Council reviews three Charles Street streetscape options, emphasizes stormwater coordination

Kimley‑Horn presented three design alternatives for Charles Street streetscape improvements: a one‑block option (north Charles between Washington and Liberty) estimated at $152,000; a two‑block option (including Congress Street) at $200,000; and a three‑block option at about $245,500, each with curbless roadway treatments, underground utility planning, expanded sidewalks and stormwater improvements.

Council members and infrastructure staff raised concerns that stormwater capacity and existing utility locations may not support assumed designs without more intensive hydraulic analysis and coordination with Greenway Engineering (the firm that prepared an earlier, system‑level stormwater study). Members asked whether ground‑penetrating radar or geotechnical investigation should precede detailed design to avoid rework during construction.

Anne Panessa (downtown business group) and other business leaders urged prioritizing the 100 blocks (north and south) that host city events and said the existing electrical infrastructure there reduces construction costs. Staff noted some construction would be phased and that additional DOT coordination, traffic studies or phasing plans may be necessary for blocks that could change lane configuration or traffic flow.

Council gave staff direction to collect follow‑up questions for Kimley‑Horn, ensure coordination with Greenway Engineering and CTUB, and to return with refined scope and options; no final funding decision was made at this meeting.

What comes next: Staff will provide responses to stormwater, geotechnical and utility coordination questions and come back with a recommended scope and potential phasing for council decision.