Sidewalk Survey FAQ’s
July 2021
1) How much would it cost an individual property owner for the proposed sidewalk installation?
Currently the cost of the various phases of sidewalk installation are unknown. The COA, at this time, only has a very rough estimate of $3,000,000 for the potential sidewalk installation costs, in the current market. There are currently 2,019 lots paying assessments in Landfall. Upon full build-out (in about 5 to 7 years) there may be another 47 lots, for an expected total of about 2,064 lots. Therefore, if you were to use the estimated cost divided amongst the expected total of lots this would equate to about $1,400 -$1,500 per property. However, this total would most likely be spread out over several years. Funding for each phase of installation would be considered by the Landfall COA Board of Directors as a part of the budget process for the upcoming year of any said installation.
2) What is the potential next step in the process, if there is strong community support to consider sidewalks?
The COA Board may (or may not) consider hiring an engineering firm in 2021 to do a full set of structural plans. This in depth engineer survey would select the best route for installation and lay out in detail all of the elements along the way such as, retaining walls, relocation of streetlights, installation of bulkheads, driveways, underground utilities and landscaping, as well as various other unforeseen challenges. This is necessary before any potential contractor would be able to quote a bid to build part or all of the sidewalks being considered. Such a study may cost between $85,000 to $115,000.
3) Where exactly will the sidewalks be installed?
The first step of this process is to have the engineer survey completed. The survey will provide the information required to establish the route as well as each potential phase of construction.
4) Can we install or will the sidewalk project include bike lanes/bike paths?
The current roadways are not wide enough to accommodate a bike path or bike lane. In order to accommodate bike paths or bike lanes, the roadways would have to be widened. This would require removing all curbing, gutters and drains; upon removal, the roads could then be reconstructed at the new width. This would be a much more intrusive expensive project than sidewalk installation.
5) When you say multi-year project, how many years will it take to complete the sidewalks?
There is no way to know precisely how many years the overall project may take. New phases(s) of installation will be considered by the COA Board each year, just as funding any new project is. At that time the board is tasked with considering and prioritizing the community’s needs.
Before undertaking to spend budget dollars on new or improvement projects the COA Board must feel comfortable in assuring that all basic maintenance and required expenditures are met. Additionally, there are unexpected needs which occasionally arise (usually weather related) or competing improvement requests. One potentially major need on the horizon relates to Drysdale Drive from the gate to Military Cutoff in response to the commercial development getting underway across Military Cutoff with the Drysdale Drive Extension project.
6) Why must there always be “other” projects?
Aside from maintenance, repair and replacement of the shared common areas that currently exist in Landfall, the COA Board has the ability to consider adding shared common areas and/or facilities as needed or requested by owners. Additionally, it is always the goal of the COA Board to keep Landfall fresh and updated in the hopes of protecting the property values and preserving the aesthetics that make Landfall one of the most sought after communities in the Southeast.
7) Could the sidewalk installation be funded with existing Capital reserves?
No, the current Capital Improvement Fund (CIF) funds are allocated for the future maintenance, repair and replacement of existing shared common area infrastructure, property and equipment. Should the current COA Board decide to install a new phase of sidewalks, then following installation, that phase would be added to the CIF for its future maintenance, repair and replacement.
