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
ANNE G. SEHM, Grants Administrator
Public Works Department, Administrative Division
SUBJECT
Title
RESOLUTION - Authorizing the Submission of a Grant Application to the Fresno Council of Governments for the 2024 Measure "C" Transit Oriented Development Grant Program in the amount not to exceed $1,500,000 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 Districts 1, 3, 5 and 7).
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt a resolution authorizing the submission of grant applications to the 2024 Measure C Transit Oriented Development Grant Program for Blackstone Smart Mobility from State Route 180 to Pine Avenue (south of McKinley Avenue) in an amount not to exceed $170,000 for final design and bid specifications, and for the Ventura Avenue (Cesar Chavez Boulevard) and Seventh Street infill affordable housing project in an amount not to exceed $1.2 million for the off-site improvements on three of the street frontages (Seventh, Eighth and El Monte); 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 2024 Measure C Transit Oriented Development (Measure C TOD) Grant Program. 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 program provides funding for three types of projects: planning projects, capital improvement projects, and housing in-fill incentive program projects. The Blackstone Smart Mobility project from State Route 180 to Pine Avenue (south of McKinley Avenue) was previously funded for $450,000 in order to achieve 60% design plans, while the Ventura Avenue (Cesar Chavez Boulevard) and Seventh project was previously funded for $342,923 for sidewalk improvements on the Ventura Avenue (Cesar Chavez Boulevard) frontage of the site. The proposed grant application for $170,000 for Blackstone Smart Mobility would complete the 100% engineering design phase (City will seek other grant funding for construction), while the $1.2 million proposed for the infill housing project would complete the sidewalk and improved streetscape on the remaining three frontages not currently funded for both design and construction.
BACKGROUND
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. 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.
a. Blackstone Smart Mobility from State Route 180 to Pine Avenue (south of McKinley Avenue) in an amount not to exceed $170,000 to reach 100% design plans, the project was previously awarded $450,000 for a 60% design effort only. The City will seek additional grant funding for 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.
a. Ventura Avenue (Cesar Chavez Boulevard) and Seventh infill affordable housing project in an amount not to exceed $1.2 million for the off-site improvements on three of the street frontages: Seventh, Eighth and El Monte. These funds will be used for design and construction.
There is a total of $1,5000,000 available for the Cycle 12 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, grant administrators 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.
Applications are due on February 27, 2024. Projects selected for funding by the scoring committee will receive final approval by the Fresno County Transportation Authority Board on June 12, 2024. 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 pursuant to Section 15378 of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines.
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.
Attachment(s):
Resolution
Blackstone Avenue Smart Mobility Vicinity Map
Ventura Avenue (Cesar Chavez Boulevard) Vicinity Map