Originally posted to the web in News, on Tuesday, May 15, 2007 7:03 PM CDT.
Qwest, Cox companies delay Streetscape paving progress
By Tamara Thomas, Editor
A critical portion of the planned Streetscape Project's Phase One -- the removal of the telephone and power poles in the alley behind the museum -- is being held up by two telecommunications companies.
Cox Communications and Qwest must remove their lines from the poles and have the lines relocated to the underground conduit before the poles can be removed. The poles must come down before paving can begin in the alleyway. Paving is a critical first step in completing Phase One of the Streetscape project, which is scheduled to begin in June.
At the Downtown Revitalization Advisory Commission (DRAC) meeting last Thursday (May 10), the main item on the agenda was the project update for “Caballeros Trail,” the new name for the alley that runs behind the Desert Caballeros Western Museum, behind the American Legion, and on to the Flower Barn.
“It's stalled,” said Councilman and Commission Member John Cook. “APS (Arizona Public Service) wire is already there, but we can't take the poles down until they (Cox and Qwest) get their wires down.”
The Town of Wickenburg met with Qwest representatives in March regarding the relocation of wires. According to Rick Austin of the town's Public Works Department, Qwest engineer Eric Hitchcock had agreed that Qwest could remove its lines for the cost of removal only - no additional new construction costs would be charged to the town.
“I asked him (Hitchcock) about their lines (in the alley),” said Austin. “He said that they were ‘ancient' and only about 40 percent were working. I expressed that the town shouldn't have to pay for Qwest's needed upgrades, and he agreed.”
Two weeks ago Qwest submitted a written bid for the wire removal of more than $64,000, which included all new construction.
“The bid was open-ended,” said Austin, “Meaning they will charge us more if they feel additional work is needed.”
“There's definitely a disagreement,” confirmed Public Works Director Harry Parsi.
“The issue is at the town attorney's now. I'm waiting for their input on what to do next.”
Cox Communications' Greg Merdick has spoken with Parsi regarding the removal of its wires, but no action has yet taken place.
“I talk to them, but nothing happens,” said Parsi. “I'm hopeful that the issue with Cox is getting resolved.”
According to DRAC members' discussion, should the removal of wires be delayed too long, the entire Phase One of the Streetscape project could be pushed back, which in turn would raise costs. The BBB tax is bringing in barely enough to fund the current plan. The plan was to start Phase One next month and complete it by October, before the tourist season begins.
Phase One consists of improvements to the area bounded by Frontier Street from the museum to Tegner at the Flower Barn, including the alley Caballeros Trail, Yavapai and Apache streets between Frontier and Tegner.
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