REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: Scott MOzier, PE, Director
Public Works Department
BY: jill m. Gormley, TE, Assistant Director
Public Works Department, Traffic & Engineering Services Division
SUBJECT
Title
***RESOLUTION - Authorizing the Submission of a Grant Application to the Fresno Council of Governments for the Measure "C" Transit Oriented Development Grant Program Cycle XIII in the amount not to exceed $1,520,000 for the Project(s) to support transit oriented development; and Authorizing the Execution of Grant Application and Grant Agreement Documents by the Public Works Director or Designee. (Council District 7) (Subject to Mayor’s Veto)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt a resolution authorizing the submission of a grant application to the Measure C Transit Oriented Development Grant Program Cycle XIII for the Dakota Affordable Housing Project in the amount not to exceed $1,520,000 for multimodal transportation improvements along Blackstone Avenue; and authorize the execution of all grant application and grant agreement documents by the Public Works Director or designee.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Staff is requesting authorization to submit a grant application to the Measure C Transit Oriented Development (Measure C TOD) Grant Program Cycle XIII. The Measure C TOD Program was created to support community-based transit projects that are developed through an inclusive planning process with broad private-public partnerships and outreach; improve the range of transportation choices by supporting transit facilities and improving links between facilities and activity nodes; and to support well-designed, high-density housing and mixed uses near transit. The Measure C TOD project provides funding for three types of projects: planning projects, capital improvement projects, and housing in-fill incentive program projects. Staff recommends one application for this cycle of Measure C TOD funding: multimodal transportation improvements for the Dakota Affordable Housing Project.
BACKGROUND
Dakota Affordable Housing Project
The Dakota Affordable Housing Project is a 114-unit affordable multi-family development (68 family units, 45 veterans units and 1 manager unit) and Transportation Related Amenity (TRA) and Sustainable Transportation Infrastructure (STI) components such as improved walk paths, dedicated bike paths, improved bus stops, a zero emission bus, and improved service frequency along Route 39 connecting residents to major retail, social services, education, employment opportunities, and the airport; monthly transit passes for the Dakota residents; and the purchase and operations of electric vans via CalVans. The City Council approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City of Fresno and UPHoldings, LLC (UPH) (Developer) to carry out the STI and TRA components on March 30, 2023. On August 30, 2023, California’s Strategic Growth Council awarded $48,766,066 in Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities Program (AHSC) funds to UPH for the Dakota affordable housing project. The award included $10,366,020 for the City of Fresno’s Transportation and Public Works Departments to make TRA and STI improvements, such as improved sidewalks, dedicated bike paths, and improved bus stops, as well as improved service frequency along Route 39 connecting residents to major retail, social services, education, employment opportunities, and the airport. The award also included $5,215,029 for electric vans, operations for the electric vans, subsidized transit passes, and other services by CalVans, UPH Limited, and the Fresno Rescue Mission.
Measure C TOD Project
The Measure C TOD program was created in the 2006 Measure C Extension Plan. The call for projects is administered annually through the Fresno Council of Governments, with final approval by the Fresno County Transportation Authority (FCTA) Board. FCTA is the authority responsible for administering Measure C funding. The goals of the Measure C TOD allocation are to support community-based transit projects that are developed through an inclusive planning process with broad public-private partnership and outreach, improve the range of transportation choices by supporting transit facilities, and improving links between facilities and activity nodes, and support well-designed, high-density housing and mixed uses near transit. City and County governments in Fresno County are eligible for the TOD program. Private sector or non-profit organizations can apply for funding through the representation of the local government where the project is located. Projects must be located within 1/2 mile of an existing bus stop or proposed High Speed Rail Station in the latest Regional Transportation Plan.
As described in the 2006 Measure C Extension Expenditure Plan, the TOD program provides funding to three types of competitive projects:
A. Transportation infrastructure improvements to transit facilities to encourage safety and access to transit facilities, support in-fill development or revitalization, reduce traffic congestion at transit stations, and provide for a wider range of transportation choices and improved internal mobility. Funds could be used for preliminary design and environmental studies, engineering, land acquisition, and construction.
B. Planning Program or matching money to identify nodal transit sites on transit corridors for transit-oriented development, planning retrofit for existing neighborhoods, downtowns, commercial cores, and transit station areas and stops in order to create access to transit and mixed use development in transit friendly environments. The community planning process would result in transportation / land-use concept plans; streetscape design concept plans, environmental studies, detailed drawings, construction cost estimates, and implementation plans for specific capital projects.
C. Housing in-fill incentive program would reward local governments for encouraging developers to build compact designs with higher housing densities, affordable, accessible housing, and mixed uses that are characteristic of well-implemented Transit Oriented Design in other cities developments at transit stops. Local government agencies could spend funds to supplement development fees or on a capital project that supports new housing development connections to transit.
There is a total of $1,520,000 available for the Measure C TOD Cycle XIII Call for Projects, but only projects with high scores can be awarded grant funds. Projects must receive a minimum score of 70 points in order to be considered for funding. To meet this requirement, City staff will carefully screen potential projects to present the most competitive package as dictated by grant criteria. Grant scoring is weighted in favor of projects that can present a strong nexus to transit-oriented development, proximity/support for high-density land use characteristics, transportation infrastructure that increases accessibility to transit, TOD friendly parking policies, green features, and affordable housing. The proposed grant application would fill a funding gap for the TRA and STI improvement for Dakota Affordable Housing Project. These improvements include
• Construction of Class IV Bike facilities on Blackstone Avenue from Shields to Dakota
• Sidewalk installation on the west side of Blackstone from Shields to Dayton
• Installation of a HAWK beacon at the intersection of Blackstone and Garland
• Sidewalk replacement on Blackstone between Shields and Dakota
Applications are due on March 4, 2025. Projects selected for funding by the scoring committee will receive final approval by the Fresno County Transportation Authority Board on June 18, 2025. Projects selected for funding must be able to enter into an agreement with FCTA within a year of the award.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
Adoption of a resolution of support for a grant application is not considered a project in terms of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
LOCAL PREFERENCE
Local preference is not included because this resolution does not include a bid or award of a construction or services contract.
FISCAL IMPACT
This resolution will have no impact on the General Fund. No matching funds are required. Should the grant be awarded, Measure C TOD funds will be incorporated into the City of Fresno annual budget for the fiscal year(s) in which they will be available for reimbursement.
Attachments:
Resolution
Vicinity Map