Subject:
Title
Grant application to the United States Department of Transportation for the National Infrastructure Investments under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act - Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity 2022 Grant Program for the Joe’s Creek Greenway Trail and Channel Restoration Project.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Approval of the grant application to the United States Department of Transportation for the National Infrastructure Investments under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act - Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) Grant Program for the Joe’s Creek Greenway Trail and Channel Restoration Project.
• Grant funding is for the design and construction of the Joe’s Creek Greenway Trail and Channel Restoration Project within the Lealman Community Redevelopment Area and Town of Kenneth City.
• Total project cost is estimated at approximately $51M for design, construction, and inspection phase services. Should the full grant request ($25M) be awarded, it will combine with the following additional grant funds and reduce need for Penny for Pinellas funds down to approximately $5.4M:
a.) Community Development Block Grant-Mitigation (CDBG-MIT) award of $17.1M;
b.) American Recovery Plan Act funding of $3.1M; and
c.) Southwest Florida Water Management District funding of $360,000.00.
• In alignment with the $17.1M funding recently awarded from the CDBG-MIT program, RAISE funds may be used to meet matching local share requirement from other federal funding programs.
• The project is currently programmed for future funding within the Local Option Infrastructure Sales Surtax (Penny for Pinellas).
• This action authorizes the Director of Public Works to electronically submit the RAISE grant application by the submission deadline of April 14, 2022.
PID 004116A in the project total amount of $51M; grant authorization request of $25M.
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Strategic Plan:
Ensure Public Health, Safety, and Welfare
2.1 Provide planning, coordination, prevention, and protective services to create and enhance a safe, secure, and healthy community
2.5 Enhance pedestrian and bicycle safety
Practice Superior Environmental Stewardship
3.1 Implement green technologies and practices where practical
3.3 Protect and improve the quality of our water, air, and other natural resources
3.5 Foster a sustainable and resilient community that is prepared for sea level rise and a changing climate
Foster Continual Economic Growth and Vitality
4.2 Invest in communities that need the most assistance
4.3 Catalyze redevelopment through planning and regulatory programs
4.4 Invest in Infrastructure to meet current and future needs
4.5 Provide safe and effective transportation systems to support the efficient flow of motorists, commerce, and regional connectivity
4.6 Support a vibrant community with recreation, arts, and culture to attract residents and visitors
Summary:
Summary
This project is located within Town of Kenneth City and the Lealman Community Redevelopment Area (CRA), which are defined as disadvantaged neighborhoods consisting of high percentage of Low Medium Income (LMI) households with limited access to motorized vehicles for transportation. Under the RAISE grant program, USDOT share of the project costs may not exceed 80% percent unless the project is located in a rural area, a historically disadvantaged community, or an area of persistent poverty. Since the site meets these requirements, the project will qualify for the 0% local funding match.
This request for grant funds from the USDOT is for the Joe’s Creek Greenway Trail and Channel Restoration Project. The project will restore Joe’s Creek Channel to a more natural state to improve resiliency, provide green infrastructure to improve water quality and wildlife habitat, create a regional multi-modal trail along Joe’s Creek to improve transportation opportunities, community connectivity, and provide recreational and economic redevelopment incentives in these LMI communities.
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Background Information:
The 2017 Joe’s Creek Greenway Trail Alignment Study proposed alignment of a regional trail along Joe’s Creek corridor to provide connectivity from the Raymond H. Neri Park to the countywide Pinellas Trail network and St. Petersburg’s future 71 St. North Trail. The 2016 Joe’s Creek Watershed Management Plan (WMP) and the 2018 Joe’s Creek Channel 1 Bank Restoration study contain recommendations to improve flood protection, water quality, and resiliency through improvements such as channel and culvert improvements and implementation of green infrastructure. The proposed multi-modal trail, channel improvements, and stormwater improvements will support countywide sustainability objectives and revitalization goals of the Lealman CRA.
Fiscal Impact:
The latest cost estimate of this project is $51M. The RAISE grant does not require local matching funds and the project is budgeted for $10.9M in the current FY22-FY27 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) plan; Physical Environment function, Flood Control program. Project 004116A is funded by Local Infrastructure Sales Tax (Penny for Pinellas), federal grants, state grants, and local grants. This grant funding request of $25M would offset allocated Local Infrastructure Sales Tax (Penny for Pinellas) funding.
The project has recently been awarded for funding assistance from CDBG-MIT ($17.1M), ARPA ($3.1M) and SWFWMD ($360,000.00). Based on the latest project estimate of $51M, a change request of $23M will be submitted with the proposed FY23-FY28 CIP plan. $20M of this change is grant funded and the remaining amount is Penny.
Staff Member Responsible:
Kelli Hammer Levy, Director, Public Works
Partners:
Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT)
Forward Pinellas
Lealman Community Redevelopment Association (CRA)
Town of Kenneth City
Attachments:
Grant Application
USDOT Notice of Funding Opportunity
OMB Approval of Intent to Apply
Project Location Map
Letter of Support, FDOT (anticipated to be added)
Letter of Support, Forward Pinellas (anticipated to be added)
Letter of Support, Lealman CRA (anticipated to be added)
Letter of Support, Town of Kenneth City (anticipated to be added)