Nathan Scribner
April 22, 2025
Renovate Median Landscaping to
Low Maintenance
1. Scope & Site
2. Existing Conditions
3. Landscaping Alternatives
4. Cost Analysis of Alternatives
5. Evaluation of Options
6. Existing DG Medians
7. Staff Recommendation
AGENDA
COUNCIL – APPROVED SCOPE
•Project 832730 – Renovate Median Landscaping to Low
Maintenance. The scope of this project is to renovate the center median landscaping on Fremont Avenue and Fair
Oaks Avenue.
•Project Budget: $2,735,000
• Project Goals:
• Emphasize drought tolerant, low maintenance landscaping • Install new irrigation
• Improve lines of sight
• Minimize water use and waste
• Reduce the number of hours required for maintenance
FREMONT AVENUE
Fremont Ave
SR-85
FAIR OAKS AVENUE
Lawrence Expy
6 EXISTING CONDITIONS – FREMONT AVE
7 EXISTING CONDITIONS – FAIR OAKS AVE
8 LANDSCAPING OPTIONS
Option A
Construction Cost Estimate:
$2,625,000
Option B
Construction Cost Estimate:
$2,155,000
DESIGN ALTERNATIVE CONSIDERATIONS
• Project Goals:
• Stay within existing budget
• Drought tolerant planting to minimize water use and waste • Low maintenance landscaping
• Install new irrigation
• Improve lines of sight
•Not Considered:
• Lush, high water use landscaping
• Fast growing, high maintenance landscaping
• Higher density planting (Due to budget)
10 MAINTENANCE COMPARISON
Asset Task
Option B
Mulch
(High Maintenance)
Spreading
Raking
Weed Control
Maintenance frequency: 12-16X
per year
Option A
Decomposed Granite
(Low Maintenance)
Construct, Repair, Regrade
Sweep (with Blower)
Weed Control
Maintenance Frequency: 4X
per year
11 EVALUATION OF OPTIONS
12 EXAMPLE MEDIANS
N. Mary Ave. W. Iowa Ave.
13 COMPARISON SUMMARY
OPTION A OPTION B
DECOMPOSED GRANITE MULCH & GROUNDCOVER
LOWER MAINTENANCE BURDEN HIGHER MAINTENANCE BURDEN
LOWER WATER USE HIGH WATER USE
LESS VEGETATION MORE VEGETATION
LOW MAINTENANCE COSTS MUCH HIGHER MAINTENANCE
COSTS
Construction Estimate: $2,625,000 Construction Estimate: $2,155,000
NEXT STEPS
• Select landscaping alternatives
• Prepare bid documents
• Advertise project
• Award construction contract
• Begin construction
16 RENOVATE MEDIAN LANDSCAPING
Questions for Council:
• What additional information does
Council need to make a decision?
• Are there any options that should be
removed?
• Will Council consider increasing the
project budget or the operations
budget at the potential expense of
other priorities?