Title
Green Lane Project Grant Opportunity (B)
This is a request for the City Commission to authorize staff to submit a grant application for the Green Lanes Project opportunity.
Explanation
The People for Bikes organization (www.peopleforbikes.org) is requesting applications from cities interested in developing and implementing protected bicycle lanes. Six (6) communities will be provided technical assistance and strategic resources, such as access to peer exchange, community visits by a team of experts to assess local conditions, and access to modest grant funding to help with project implementation (amount is not disclosed). Only local governments with minimum population of 80,000 are eligible to apply, and the community must have at least one (1) protected bicycle lane in the pipeline to be considered (SW 16th Ave between Archer Road and SW 13th St includes a 4 ft separation between the travel lanes and bicycle lanes; the project is schedule for construction). Staff is evaluating additional candidate corridors.
Protected bike lanes are low-stress biking facilities where bike lanes are separated from travel lanes. A sample illustration of facility types is provided as back up.The facilities are in use in several communities throughout the nation including Portland, OR; Chicago, IL; San Francisco, CA; Memphis, TN and Washington D.C., all of which were recipients of this grant during a previous round.
The application deadline is January 14, 2014. The award will be announced in March 2014.
Fiscal Note
There is no match requirement. If awarded, there would be travel costs associated with participation of city representatives (up to 4) in a required study tour abroad (either in June or September 2014). Total cost per person would be approximately $2,000. PeopleforBikes covers the costs of participation in domestic events.
Recommendation
The City Commission: 1) authorize the City Manager or his designee to execute the grant application; and 2) authorize...
Click here for full text