Title
Adoption of Resolution Approving the Application for Grant Funds for California Climate Investments Urban Greening Program for 0.9 Miles of the Cross Alameda Trail Project between Main Street and Constitution Way. (Transportation 91402)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Jill Keimach, City Manager
Re: Adoption of Resolution Approving the Application for Grant Funds for the California Climate Investments Urban Greening Program for 0.9 Miles of the Cross Alameda Trail Project between Main Street and Constitution Way
BACKGROUND
The City Council began enacting policies to develop a multi-use trail on the old Alameda Beltline property in 1991. Since then, the City has worked to implement what is now called the “Cross Alameda Trail” (CAT) along this corridor. Today, two sections of the CAT are under development by the City: (1) the Ralph Appezzato Memorial Parkway (RAMP)/Atlantic Avenue segment from Main Street to Constitution Way, and (2) the Jean Sweeney Park segment from Constitution Way to Sherman Street. Once built, these two sections together will create a 1.5-mile trail from Main Street to Sherman Street that is completely separated from cars, except at several intersections. The entire CAT, when complete, will be a major east-west walking and bicycling corridor, stretching from the Seaplane Lagoon at Alameda Point to Tilden Way for a total of 4 miles.
The Jean Sweeney section of the trail was recently put out to bid and should be constructed by the end of 2017. The section from Main Street to Constitution Way, which includes the CAT Atlantic Gap section (Webster Street to Constitution Way), is partially funded with several grants and staff is assembling additional funding in order to complete the project.
DISCUSSION
Since the original CAT project, from Main Street to Webster Street, was initiated, two major grants have been secured (Federal Transit Administration and Countywide Measure B Bicycle/Pedestrian Discretionary), plus several smaller grants. However, over the past two years, the cost estimates for the CAT from Main Street to Constitution Way have increased for a variety of reasons, and additional funds are needed to complete the project. The reasons for the rise in project costs includes:
• More extensive soil remediation than originally anticipated on this former railroad right of way.
• Addition of the CAT Gap section (Webster Street to Constitution Way), which has not received any grant funds to date, and the costs of which are extensive.
• More realistic costs for the entire project, as the project design has become more detailed.
• Capturing all soft costs, so full costs to City are included.
In an effort to find additional funding, staff pursued a grant from the new Urban Greening Program, funded by the California Climate Investments and administered by the California Natural Resources Agency, after determining that the CAT project would likely compete well. A total of $76 million is available statewide; however, since the project is not in a specifically defined disadvantaged community, the City is only eligible for a portion of the grant funds, estimated to be $18 million or less. The grant application was due May 1st, and requires an adopted authorizing resolution from the City, prior to a recommendation for funding from the Natural Resources Agency (Exhibit 1), which will occur in October 2017.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The current cost estimate for constructing the CAT from Main Street to Constitution Way is $4.8 million. The City has almost $2.0 million in secured grant funding, and the remaining funding will be from a mix of discretionary City sources (Measure B and Developer Impact Fees), plus the Urban Greening grant, if it is secured, and other funding sources the City is exploring.
A proposed allocation for the CAT project will be included in the 2017-2019 Capital Improvement Program budget, which will be brought to the City Council for approval in June.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
Policy 4.1.7.d from the Transportation Element of the City of Alameda’s General Plan (2009) states: "Pursue opportunities to utilize the corridor of the former Alameda Belt Line railroad for transit, bicycle and pedestrian transportation.” Both the City’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plans include the CAT as planned pedestrian/bicycle pathways along Atlantic, connecting to the planned facilities to the east and west. This CAT project will also assist in meeting the goals of the City of Alameda's Local Action Plan for Climate Protection.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
In accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), this project is Categorically Exempt under the CEQA Guidelines Section 15301(c) Existing Facilities (Minor alterations to existing facilities including bicycle facilities) and Section 15304 (h) Minor Alterations to Land and the creation of bicycle lanes on existing public rights of way. On a separate and independent basis, the project is also statutorily exempt from CEQA pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21080.20.5 (restriping of streets and highways for bike lanes in an urbanized area that is consistent with a bike plan). The City prepared an assessment of the project related traffic and safety impacts, and recommends a concept that alleviates potential vehicular traffic impacts and bicycle and pedestrian safety impacts. No further environmental review is required because the project fits within the above categorical and statutory exemptions that are specifically designed for these types of bicycle infrastructure projects in urban areas.
In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act, this project is a Categorical Exclusion under 23 Code of Federal Regulations 771.117(c): activity (c)(3) Construction of bicycle and pedestrian lanes, paths and facilities.
RECOMMENDATION
Approve the application for grant funds for the California Climate Investments Urban Greening Program for the Cross Alameda Trail Project between Main Street and Constitution Way.
Respectfully submitted,
Jennifer Ott, Transportation Planning Director
By,
Rochelle Wheeler, Transportation Planner
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Elena Adair, Finance Director