Title
Authorize an American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Grant Application for Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) funding (NB)
This item is a request for the City Commission to authorize the submittal of a grant application for Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) funding for the Southwest 62nd Boulevard Connector.
Explanation
On May 18, 2009, the U.S. Department of Transportation published a notice of funding availability for TIGER Discretionary Grants. The ARRA of 2009 appropriated $1.5 billion for capital investment in surface transportation infrastructure of which Florida can be awarded up to $300 million.
The applications for funding will use grant selection criteria that focus on three major areas: long term outcomes; job creation and economic stimulus; and innovation. For long-term outcomes, priority will be given to projects that have a significant impact on desirable long-term outcomes for the Nation, a metropolitan area, or a region. The following types of long-term outcomes will be given priority:
(i) State of Good Repair: Improving the condition of existing transportation facilities and systems, with particular emphasis on projects that minimize life-cycle costs.
(ii) Economic Competitiveness: Contributing to the economic competitiveness of the United States over the medium- to long-term.
(iii) Livability: Improving the quality of living and working environments and the experience for people in communities across the United States.
(iv) Sustainability: Improving energy efficiency, reducing dependence on oil, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and benefiting the environment.
(v) Safety: Improving the safety of U.S. transportation facilities and systems.
For Job Creation & Economic Stimulus: The project should demonstrate consistency with the purposes of the Recovery Act, the Department will give priority to projects that are expected to quickly create and preserve jobs and stimulate rapid increases in economic activity, particularly jobs and activity that benefit economically distressed areas. For Innovation: Priority will be given to projects that use innovative strategies to pursue the long-term outcomes outlined above.
Staff considered two pending transportation projects, Depot Avenue and SW 62 Boulevard for potential eligibility and determined that the Southwest 62nd Boulevard Connector (SW62) has the highest potential to be a competitive application and was the only project that met the minimum project cost threshold of $20 million. SW 62 is a major project for the metropolitan area as well as the region in that it will connect two regional commercial retail destinations - the Oaks Mall and Butler Plaza. SW 62 will also serve as a local alternative route to several major regional transportation corridors - I-75, SR 121 and SR 24.
Fiscal Note
Funding for the work effort required to complete the grant application is available in the Public Works FY 2009 budget. Staff estimates applying for approximately $90 million. Matching funds are not required by the grant.
Recommended Motion
The City Commission: 1) authorize the submittal of the Southwest 62nd Boulevard Connector grant application; and 2) should a grant offer be awarded, authorize the City Manager to execute all associated documents, subject to approval as to form and legality by the City Attorney.