Title
Consider/Discuss/Act on a Resolution of Support Authorizing the City Manager, or Designee, to Apply for the FY 2024 National Infrastructure Investments Discretionary Grant (Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity Grant Program) for Various Street Improvements in East McKinney, and Accepting Funding if Awarded
Summary
COUNCIL GOAL: Operational Excellence
(2A: Balance available resources to accommodate the growth and maintenance needs of the city)
MEETING DATE: February 6, 2024
DEPARTMENT: Development Services / Engineering
CONTACT: Shelley Lang, PE, Assistant Director of Engineering
Gary Graham, PE, PTOE, Director of Engineering
RECOMMENDED CITY COUNCIL ACTION:
• Approval of Resolution.
ITEM SUMMARY:
• This Resolution provides City Council support and approval of a Resolution to apply for a submittal for the FY 2024 National Infrastructure Investments Discretionary RAISE Grant Program and accepts funding, if awarded, from the U.S. Department of Transportation (“USDOT”).
• The proposed project submittal for the FY 2024 National Infrastructure Investments Discretionary RAISE Grant Program includes planning, design, and construction of (a) Seneca Boulevard from Throckmorton Street to Airport Drive, (b) a new town thoroughfare, Wattley Avenue from Seneca Boulevard to US 380, and (c) Washington Avenue from East Virginia Street to Seneca Boulevard in accordance with the East McKinney Mobility & Transportation Alignment Study Project (CIP Project ST2107).
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
• The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 (“Bipartisan Infrastructure Law,” or “BIL”) authorized and appropriated $1.5 billion to be awarded by the USDOT for Local and Regional Project Assistance Program Grants under National Infrastructure Investments.
• A Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) has been solicited by the USDOT for project applications to be funded under the Local and Regional Project Assistance Program, known as the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) Grants program (Funding Opportunity Number DTOS59-24-RA-RAISE).
• RAISE Grants are for capital investments in surface transportation that will have a significant local or regional impact and which address safety, environmental sustainability, quality of life, mobility and community connectivity, economic competitiveness and opportunity, state of good repair, partnership and collaboration, and innovation.
• The City of McKinney Engineering Department conducted the East McKinney Mobility & Transportation Alignment Study under CIP Project ST2107 that included identification of long-term, sustainable, and stakeholder supported street improvements in East McKinney as part of the East McKinney Redevelopment and Preservation efforts underway.
• The recommendations under this study include reconstruction of existing streets as well as construction of new streets to improve mobility/community connectivity, safety, quality of life, state of aging infrastructure, and support redevelopment opportunity of the area.
• Three (3) specific recommended street improvements identified under this study have been identified as strong candidates for the FY 2024 National Infrastructure Investments Discretionary RAISE Grant Program including (a) Seneca Boulevard from Throckmorton Street to Airport Drive, (b) a new town thoroughfare, Wattley Avenue from Seneca Boulevard to US 380, and (c) Washington Avenue from East Virginia Street to Seneca Boulevard.
• These street improvements are part of a long-term plan which includes phased mobility improvements in East McKinney.
• The total cost for the planning, design, and construction of these streets is estimated at approximately $22 million.
• The FY 2024 National Infrastructure Investments Discretionary RAISE Grant Program provides an opportunity for a project award between $5 million and $25 million.
• Funding for any cost overages will be included in the FY25-29 Capital Improvement Program through voter-authorized general obligation bonds.
• A letter of support will be provided by the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) Regional Transportation Council and included as part of the grant submittal.
• The deadline for submitting grant applications under the FY 2024 National Infrastructure Investments Discretionary RAISE Grant Program is February 28, 2024 and awards are expected to be announced in June 2024.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY:
• This grant application submittal includes a commitment of 100% through federal funding for the $22 million requested in the grant submittal to cover the estimated cost for the planning, design, and construction of these streets. However, the city will be responsible for any cost overages, if awarded.
• If awarded, a grant agreement will be required to be executed at a later date formalizing award for the project.
BOARD OR COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION:
• N/A