In 2018, residents of Federal Gardens expressed concern with large trucks utilizing 13^th street west of Avenue R as a bypass to Congress Avenue. This area west of Avenue R is a residential community with senior citizens and children at play. The UPS trucks became a specific point of concern as they move through the community very early in the morning and late into the evening. Staff commissioned a study to determine traffic calming alternatives to address the resident concerns. In September 2019, Chen Moore and Associates published the technical memorandum on 13^th street. The memorandum was provided and presented to City Council in 2020 and staff was directed to take the options to the residents so they may choose which alternative they prefer.

At the end of 2020, UPS made a site plan submittal for the addition of 51,883 square feet (SP-21-06) of warehouse at the Avenue P and Blue Heron facility. During the site plan process, the management team of UPS was made aware of the community concerns on the use of 13^th street in the residential area west of Avenue R and their management committed to eliminate the use of 13^th street west of Avenue R in their service routes. During the review and approval process, UPS committed to contribute $35,000 towards traffic calming improvements on 13th street. The site plan was approved on January 6^th , 2021 via Resolution 04-21. On May 6, 2021Chen Moore, the Merchant Group, and Councilwoman Lanier hosted a community meeting on 13^th street to allow residents to vote on one of the three traffic calming options. 

Following the community vote, staff reached out to Chen Moore for a proposal to conduct the full design of a traffic circle as voted upon by the residents. Chen Moore was issued a purchase order on July 6^th, 2021 to begin the full design of a traffic circle at 13^th street and Avenue R. On June 24^th, 2021 City staff provided a preliminary schedule for activities to deliver the completed construction of the traffic circle. The memorandum was updated on July 27^th, 2021 to ensure the project would be completed by the end of 2021.  

As shown on the enclose updated memorandum, the next project benchmark will occur on September 1^st, 2021 with the final construction plans submitted to City staff. The plans will be quickly provided to the purchasing department for following the procurement process and move to issuing the purchase order to a contractor to begin construction in November of this year.