HomeMy WebLinkAbout1987-08-24 87-320 ORDER87-320
Introduced by Councilor Tilley, August 24, 1987
pp
CITY OF BANGOR
(TITLE.) @rbbtrr Accepting.City Englneer'sRego t Discontinuance.,
of a Portion of French Street
By the oft Commvd ofdw City ofBanoot:
08DEMt
THAT the attached report of the City Engineer relative to
the discontinuance of a portion of French Street, beginning. 105 feet
north of Congress Street and extending in a northerly direction
for a distance of 610 feet, be and hereby is accepted.
AND, BE IT FURTHER ORDERED THAT, said portion of French Street
be discontinued as a public way and removed from the Official City Map.
8]-320
4{
ORDER
In .City Council August 24,, 8]itle,
Passed 1IJJ
Accepting City engineer's report
Councilors Frankel& Lebo14z """"."""" ""
excused from voting discontinuance of 'A_portion of
••••••
French Street
Introduced
/) and filed by
City Cie ...
uneilman
Ra—
s2Y 7
August 24, 1987
N. Laurence Willey
Number City Council
City Hall I 1 1
Bangor,. Maine 04401
Dear Mr. Willey:
I an writing in response tothe closure of French Street, by St. Joseph
Hospital. In 1982 I had several conversations with Sister Mary Norberta,
and from Mat I can
see she is proceeding as planned in 1982. I Am all
for the closure of French Street, so that the Hospital can expand and
eventually have their main entrance off Broadway, not Center Street.
I am a homeowner, with several apartments, located on the comer of
Center Street and Congress Street. I reside at 94 Congress Street.
I feel that with the entrance off Broadway, that it will minimize traffic
on Center Street, sliming myself and my tenants easy access to Center
Street.
From what I understand the City asked the Hospital in 1982 not to proceed
with growing on the Center Street side. The Hospital did as they were
asked by the City. therefore I feel St. Joseph Hospital should certainly
be allowed to close the portion of French Street that they see fit.
I am writing this as I a unable to attend tonlghts meeting, because
of work responsibilities.
I would appreciate it if yen would please read my comments at tonights
meeting. Thank you.
Sincerely,
-<Pf Owt.�
Edward McCrea
Hospital Neighbor
cc: Charles Wellman, Hospital planner
CITY of BANGOR,
To the City Council:
Purmmt in an order of the City Coumilorder... No._„ 877185, passed .._gay._0]a_1987
directing the City Engineer W byeat.discontinu¢...a..portim..of.Jisarvh..SLxeet...
beginning 105' north at Congress Street and extending 610• north
......... ...._. .____ ......—
.....__...._._ ....__.
toward Broadway
.... ....._ __—.. ......the City Engineer begs leave to report:
That of his intention to tyvat.. diAcQAtinue, Said.. FOrtion..Of...Er euch_ Street.
the City Engineer gave written notice by notices attached to emies of said order poefad for eevm
days prior to the .....19th day_ of, Ju a 19 87
In two public plenns in the City of Banger and in the vielnity of said street, to nit:
One On Pole No. 48, near #450 French Street
One on Pole No. 54 NO. 496 French Street
...... ._._...__. _. ...... .._.----- ---- _------------- ----
One on bulletin board at City Nall
._...... ........ ......... . s ............. _...._.__. .....__----------------
and aim gave notice by sawsam
ing the e to be published in the Eassme Davy Name, newspaper
printed in said city, for me week prior no the.].9k0...day ._sf _JAipc_H]ropy a said order and
notices, so posted and published, is hereto mnexed andnude part of this reyork
And that the said City Engineer met at the time and plane of meeting speeded in the nations
and proceeded tote awnsr discontinue. said_ French_ Street.,. as._fpl ows __,_, _.
Beginning on the existing centerline of French Street at a point located
105' north Eras the northerly right-of-way line of Congress Street thence in
northerly direction along said French Street centerline for a distance of
610' m a point. Said portion of French Street was originally laid out to a
width of 50', and established as a public way on Septesber 4, 1865.
There appeared at the time and place set for the nesting Sharon Bushey, 485
French Street; Gwendolyn Shepard, 63 Grant Street; Peter Baway, 110-112
Cro ress Street; Lowell T. Sherwood, Jr., Bangor Real Estate; Charles
Wellman, St. Joseph's Healthcare Foundation; Donald Nelson, 392-394
Broadway, John L. Johnson, Jr., 390 Broadway; Mary Ward, 410 French Street;
Bud Cushman, 351 Broadway; Kenneth Jordan, Jr., and Incise; A. Russell,
Attorneys for St. Joseph's Healthcare Foundation, and the City Engineer.
Ton Russell, speaking on behalf of St. Joseph's, indicated that St. Joseph's
awns all the property abutting the proposed area to be discontinued, end
waives any despise which might normally be due to an abutter in accordance
with State Statutes.
Mary Ward expressed concerns about possible loss of property value, and also
the possible remuti g of emergency vehicle traffic approaching the
Hospital. Butl Cushman also was concerned shoot the potential of increased
traffic on Broadway which might result fmn the closing of French Street,
feeling that omre traffic would pass by Broadway Park, frequented by
children, and mre traffic would back up at the traffic signal at North
French Street. After inquiry by Mr. Cushavn, Mr. Wellman indicated that the
new Hospital wing and parking lot would probably result in the mnatmction
of a new entrance road directly onto Broadway midway between French Street
and Congress Street. Ken Jordan, representing St. Joseph's, indicated that
the Planning Spend had previously been made aware of the Hospital's proposed
expansion, and a new entrance onto Broadway was recampnded by them.
Peter Dawmy asked about the difficulties of winter maintenance, and the
City Engineer indicated that while no tum-arourds are to be constructed at
the dead -ands, there would be reap to tum at the parking area entrances;
the Hospital weld have to cooperate with the City on coordinating plowing
operations. 'The City Engineer also pointed out that there would be
approximately 610' less mad m plus, since all further use or malnteman ca
would be by the Hospital. Mr. Cushman asked as to who would pay for the
relocation of the existing water main which passes through the area to be
discontinued, and the City Enginswer Engineinfomoed him that if relocation were
necessary, it would have to be paid for by the Hospital.
The City Engineer indicated that he did rot feel that any damages were
justified on be paid to the existing property owners on the proposed dead -
and portions of French Street, at the Broadway and Caxgrea; Street ends.
Hoaver, he indicated that he felt the existing property owners would have
access to Broadway which is equal to the access presently existing.
Because of the concerns expressed regarding traffic, and because a suitable
explanation was net given as to how traffic would he rerouted from the
existing and proposed new parking lots, the City Engineer suggested that St.
Joseph's should update their previous traffic study to indicate the iupact
on Congress Street, and should he prepared to make a presentation to the
residents regarding traffic impact before a report was to be submitted to
the City Council. Accordingly, another meeting was scheduled for Wednesday,
August 12, 1987 at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers.
St. Joseph's was represented by ILEeesne-Heruy, consulting engineers, who
presented the results of the traffic study at the August 12th meeting. Mr.
Tom Gorrill made the presentation to those present. Mr. Gorrill indicated
that there are presently a total of 64 parking spaces in the area between
the proposed new Hospital wing and Congress Street, and that present counts
slew a peak hour discharge onto Congress street of thirty cars; he indicated
that as part of the new construction, parking would be limited to a total of
twenty-two cars in that area, to serve only a counseling center, with a peak
hour discharge ofsixteen care, indicating a decrease of fourteen cars.. Mr.
Gorrill also indicated that there are presently fifty-eight peak hour cars
which make a left turn onto Broadway at the nortMrly end of French Street,
and that this center would be reduced to twenty-three peak hour movarents
after the new wing is constructed the balance of the traffic would be using
new 90 -car parking lot adjacent to Prennh Street, which would have access
to Broadway by way of the nes entrance road. Consequently, it would appear
that there
will be less traffic exiting onto Congress Street and Speedway by way of
French Street once, the center portion is discontinued.
The City Engineer told ticee present that it is necessary for him to
determine the public need when deciding as to whether a street should be
discontinued. The traffic study has indicated a very low volare of thru
traffic so that the discontinuance world not have any significant impact on
the general public use. The traffic study also indicated that there would
In less traffic Coning form the 9Gspital area Onto Congress Street or
Broadway by way of French street, which would indicate less impact on the
residents in those areas. Consequently, since there did not wean to be a
need to retain the street as a public way once the Hospital had fully
developed both sides of the land abutting the discontinued portion, the City
Engineer indicated that he would recamend to the City Council that the
street be discontinued as a public way, and that no damages be recommended
as a result of said discontinuance.
Accordingly, it is redxvmended that that portion of French Street as
described above be discontinued as a public way and removed from the
Official City Map. 'A public easement should be retained for existing public
utilities. The Planning Board has previously taken action to recmmeM
ramal fran the official City Map.
Respectfully sur itted,
John T. Frawley�
City Engineer
J1F/jdr