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COUNCIL COMMUNICATION
City Manager’s Office
GENERAL INFORMATION
Agenda Date: 10/25/04 Communication No.: 04-540
Agenda Item Type: Resolution Roll Call No.:
Submitted by: Jeb E. Brewer, P.E., City Engineer
SUBJECT—
Des Moines Metropolitan Planning Organization STP and STP-TE Fund Applications.
SYNOPSIS—
The Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is soliciting project applications for Federal Surface Transportation Program (STP) funds and for Transportation Enhancement (TE) funds for the 2008 Fiscal Year. It is recommended that the City submit applications for several projects, as listed below:
1. (STP) Major Construction Category: Indianola Avenue Widening – SE 14th Street to Army Post Road.
2. (STP) Major Construction Category: East 14th Street Widening – Ovid Avenue to Sheridan Avenue.
3. (STP) Preservation Category: SE 5th Street Bridge over Yeader Creek.
4. (STP) Preservation Category: Evergreen Drive Bridge over the Easter Lake Spillway.
5. (STP) Preservation Category: Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway/19th Street Resurfacing – University Avenue to Mondamin Avenue.
6. (STP) Preservation Category: Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway Resurfacing – Mondamin Avenue to Hickman Road.
7. (STP-TE) Bicycle/Pedestrian Trails: Easter Lake Trail System – Backbone Trail.
8. (STP-TE) Scenic/Environmental: Fleur Drive Beautification, Streetscape Improvements.
9. (STP-TE) Scenic/Environmental: Ingersoll Avenue Streetscape Project.
FISCAL IMPACT—
Local matching funds for these projects are either included in the 2004‑05/2009-10 CIP or will be included in future CIPs if the applications are successful.
RECOMMENDATION—
Authorize the City Manager to submit applications to the MPO for Federal STP and TE funds.
BACKGROUND—
The MPO is soliciting project applications for Federal STP and STP‑TE funds for Fiscal Year 2008. The applications must be submitted to the MPO by October 29, 2004. These grant applications do not represent a commitment on the part of the City Council to expend funds. Since the submission deadline is significantly advanced in relation to the year funds may ultimately be awarded and the uncertainty of whether these projects will receive any grant funding at all, it is likely that some of these projects will not be reflected in the City’s long-range Capital Improvement Program. In the event an unscheduled project indeed receives grant funding, staff will recommend to the City Council appropriate adjustments for its inclusion in the Capital Improvement Program.
Funding is divided into two major categories, as further identified below:
A. STP Project Applications
STP project applications are requested for Fiscal Year 2008 with a total of approximately $4.5 million available for the metro region. The MPO has previously established four categories of STP projects: Major Construction, Minor Construction, Preservation, and Alternative Transportation. Staff has reviewed a number of potential projects and recommends the following projects be submitted for STP funding:
1. Major Construction Category:
Indianola Avenue Widening – SE 14th Street to Army Post Road
This project consists of widening/paving of Indianola Avenue from SE 14th Street south to Army Post Road. A four-lane, divided, roadway is being considered. The estimated project cost is $10 million. Last year, this project received $500,000 of FY 2007 STP funding. The City is requesting $3,000,000 of FY 2008 funds, with a future request planned next year for FY 2009 funds.
East 14th Street Widening – Ovid Avenue to Sheridan Avenue
This project consists of widening the existing East 14th Street corridor between Ovid Avenue and Sheridan Avenue to a five-lane facility, in order to provide a left-turn lane through this area. This includes the addition of turn lanes and new signalization at the intersection of East 14th and Hull Avenue. The total project cost is $4.2 million, of which the city is requesting $500,000 of STP funds. Other sources, including Federal and State Safety funds have also been requested.
2. Preservation:
SE 5th Street Bridge over Yeader Creek
This project consists of repair and overlay of this bridge, which is located on SE 5th Street south of McKinley Avenue. The estimated cost is $400,000, of which the City would be requesting $320,000 of MPO funds.
Evergreen Drive Bridge over the Easter Lake Spillway
This project would consist of repair and overlay of this bridge, which is located on Evergreen Drive west of SE 34th Street. The estimated project cost is $345,000, of which the City would be requesting $276,000 of MPO funds.
Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway/19th Street Resurfacing – University Avenue to Mondamin Avenue
This project would consist of repair and resurfacing of Martin Luther King Jr. Pkwy/19th Street one-way pair streets between University Avenue and Mondamin Avenue. (The section of 19th Street between Forest and College Avenues was resurfaced in 2004 and is not included in this request.) The estimated cost is $515,000, of which the City would be requesting $412,000 of MPO funds.
Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway Resurfacing – Mondamin Avenue to Hickman Road
This project would consist of repair and resurfacing of Martin Luther King Jr. Pkwy from Mondamin Avenue to Hickman Road. The estimated cost is $325,000, of which the City would be requesting $260,000 of MPO funds.
B. STP-TE Project Applications
STP-TE project applications are requested for Fiscal Year 2008. The MPO has previously established three categories of TE projects: Scenic/Environmental, Bicycle/Pedestrian Facilities, and Historic Preservation. Total funds available are rather limited, with approximately $450,000 per year for funding of all three categories. Engineering, Community Development, and Parks and Recreation staff have reviewed a number of potential projects, and recommend the following projects for submission to the MPO for TE funding.
1. Bicycle/Pedestrian Trails:
Easter Lake Trail System – Backbone Trail
This project consists of a system of recreational trails being developed as part of the Easter Lake New Town Plan. The system includes a 10-foot-wide backbone trail starting near Indianola Avenue and Highway 69 and working northeast to the southeast corner of Easter Lake at Easter Lake Drive. A series of 8-foot-wide feeder trails will connect the developing neighborhoods to the backbone trail. Developers are constructing a majority of the feeder
trails as they build new housing developments and the City of Des Moines is completing the backbone trail. Estimated costs to complete this project are $500,000, of which the City will request $200,000 of STP-TE funding.
1. Scenic/Environmental:
Fleur Drive Beautification, Streetscape Project
This project consists of additional phases of the landscaping improvements along Fleur Drive from Army Post Road to the Raccoon River and the new MLK interchange. Phases one, two, three, and four of this multi-stage project have been completed. Future phases of the project will extend the landscaping from Watrous Avenue north to Park Avenue, and from George Flagg Parkway north to the Raccoon River. The estimated cost of these phases is approximately $1,400,000, of which the City will request $250,000 of STP-TE funds. The remaining funds for this project would come from private sources.
Ingersoll Avenue Streetscape Project
The City of Des Moines has partnered with the Ingersoll Avenue community to create the Ingersoll Avenue Improvement Plan. This document includes recommendations for streetscape, parking, and traffic improvements, as well as recommendations for redevelopment projects and policy changes for the corridor from 17th Street to 42nd Street. Three initial phases have been identified: from 28th Street to 31st Street (Phase 1); from 36th Street to 38th Street (Phase 2); and from 31st Street to 36th Street (Phase 3). Later, unidentified phases would complete the improvements from 17th Street to 42nd Street. The estimated cost for the initial phase of the project is $500,000, of which the City will request $200,000 of STE-TE funds for streetscape improvements, including street lighting, pedestrian amenities, and traffic calming features. The remaining funds would come from futureCity CIP and other sources.
Each MPO funding application (for STP or TE funds) must provide assurance that the sponsor will adequately maintain the completed project for its intended public use for a minimum of 20 years following completion.