Council hears plan for ‘Addison Circle’ paver repairs, tree‑well refurbishments and a $300,000 long‑range assessment

Council members and staff spent substantial time July 1 on the condition of the Addison Circle District’s brick pavers, tree wells and pedestrian amenities. Becky Dimini (Director of Public Works) and Jana (parks staff) told council they propose a two‑track approach: immediate, targeted spot repairs and tree‑well refurbishments funded from the town’s self‑funded special projects and streets funds, and a consultant‑led, town‑wide condition assessment to craft a multi‑year design and construction plan.

Why it matters: the brick paving, tree wells and lighting form the public face of the Addison Circle district, an area heavy with pedestrian activity and nearby businesses. Staff said piecemeal patches have addressed urgent areas but cannot be a long‑term, durable fix—the comprehensive assessment will inventory pavement and underlying conditions, check utilities and ADA compliance, map property lines, and produce design packages to bid and construct work in phases.

What staff proposed: Becky said staff recommend an initial $200,000 spot replacement program to address trip hazards, damaged pavers and tree‑well pockets in the Addison Circle District and MAA areas, to be funded as a one‑time request in the self‑funded special projects fund. Jana described a complementary $200,000 tree‑well refurbishment package focused on Quorum Drive between Bond and Festival Way, including reworking irrigation, replacing plant material with more durable low ground covers, and addressing soil and root issues.

Long‑range assessment: staff proposed a $300,000 Pavement Rehabilitation & Beautification Assessment to survey the entire MAA/Addison Circle area, perform survey and utility locates, define ownership and maintenance responsibility (town vs. property owners/MAA), and generate phased design packages and cost estimates that could total in the multi‑millions if full reconstruction is selected. Becky said the figure was an estimate based on expected design, survey and multidisciplinary engineering and landscape services; she emphasized the assessment is intended to reduce overall design risk and give the council accurate project costs and options for phasing.

Council questions and staff responses: members asked whether MAA (the management/airport area alliance) would share costs; staff said prior conversations had occurred and the assessment would allow the town to lay out project‑by‑project costs to negotiate cost‑sharing. Councilors asked about alternatives such as stamped concrete or mixed concrete/brick approaches; staff said those options will be included in the long‑range plan and that stamped concrete may be less walkable in some locations. Questions about plant choices and dog‑use impacts elicited discussion of low, durable groundcovers (e.g., liriope/lily turf) and irrigation rework; staff noted artificial turf has underdrain and wash‑out requirements and can be smelly without proper drainage.

Timing and next steps: Becky and Jana said some immediate, small‑scope work could be contracted this year if council funds the spot repairs and tree‑well refurbishment now; the full assessment would follow and be used to set design and construction sequencing and to negotiate responsibilities and potential contributions from MAA or developers.

Ending: staff said the assessment will not itself construct work but will be the basis for later design and construction contracts and for a more detailed cost‑sharing discussion with MAA and property owners.