AGENDA DATE: 10/14/2015
TITLE:
Title
Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) Grant, Moore’s Creek Trail and Trailhead Park Project
BODY
SUBJECT/PROPOSAL/REQUEST: Resolution supporting the grant application for funding to construct multi-use trail and Trailhead Park
ITEM TYPE: Consent Action Item
STAFF CONTACT(S): Foley, Walker, Davis, Kamptner, Benish, Gatobu, Crickenberger, Mahon
PRESENTER (S): N/A
LEGAL REVIEW: Yes
REVIEWED BY: Thomas C. Foley
BACKGROUND: The Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission (TJPDC) is working with the County and City to submit a Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) Grant application for funding to support the construction of multi-use trails and a trailhead park along Moore’s Creek. TAP Grants require a minimum 20 percent local match. Cash proffers received from the Fifth Street Station development, contributed for the purpose of greenway development, can be used to cover the required match. The grant application is due to VDOT by November 2, 2015. Development of the Moore’s Creek Greenway trail is identified as one of the priority pedestrian, bikeway and trail improvements in the County’s Priority List of Transportation Improvements, which was approved by the Board in April 2015.
STRATEGIC PLAN: Goal 2. Critical Infrastructure: Prioritize, plan and invest in critical infrastructure that responds to past and future changes and improves the capacity to serve community needs. Goal 3. Development Areas: Attract quality employment, commercial, and high density residential uses into development areas by providing services and infrastructure that encourage redevelopment and private investment while protecting the quality of neighborhoods
DISCUSSION: If the County is awarded this grant, the funds would be used to support the Moore’s Creek Trail and Trailhead Park Project. The project would: 1) construct a ¼ mile multi-use trail along Moore’s Creek from the Fifth Street Station commercial site to Fifth Street and to make connections to other existing nearby bike and pedestrian facilities in the County and City; 2) design and install pedestrian/bike crossing(s) on Fifth Street to connect to existing Rivanna Trails Foundation trails on the west side of Fifth Street; and 3) determine the location and design of trails along Moore’s Creek from Fifth Street west to Old Lynchburg Road/Azalea Park.
These improvements would be developed in coordination with the greenway/trail facilities approved as part of the Fifth Street Station rezoning and would result in enhanced facilities in this area, above what could be constructed with the proffered funds alone. Proffer funds would be used for the construction of a bridge and trailhead park. In addition to the above three items, awarded grant funds would also be used for professional services for the design of the bridge and park, the design and construction of additional connecting trails, and the design of additional bicycle and pedestrian improvements to serve as the basis for future grant proposals to extend the network in the City and County.
The TJPDC would function as the grant and construction manager for the project and the requested amount of grant funds is estimated at $350,000. A condition of the grant requires that the County would be responsible for the maintenance and operating costs of facilities constructed on County property with Transportation Alternatives Program funds.
A Board Resolution of support is needed for inclusion with the grant application.
BUDGET IMPACT: There is no direct budget impact to construct the trail. Proffer funds can be used for the required 20 percent match. If awarded, the grant would leverage additional funds to advance trail construction in this area. Some grant funds will be used to cover the TJPDC’s administrative and grant management costs. Department of Parks and Recreation staff time will need to be dedicated to the project.
In addition, the attached Resolution of Endorsement acknowledges the County’s responsibility “for maintenance and operating costs of facilities on County property constructed with Transportation Alternatives Program funds or proffer funds.” However, no operating cost is expected until at least three to four years after the area is developed. At that point, while the exact cost of maintenance is currently unknown, that cost is estimated to be $1625 per ¼ mile of paved trail per year. A more exact estimate will be available only after a study is conducted, once the grant is awarded. Once the study/concept is complete, the related maintenance cost will be identified based on the findings of the master plan, and the future maintenance cost will be programed into the Greenway Capital Improvement Program.
The County would be responsible for any maintenance of the trail in this area regardless of whether this grant is awarded. With the grant, the County would be able to construct the proposed facility to a much higher standard, reducing the need for and expense of ongoing maintenance.
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the Board adopt the attached resolution endorsing the Moore’s Creek Trail and Trailhead Park Project and supporting the application for Transportation Alternative Program (TAP) funds.
ATTACHMENTS:
A - Resolution