ORDINANCE approving and authorizing Advanced Funding Agreement between the City of Houston and TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION for Project Design and Engineering - DISTRICT C - COHEN

On January 7, 2015, City Council approved Resolution 2015-3 authorizing the nomination of the Memorial to San Felipe Hike & Bike Connection (the Project) for funding consideration in the Houston-Galveston Area Council (H-GAC) 2015 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) Call for Projects. On January 23, 2016, the H-GAC Transportation Policy Council approved a Resolution authorizing amendments of the 2040 Regional Transportation Plan and the 2015-2018 TIP to include funding for the engineering and design of the Project in Fiscal Year 2017 and funding for construction in Fiscal Year 2022. On May 26, 2016 the Texas Transportation Commission passed a Minute Order awarding funding for Project design and engineering in the federally funded 2015 Transportation Alternatives Program administered locally by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT).

The Houston Parks and Recreation Department recommends City Council approved an Advance Funding Agreement (AFA) between the City of Houston and TxDOT for Project design and engineering. The AFA provides Federal funding in the amount of $644,000 with a commitment of Local Government Participation in the amount of $161,000 – a split of 80% Federal, 20% Local share of the estimated Project cost. The Local Government Participation will be paid by the Uptown Development Authority in accordance with the attached Work Authorization #1 and the corresponding Reference Agreement (Memorial Park Development, Construction, Operations, Maintenance and Concessions Agreement between the City of Houston, Uptown Development Authority and Memorial Park Conservancy, Inc.) approved by City Council on December 16, 2015 (Ordinance #2015-1304).

The Project scope of work consists of a ten (10) foot wide concrete hike and bike path from Memorial Drive to San Felipe with a bridge across Buffalo Bayou. Once constructed, the hike and bike path is expected to create an alternate mode of transportation for the Uptown District area to connect bus services, sidewalks and crosswalks throughout the corridor for pedestrians and bikers. These connections will improve mobility and access for existing and future transit riders, local residents, commuters, and travelers who have origins and/or destinations in the Uptown-West Loop area.

Director's Signature:

_______________________________________

Joe Turner, Director

Resolution 2015-3 January 7, 2015

Ordinance 2015-1304 December 16, 2015

Luci Correa 832-395-7057

Luci.Correa@houstontx.gov