Brick Streets

Brick Street Restoration Project

Voting results can be found on the Douglas County, KS website here. The unofficial tally is 51.5% yes; 48.5% no.

Note: Due to a clerical error, the Question Submitted Election Resolution that was submitted to the County Clerk the ballots in the polls reads one-quarter percent (.25%) instead of one-half percent (.50%) as originally intended.

Update, November 9th, 2022:

Voting results can be found on the Douglas County, KS website here. The unofficial tally is 51.5% yes; 48.5% no.

Update, November 4th, 2022:

Due to a clerical error, the Question Submitted Election Resolution that was submitted to the County Clerk the ballots in the polls reads one-quarter percent (.25%) instead of one-half percent (.50%).

Baldwin City Administration uses a third party vendor to create and facilitate a number of ordinances and resolutions. Due to an error at the vendor’s office, the Question Submitted Election Resolution that was submitted to the County Clerk the ballots in the polls reads one-quarter percent (.25%) instead of one-half percent (.50%).

State law accepts the ballot language as final.

If the referendum passes, the amount of increased sales tax will be one-quarter percent (.25%) instead of one-half percent (.50%). This means a yes vote would result in approximately $150,000 per year of increased revenue for the city instead of $300,000.

Please contact the City Clerk if you have questions or concerns at apackard@baldwincity.gov or 785-594-6427.

Earlier:

At the May 5th, 2022, Council Meeting, City Council unanimously approved Phase I of a brick street restoration plan presented by Public Works Director Rob Culley. The plan designates fourteen blocks of brick streets that are most important to preserve the character of the downtown area and Baker campus.

Culley notes that it might be possible to fund up to 70% of the construction cost through grants, from discussions he's had with Jason Hoskins of BG Consultants. Cost calculations for various methods of brick street replacement or rehab are available here.

City Council voted unanimously at the June 21st, 2022, Council Meeting to send a sales tax initiative to public vote, designating a .5% sales tax raise within city limits as funding to work on brick street restoration. Citizens will see the sales tax question on the General Election ballots November 8th, 2022. You may read the full resolution and public notice here.

Phase I

In council discussions over prior months, a consensus was reached regarding which blocks to focus on first. Other matters discussed include how to handle any brick streets that are not included in the initial restoration phase. Council and staff agreed that any full-scale restoration of residential streets will require community engagement and dialogue with residents.

None of the existing brick streets that are not in Phase I are scheduled for replacement or demolition. Temporary asphalt “patches” may be applied to make the streets smoother until a long term plan and funding is identified and implemented for the streets not in Phase I.

The fourteen blocks designated for the initial focus include High Street from 5th to 9th, 8th Street from Indiana to Dearborn, Dearborn from 6th to 8th, Grove from 6th to 8th, and 7th Street from High to Grove.

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Brick Street Rehab: Construction cost = $350,000 per block.

Project cost = $440,000 per block

Removal of existing street and curbs. Salvage existing brick pavers (palletize for re-use).
6” concrete pavement base for pavers on a 6” gravel street base (AB-3).
Reinstall brick pavers with paver sand.
New concrete curb and gutters.
Storm Sewer (varies, estimate includes $125 per ft. for inlets and smaller diameter pipes).
Minimal ancillary impacts (minor driveway aprons just where impacted by curb replacement, no sidewalks, etc.).
Mobilization, bonds, staking, seeding/restoration, erosion control and other misc. incidentals estimated at $35,000 per block.