Fiscal Note
The proposed resolution provides the required support to authorize the WisDOT Transportation Alternatives Grant for the Garver Path project on the City's East side. This project has not yet been explicitly included within Engineering Pedestrian & Bicycle capital improvement plan (CIP), but is anticipated to be incorporated into the next CIP request as a repurposing of the deferred Goodman Path project. If awarded, a separate resolution will authorize acceptance of the grant funds for the project.
Title
Supporting a 2018-2022 Transportation Alternatives Program grant for the Garver Path project.
Body
PREAMBLE
The City of Madison endeavors to provide its citizens with a robust, sustainable, multi-modal transportation system, including a major emphasis on bicycling and walking as viable and desirable modes of travel. The City has made major investments in bicycling and walking infrastructure and this priority is reflected in current budgets. Many of the City’s important existing bike-related infrastructure projects were successfully completed with Federal Transportation Enhancements (TE) funding participation in partnership with WisDOT, and the City continues to seek Federal funding for planned major bicycle or pedestrian infrastructure projects.
The Garver Path will connect to the existing Capital City Path at Sugar Avenue and will run northward approximately 2800 feet to Milwaukee Street where it will connect with future planned routes that will ultimately extend to Sun Prairie. The primary route of the Garver Path will connect Olbrich Park and O.B. Sherry Park while proposed secondary paths will better connect neighborhoods with parks and commercial areas. Three new developments are currently under way near the south terminus of the project that will increase the utility and use of the path. These projects include a commercial development and two mixed-use buildings, one of which includes affordable housing. The proposed path will have a 10-foot wide asphalt pavement with 2-foot wide grass shoulders on a crushed stone base and will include structural components in order to navigate waterways.
The Engineering Division has submitted an application to WisDOT for Federal funding under the 2018-2022 Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP). Projects selected for funding applications are being planned in coordination with other city agencies and are included in City’s current adopted multi-year budget. A support resolution is required to be eligible for the grant.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Mayor and Common Council fully support the grant for Federal funds under the 2018-2022 WisDOT Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) for the Garver Path project.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City Engineer and Finance Director is hereby authorized to accept a Transportation Alternatives Grant for the Garver Path if awarded.