On November 9, 2011, City Council approved Ordinance 2011-944 authorizing an Interlocal Agreement (ILA) between the City of Houston through the Public Works and Engineering Department (PWE) and the International Management District (IMD). The ILA committed IMD to provide the 20% local match required by an Advance Funding Agreement (AFA) for the 2009 Transportation Enhancement Program administered by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). The AFA approved by City Council on November 30, 2011 provided Federal Funding for 80% of the cost to construct the IMD Bikeway – an off-street, shared-use path from Dairy Ashford to Arthur Storey Park. The estimated local match for the project is $401,569. In accordance with the approved ILA, IMD paid the City the estimated local match amount and the funds were deposited in PWE Fund 4510, Contribution to Capital Projects.
On January 29, 2014, City Council approved Ordinance 2014-87 authorizing the first amendment to the ILA for the Houston Parks and Recreation Department (HPARD) to take over management of the project and share in the local match by providing $200,000.00 toward the project. This amount was been approved in the City’s adopted FY 2014-2018 Capital Improvement Plan for Fiscal Year 2014. In accordance with the approved ILA amendment the City returned $200,000 to IMD and the IMD local match share of the Project shall be limited to IMD’s remaining contribution of $201,569.00.
In a letter dated June 9, 2014, TxDOT notified HPARD the project would be terminated, i.e. the Federal funding for the project would be withdrawn, due to the delay in project implementation. HPARD is now seeking replacement funding for the project through the Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC) Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) Call for Projects.
H-GAC is seeking proposals to implement transportation projects which advance the vision and goals of the 2040 Regional Transportation Plan (RTP). The 2040 RTP’s goal is to have a multimodal transportation system through coordinated investments that supports quality of life, economic vitality, safety, access and mobility. The TIP Call for Projects will commit federal and state funds allocated to the Houston region to implement roadway, transit, pedestrian/bicycle, livable centers, and air quality projects within the next 5-10 years.
The TIP offers opportunities to expand transportation choices and enhance the transportation experience. Enhancements are funded by Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and the US Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), and administered by H-GAC. Project nominators are limited to local governments, transit agencies, management districts, and other entities that can contract with the TxDOT. Projects must be eligible under one or several qualifying categories including provision of facilities for pedestrians and bicycles. Projects selected for funding are eligible for reimbursement of up to 80% of allowable design and construction costs.
Completed TIP applications are due January 12, 2015 and will be evaluated by H-GAC staff and, where necessary, representatives from TxDOT. The H-GAC TIP Subcommittee will be responsible for making funding recommendations to the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) and Transportation Policy Council (TPC). The TPC will approve all awards of funding. All awards are expected to be announced in June 2015.
The Houston Parks and Recreation Department (HPARD) is the nominating entity for the International Management District (IMD) Bikeways project in the category of provisions of facilities for pedestrians and bicycles.
Proposed Funding (with HGAC TIP funding)
H-GAC TIP Call for Project funding request:
$1,606,274
Contribution to Capital Project Fund 4510: $201,569
(Previously Appropriated and provided by IMD)
Parks Consolidated Construction Fund 4502: $200,000
(To be appropriated if funding is awarded)
Total Project Cost: $2,007,843
International Management District Bikeway Project Description:
The International Management District ("IMD") is located in southwest Houston in the Alief area which enjoys a diverse population with a major commercial corridor. The District encompasses an area of 12 square miles and enjoys a prime location near major transit arteries including U.S. 59, the Sam Houston Tollway, and the Westpark Tollway. Bellaire Boulevard and Highway 6 represent the area's major commercial corridors.
This area has significant traffic congestion during certain times of the day and has limited access to alternate modes of transportation that connect neighborhoods, points of interests and schools. Introducing a hike and bike trail will help connect this community without requiring the use of a vehicle providing unlimited access to a safe bike and pedestrian route and alleviating congestion.
The IMD Bikeways project will be constructed along existing Harris County Flood Control District drainage channels. The project proposes a 11,750 linear feet, 10-foot wide concrete path between Art Storey Park at Beltway 8 and Dairy Ashford, near Hackberry Park.
The proposed trail will connect three heavily used parks in the District, as well as Chambers Elementary School near Art Storey Park. Additional improvements are proposed at roadway bridge crossing and will include trail signage, markers, special paving, furniture, and tree plantings.