RAISE Infrastructure Implementation Grant: Building Bridges to Employment and Equity (B2E2) Project - Approve Grant Application SubmissionCity of Dubuque
City Council Meeting
Action Items # 03.
Copyrighted
February 19, 2024
ITEM TITLE: RAISE Infrastructure Implementation Grant: Building Bridges to
Employment and Equity (B2E2) Project - Approve Grant Application
Submission
SUMMARY: City Manager recommending City Council adopt the attached resolution
authorizing the filing of the application with the USDOT for a RAISE
Infrastructure Implementation Grant to assist with funding for proposed
improvements to construct specific elements of the Building Bridges to
Employment and Equity (B2E2) Project.
RESOLUTION Resolution authorizing the filing of a grant application
with the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) for a RAI SE
Infrastructure Implementation Grant to assist with funding for proposed
improvements to construct specific elements of the Building Bridges to
Employment and Equity (B2E2) Project
SUGGESTED Suggested Disposition: Receive and File; Adopt Resolution(s)
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
Type
MVM Memo
City Manager Memo
Staff Memo
Staff Memo
Resolution
Resolutions
Exhibit
Supporting Documentation
THE CITY
DUOF
B TEE
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: RAISE Infrastructure Implementation Grant
Building Bridges to Employment and Equity (B2E2) Project
Approve Grant Application Submission
DATE: February 14, 2024
Dubuque
All -America City
IN
2007.2012.2013
2017*2019
Assistant City Engineer Robert Schiesl and Director of Strategic Partnerships Teri
Goodmann are recommending City Council adopt the attached resolution authorizing
the filing of the application with the USDOT for a RAISE Infrastructure Implementation
Grant to assist with funding for proposed improvements to construct specific elements
of the Building Bridges to Employment and Equity (B2E2) Project.
The RAISE Infrastructure Implementation Grant application for the 14th Street railroad
overpass and related improvements is due February 28, 2024. The RAISE grant
application covers several City Council priorities including, "RAISE Grant and Matching
Funds for Construction," and, "Central Avenue Corridor Revitalization Plan," by
connecting Central Avenue to traffic from Wisconsin, the riverfront bike trails, the Kerper
Blvd industrial park and the reinvestment plans for Schmitt Island. This project also
meets the City Council priority of, "Leveraging Federal and State Infrastructure Grant
Programs," and "Street Maintenance and Rehabilitation Program," thereby directly
addressing four of the ten City Council priorities.
The City was awarded a $2.28 million USDOT RAISE Infrastructure Planning Grant which
is providing for the planning and design of a multimodal transportation corridor project for
proposed improvements to the Elm Street corridor, the 16th Street corridor, the Kerper
Blvd. corridor, Chaplain Schmitt Island corridor, and the proposed 14th Street Railroad
(vehicular and pedestrian) Overpass bridge project.
The multimodal transportation corridors will connect vulnerable neighborhoods and low-
income residents with economic opportunities, recreational amenities and key community
resources in the Kerper Boulevard Industrial Park, on Chaplain Schmitt Island, in
downtown Dubuque and its Historic Millwork District, and on the west side of the city via
the downtown Intermodal Transportation Center. In particular, the RAISE Infrastructure
Planning Grant is being used for planning and design of physical connections that will
directly benefit low-income residents in Areas of Persistent Poverty (Census Tracts 1 and
5) by providing significant safety improvements, while connecting them to economic
opportunities such as the Kerper Boulevard Industrial Park and Chaplain Schmitt Island,
and key community assets.
The project will also focus on multimodal transportation corridors with "complete streets"
improvements along Elm Street and 16th Street corridors. The project would also include
the design of an improved pedestrian/bike shared use path adjacent to the existing 16th
Street Peosta Channel bridge to Chaplain Schmitt Island and incorporating a multi -lane
roundabout at Admiral Sheehy Drive / Greyhound Park intersection on Chaplain Schmitt
Island.
The impending increase in train traffic due to the merger of the Canadian Pacific and
Kansas City Southern railroads will negatively impact our region. The merger is projected
to double the number of trains passing daily through the downtown urban core of the City
from 9 trains to 18 trains by 2027. This surge in train activity will lead to significant delays
at 10 existing at -grade rail crossings and will hinder the efficient movement of people and
goods, significantly impacting vulnerable neighborhoods, emergency response, and key
employment centers.
The project costs for purposes of this grant application are $38,720,000. The maximum
RAISE grant award is $25 million with no local match requirements. The City needed to
prioritize the project elements putting some elements into future phases and identify
additional funding sources.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
Michael C. Van Milligen
MCVM:sv
Attachment
CC' Crenna Brumwell, City Attorney
Cori Burbach, Assistant City Manager
Gus Psihoyos, City Engineer
Robert Schiesl, Assistant City Engineer
Teri Goodmann, Director of Strategic Partnerships
Jenny Larson, Chief Financial Officer
Chandra Ravada, ECIA
Andrew Seth, Sustainable Strategies DC
Alex Dison, Dubuque Racing Association President and CEO
Rick Dickinson, Greater Dubuque Development Corporation President and CEO
THE CE
DUt�B
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
Gus Psihoyos, City Engineer
FROM: Robert Schiesl, Assistant City Engineer
Teri Goodman, Director of Strategic Partnerships
SUBJECT: RAISE Infrastructure Implementation Grant
Building Bridges to Employment and Equity (B2E2) Project
Approve Grant Application Submission
DATE: February 14, 2024
INTRODUCTION
Dubuque
AIFpa�eriea Ciiy
2007.2012.2013
2017*2019
The purpose of this memorandum is to provide the Mayor and City Council with
information and documentation in support of the attached resolution which provides the
authorization for the City of Dubuque to submit an application to the U.S. Department of
Transportation (USDOT) for a RAISE Infrastructure Implementation Grant to assist with
funding for proposed improvements to construct specific elements of the Building Bridges
to Employment and Equity (B2E2) Project.
BACKGROUND
The City was awarded a $2.28 million USDOT RAISE Infrastructure Planning Grant which
is providing for the planning and design of a multimodal transportation corridor project for
proposed improvements to the Elm Street corridor, the 16th Street corridor, the Kerper
Blvd. corridor, Chaplain Schmitt Island corridor, and the proposed 14th Street Railroad
(vehicular and pedestrian) Overpass bridge project.
The multimodal transportation corridors will connect vulnerable neighborhoods and low-
income residents with economic opportunities, recreational amenities and key community
resources in the Kerper Boulevard Industrial Park, on Chaplain Schmitt Island, in
downtown Dubuque and its Historic Millwork District, and on the west side of the city via
the downtown Intermodal Transportation Center. In particular, the RAISE Infrastructure
Planning Grant is being used for planning and design of physical connections that will
directly benefit low-income residents in Areas of Persistent Poverty (Census Tracts 1 and
5) by providing significant safety improvements, while connecting them to economic
opportunities such as the Kerper Boulevard Industrial Park and Chaplain Schmitt Island,
and key community assets.
Improving safety for all users is a key goal of the RAISE Infrastructure Planning Grant. A
primary focus of the B2E2 project is the elimination of an at -grade rail crossing conflict on
14th Street and provide for the planning and design a proposed vehicular and pedestrian
overpass bridge which will connect downtown residents to job opportunities while
avoiding train crossing delays that negatively impact the safe and efficient movement of
people and goods to and from the Kerper Boulevard Industrial Park and Chaplain Schmitt
Island.
LEGEND
1. Bee Branch Bicycle & Pedestrian Trail 6. Connectivity to Chaplain Schmitt Island & Kerper Boulevard 9. To the Intermodal Transportation Center
2. Future Redevelopment 7. Washington Street Neighborhood Revitalization 10. Roundabouts
3_ Be, Branch Creek Dubuque's 2 fowest income census tracts It CPKC Railroad
4. 16th Street Complete Street 8. Elm Street Complete Street
5, Ath Street CPKC Railroad Overpass C r,r,e&-6 to iatermodal ra—portut—
The project will also focus on multimodal transportation corridors with "complete streets"
improvements along Elm Street and 16th Street corridors. The project would also include
the design of an improved pedestrian/bike shared use path adjacent to the existing 16th
Street Peosta Channel bridge to Chaplain Schmitt Island and incorporating a multi -lane
roundabout at Admiral Sheehy Drive / Greyhound Park intersection on Chaplain Schmitt
Island.
ELM STREET CORRIDOR - COMPLETE STREETS LEGEND
Reconstruct Flinn Street from 20th Street to 11th Street as a Complete Street 1. Bike Lanes a. Vehicular Parking
to improve safety and access for pedestrians and bicyclists and connect to 2, Improved Sidewalks 5. Street Trees and Green Infrastructure
Intermodal Transportation Center. 3, Vehicular Travel Lanes
6. Streetscape Amenities and Lighting
RAISE INFRASTRUCTURE IMPLEMENTATION GRANT
The RAISE Infrastructure Implementation Grant application for the 14th Street overpass
and related improvements is due February 28, 2024. The RAISE grant application covers
several City Council priorities including, "RAISE Grant and Matching Funds for
Construction," and, "Central Avenue Corridor Revitalization Plan," by connecting Central
Avenue to traffic from Wisconsin, the riverfront bike trails, the Kerper Blvd industrial park
and the reinvestment plans for Schmitt Island. This project also meets the City Council
priority of, "Leveraging Federal and State Infrastructure Grant Programs," and "Street
Maintenance and Rehabilitation Program," thereby directly addressing four of the ten City
Council priorities.
The impending increase in train traffic due to the merger of the Canadian Pacific and
Kansas City Southern railroads will negatively impact our region. The merger is projected
to double the number of trains passing daily through the downtown urban core of the City
from 9 trains to 18 trains by 2027. This surge in train activity will lead to significant delays
at 10 existing at -grade rail crossings and will hinder the efficient movement of people and
goods, significantly impacting vulnerable neighborhoods, emergency response, and key
employment centers.
The total project costs are estimated at $54,420,000. The maximum RAISE grant award
is $25 million with no local match requirements. The City needs to prioritize the project
elements putting some elements into future phases and identify additional funding
sources.
The B2E2 project has been broken down into 15 separate elements with 9 elements
needing to be delayed to future phases and 6 elements considered for inclusion in a
RAISE Infrastructure Implementation Grant application.
The specific project elements selected to be incorporated into the RAISE Infrastructure
Implementation Grant application are outlined in the following table.
Priority
Description
Planning Level
Cost Estimate
14th Street overpass of Elm Street and CPKC Railroad.
1
Includes water main, sanitary sewer, and storm relocation.
$ 30,240,000
Includes potential property acquisition costs.
Roundabout at 16th and Sycamore Street intersection.
2
Includes pedestrian and SUP from Elm Street to
$ 2,020,000
Sycamore, including modifications to the 16th Street Bee
Branch Bridge.
Bridge sidewalk modifications to Peosta Channel Bridge
3
to add bike and pedestrian shared use path
$ 2,700,000
improvements.
Elm Street corridor complete street improvements by
4
adding pavement markings and dedicated painted bike
$ 510,000
lanes on existing pavement from 11 th to 22nd Street.
16th Street corridor complete street improvements by
adding pavement markings and dedicated painted bike
5
lanes on existing pavement from Elm to Sycamore.
$ 390,000
Includes new sidewalk along segments with no existing
sidewalks, and new bike and pedestrian enhanced
crosswalks at the 16th / Kerper intersection.
6
Roundabout at 16th Street / Greyhound Park Rd. / Admiral
$ 2,860,000
Sheehy Drive intersection.
RAISE Grant Application - Total Planning Cost Estimate
$ 38,720,000
Provided with this memo is a graphical exhibit which outlines the specific project elements
selected to be incorporated into the RAISE Infrastructure Implementation Grant
application.
RECOMMENDATION
I recommend that the City submit an application to the USDOT for a RAISE Infrastructure
Implementation Grant to assist with funding for proposed improvements to construct
specific elements of the Building Bridges to Employment and Equity (B2E2) Project.
BUDGETIMPACT
The planning level cost estimate for those specific project elements selected to be
incorporated into the RAISE grant application is summarized as follows:
Description
Amount
RAISE Implementation Grant Application Request
$ 38,720,000
Total Planning Cost Estimate
$ 38,720,000
The anticipated and identified funding to be proposed in the RAISE grant application is
summarized as follows:
Project Code
Funding Source
Percentage
Amount
RAISE Implementation Grant
64.6%
$ 25,000,000
5521000009
Local Funds - City
32 8%
3,563,402
Local Funds - DMATS STBG
9,156,598
CPKC Railroad - Private Participation
2.6%
1,000,000
Project Funding
$ 38,720,000
On February 5t" the City Council approved and on February 8t" the DMATS Board
authorized the reallocation of local STBG funds to support the RAISE Infrastructure
Implementation Grant application request.
We have some belief based on their past comments that we can ask CPKC Railroad for
5% of the 14th Street overpass construction costs ($1,000,000).
ACTION TO BE TAKEN
I respectfully request Mayor and City Council adopt the attached resolution authorizing
the filing of the application with the USDOT for a RAISE Infrastructure Implementation
Grant to assist with funding for proposed improvements to construct specific elements of
the Building Bridges to Employment and Equity (B2E2) Project.
cc: Jenny Larson, Chief Financial Officer
Chandra Ravada, ECIA
Andrew Seth, Sustainable Strategies DC
F:\PROJECTS\RAISE Planning Grant 2022\Council & Staff Documents\RAISE Implementation Grant Application
Prepared by: Robert Schiesl City of Dubuque Engineering. 50 VV, 131" Street Dubuque, IA 52001 563 589-4270
Return to: Adreinne N Breitfelder, City Clerk, 50W 13'" Street, Dubuque, IA 52001 (563) 589-4100
RESOLUTION NO. 46-24
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE FILING OF A GRANT APPLICATION WITH THE
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (USDOT) FOR A RAISE
INFRASTRUCTURE IMPLEMENTATION GRANT TO ASSIST WITH FUNDING FOR
PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS TO CONSTRUCT SPECIFIC ELEMENTS OF THE
BUILDING BRIDGES TO EMPLOYMENT AND EQUITY (B2E2) PROJECT
WHEREAS, the City was awarded a USDOT RAISE Infrastructure Planning Grant
which is providing for the planning and design of a multimodal transportation corridor
project for proposed improvements to the Elm Street corridor, the 16th Street corridor, the
Kerper Blvd. corridor, Chaplain Schmitt Island corridor, and the proposed 14th Street
Railroad (vehicular and pedestrian) Overpass bridge project; and
WHEREAS, the multimodal transportation corridors will connect vulnerable
neighborhoods and low-income residents with economic opportunities, recreational
amenities and key community resources in the Kerper Boulevard Industrial Park, on
Chaplain Schmitt Island, in downtown Dubuque and its Historic Millwork District, and on
the west side of the city via the downtown Intermodal Transportation Center; and
WHEREAS, the RAISE Planning Grant is being used for planning and design of
physical connections that will directly benefit low-income residents in Areas of Persistent
Poverty (Census Tracts 1 and 5) by connecting them to economic opportunities such as
the Kerper Boulevard Industrial Park and Chaplain Schmitt Island, and key community
assets; and
WHEREAS, the impending increase in train traffic due to the recent merger of the
Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern railroads will negatively impact our region
with the number of trains passing daily through the downtown urban core of the City
doubling, from 9 trains to 18 trains by 2027; and
WHEREAS, this increase in daily train traffic will lead to significant delays at 10
existing at -grade rail crossings and will hinder the efficient movement of people and
goods, significantly impacting vulnerable neighborhoods, emergency response, and key
employment centers; and
WHEREAS, improving safety for all users is a key goal of the RAISE Infrastructure
Implementation Grant; and
WHEREAS, a primary focus of the B2E2 project is the elimination of an at -grade
rail crossing conflict on 141" Street and provide for the planning and design a proposed
vehicular and pedestrian overpass bridge which will connect downtown residents to job
opportunities while avoiding train crossing delays that negatively impact the safe and
efficient movement of people and goods to and from the Kerper Boulevard Industrial Park
and Chaplain Schmitt Island; and
WHEREAS, the B2E2 project will also focus on multimodal transportation corridors
with "complete streets" improvements along Elm Street and 16tt' Street corridors, an
improved pedestrian/bike shared use path adjacent to the existing 16th Street Peosta
Channel bridge to Chaplain Schmitt Island, and incorporating multi -lane roundabouts at
the 16th Street I Sycamore Street intersection, and the Admiral Sheehy Drive 1 Greyhound
Park intersection on Chaplain Schmitt Island; and
WHEREAS, the City of Dubuque has determined that the proposed multimodal
transportation corridor improvements will directly benefit low-income residents in Areas
of Persistent Poverty (Census Tracts 1 and 5) by providing significant safety
improvements, while connecting them to economic opportunities such as the Kerper
Boulevard Industrial Park and Chaplain Schmitt Island, and key community assets; and
WHEREAS, the City of Dubuque is seeking the necessary RAISE grant funding
for project implementation, and upon completion, in cooperation with the USDOT, be
responsible for adequately maintaining and operating the B2E2 improvements for public
use and benefit during the project's useful life.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF DUBUQE, IOWA, THAT;
SECTION 1. The City is hereby authorized to file the grant application with the U.S.
Department of Transportation for a RAISE Infrastructure Implementation Grant to assist
with funding for proposed improvements to construct specific elements of the Building
Bridges to Employment and Equity (B2E2) Project.
Passed, approved, and adopted this 191h day of February 2024
i
Attest:
&-z4"
Adreinne N. Breitfelder, City Clerk
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