Placement: Consent Agenda
Action Requested: Motion / Vote
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Proceed with RAISE Grant Application to Support “Mobility for All”
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Submitted By: Kate Parmelee, Director of Strategic Initiatives & Innovation
Strategic Plan Link: The City's Goal of high-quality infrastructure and facilities.
Executive Summary (General Business): Staff is requesting permission to submit a Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant application to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). The project will support cutting-edge transportation infrastructure improvements that will spur economic development and regional job opportunities on Florida’s Treasure Coast, provide connectivity, create innovative mobility options, promote environmental sustainability, and enhance quality of life.
Presentation Information: N/A
Staff Recommendation: Move that the Council approve the request to apply for the RAISE grant application totaling approximately $9.8 million with the City match of $3.1 million.
Alternate Recommendations:
1. Move that the Council amend the recommendation and approve the request to apply for the RAISE grant application totaling approximately $9.8 million with the City match of $3.1 million.
2. Move that the Council provide staff direction.
Background: The RAISE Discretionary Grant program provides a unique opportunity for the DOT to invest in road, rail, transit and port projects that promise to achieve national objectives. The eligibility requirements of RAISE allow project sponsors at the State and local levels to obtain funding for multi-modal, multi-jurisdictional projects that are more difficult to support through traditional DOT programs.
The proposed RAISE grant application The proposed project will: (1) extend a separated 13-mile trail for autonomous vehicles in the Tradition community; (2) build critical road infrastructure in the adjacent Southern Grove Jobs Corridor to create new, local employment opportunities; and (3) optimize transit routes to ensure that low-income and minority populations have equitable access to work in Port St. Lucie and build new mobility hubs that integrate current and emergent transit options and 4) Integrate live traffic and AV data with the University of Central Florida (UCF) Smart & Safe Transportation Lab Visualization platform. Port St. Lucie is one of the fastest growing cities in Florida. Much of Port St. Lucie’s population and economic growth is taking place in the Tradition community and Southern Grove Jobs Corridor.
Issues/Analysis: The City of Port Saint Lucie, Mattamy Homes, Tradition Community Development District No. 1, University of Central Florida Civil, Environmental and Construction Engineering Department, Beep, and St. Lucie County Transit have partnered together to create "Mobility and Opportunity for All." The attached fact sheet further describes the project and partnership.
Financial Information: The local match component of the application represents a broad and deep base of support for the project and an appreciation of the proposed benefits to the community and return on investment to providers of those funds. The public private partnership is seeking a Federal RAISE grant in the amount of approximately $9.8 million toward a total project cost of approximately $18.4 million, with the City and private sources headed by Mattamy Homes contributing $6.7 million. The City’s match will be provided via a development partner contribution.
Special Consideration: N/A
Location of Project: Southern Grove, as outlined on the attached map and fact sheet.
Attachments: 1. Mobility for All Fact Sheet
NOTE: All of the listed items in the “Attachment” section above are in the custody of the City Clerk. Any item(s) not provided in City Council packets are available upon request from the City Clerk.
Internal Reference Number: N/A
Legal Sufficiency Review:
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