2018 Call for Projects Application List

Who is Completing the Application?

Please provide contact information for the person who will complete the online application for this project. The email address and password entered here will be used to complete and submit both Pre-Applications and Applications.

Name

Lisa Graiff

Title

Beyond the Bayous Project Manager

Phone Number

713-942-8500

Email Address

[email protected]

Primary Agency Information

Please provide contact information for the agency official who is representing the project sponsor. This individual will be considered the official applicant and must be authorized by their agency to submit this request for funding and make necessary assertations and representations on the agency’s behalf.

Agency Name

Houston Parks and Recreation Department

Name

Stephen Wright

Title

Director

Phone Number

832-395-7000

Email Address

[email protected]

Address

2999 South Wayside Drive

City

Houston

State

TX

Zip Code

77023

Additional Agency Information

1. Is this project being developed and/or implemented in partnership with another agency?

Agency Name

Houston Parks Board

Name

Lisa Graiff

Title

Beyond the Bayous Project Manager

Phone Number

713-942-8500

Email Address

[email protected]

Address

300 North Post Oak Lane

City

Houston

State

TX

Zip Code

77024

Project Information

1. Project Title

Port Connector Greenway

2. Project County

Harris County

3. Facility/Street Name

Port of Houston, Buffalo Bayou, Navigation Boulevard, 75th Street, Brays Bayou Greenway, Broadway Street, Galveston Road, Sims Bayou Greenway, Hobby Airport

4. Project limits (from, to) or location (Address)

The Port Regional Connector Greenway includes a new bridge over Buffalo Bayou from the Port of Houston to Hildago Park, dedicated bike paths along Navigation, new greenways through the East End to Mason Park, a new trail alongside Old Galveston Road, a new bridge across Sims to a new greenway south to Hobby Airport, plus associated intersection improvements.

5. Describe the primary problems to be addressed by the project (Project Need).

Through grants from the Houston Endowment, the Houston Parks Board (HPB), in coordination with the Houston Parks and Recreation Department (HPARD), has conducted studies to expand the success of Bayou Greenways 2020 (BG2020) to further connect Houstonians to parks, schools, jobs and each other. Beyond the Bayous identifies a new Regional Connector Network of Greenways to link the Bayou Greenways. This broader system of greenways can serve as the framework for active transportation projects under H-GAC’s 2045 Regional Transportation Plan. The Port Regional Connector Greenway is part of this broader effort to improve regional connectivity by providing a system of connected greenways. This new greenway links the Port of Houston, Sims, Brays and Buffalo Bayou Park Greenways through the East End to Hobby Airport. In addressing ped-bike regional connectivity, the project also aims to improve safety and accessibility. With the success of BG2020, more Houstonians than ever are walking and biking throughout the region. In much of Houston, the appropriate safe pedestrian infrastructure is not available, and dangerous pedestrian and vehicle conflicts are the result. Providing separated, ADA compliant pathways addresses these safety and accessibility concerns. Additionally, Houstonians are still heavily reliant on cars for transportation. By improving the alternative transportation network, the project will also provide environmental and economic benefits. All of this is especially important in the East End of Houston where the industrial parcels and major barriers defining these communities create an unsafe and uninviting pedestrian environment. Low density and inconsistent sidewalks limit pedestrian mobility. Existing greenway segments such as the Harrisburg and Sunset Rail Trail represent a series of links in a broken chain that could connect to near-by employment hubs such as the Port of Houston, Hobby Airport and Downtown Houston.

6. Describe the proposed improvement/activity (Description).

This project will create a new north-south greenway connecting Buffalo to Brays to Sims Bayou Greenways. The Port Regional Connector Greenway includes a new bridge over Buffalo Bayou from the Port of Houston to Hildago Park, dedicated bike paths along Navigation, new greenways through the East End to Mason Park, a new trail alongside Old Galveston Road, a new bridge across Sims to a new greenway south to Hobby Airport, plus associated intersection improvements. The proposed trail will connect from the Port of Houston south to Hobby Airport linking several largely low income and minority neighborhoods to these employment centers and the Bayou Greenways. This project will add 11.8 miles of Greenway to the Regional Connector Network.

7. Describe the primary outcomes to be achieved by the project (Project Purpose)

The proposed trail will address Houston’s regional pedestrian and bicycle connectivity by linking three Bayou Greenways (Buffalo, Brays, and Sims). It will also greatly improve mobility by addressing pedestrian and bicyclist safety and accessibility. The route provides wayfinding, intersection improvements and consistently paved and ADA accessible shared-use trails. These trails connect several largely low income and minority neighborhoods to job and transit hubs providing economic opportunities through increased access. Providing safe and accessible alternatives to travel by car can also reduce road congestion, and air pollution, leading to a safer environment for everyone. The proposed project will improve multi-modal connectivity by adding 11.8 miles of hike and bike trails linking several largely low income and minority neighborhoods, improving access to jobs, education, and recreation.

8. Have any MPOID numbers been assigned to this project?

I Don't Know

9. Have any TxDOT Control-Section-Job (CSJ) numbers been assigned to this project?

I Don't Know

10. What is the estimated total capital investment required for the project?

Less than $100 million

A. Investment Category & Strategy

Active Transportation

11. Please provide the federal funding amount requested.

35322216

12. Please upload the funding commitment letter or letters of support from the local government.

Port Connector Greenway - Support Letters and Commitment.pdf

Project Development/Readiness

1. Please select the level of engineering completed.

Schematic

2. What is the completed or anticipated level of environmental documentation required for the proposed project?

Environmental Assessment (EA)

A. What was/is the anticipated completion date of the environmental clearance?

09/01/2019

3. Will any of the following be required to implement the project? US Army Corps of Engineers Permits

No

US Coast Guard Permits

No

Railroad Agreements

No

None of the Above

Yes

4. Will the acquisition of Right of Way or an easement be required to implement the project?

No

5. Has utility coordination been initiated for the project?

No

6. Will the project improve or significantly affect infrastructure owned or operated by another agency?

No

Map/Location

1. Please provide a clear and concise GIS coverage or PDF map for the proposed project. (MPK ESRI Map Package file preferred)

PORT CONNECTOR GREENWAY - Shape Files and Maps.zip

Project Budget

1. Please attach a completed project budget worksheet. Templates are available on the 2018 Call for projects website.

Port Connector Greenway - project-budget-worksheet-final.xlsx

2. Are Transportation Development Credits (TDCs) being requested?

No

Benefit/Cost Analysis

1. Safety Benefits

Port Connector Greenway - CBA - Safety.zip

2. Delay Benefits

1031201820721PM.zip

3. Emissions Benefits

Port Connector Greenway - CBA - Emissions.zip

4. Additional BCA Documentation (Optional)

HPB-HPARD ALT CBA calculations.zip

5. Additional BCA Documentation (Optional)

Port Connector Greenway - Planning Factors.pdf

Planning Factors - Barrier Elimination (Active Transportation)

1. Does the proposed facility provide safe and convenient routes across barriers such as freeways, railroads, and waterways?

Yes

2. Does the proposed bicycle/pedestrian facility close a gap in the existing bicycle network that aligns with a regional bikeway?

Yes

Planning Factors - Emissions Reductions

1. Please provide the air quality improvements (estimated NOX tons/year) the proposed facility provides.

This project is estimated to provide air quality improvements of 5.41 NOx tons/year of emissions reductions.

2. Please provide the air quality improvements (estimated VOCs tons/year) the proposed facility provides.

This project is estimated to provide air quality improvements of 1.31 VOC tons/year of emissions reductions.

Planning Factors - Environmental Justice

1. Is the proposed project located in or is adjoining an environmental justice sensitive area (census block groups) identified by HGAC?

Yes

A. If Yes, Will the project incorporate measures that reduce, minimize or avoid adverse effects environmental justice sensitive areas (census block groups) identified by HGAC?

Yes

Planning Factors - Expands or Improves Bicycle & Pedestrian Connectivity to Employment/Schools/Medical Facilities/Transit Stops/Other Points of Interest

Does the facility directly connect to or within 1/4 mile of employment?

Yes

A. If yes, please indicate number of jobs the facility directly connects to or is within a 1/4 mile.

901 - 1000

2. Does the facility directly connect to or within 1/4 mile of a school or university?

Yes

3. Does the facility directly connect to or within 1/4 mile of medical facility?

Yes

4. Does the facility directly connect to or within 1/4 mile of Transit Center or Transit Stop?

Yes

5. Does the facility directly connect to or within 1/4 mile of other points of interest?

Yes

Planning Factors - Planning Coordination

1. Is the proposed project recommended in a regional/sub regional/or locally adopted plan including regional thoroughfare plans? Or Has the sponsor conducted interagency coordination with other local or state agency affected by the proposed project?

Yes

A. If yes, please provide the title of the regional/sub regional or local plan in which the proposed project is recommended.

Houston Bike Plan, Beyond the Bayous, Hobby Area Livable Centers Study, Buffalo Bayou Master Plan

B. If yes, please provide a link to the regional/sub regional or local plan in which the proposed project is recommended.

http://houstonbikeplan.org/documents/; https://houstonparksboard.box.com/s/2pbf5fxnpro5uivlabxdzn6044ekrx0d;http://www.h-gac.com/community/livablecenters/planning-studies/documents/Hobby-Livable-Centers-Study_%20March2017.pdf; http://issuu.com/buffalobayou/docs/bbpmasterplan2002?e=13332866/13696999

Alert!

On This Page

Who is Completing the Application?

Primary Agency Information

Additional Agency Information

Project Information

Project Development/Readiness

Map/Location

Project Budget

Benefit/Cost Analysis

Planning Factors - Barrier Elimination (Active Transportation)

Planning Factors - Emissions Reductions

Planning Factors - Environmental Justice

Planning Factors - Expands or Improves Bicycle & Pedestrian Connectivity to Employment/Schools/Medical Facilities/Transit Stops/Other Points of Interest

Planning Factors - Planning Coordination

2018 Call for Projects