SUBJECT/RECOMMENDATION:
Title
Authorize an agreement between the City of Clearwater and Forward Pinellas, to receive a Complete Streets Concept Planning Grant in the amount of $50,000 to prepare a Complete Streets Concept Plan for Fort Harrison Avenue from Belleair Road to the merge at Myrtle Avenue/Alternate US 19, authorize the appropriate officials to execute same, and adopt Resolution 19-09.
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SUMMARY:
In October 2018, Forward Pinellas sent out a call for Complete Streets projects, asking local governments to submit applications to request funding for their Complete Streets projects. The Forward Pinellas Complete Streets Program provides annual, competitive funding for both the planning and construction of Complete Streets projects countywide.
The Planning and Development Department applied for a Complete Street Concept Plan grant for Fort Harrison Avenue from Belleair Road to the merge with Myrtle Avenue/Alternate US 19. The project scope connects three major destinations, Morton Plant Hospital Campus, Downtown and the future Imagine Clearwater waterfront redevelopment, and the North Marina Area. A significant portion of the project corridor is within the Downtown Clearwater Redevelopment Area and both Downtown and the Morton Plant Hospital area are designated Activity Centers in the City’s Comprehensive Plan. The City’s primary goal for this Project is to develop a Complete Streets Concept Plan that will enhance safety, mobility, and accessibility while also considering the land use contexts and character surrounding the corridor.
Residents and businesses see the potential to make Fort Harrison Avenue safer, more livable, and a better street for businesses. Complete Street improvements on this road would work in harmony with a broad spectrum of City and countywide plans, especially those addressing designated activity centers on both ends of the Project.
This project will complement the recently completed Florida Department of Transportation’s Alternate US 19 study. The Fort Harrison Avenue Concept Plan is expected to comprehensively guide the corridor design improvements by utilizing the principles of Complete Streets and the best practice designs outlined in the City’s Complete Streets Implementation Plan.
On March 13, 2019, Forward Pinellas selected the City to receive one of the Complete Streets grants in the amount of $50,000 to be matched by the City. The grant funding will be used for consulting services to produce a comprehensive concept plan and assist with community outreach. The estimated cost of Complete Street conceptual planning for the 3.21-mile Project is $100,000; $50,000 from Forward Pinellas, $25,000 from the city, and $25,000 in-kind support from city staff.
The City would be contractually obligated to complete the project activities by June 30, 2020, consistent with the agreement.
APPROPRIATION CODE AND AMOUNT:
Funds are available in cost code 010-01420-530100, Professional Services, to fund the City’s portion of this agreement.