The weekly Downtown Project eNewsletter from the City of Mill Valley
DOWNTOWN PROJECT UPDATE
June 25, 2020
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The Downtown Project will focus on upgrading the infrastructure – below and above ground – in the Downtown area. The project’s goals are to repave the roadways, repair the sanitary sewer system, make drainage improvements, and upgrade pedestrian curb ramps. The project began in April and is estimated to finish in September 2020. 
Weekly Progress Report*:

Last week, the City’s contractor, K.J. Woods, conducted:

  • Corte Madera Ave.- Demolition and catch basin work
  • Throckmorton Ave.- Trench restoration work
  • West Blithedale Ave.- Demolition and catch basin work

This week, K.J. Woods conducted the following:

  • Corte Madera Ave.- Trench restoration work, demolition, and curb ramp work
  • Throckmorton Ave.- Trench restoration work
  • West Blithedale Ave.- Demolition and curb ramp work

In the upcoming weeks, K.J. Woods will conduct the following:

  • Corte Madera Ave.- Demolition and curb ramp work, sewer abandonment work
  • Throckmorton Ave.- Trench restoration work
  • West Blithedale Ave.- Trench restoration work, demolition and curb ramp work, sewer abandonment work
  • Sunnyside Ave.- Trench restoration work
  • East Blithedale Ave.- Sag repair, trench restoration work

Gardner Street, West Blithedale, East Blithedale, Throckmorton and Corte Madera Avenues – Paving work estimated from July 13 – 24. See the map.

* All estimated timelines are tentative and subject to change.
Tree Removal in Downtown to Allow for Storm Drain Upgrade and Sidewalk Accessibility
The City of Mill Valley is working hard to upgrade the storm drains and make our sidewalks more accessible in the Downtown area. One of the locations that will receive storm drain improvements is at the corner of Lovell Ave and Corte Madera Ave, in front of the Illumigarden showroom. To conduct the needed work, the project will require the removal of one Liquidambar tree. Learn more.
Curb Ramp Work
The curb ramp work continues this week and into the next two weeks (through July 10*). Workers are demolishing and rebuilding 15 curb ramps to bring them up to ADA standards, making them accessible for all users. The work is taking place on West Blithedale and Corte Madera Aves and Lovell Ave, with a phased schedule to allow access for pedestrians during construction. 

Residents and businesses should expect impacts such as construction equipment, noise, dust, and sidewalk closures and pedestrian detours while the work is in progress.
Upcoming Work: Paving – July 13 – 24*
The City contractor will use a method known as "Grind and Overlay" to pave segments of Gardner Street, West Blithedale, East Blithedale, Throckmorton and Corte Madera Avenues. Work is scheduled to begin July 13 and take approximately 10 weekdays to complete.

"Grind and overlay" is a process to replace old pavement by grinding it down around 2" and then replacing it with a new layer of asphalt. This is a cost-effective way to maintain our roadways, as reconstructing the streets can cost up to three times as much.

Residents and businesses should expect impacts such as construction equipment, noise, dust, lane closures, limited driveway access and parking restrictions while the work is in progress. 

The Contractor will post no-parking signs 48 hours prior to starting the work. To help ensure a safe and successful project, we request that you observe all no parking signs, traffic control signs, flagmen and vehicle/pedestrian barriers.

* All estimated timelines are tentative and subject to change.
Mitigating Construction Impacts
City and Construction Management staff are making every effort to mitigate impacts during construction. 

Mitigation measures include:
  • “Trenchless” construction methods wherever feasible.
  • Traffic control to keep one lane open with flagger directing traffic whenever possible
  • Pedestrian traffic control to safely direction pedestrians.
  • Providing staging areas for the contractor at the Corporation yard and City Hall to minimize on-street impacts
  • Employee parking at City Hall will be eliminated during the project, making those spots available for community members and project staging
  • Proactive, early notification for residents and businesses in the project area
  • Public access to driveways at all times where feasible
  • Coordinate business access for delivery trucks with local business 
  • Sidewalk and street sweeping daily
  • Dust control measures
  • Regular communication and coordination with the Chamber of Commerce, Downtown stakeholders and the wider community
Downtown Businesses Update

Check out the Enjoy Mill Valley website for the latest on how to support our local businesses.

Where can I learn more about the project?
Please visit the Downtown Project webpage to learn more about the project. The webpage features:
Phase I Project Limit
Contact us:
City and Construction Management staff are available to answer questions and review concerns.
 
Construction Management:
Norman Akana, Construction Manager | Email:   nakana@anchorcm.com |
Phone: (916) 806-0278
 
Construction and Design: 
Ahmed A. Aly,Project Manager | Email:   aaaly@cityofmillvalley.org  |
Phone: (415) 384-4755
 
Public Outreach and Communications: 
Linn Walsh, Senior Management Analyst | Email:   lwalsh@cityofmillvalley.org  | Phone: (415) 388-4863

Please also check out the Project Website:

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Thank You for Your Patience During Construction
The City of Mill Valley would like to send out a special thank you to the Mill Valley community for your patience during construction.