/ Honorable Dan Gattis County Judge Williamson County Jim Nuse P.E., - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

DAN A. GATrIS

County Judge

'

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, TEXAS October 25, 2007 Michael Aulick Executive Director Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization P

.O

. Box 1 088 Austin, TX 78767-1

088 Dear Mr. Autick:

As a partner with the City of Round Rock's trail initiatives, we would like to support the request

submitted by the City of Round Rock for a Surface Transportation Program Metropolitan Mobility (STP MM) BikelPedestrian project grant for the Brushy Creek Regional Trail Gap project. Furthermore, Williamson County is proud to be a funding partner by committing $400,000 to this project. As you may already know, the Brushy Creek Regional Trail wtll be the major trail facility through Williamson County eventually extending from Hutto to Lake Travis. This gap project will extend the current section of the Brushy Creek Regional Trail in eastern Round Rock to A.W. Grimes

8Ivd and connect to Round Rock's existing trait system. This section is important to the regional

trail because brings the County closer to our goal of connecting the regional trail west of Round Rock with the trail section in eastern Round Rock. This necessary trail facility will provide the citizens of Williamson County with an alternative transportation and recreation facility along an important corridor in Williamson County. The project will help to fulftll the County's vision of a trail from Hutto to Lake Travis. The Brushy Creek Regional Trail, and this section of the trail, will be crucial to the region's future growth and development and improving the quality of life of the citizens in Williamson County. Sincerely,

/

Honorable Dan Gattis County Judge Williamson County cc: Jim Nuse P.E., Round Rock City Manager Tom Word P.E., Round Rock Chief of Public Works Operations Rick Atkins, Round Rock Parks and Recreation Dlrector

301

SB.

Inner Loop, Suite 109, Georgetown, Texas 78626 Phone

S 1 2 M X

U S O Fax

S12.9Q3.1662 dgatds@wilco.org

JOHN R. CARTER

31srOumuCT, TEU6

HOUSE REPUBLICAN CONFERENCE SECRETARY REPUBLICAN STEERING COMMl?TEE C O M M m E ON APPROPRIATIONS

October 25,2007 Michael Aulick Executive Director Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization P.O. Box 1088 Austin, TX 78767-1 088 Dear Mr. Aulick:

I

want to express my support for the request submitted by the City of Round Rock for a Surface Transportation Program Metropolitan Mobility (STP MM) grant for the Brushy Creek Regional Trail Gap project. This project will benefit the citizens of the region, as well as the citizens of Round Rock by extending a major regional trail and connecting the trail to Round Rock's existing trail system. These improvements, along with the existing trail system, will offer the citizens of the region a safe and continuous bicyclelpedestrian facility from east Round Rock to downtown and south Round Rock. This necessary bicyclelpedestrian facility will provide the citizens of Round Rock and Williamson County with an alternative transportation

and recreation

facility through a scenic, natural corridor

• f Round Rock. The project will help provide the necessary facilities for the region's future

growth and development and improving the quality of life of the citizens in Williamson County. Sincerely, Congressman John R. Carter 31

"'

District of Texas cc:

Jim Nuse P.E., Round Rock City Manager Tom Word P.E., Round Rock Chief of Public Works Operations Rick Atkins, Round Rock Parks and Recreation Director

PRlfiTED ON RECYCLED PAPFR

OFFICE OF THE MAYOR

NFLE M.-~XWELL October 25,2007

Michael Aulick Executive Director Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization

P.O. Box 1088

Austin, TX 78767-1088

RE: CAMP0 STP MM

Bike,/Pedestrian Project

Dear

• Mr. Aulick:

I want to express my support for the Brushy Creek RegionaI Trail Gap project,

which was submitted to your office for consideration by the City of Round Rock.

As you may know, the Brushy Creek RegionaI Trail Gap project will construct an

approximately one and three-quarter mile gap of the Brushy Creek Regional Trail from just north of Rusk Road to A.W. Grimes Blvd. The project scope includes a bridge across Brushy Creek and a pedestrian/ bicycle underpass at the proposed Arterial "A". I

n addition, the project will also construct an approximately one-quarter mile gap of the Lake Creek Trail. These two trail

gaps, combined with existing trails, wilI provide a continuous and barrier-free bike/pedestrian facility from the eastern edge o

f

Round Rock to downtown Round Rock, the Dell Computer campus and multiple community retail centers. The City has expanded our trail network over the past three years by constructing over three miles of trail utilizing City General Obligation Bonds and grants from Texas Parks and Wildlife, Williamson County, and the Lower Colorado River Authority. While these investments have paved the way t

• start

connecting all the different areas of Round Rock and WilIiamson County, additional funding is needed to continue expanding and connecting dl areas o

f

Round Rock.

City of Round Rock, 22

1 East Main Street, Round Rock, Texas 78664

Phone 5 12.2

I 8.5403 Fax 5 12.2

18.7097 www.roundrocktexas.gov

I feel this investment will provide our citizens with faciIities that can be utilized for alternative modes of transportation, exercise and the opportunity to experience nature i n

• ur growing community. These facilities will improve

public &age and quality of l i k

and preserve the City's natural beauty for future

generations, Your consideration of t h i s request is greatly appreciated and the City is grateful

for your continued support o f

• ur efforts.

Mayor City of Round Rock

cc:

Jim Nuse P.E., City Manager Tom Word P.E., Chief of

Public Works Operations Rick Atkins, Parks and

Recreation Director

John Bolt Hanis 509 West 1 8 ~

Stmet, Suite 200

Austin, Texas 78701

October 23.2007

• Mr. Greg Grin,

ALP

B i k e d

Planner Capital Area Metropolh Planning Organ'zation 505 Barton Springs Road, Sub 7

Amtin, Texas 78704

Dear Mr. G m .

The Harris Family has been m

k x W by

tlae Clty of Round Rock w d h g

the City's intent of pursuing

fundlng for the extension of the

Brushy Creek Regina1

• Tral. This ptential M I

would c m s a port~on

• f

a 1 06 a

• paml of land owned by our family. We support this bail project and the expansion of

Round Rodc's existing trail system. We understand that landowner cooperation is imperative b

the success

d

mis mil project. The Harris Fmily suppwts ttre tail efforts acms our L a n d , and w e intend to negolhte with the City for a trail easement, land donatbn, or land purchase should the project be funded. Futthwmore, considermg

that our lmd Is currently planned to be developed as a mixed use devebpment t

• include multi-family
• residential. commercial and business park uses, balls are

a desirable amenity that we feel the Mure

residmtsltenants of this development will appreciate.

/ John Wt Harris

• Mr. Greg Griffin, AICP

BkdPed Planner Caphl Area Metropolitan Planning Organizatron 505 B a h Sptings Rod, Suite 700

Austin, Texas 78704

Dear Mr. Griffin:

MP Commercial Partners has been contacted by the City of Rwnd Rock mgdmg

the City's inbent of

pursuing funding for t

h e

extension of the Brushy Creek Regional Trail. This trail would crass a portion

• f a 150+ acre parcel of land controlled by our company. We fully support this trail project and the

expansiwl of Round Rock's existing bail system. We understand mat landmner cooperation is imperative to the success of this irail project. We support

the trail efforb across our land, and we intend to negotiate with the City for a trail easement, land

donation, or land purchase shwld the project be funded. Furthermore, considering that o u r

land is planned t

• k

developed as a mixed use development with multbfkmily residential, commercial and

business pah, trails are a desirable amenity that we feel the future midentshants of this

development will appreciate. Sincerely, Steve Malechowski MP Commercial Partners

Project Eligibility Self-Certification

Please answer Yes or No to the following project eligibility questions. See the Application Guidance for more information. Do you self-certify that: Yes/No

1 Yes

• 2

Yes

• 3

Yes

• 4

Yes

• 5

Yes

• 6

Yes

• 7

Yes

• 8

Yes

• 9

Yes

• 10

Yes

• Project is

Eligible

The project follows applicable federal, state and local regulations (including environmental, environmental justice, safety, and Americans with Disabilities Act)? The project sponsor is committed to providing adequate project maintenance for the life of the project? The Right-of-Way or property is secured and readily available for this project? The project complies with the Regional Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Architecture, will include a project-level ITS architecture, or does not include an ITS component?

CAMPO STP MM CALL FOR PROJECTS - 2007

Bike/Ped Project Application

The project complies with the CAMPO Mobility 2030 Plan? The project will comply with the adopted bicycle and pedestrian policies of the CAMPO Mobility 2030 Plan? The facility is part of the 2030 CAMPO Regional Bike System or that it connects to the 2030 System? If the facility is strictly for pedestrian use, it will meet ADA requirements? If it is a bike-

• nly facility, will it follow recommended design guidelines?

This project meets any identified need(s) supported by current data? (Please provide justification for this need in Section B.) The facility is a bike/ped transportation facility (Veloways are ineligible), or supports a bike/ped transportation purpose? CAMPO 2007 STP-MM, Bike/Ped Application, Application: page 1 30Aug07

General Project Information

Project Information - Please provide the information requested below using the Application Guidance. Shaded boxes denote areas where project information is requested. 1. Project Name 2. Project Sponsor/Applicant 3. Project Type Bike and Ped 4. Project Length (miles) 2 miles 5. Project Jurisdictional Location Williamson Multi-jurisdictional Location Second County 6. Adjacent / Parallel Roadway 7. Geographic Location (limits) Total # Project 8.

• f Projects

Rank 1 1 9. 10. 11. 12.

• 13. Project Contact Information

Please provide the contact information requested. Name: John Dean Title: Transportation Planner Email Address: jdean@round-rock.tx.us Phone: 512-218-5562 Fax: 512-218-3242

Project Schedule

Start Date Finish Date MMM/YY MMM/YY Receive Notification Letter 10/07 04/08 Obtain Environmental Clearances 10/08 4/09 Public Meetings/Hearings 10/08 4/09 Right-Of-Way Acquisition 05/08 11/08 Develop & Submit Plans, Specs & Estimates (PS&E) 5/09 2/10 3/10 12/10 Project Construction/Implementation Map - Please provide a map of the project. Can be inserted into the Attachments tab or sent separately in electronic format - .pdf, .jpg, etc) Additional Information - List any information you feel is pertinent to the project.

The Brushy Creek Regional Trail Gap Project will provide pedestrian and bicycle access from the east side of Round Rock to the heart of downtown. It will also complete a major connection to the largest employer in Round Rock, the Dell corporate campus. Trail users will be able to walk or bike to Round Rock's City Hall, library, the Clay Madsen Rec Center, and to nearby retail centers and commercial offices, providing an invaluable means of alternative transportation. See attachment for additional information.

City of Round Rock-Parks & Recreation Department Work Description - Please provide a brief description of work that has been or that is being performed

The Brushy Creek Trail Gap Project will provide significant connection in the form of a regional bicycle/pedestrian facility, as outlined in the following plans: City of Round Rock Citywide Trail Master Plan (2004), CORR Transportation Master Plan (2006), Williamson County's Brushy Creek Regional Trail System Vision, Transportation Improvement plan (TIP), Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP). See attachment for additional need justification.

Need Justification - Provide justification for the identified need in Section A - #12. Resolutions/ordinances, etc may attached separately (in electronic format). Trail

• Approx. 2,500' east of Arterial 'A' to A.W. Grimes.

The Brushy Creek Trail Gap Project is comprised of two trail gaps/segments that will be constructed along both the Brushy Creek and the Lake Creek corridors. This project will require funding for Acquisition of ROW, Environmental Assessment, Engineering Services, and Construction. See attachment for additional work description. HWY 79 Enter the Start and Finish Dates for each activity associated with the project. Project Rank - Of the total number of projects your entity is submitting for STP MM Bike/Ped funding, what priority rank do you assign this project? Brushy Creek Regional Trail Gap Project

CAMPO 2007 STP-MM, Bike/Ped Application, Application: page 2 30Aug07

Project Evaluation Criteria

Please provide the information requested below using the Application Guidance. Shaded boxes denote areas where project information is requested.

• A. Connectivity (Maximum Points = 60)
• A1. Activity Hubs (Maximum Points = 20)

List the names of these center(s) below each category: Yes/No Score

• A2. Environmental Justice (EJ) Areas (Maximum Points = 10)

Yes/No Score Yes 10

• A3. The 2030 Regional Bike System (Maximum Points = 10)

Number of Connections

Score 5 10 Yes Points are assigned for projects providing access or connectivity to, between, or within activity centers, Environmental Justice areas (low-income and minority areas), the 2030 Bike System, and other transportation modes. Points are also assigned for projects that eliminate barriers to connectivity, as well as projects that support or enhance connectivity. Dell, Round Rock City Hall, HEB Plus Yes Yes A project is adjacent to an EJ Area if it is ~500ft or less from an EJ tract for pedestrian facilities, or ~1500ft

• r less for bicycle facilities

Enter the number of connections to the 2030 Bike System that project will have. (See BPMap Tab) 4 High Density Residential Areas (>20 units per acre) (4) 4 Commercial / Retail Centers (4) HEB Plus, Randall's Town Centre, Windy Terrace Center Two points are assigned for each existing or planned 2030 bike facility to which the candidate facility will connect. 5 or more connections will receive the maximum 10 points. South Creek Apartments, Colonial Grand Apartments, Rocking Horse Ranch Select "Yes" if the project will be adjacent to, within, or connected to an EJ Area. (See EJMap Tab) If the facility is within the 2030 Bike System, enter the number of connections it has to other 2030 bike

• facilities. (See BPMap Tab)

4 No Large Employers (with 100 or more employees) (4) 4 Yes Public Colleges / Universities (4) Points are in parentheses next to the category types. One or more connections within each category will receive the maximum number of points for that category. Select "Yes" if the project will be adjacent to, within, or connected to an activity hub. Turtle Creek Elementary/Clay Madsen Recreation Center/Lake Creek Park Schools / Parks/ Libraries / Community Centers (4) A project is adjacent to an activity center if it is ~500ft or less from the center for pedestrian facilities, or ~1500ft or less for bicycle facilites. Enter the 2030 facility connection names/locations here:

Arterial 'A' , A.W. Grimes Blvd., Brushy Creek Regional Trail, Lake Creek Trail, MKT ROW CAMPO 2007 STP-MM, Bike/Ped Application, Application: page 3 30Aug07

• A4. Other Transportation Modes (Maximum Points = 10)

Score 3 6

• A5. Barrier Elimination (Maximum Points = 10)

Biking Distance Walking Distance Yes/No Score Less than 0.25 mile Less than 0.125 mile 0.25 - 0.5 mile 0.125 - 0.25 mile 0.6 - 1.0 mile 0.26 - 0.50 mile 1.1 - 1.5 miles 0.51 to 0.75 mile 1.6 - 2.0 miles 0.76 - 1.0 mile More than 2.0 miles More than 1 mile Yes 10

A Total 52

• B. Travel Continuity (Maximum Points = 5)

Points are assigned for projects with a minimal number of stops per mile along the proposed facility. Average Stops Per Mile Yes/No Score 0 stops per mile Yes 5 0.1 to 5.5 stops per mile 5.6 to 10 stops per mile Over 10 stops per mile

B Total 5

• C. Facility Characteristics (Maximum Points = 20)

A project is adjacent to a mode station (i.e. transit stop, center, etc.) if it is within ~500 ft or less of the center for pedestrian facilities, and ~1500 ft or less for bicycle facilities, with center access connections. Direct connections are required between linear bike and/or ped facilities. Projects are assigned points for the distance that must be traveled to get around the barrier, which would be reduced by implementing the project. Select "Yes" for the range containing the biking/walking distance to be reduced by implementing the project. Use biking distance for two-mode (bike/ped) projects. Please select ONE range. Select "Yes" for the range containing the average number of stops per mile (road or railroad crossings) along the facility. Please select ONE range.

Number of Connections

Adjacent Facilities: Points are assigned for the traffic volume of the adjacent roadway, assuming that the project would take a number of drivers from the roadway and onto the future facility. Amenities: Points are assigned for the amount of units which support biking and walking for a transportation

• purpose. Linear projects can also earn points for also providing amenities, making it a multiple-type project.

Enter the connecting mode facility names/locations here: Enter the number of connections this project will have to other transportation modes, including transit (bus or rail stations/stops), airport (ABIA), park and ride lots, or bike/pedestrian facilities.

Lake Creek Park, Rabb Park, Proposed Transit on the MKT ROW

Two points are assigned for each existing or planned mode connection. 5 or more connections will receive the maximum 10 points. Separated Facilities: Maximum points are automatically assigned, since they are separated from roadway traffic.

CAMPO 2007 STP-MM, Bike/Ped Application, Application: page 4 30Aug07

• C1. Separated (Off-Road) Bike/Ped Facilities (Maximum Points = 10)

Yes/No Score Yes 10 Vertical Barrier Height (in inches): 2,975 ft

• C2. Adjacent (On-Road) Bike/Ped Facilities (Maximum Points = 10)

Roadway Volume (ADT) Yes/No Score >40,000 No 30,001 – 40,000 No 20,001 – 30,000 No 10,001 – 20,000 No 3,000 – 10,000 No <3,000 No

• C3. Bike/Ped Amenities (Maximum Points = 10)

Amenity Type (Score) Quantity Score Bike/Ped Amenity Center* (4) Bike Share/Rental Station (3) 4 3 Bike Racks (2) 2 2 Restrooms with Showers (2) 1 2 Storage/Lockers (1) 1 1 Benches/Chairs (1) 15 1 Type(s) of "Other" Amenities: Water Fountains (1) 1 1 pavilion <--- Other (1) 1 1

C Total 20

* A one-stop dedicated bike/ped hub of amenities. Amenities within the center may also be selected for scoring, in addition to the center.

Select the range of ADT along the roadway adjacent to the project. Most current ADT data must be used. Please select ONE range. Separated facilities are linear facilities or trails over 5 ft (bike), 2 ft (ped on local/collector), or 4 ft (ped on arterial) from the nearest parallel roadway. Facilities adjacent to roadways with vertical barriers of a 42-inch minimum height are also separated facilities. Because these facilities are separated from motorized traffic, they automatically receive the maximum 10 points. Average Distance from Nearest Parallel Roadway (ft or mi): Adjacent bike/ped facilities are linear facilities adjacent to the roadway less than 5 ft (bike), 2 ft (ped- local/collector), or 4 ft (ped-arterial) from the adjacent roadway. Up to 10 points can be assigned, depending

• n Average Daily Traffic (ADT) volume and posted speed limit of the adjacent roadway.

Select "Yes" if the project is a Separated Facility, as defined above. Enter the quantity of each type of amenity that the project will provide. One or more amenity unit for each type will receive the maximum number of points for that unit type. Bike/Ped Amenities are non-linear facilities or amenities that provide support to the transportation purpose of biking and walking.

CAMPO 2007 STP-MM, Bike/Ped Application, Application: page 5 30Aug07

• D. Aesthetics & Personal Safety (Maximum Points = 5)

Points are assigned for projects with certain aesthetic and/or safety features. Yes/No Score Will the facility have scenic views? Yes 1 Will the facility have shaded portions? Yes 1 Will the facility include emergency phones? Yes 1 Will the facility be > 2 mi long (bike) or > 1 mi long (ped)? Yes 1 Will there be lighting along the facility? Yes 1

D Total 5

• E. Partnerships (Maximum Points = 10)

Points are assigned for projects with partnering sponsors providing services/funding for the project.

• E1. Funding Partnerships (Max Points = 5)

Number of Partnerships

Score 1 1 Cost Participation Sponsors: Service & Funding Contributed: Williamson County $400,000.00 City of Round Rock-cash & In Kind $421,800.00 Colonial Properties - In Kind $122,500.00 DR Horton - In Kind $140,000.00 Parkland Dedication - In kind $1,000,000.00

• E2. Cost Participation (Max Points = 5)

Total Project Cost: $ 2,950,000 Federal STP MM Funds Requested: $ 2,360,000 Non Federal Match (must be a minimum of 20%): $ 590,000 Over-match (above minimum required non federal match): Total Amount of Funds Committed by Sponsor: $ 590,000 Cost Participation Percentage: 20%

Yes/No Score

20% (required) Yes 21% to 30% No 31% to 40% No 41% to 50% No Greater than 50% No

E Total 1

TOTAL PROJECT SCORE

TOTAL SCORE

83 Benefit Cost Ratio

(Total Score divided by Total cost times 1,000) Enter the Total Project Cost and Total Federal STP MM Funds Requested for the project (highlighted cells). Other funding information is automatically calculated and entered below. The range/score are automatically entered to the right, once Total Cost and STPMM Funds are entered

• above. Local Cost Participation

percentages over 50% will receive the maximum 5 points. Benefit/ Cost Ratio

0.0281356

Local cost participation is required for all projects using STP MM funds. The minimum commitment is 20% of the Federal STP MM funds requested. Projects earn points for having additional match funds (overmatch). Points are based on the percentage ranges listed below. Enter the number of jurisdictions that have or will be providing in-kind services

• r local match funding for this project. 5 or more partners will receive the

maximum 5 points.

CAMPO 2007 STP-MM, Bike/Ped Application, Application: page 6 30Aug07