Item2_OurFuture35_CityCouncilBriefing_Sept2023 — original pdf

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City Council Briefing Reconnecting Communities Grant Application September 2023 Grant Opportunity for an I-35 Cap Project TxDOT’s Capital Express Project lowers the main lanes of I-35. • Lowering the main lanes provides an opportunity to deck over the highway with “Caps” • Constructing Caps could provide up to 30 acres of new urban real estate IMAGE: Klyde Warren Park, Dallas Caps and Stitches TxDOT’s Capital Express Central Project Timeline Construction Lettings (bids opened): 2024 • Ben White to Holly • MLK bike/ped bridge • Drainage tunnels 2025 • 4th Street rail bridge, and Upper deck retrofit 2026 • Downtown Segment (Holly–15th), University Segment (15th– 51st), and Capital Plaza (51st – HWY 290) IMAGE: Construction of Southern Gateway Phase I Cap Project, Dallas, Texas Cap/Stitch timing to mesh with TxDOT’s schedule Construction Lettings - (Cap/Stitch opportunity): 2024 • Ladybird Lake Segment (Ben White to Holly) • Woodland Avenue Stitch • MLK bike/ped bridge • Drainage tunnels 2025 • 4th Street rail bridge and Upper deck retrofit 2026 • Downtown Segment (Holly–15th) • Holly Street Stitch; E. Cesar Chavez Cap; Cesar Chavez- 4th Street Cap; 4th-5th Street Cap; 5th-6th Street Cap; 6th- 7th Street Cap; 8th-9th Street Cap; 11th Street Stitch; 12th Street Stitch University Segment (15th– 51st) • 32nd Street Stitch; 38th ½ Street – 41st Cap; 41st Street – Airport Blvd Cap Capital Plaza Segment (51st – HWY 290) – 51st Street Stitch City of Austin CAPPING OPPORTUNITIES * Additional technical coordination needed at 11th/12th University of Texas Cap Section 15th St. to Dean Keeton Funding Opportunity - Available Federal Funding Grant Opportunities • Federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) (2021) provides large cap grant opportunities • Immediate grant opportunity: • Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods Programs • Applications are due Sept 28, 2023 IMAGE: Rose Kennedy Greenway, Boston • Project should: USDOT Justice 40 Initiative Map Key Grant Criteria Considerations for a Successful Application • Be within disadvantaged census tracts, as identified by USDOT’s “Justice 40” initiative • Enhance transit availability • Increase density and mix of surrounding land uses • Engage with community members and area stakeholders Improve bike/pedestrian access • • Synergize with surrounding City projects and initiatives • Mitigate displacement concerns • Encourage public and private investment Capital Grant Funding for Caps Proposed Strategy • Submit cap proposal that best meets federal grant criteria - a complete “start-to-finish” green space project • Seek federal funds to construct base and deck, COA contributes to amenities on top • Most Competitive Grant Project Identified: Cesar Chavez - 4th St. Cap (5.3 +/- acres) • Pursue $105M of federal grant funding • Proposed City match: $45M, if awarded grant Source: Certificates of Obligation or other funds Match not needed unless grant application is successful Why Cesar Chavez –4thSt. Cap? • 5.3 acre section is only land bridge where pedestrians don’t have to cross I-35 frontage road • Cap section is adjacent to Justice 40 environmental justice tracts Redline/Greenline rail and LA Bikeway facilities Palm Park and Palm School redevelopment • • • • Waterloo Greenway • Walking distance to Convention Center • Walking distance to MACC • Most competitive, most points on grant criteria Cesar Chavez to 4th Street Cap Opportunity • Federal grant dollars – cap structural elements & deck • City match – park-like open space and amenities, including restrooms, pavilions, and shade trees. • Future flexibility for additional amenities/partnerships for additional enhancements (ex., buildings). Funding not identified for enhancements. Strategies to Implement Additional Caps and Stitches • TxDOT has indicated a Dec. 2024 date for COA to provide funding for all for support structures and concrete caps for ~30 acres: $600M estimated • We are continuing to work with TxDOT to include future caps and stitches into the highway design • Primary challenge is the timing for financing. We continue to work through potential funding sources. Strategies to Implement Additional Caps and Stitches • Explore funding strategies including • Future grants • Philanthropy • Private/Public Partnerships (P3) • TIF/PID • Capital debt • Work with TxDOT on when funds need to be delivered for construction Grant Opportunity - Request to Submit On the September 21st Council Agenda 1. Consider the request to submit for a 2023 capital grant application to USDOT Reconnecting Communities Program • $105m Federal funding ask (structures) • $45m proposed City match (amenities + construction contingency) • Potential for additional amenities • City match only needed if grant is awarded • Award announcements expected February 2024 2. Consider AFA with USDOT for Reconnecting Communities Pilot Planning Grant along I-35 between SR 71 and US 290E for $1.12 M WWW.OURFUTURE35.COM OurFuture35@austintexas.gov /ATXmobility @AustinMobility