that runs south from Cherry Laurel. The awards cover design work only; staff said additional funding requests for right-of-way acquisition and construction will follow once final designs are complete.
Why it matters: the Metroplan awards cover engineering and design steps necessary to advance projects that affect Ward 6 neighborhoods. Staff described a request for $400,000 in Metroplan funds for Canis Road design with a $100,000 city match and a larger right-of-way request for Bowman Road that would cover property acquisitions and utility accommodations. For Bowman Road, staff said they had requested $2.8 million with a $700,000 city match, producing a right-of-way funding total of about $3.5 million.
Staff said Michael Baker, a consultant, completed the initial design work on the first phase; the same firm will do the new phase design. Board members raised neighborhood concerns about roundabout placement near Brody Creek and effects on landscaping and a pond; staff said the roundabout location was adjusted after a second neighborhood meeting to reduce impacts on existing medians and landscaping and that staff can provide additional updates.
Board members asked whether the design awards build the roads; staff stressed they fund design only and that separate funding for right-of-way acquisition and construction will be requested after design is complete. Staff said that federal funds cover parts of the projects and that right-of-way purchases will involve acquisition of properties of significant value in some locations.
No formal vote was taken on the grants at the agenda meeting; staff said the items were informational and tied to upcoming consent agenda items for formal action.