RECOMMENDATION: Approve an ordinance for authorization to apply to the U.S. Department of Transportation's Safe Streets and Roads For All Program (SS4A) for the Citywide Safe School Access Program; declaring the City's eligibility for such grant: authorizing the Director of Houston Public Works (HPW) or Director's designee to act as signatory on the grant application with authority to apply.
SPECIFIC EXPLANATION:
The City of Houston is pursuing SS4A funds to design and construct strategic improvements to create safer pedestrian access for students attending schools in eight locations across the city. See attached list for locations.
The Citywide Safe School Access Program involves sidewalk and intersection improvements to enhance student access to and from a total of 21 pre-K to 12th grade schools. This project will also improve access for Houston's METRO bus riders as seven of the eight locations are adjacent to fixed bus routes that see over 9,200 boardings each week.
The total projected cost is approximately over $25.1 million, with an anticipated local share of 20% of the total project cost. If awarded, the City of Houston will be responsible for all non-reimbursable costs and 100% of overruns, if any. The table below identifies the requested funding amount, estimated local share and projected total cost. If awarded, grant agreement approval and appropriation of the local share will be requested at a later date.
|
Project
|
Federal Request
|
% of Federal Share |
Estimated Local Match
|
% of Local Match Share |
Total Project Cost Estimate
|
|
Citywide Safe School Access Program
|
$20,139,200.00
|
80% |
$5,034,800.00
|
20% |
$25,174,000.00
|
FISCAL NOTE:
No fiscal note is required on grant items.
No Significant Fiscal Operating Impact is anticipated as a result of this project.
_________________________________
Randall V. Macchi, JD
Director, Houston Public Works