2015 Call for Projects Application Listing

Project Information

Project Title Downtown Houston Southeast Sidewalk Improvements Primary Agency Houston Downtown Management District Date Submitted 6/4/2015 4:46:01 PM

Project Narrative

Describe the primary problems to be addressed by the project (Project Need).
1000 characters max The sidewalks located in the southeast quadrant of Downtown Houston do not currently provide adequate and safe accommodations for pedestrians. A significant portion of the Southeast Sidewalks scope area currently has impassable or non-compliant ADA conditions. In order to accommodate current and future pedestrian levels, existing sidewalks will be removed and new concrete sidewalks - typically 6'-0" wide, passable and ADA compliant - will be installed as part of this project. Describe the primary outcome to be achieved by the project (Project Purpose).
1000 characters max The proposed improvements are needed to accommodate the current and future pedestrian levels with safer walking connections to nearby venues: George R. Brown Convention Center, Toyota Center, Discovery Green, Root Memorial Square, South Texas College of Law, GreenStreet, Houston Center, Main Street and METRO light rail, the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, St. Joseph Medical Center, and adjacent neighborhoods in Midtown and East Downtown. Improved pedestrian connections will help restore regional air quality through transportation mode shift and a reduction in vehicle miles traveled while adding to overall safety in the area. The implementation of new Southeast Sidewalks also supports a high level of current and proposed development within and adjacent to the project area; by 2019, as many as 2,400 new residential apartments will supplement the current 600 apartments within the project area greatly expanding the need for pedestrian and streetscape improvements. Describe the proposed improvement (Facility/Limits/Description).
1000 characters max The project will repair, replace, and/or widen sidewalks and provide pedestrian improvements within a 56-block area bounded by Polk Street (northern boundary), Hamilton Street (eastern boundary), Pierce Street (southern boundary) and Fannin Street (western boundary). Construction of all sidewalks will be 5'-0" wide (min), with majority of sidewalks proposed as 6'-0" wide, and shall include pedestrian crosswalks and ADA compliant ramps at appropriate intersections. Describe any alternatives to the proposed improvement which have been considered or will be evaluated.
2000 characters max The no build scenario was identified as a poor choice.

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. Yes Please attach a completed scoping checklist or meeting summary.

140206-SE Sidewalks-TXDOT HDMD & HZ Scope Mtg-Minutes-(HGAC TIP).pdf

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. 05/02/2014 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? 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.). Based on the 50% design and engineering submittal (May 28, 2014), it has been determined that no utility adjustments or relocations are required to construct the proposed sidewalk improvements. Will the project improve or significantly affect infrastructure owned or operated by another agency? No Please describe the affect and supply evidence of support from the affected agency. Evidence of Agency Support Attachment

Please describe previous and upcoming public involvement activities related to the proposed project. During 2014, the Southeast Sidewalks (at the time, understood as a TXDOT funded Transportation Enhancement Project) was presented to Downtown stakeholders as part of a larger planning project: "Southern Downtown / CBD Public Realm Plan" [Consultant: Asakura Robinson Company]. In summary, this plan calls for six development strategies, including Strategy Six which covers the geography of the Southeast Sidewalks project; public realm improvements including new sidewalks support the current uses and "set the stage for future opportunities." Presentations were given at the annual meeting of CBD Vision on June 18, 2014 (over 100 in attendance) and at a final public meeting on June 24, 2014 (over 100 in attendance). The full report is available: http://www.downtownhouston.org/site_media/uploads/attachments/2014-06-18/Southern_Downtown_Public_Realm_Plan_Final_For_Web_Compressed.pdf. The executive summary is attached to this HGAC-TIP Application. During 1Q-2Q 2015, the Downtown District will conduct one-on-one meetings with key stakeholders in the project area as we progress from 50% documents towards 75% and 90% submittals. Public Involvement Attachment

140618-Southern Downtown Public Realm Plan-Executive Summary-11x17.pdf

Please provide any additional project development/readiness information relevant to the proposed project. Based on prior project design and engineering for adjacent public improvements with similar conditions, no environmental issues were discovered. All proposed work will be within the existing rights-of-way for Downtown Houston street network. The project does qualify for a Categorical Exclusion (CE) under the CFR § 771.117 paragraph (c). The District and our consultant have determined that no ulitities will require adjustment or relocation as part of the proposed improvements. By prior Board authorizations, the District holds a single agreement with Huitt-Zollars, Inc. for professional engineering services (total authorization: $380,000). By prior Board authorization, the Downtown Redevelopment Authority/ TIRZ 3 has funded a local match of $396,477. If awarded a project grant, these funds will be re-allocated to the H-GAC 2015 TIP project. Additional Project Development/Readiness Attachment

150107-SE Sidewalks Scope-HGAC 2015 TIP.pdf

Map/Location

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

150112 SE Sidewalks HGAC 2015 TIP.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.

150112-SE Sidewalks-Template-Project Budget.pdf

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 Project design meets AASHTO guidelines as described in the latest edition of the Guide for the Development of Bicycle Facilities and the Guide for the Planning, Design and Operation of Pedestrian Facilities.

Design Standards

Yes The Project design meets AASHTO guidelines as described in the latest edition of the Guide for the Development of Bicycle Facilities and the Guide for the Planning, Design and Operation of Pedestrian Facilities.

Connectivity

Barrier Elimination

Yes The Southeast Sidewalk improvements create a pedestrian realm that is more inviting to residents, employees and visitors travelling between activity centers in downtown and adjacent neighorhoods of East Downtown and Midtown. The proposed sidewalks are adjacent to existing pedestrian facilities that cross highway bridges and underpasses.

Pedestrian/Bicycle Facility Connections

Yes The sidewalk improvements increase pedestrian connectivity along the signed bike routes on Caroline and Leeland. The proposed sidewalk improvements also "close the gap" between current sidewalks that are in acceptable conditions throughout southeastern downtown and those block faces that do not have acceptable sidewalks. Essentially, this project completes the pedestrian grid of sidewalks across southeastern downtown by providing more continuous pedestrian routes.

Transit Connections

Direct link to transit connection The proposed southeast sidewalks will provide better pedestrian connectivity to transit facilities, whether the current bus and rail network or METRO's Reimagined network. The sidewalk improvements provide greater connectivity to the Main Street Light Rail Line, with direct access to the Bell Street station and the Downtown Transit Center station. The proposed sidewalk improvements support the existing METRO bus services for the following: routes 5, 30, 77, 88, 244, 246, 247, 249 (St. Joseph Parkway & Pierce Street); routes 36, 40, 80 (Leeland & Bell Streets), routes 5, 9, 52, 60, 66, 77 (Fannin & San Jacinto Streets); routes 36, 40, 85, 131 (Austin & LaBranch Streets); and 18, 53, 81, 82, 412 (Chenevert & Hamilton Streets).

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.

As a previous participant in the Livable Centers Program, downtown and the central business district are recognized as one of the region's most dense activity centers. Downtown offers the largest concentration of employment with more than 150,000 employees. As a regional destination, downtown also hosts a concentration of major facilities including Toyota Center and St. Joseph Medical Center (both within the scope area of the southeast sidewalks project), the GRB Convention Center, Discovery Green, Minute Maid Park, and retail hubs of GreenStreet and the Shops at Houston Center. In terms of current development activity, southeastern downtown is also anticipating a significant increase in residential properties with one project recently completed (SkyHouse Houston), two projects under construction (Block 334 and The Hamilton), and another five projects in design. With the exception of The Hamilton, these residential developments are all participants in the Downtown Living Initiative which is adding up to 5,000 new apartment or condominium units across downtown, of which nearly 2,400 are in or adjacent to the Southeast Sidewalks project.

Pilot Projects

No Not applicable

Safety

Does proposed facility:

No No Yes Yes Within the project scope area, sidewalks tend to either be in excellent or acceptable condition contrasted with non-existent or impassable conditions, oftentimes due to benign neglect of adjacent property owners. Wholesale, this project will remediate the unacceptable or low-quality sidewalks, providing more uniform and consistent pedestrian connections for all users and full compliance with ADA requirements. While specific pedestrian and vehicle accident reports were not immediately available from HPD for the project geography, the proposed sidewalk improvements will vastly enhance existing conditions and provide for safer interface between downtown pedestrians and vehicles.

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 fulfills the recommendations for future capital improvement projects as outlined in the Downtown District's June 2014 planning study, "Southern Downtown/ CBD Public Realm Plan." [Link to full report provided in the above section: "public involvement activities."]

Funding Leverage

Both The Downtown District is funding the design and engineering consultant to produce Construction Documents to TXDOT standards, with construction letting by TXDOT. The District's funding authorization for professional services is $380,000, but is not requested as part of the HGAC-TIP reimbursements. The Downtown Redevelopment Authority (TIRZ 3) is prepared to fund up to $396,477, the amount previously dedicated as a 20% local government match to the TXDOT Transportation Enhancement Project. Both the Downtown District and Downtown Authority are applying for the HGAC-TIP assuming the same construction and grant total values per the Advance Funding Agreement of the TXDOT-TEP: $1,982,383.

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

No No No No Yes No No See 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