2015 Call for Projects Application Listing

Project Information

Project Title Center Point Hike & Bike Trail Primary Agency Westchase Management District Date Submitted 1/12/2015 12:46:19 PM

Project Narrative

Describe the primary problems to be addressed by the project (Project Need).
1000 characters max Just west of the intersection with Wilcrest and Westheimer there is a CenterPoint utility corridor that runs (in part) north-south between Westheimer and Richmond. It has been part of the Westchase District's vision for a comprehensive hike and bike trail network to implement a trail along this otherwise vacant corridor. Due to efforts of Mayor Annise Parker, Westchase Executive Director/State Representative Jim Murphy, and others, it is now legally possible for a trail to be built on the CenterPoint owned property. As such, Westchase would like to move forward with implementation in order to connect this corridor to existing City of Houston bike routes on Richmond and Meadowglen, as well as other trails such as the Library Loop Trail, and the soon to be (re)let Brays Bayou Connector Trail. The trail will provide a new, ADA accessible, north-south ped./bike connection that is separated from auto corridors. The implementation of this trail will, in part, work to implement the vision of the recently completed West Houston Mobility Study, that recommends the build-out of a hike and bike trail network in West Houston. Describe the primary outcome to be achieved by the project (Project Purpose).
1000 characters max The proposed CenterPoint Trail will provide Westchase visitors and residents with another north-south trail option to be used in conjunction with the Library Loop Trail and the Brays Bayou Trail Connector; the latter is anticipated to be under construction in early CY15. The trail will also provide connectivity to the existing city on-street bikeway network on Richmond and Meadowglen. The project will create a safer environment for pedestrians and transit users by providing improved ADA accessibility, creating an alternative route around adjacent degraded sidewalk conditions (trip hazard), and placing a barrier between pedestrians and traffic. The CenterPoint Trail will provide access to (METRO) transit routes along Westheimer, Wilcrest, and Richmond. There are 42 bus stops within half mile buffer of the proposed CenterPoint Trail. The combined ridership along these bus stops is 1,735. Describe the proposed improvement (Facility/Limits/Description).
1000 characters max The proposed project consists of constructing a 0.62 mile long, 10' wide, hike & bike trail along an existing CenterPoint transmission utility corridor from Westheimer Road to Richmond Avenue. The trail will be constructed according to all AASHTO requirements. The proposed project will be constructed entirely within right-of-way owned by Centerpoint through the form of a license agreement. This is possible due to a recent legislative agreement (May 2014) reached with CenterPoint to allow for the construction of trails within utility-owned rights-of-way. The project is approximately 30% designed. Acceleration to a 100% design can be done extremely quickly, as the trail is essentially a linear path without elevation challenges. Describe any alternatives to the proposed improvement which have been considered or will be evaluated.
2000 characters max The only alternative to this project is the no-build alternative. The no build alternative will result in no use of the vacant property within the CenterPoint utility corridor. This alternative will not allow for increased property values or for an active transportation option along this corridor in the Westchase District.

Project Narrative

Has a scoping meeting been conducted with TxDOT or FTA?
Note: A brief scoping meeting will be scheduled during the application review period for any “Major Investment” project which has not already had one. No Please attach a completed scoping checklist or meeting summary.

What level of environmental documentation is required for the proposed project? Categorical Exclusion (CE) Which CE does the proposed project scope qualify for? (c)(3) Construction of bicycle and pedestrian lanes, paths, and facilities Will any permits from the Army Corps of Engineers, US Coast Guard, railroad, etc. be required before the project can be constructed? No Please describe the permits needed and the timeline anticipated to acquire them.
1000 characters max Please provide an estimated completion date for the 30% Design/PS&E milestone. 21/08/2013 Will additional property, or interest in property (easement), be required to implement the project? No How many parcels or portions thereof remain to be acquired? 0 Please provide an estimated date for the completion of property acquisition necessary for construction activities to begin. Has a utility evaluation been completed for the project? Yes Please describe the process for utility adjustments/relocations (entity responsible, financial responsibility, etc.). The proposed project doesnot require the removal or modification of any existing utilities within the corridor. Will the project improve or significantly affect infrastructure owned or operated by another agency? Yes Please describe the affect and supply evidence of support from the affected agency. Westchase et with City of Houston Planning and Public Works representatives in early October. COH representatives have provided a letter of project support. Westchase has also championed the legislation that will make this project possible. The license agreement with Centerpoint has been entered into in September 2014. Evidence of Agency Support Attachment

COH Ltr of Support-2015 TIP Applicant projects.pdf

Please describe previous and upcoming public involvement activities related to the proposed project. The CenterPoint Trail has been discussed at various Westchase District public meetings, which are advertised and open to the public. The most recent meeting on September 15, 2014 included an agenda item to discuss and approve entering into a license agreement with CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric LLC for the development of trails on CenterPoint transmission corridors. Additionally, this project is included within the Westchase District's 380 Agreement with the City of Houston. This process involved a significant public outreach component, including discussion at several Westchase District public meetings, as well as City Council meetings/action. Public Involvement Attachment

CenterPoint Agenda.pdf

Please provide any additional project development/readiness information relevant to the proposed project. This project has been coordinated as part of the larger effort to make it possible for CenterPoint and municipalities and special districts within Harris County to collaborate on trail projects within utility corridors. This effort involved coordination by Mayor Anise Parker, Governor Rick Perry, State Representative Jim Murphy, and several other state legislators. Design for the project can be completed relatively quickly due to the nature of the project. It is anticipated that if awarded, Westchase would seek a Letter of No Prejudice to be able to construct the trail in advance of the availability of the federal award. It is anticipated that environmental approval could be gained quickly through a categorical exclusion. Additional Project Development/Readiness Attachment

~CPT_Readiness_Package.pdf

Map/Location

Please provide a clear and concise GIS coverage or PDF map of the proposed project.
(*.mpk ESRI Map Package file preferred)

CenterPoint Trail.mpk

Project Budget

Please attach a completed project budget worksheet.
Templates are available on the 2015 TIP Call Website
Uploaded files are limited to Word Documents, Excel Spreadsheets, PDFs, GIS files, and image files.
File size cannot exceed 30MB.

CPT - Project Budget.xlsx

Is this application for a transit project, ITS project, or other project that would have a significant ongoing operating/maintenance cost? No Please attach a completed 5-year annual operating budget worksheet.
Templates are available on the 2015 TIP Call Website
Uploaded files are limited to Word Documents, Excel Spreadsheets, PDFs, GIS files, and image files.
File size cannot exceed 30MB.

Are transportation development credits being requested? No Please attach a completed TDC application.
Templates are available on the 2015 TIP Call Website
Uploaded files are limited to Word Documents, Excel Spreadsheets, PDFs, GIS files, and image files.
File size cannot exceed 30MB.

Screening Questions

Will the project design meet or exceed AASHTO or equivalent guidelines?
FHWA Bicycle and Pedestrian Facility Design Flexibility Yes Please explain: The proposed facility will meet AASHTO design guidelines for multi-use paths (10' wide, signage, entry barriers, etc.)

Design Standards

Yes The proposed facility will meet AASHTO design guidelines for multi-use paths (10' wide, signage, entry barriers, etc.)

Connectivity

Barrier Elimination

Yes The proposed trail will allow for unimpeded pedestrian, wheelchair, and bicycle access from Westheimer to Richmond just west of Wilcrest. While it is possible to make this trip along Wilcrest itself, the sidewalks are 4' wide and present some ADA access issues (Meadowglen and Wilcrest for example). This trail will take these users off of an automotive corridor and put them onto a user-friendly 10' wide trail. Additionally, this trail will make better use of what is effectively a barrier itself, a utility corridor.

Pedestrian/Bicycle Facility Connections

Yes The Centerpoint Trail will intersect existing City of Houston bikeways along Richmond and Meadowglen and provide connectivity to bikeways on Walnut Bend and Wilcrest . Additionally, the trail will also serve to extend the north-south trail connectivity of the soon to be constructed Brays Bayou Trail. Once complete, an individual will be able to walk/ride from Westheimer to Bellaire Blvd. The importance of introducing alternative modes of transportation has been specifically highlighted as part of the H-GAC sponsored West Houston Mobility Plan.

Transit Connections

Direct link to transit connection This trail will provide connectivity to METRO bus routes on both Richmond, Westheimer, and Wilcrest. There are 42 bus stops within the half mile buffer of the proposed CenterPoint Trail. The combined ridership of these bus stops is 1,735.

Connections to Regional Destinations

Provides a connection to or within activity centers*?

* Density thresholds for different types of activity centers are defined within the Livable Centers Benefits Calculator, which is available online at http://www.h-gac.com/livable-centers/tools.aspx. Project area is considered within a 1/2-mile radius of the project location.

Waiting for H-GAC Analysis

Pilot Projects

No This project is located adjacent to other Westchase trail projects (Brays Bayou Connector Trail and Library Loop Trail). However, this project will act to augment the benefits of these other trail projects and work to complete a District (and region) wide alternative mode network.

Safety

Does proposed facility:

Yes Yes No Yes - The trail will provide a separated bike/ped. connection that is adjacent to a major corridor (Wilcrest) and also connects two major corridors served by transit service (Westheimer and Richmond). - The trail corridor will provide an alternative path that complies with ADA standards. The north-south connection on Wilcrest contains overgrown and damaged ramps that do not allow for unimpeded ADA access. - The trail will provide access to Alief Early College High School, Houston Community College, and Remington College.

Project will be awarded:
15 points if three or more of the aforementioned characteristics are met.
10 points if two of these characteristics are met.
5 points if one of these characteristics is met.

Existing Plans/Studies

Yes The project is listed and/or addressed in the following plans: - Westchase Long Range Plan - West Houston Mobility Study And is aligned with the Hike and Bike plan originally established in the 2011 Westchase District Pedestrian-Transit Plan

Funding Leverage

Both Westchase will provide a 25% match to the project and will also utilize property owned by CenterPoint through the form of a license agreement. This participation, when aggregated and assigned value, would be well in excess of 50% of the total project cost.

Underserved Population Access

Is all or part of the proposed facility located within a Census Tract that has a higher proportion of the following populations than the regional average:
H-GAC to conduct analysis based on the GIS/map project location provided above

Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Pending H-GAC analysis

Project will be awarded:
3 points if one of the aforementioned indicators is above the regional average
7 points if two of the aforementioned indicators is above the regional average
10 points if three of the aforementioned indicators is above the regional average