Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 8: URA-Riverfront URD Funds for Franklin Multiway ERA UGENE ENEWAL GENCY AIS GENDA TEM UMMARY Action: Urban Renewal Agency Commitment of Riverfront Urban Renewal District Funds as Match for TIGER II Grant for Franklin Multiway Boulevard Meeting Date: August 9, 2010 Agenda Item Number: 8 Department: Planning & Development Staff Contact: Denny Braud www.eugene-or.gov Contact Telephone Number: 541-682-5536 ISSUE STATEMENT The Cities of Eugene and Springfield and Lane Transit District are partnering on a grant application to the U.S. Departments of Transportation (DOT) and Housing and Urban Development (HUD) that would implement elements of the Walnut Station Mixed-Use Center plan in Eugene and the Glenwood Refinement Plan/Franklin Boulevard Study in Springfield. The Eugene element of the application would fund environmental analysis and preliminary design for the Franklin Multiway Boulevard project and acquisition of one land bank site for affordable housing within the mixed-use center area. The Springfield element of the project would fund similar activities in Springfield. The grant requires a match and the proposed match source in Eugene for the multiway boulevard element of the project is the Riverfront Urban Renewal District. BACKGROUND HUD, DOT and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have formed a partnership to advance a sustainable development agenda. The partnership is guided by six Livability Principles: 1) provide more transportation choices; 2) promote, equitable, affordable housing; 3) enhance economic competitiveness; 4) support existing communities; 5) coordinate policies and leverage investment, and 6) value communities and neighborhoods. HUD and DOT released a joint notice of fund availability for DOT TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) II Planning Grants and HUD Community Challenge Planning Grants (CCPG). TIGER II Planning Grants will fund the planning, preparation or design of surface transportation projects. The purpose of the HUD CCPG program is to support housing, economic development, and land use planning strategies that will increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the transportation project being planned. A primary goal of CCPG is to facilitate the development of affordable housing close to transit, jobs, and services. HUD and DOT have created one application for receiving funding requests through both of these programs and the agencies are encouraging joint-funding requests that seek funds from both programs. Pending Urban Renewal Agency commitment of the urban renewal district funds, Public Works Engineering and Community Development have received approval from the Intergovernmental Relations Committee to submit a grant application to DOT and HUD. The City of Eugene would apply for $945,000 in TIGER II funds and $600,000 in Community Challenge Grant funds. The TIGER II grant requires a minimum 20 percent cash match and a commitment to the match amount on the part of the local Z:\CMO\2010 Council Agendas\M100809\S1008098.doc government. Because this is an extremely competitive process, the proposed match is $380,000 which is a 40 percent match. Out of 1,400 applications that DOT received for the first round of TIGER funding only 51 projects were funded. The source of the TIGER II match funds is the Riverfront Urban Renewal District. There is projected to be a balance of approximately $4 million in the Riverfront Urban Renewal District fund balance by the end of FY2011. The Franklin Multiway Boulevard project has the potential to advance many of the goals and objectives included in the Riverfront Urban Renewal District Plan. Specifically, the Riverfront Urban Renewal Plan goals and objectives related to the proposed project include:  Improvement of connections between the core of downtown, Riverfront, and the University of Oregon  Strengthening of the economic and environmental conditions of the plan area and the metropolitan area  Improved access into and through the Riverfront Urban Renewal District area by transportation improvements consistent with the City’s transportation policies  Safe, direct, and attractive linkages between the Riverfront Urban Renewal District area, the University of Oregon, downtown Eugene, and the river  Improve and construct safe pedestrian amenities and bikeways throughout the plan area  Improve circulation to and through the District and coordination with other transportation systems  Encourage the development of new commercial and housing For the CCPG, there is a 20 percent match requirement and the proposed match is $300,000. The source of the match funds is Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds already allocated for land banking of affordable housing sites. These funds have already been approved by the City Council for this purpose and no further action is needed. As part of the same grant application, the City of Springfield is requesting $704,000 in TIGER II funds with $400,000 in matching funds, and requesting $600,000 in CCPG funds with $400,000 in matching funds. The TIGER II/Community Challenge grant application is due on August 23, 2010. Franklin Boulevard – Multiway Boulevard Converting Franklin Boulevard from its existing configuration to a multiway boulevard is a core component of the vision for the Walnut Station Mixed-Use Center and a key implementation strategy. Transforming the street is seen as a necessary step to encourage properties along Franklin to redevelop at higher densities and with a mix of uses. The multiway boulevard creates a different context for Franklin Boulevard by separating the through- traffic from the adjacent land uses through the construction of planted medians, access lanes and on- street parking that serves those land uses. For the pedestrians who are walking along the sidewalks adjacent to the access lanes, it feels more like they are walking along a traditional main street than a busy arterial. The multiway boulevard design supports the increased development envisioned by providing a safer and more pedestrian-friendly environment. The access lane is designed as a low-speed facility that also provides a safe, comfortable route for bicyclists. The access lane and tree-lined medians also provide Z:\CMO\2010 Council Agendas\M100809\S1008098.doc pedestrians a buffer from the high volume, higher speed through-traffic lanes, creating sidewalks that support the vibrant pedestrian activity envisioned along Franklin Boulevard. Curb extensions or stop controls, or both, at intersections can also reduce the pedestrian crossing distance and convert the local access lane area to a more pedestrian- and bicycle-friendly zone. The design includes wider than standard sidewalks that provide areas for street amenities and opportunities for café seating and other outdoor activities. The street design also provides for two dedicated EmX lanes along the corridor. RELATED CITY POLICIES On July 12, 2010, the City Council approved the Walnut Station Mixed Use Center Plan. From Eugene-Springfield Transportation System Plan (TransPlan): TSI Transit Policy #2: Bus Rapid Transit Establish a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system composed of frequent, fast transit service along major corridors and neighborhood feeder service that connects with the corridor service and with activity centers, if the system is shown to increase transit mode split along BRT corridors, if local governments demonstrate support, and if financing for the system is feasible. TSI Pedestrian Policy #1: Pedestrian Environment Provide for a pedestrian environment that is well integrated with adjacent land uses and is designed to enhance the safety, comfort and convenience of walking. From Adopted Growth Management Policies: Growth Management Policy 11 Increase the use of alternative modes of transportation by improving the capacity, design, safety, and convenience of the transit, bicycle, and pedestrian transportation systems. AGENCY OPTIONS A. Commit to the use of Riverfront Urban Renewal District funds as the match for the TIGER II grant application. B. Take no action. AGENCY DIRECTOR’S RECOMMENDATION Option A - Commit to the use of Riverfront Urban Renewal District funds as the match for the TIGER II grant application. SUGGESTED MOTION Move to direct the Agency Director to commit to the use of Riverfront Urban Renewal District funds as the match for the TIGER II grant application and include the matching funds on the next supplemental budget after and if the grant is approved. Z:\CMO\2010 Council Agendas\M100809\S1008098.doc FOR MORE INFORMATION TIGER II Grant Staff Contact: Rob Inerfeld, Public Works Engineering Telephone: 682-5343 Staff E-Mail: rob.inerfeld@ci.eugene.or.us Riverfront Urban Renewal Staff Contact: Denny Braud, Planning & Development Telephone: 682-5536 Staff E-Mail: denny.braud@ci.eugene.or.us Z:\CMO\2010 Council Agendas\M100809\S1008098.doc