REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: SCOTT L. MOZIER, PE, Director
Public Works Department
BY: Randall W. Morrison, PE, Assistant Director
Public Works Department, Engineering Division
SUBJECT
Title
RESOLUTION - Authorizing the Submission of a Grant Application to the United States Department of Transportation Reconnecting Communities Pilot Discretionary Grant Program Totaling Up to $2 Million in Request for Funding; and Authorizing the Execution of Grant Application and Grant Agreement Documents by the Public Works Director or Designee (Council District 3)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt a resolution authorizing the submission of a grant application to the United States Department of Transportation Reconnecting Communities Pilot (RCP) Discretionary Grant Program totaling up to $2 million in request for funding; 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 an application to the RCP discretionary grant program for the Parkway Drive Pedestrian Bridge Project. RCP is a new grant program created under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, also referred to as the “Bipartisan Infrastructure Law” or “BIL”. The purpose of this grant is to reconnect communities by removing, retrofitting, or mitigating transportation facilities, such as highways or rail lines, that create barriers to community connectivity including mobility, access, or economic development. This is the first-ever Federal program dedicated to reconnecting communities harmed by transportation infrastructure. Staff is requesting to apply for a planning grant that will provide funds to complete preliminary engineering and environmental studies, including community outreach, for a pedestrian bridge that would span from Parkway Drive across State Route (SR) 99 and connect to Roeding Park.
BACKGROUND
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act established the new RCP discretionary grant program which is funded with $1 billion over the next five years. The goal of RCP is to reconnect communities harmed by transportation infrastructure. Funding supports both planning and construction grants to restore community connectivity through the removal, retrofit, mitigation, or replacement of eligible transportation infrastructure facilities. The variety of transformative solutions to knit communities back together can include high-quality public transportation, infrastructure removal, pedestrian walkways and overpasses, capping over roadways, linear parks and trail connectors, roadway redesigns and complete streets conversions, and main street revitalization. A Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) was published on June 30, 2022, with up to $195 million available in funding for Federal Fiscal Year 2022. RCP provides funding for two types of grants: Planning Grants and Capital Construction Grants. Preference will be given to applications from economically disadvantaged communities, especially those with projects that are focused on equity and environmental justice, have strong community engagement and stewardship, and a commitment to shared prosperity and equitable development.
There is $50 million allocated for Planning Grants, with a maximum grant award of $2 million. Planning grants may not exceed 80% of total project costs. Therefore, recipients are required to provide a 20% non-Federal matching share. There is $145 million allocated for Capital Construction Grants, with a minimum grant award of $5 million. Capital Construction Grants may not exceed 50% of total project costs. Therefore, recipients are required to provide a 50% matching share, with at least 20% from non-Federal sources.
The proposed grant application would request funding for up to $2 million for preliminary engineering and environmental studies, including community outreach, for the Parkway Drive Pedestrian Bridge Project. The pedestrian bridge was envisioned in the 2016 Downtown Neighborhoods Community Plan (DNCP). Centered in the Jane Addams Neighborhood, the bridge would connect residents from west of SR 99, along Parkway Drive, to Roeding Park. Jane Addams is isolated from the rest of the city by SR 99, SR 180 and the Union Pacific railroad right-of-way. Crossings of these transportation corridors are few and far between, hampering vehicular, bicycle, and pedestrian connections to other parts of town. Parkway Drive was formerly lined with auto-oriented motels. Long term plans for this area includes the conversion of these motels into permanent affordable housing. At this time, there are 420 permanent housing units planned. The neighborhood lacks public open and recreational space, with the exception of Roeding Park. However, access to Roeding Park is compromised by the freeways and railroad right-of-ways in its immediate vicinity. This bridge would provide a crucial connection for the Jane Addams Neighborhood.
Grant applications are due on October 13, 2022. The City Attorney’s office has reviewed and approved the resolution as to form.
ENVIRONMENTAL FINDINGS
Pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15378, this item is not a project for the purposes of 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 immediate impact on the General Fund. Should the grant be awarded, local matching funds will be identified through future fiscal year capital budgets.
Attachment:
Resolution
Proposed Project List
Pedestrian Bridge Rendering from DNCP