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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity of PT Lawrence Complete Streets $198,000 1 of 10 2025 Request for Proposals - Public Infrastructure Fund These instructions are for 2025 PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE FUND PROPOSALS to request funding from the Jefferson County Public Infrastructure Fund (PIF). Under Jefferson County guidelines, you must be a LOCAL PUBLIC AGENCY for your public facility project to be eligible for funding from the Jefferson County PIF. The Jefferson County PIF Board will consider complete and signed proposals that include all requested information and documents that are received by the proposal deadline. Return all application materials as one document to Carolyn Gallaway at: carolyn@co.jefferson.wa.us by 4:30 p.m. on September 13, 2024. Call 360-385-9122 with any questions. 2025 Proposal Instructions The Jefferson County Public Infrastructure Fund (PIF) Board is accepting proposals from local public agencies to help finance public facilities serving economic development purposes via grants and loans from the County’s Public Infrastructure Fund. The PIF Board will make recommendations to the Jefferson County Commissioners (BOCC) after evaluating the proposals. All final decisions for use of the PIF will be made by the BOCC. ■ Proposals from local public agencies must be for helping to finance public facilities serving economic development purposes. Refer to the rest of this packet for instructions and eligibility details. ■ Your public facility project must be listed in the current Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS), or in the economic development section of the comprehensive plan of Jefferson County or the City of Port Townsend. ■ PIF funding as grants or loans may finance a portion of the public facility project cost, not to exceed 80% of the project cost. ■ Proposals must comply with federal, state, and county laws and requirements, including Chapter 3.28 of Jefferson County Code. ■ Proposals must address all questions in the RFP, and include all requested supplemental information. ■ To be considered, a completed and signed original application, PLUS NINE (9) copies, with supporting documents must be received and date stamped at the Jefferson County Courthouse, County Administrator’s Office, 1820 Jefferson Street, P.O. Box 1220, Port Townsend, WA 98368 by the deadline listed above. ■ The proposal and all documents filed with the County are public records, potentially eligible for release. Jefferson County is committed to the non-discriminatory treatment of all persons in the employment and delivery of services and resources. 2 of 10 1. Jefferson County’s Proposal Process - The Jefferson County Public Infrastructure Fund Board solicits proposals when sufficient PIF funds are available. The proposal form in Word may be downloaded from the County’s website, www.co.jefferson.wa.us, and may also be requested by calling the Jefferson County Administrator’s Office at the Courthouse, (360) 385-9100. Jefferson County staff will review project proposals submitted to the County, prior to presenting them to the PIF Board. Projects meeting the minimum requirements will be presented for review by the PIF Board. Applications that do not meet the requirements will not be forwarded to the PIF Board. This year, the PIF Board will review proposals at a PIF Special Meeting, tentatively scheduled October 29, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. Applicants will be scheduled to attend this meeting in the Commissioners’ Chambers in the Basement of the County Courthouse (1820 Jefferson Street, Port Townsend, WA 98368), or online via Zoom. At that meeting, each invited proposing agency will answer questions from the PIF Board regarding their proposal. The Public Infrastructure Fund Board will make a recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners regarding which proposals to fund, and at what funding levels within available revenues. The review of the PIF Board’s recommendations and final decision about allocating PIF monies will be made by the County Commissioners. Each agency will be notified of the status of its proposal. Contracts are prepared by the County and sent to agencies. The County will monitor contract compliance and reimburse approved project expenses. 2. Available Funding for 2025 - A total of up to $600,000 in Public Infrastructure Funds is potentially being made available in 2025 to be shared between all the successful applicants through this RFP. Therefore, each applicant is encouraged to limit the number of project applications submitted to the applicant’s top priority(s), and to scale funding requests so that other applicants may receive awards too. PIF funding awards can be in the form of a grant and/or loan, for up to 80% of a project’s cost. 3. Eligible Projects - Pursuant to this RFP and state law, Public Infrastructure Funds through this RFP may only be used to finance public facilities serving economic development purposes. Jefferson County solicits proposals from local public agencies within Jefferson County requesting funding for public facility projects that serve economic development purposes by promoting the creation, expansion or retention of businesses and jobs. 3 of 10 ONE fully completed and signed application with supporting documents must be received by 4:30 p.m. on September 13, 2024 to carolyn@co.jefferson.wa.us. She will notify you that she has received your application. If you have not received a reply, please call 360-385-9122. To be eligible, the project must: • Meet the definition of a public facility – see RCW 82.14.370(3)(i); • Be listed in the most recently adopted Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS), or listed in the economic development section of the comprehensive plan of Jefferson County or the City of Port Townsend; and • Be a project of a local public agency within Jefferson County, and that agency will be the recipient of the PIF funds. RCW 82.14.370(3)(i) defines public facilities as bridges, roads, domestic and industrial water facilities, sanitary sewer facilities, earth stabilization, storm sewer facilities, railroad, electrical facilities, natural gas facilities, research, testing, training and incubation facilities in innovation partnership zones designated under RCW 43.330.270, buildings, structures, telecommunications infrastructure, transportation infrastructure, or commercial infrastructure, and port facilities in the State of Washington. In addition, a 2001 opinion of the Washington State Attorney General’s Office determined that PIF funds may be expended on an eligible public facility for the following purposes: Capital facilities costs, including acquisition, construction, rehabilitation, alteration, expansion, or improvements of public facilities; costs of development and improvement for the public facilities; project-specific environmental costs; land use and permitting costs; costs of site planning and analysis; project design, including feasibility and marketing studies and plans, and debt and revenue impact analysis. 4. Project Description/Criteria – Each application should provide a description and information about a project that meets the following requirements and provides an economic benefit to Jefferson County. Specific questions are included in the application form to ensure the project is in compliance with the requirements set forth in RCW and County Code, and to assist the applicant in delineating those matters which are of concern to the Public Infrastructure Fund Board and Jefferson County Commissioners. The PIF Board will consider the following criteria to evaluate projects: (1) Public facility projects that have a higher probability of successfully creating or retaining significant numbers of jobs including unskilled, semi-skilled, and skilled jobs; or that have a large job creation-to-PIF funding ratio. (2) Projects that leverage significant outside funding and/or partnerships. 4 of 10 (3) Projects that would develop, re-develop, in-fill or expand existing or planned infrastructure systems necessary to create or retain jobs. (4) Projects with a higher match percentage. The match may include project-related expenditures for a period up to one year prior to the request for funding. (5) Projects that will retain or create jobs or benefit the economy in priority economic sectors or economic centers in the incorporated or unincorporated areas of Jefferson County. (6) Projects that also successfully mitigate for significant adverse environmental impacts, if applicable. (7) Consideration may be given for critical timing; emergent opportunities; (8) Consistency with and implementation of an adopted countywide economic development plan or strategy, the economic element of an adopted Comprehensive Plan, or an adopted Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS); (9) Projects which provide a balance of Geographic and Historic Distribution (10) Projects that confer multiple benefits. (11) Other criteria as the PIF Board may determine, consistent with RCW 82.14.370, and the adopted Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) or the adopted Comprehensive Plan of the jurisdiction where a project is located. For additional information, contact: Mark McCauley, County Administrator Jefferson County Courthouse PO Box 1220 Port Townsend, WA 98368 Ph: 360-385-9130; e-mail: MMcCauley@co.jefferson.wa.us 5 of 10 Jefferson County, Washington Public Infrastructure Fund Project Application Return all Application Materials as One Document to: carolyn@co.jefferson.wa.us by 4:30 p.m. on September 13, 2024 Project Title: Lawrence Complete Streets Project Grant Request Amount: $198,000 Loan Request Amount: $ Contact Information Agency: City of Port Townsend Contact: John Mauro Date: 9-12-24 Phone #: 360-379-5043 Email: jmauro@cityofpt.us Address: 250 Madison Street City, State, Zip: Port Townsend, WA 98368 By signing you confirm you have authority to submit this application for PIF funds on behalf of your organization. I affirm that the information is correct to my knowledge. Signature: Printed Name: John Mauro Title: City Manager 6 of 10 YOUR PROJECT What is your “Public Facilities” project? Please provide a brief description of your project in the box below. Description: This Project will make pedestrian and ADA improvements to Lawrence Street on both sides of the street between Harrison and Tyler Street with the primary focus of installing ADA compliant bulbouts (sidewalk extensions) at 11 street corners. The bulbouts are a proven way to make walking safer when crossing the street and help with traffic calming. The bulbouts will incorporate landscaping swales with trees and vegetation to aid in treating stormwater run-off. Lawrence Street sidewalks are also being brought up to specs for ADA compliance as a pre-requisite to future paving. A new bus stop to support those with disabilities as well as other transit riders attempting to reach the Farmers Market, Uptown Community Center, as well as the many other businesses in the Uptown Business District will also be installed in the Southwest Corner of Lawrence Street. This project is supported by the Jefferson County Farmers Market and PT Main Street. See attached letters of support. Where is your project located? Description/Address: The project is located on a portion of Lawrence Street in the core of the Uptown Business District of Port Townsend. The business district is similar to Downtown in that it supports a main street of businesses, and is within the Port Townsend’s Historic District. The area is also home of the popular Farmer’s Market and Uptown Street Fair. Which type of Public Facility Is Your Project? The public facility must be specifically listed under RCW 82.14.370. Please select the category(ies) which correspond to your project. ☐ Bridges ☐ Sanitary sewer facilities ☐ Electrical facilities ☐ Telecommunications infrastructure ☐ Earth stabilization ☐ Natural gas facilities ☒ Transportation infrastructure ☐ Domestic water facilities ☐ Storm sewer facilities ☐ Buildings ☐ Commercial infrastructure ☐ Railroads ☐ Structures ☐ Port facilities ☐ Research, testing, training, or incubation facilities in an innovation partnership zone designated under RCW 43.330.270 ☐ Other – describe: 7 of 10 What will be the cost of this project? The County Commissioners may disburse funds as both grants and loans. The County negotiates the terms of each award. Total Project Cost: $1,030,525 Total PIF Request: $198,000 ☐ Loan Request: $ ☒ Grant Request: $198,000 What other funding will you use for this project: What source, how much, & what status? Funding Source Amount Status (spent, secured, applied for, or future request) TIB Transportation Improvement Board $567,525 secured City’s Stormwater and Banked Capacity fund $45,000 secured Jefferson Transit $40,000 secured City’s Transportation Benefit District fund $180,000 secured Is the project ready to proceed? If not ready, what work on this project has already been completed, such as planning, engineering reports, feasibility studies, permitting, etc., have been prepared, and when? Describe what must be completed before the project is ready to proceed. Description: The project is ready to proceed. In fact the project has gone to bid, contractor has been selected, contract has been signed, and the preconstruction meeting was held on 9/12/2024 with the notice to proceed being prepared and will be sent on September 23, 2024. The project is expected to be completed by the end of November, 2024. 8 of 10 How does the project satisfy, in whole or in part, the jurisdiction’s economic development strategy? Is this project a documented county-wide priority? If so, where does it rank? What are the anticipated outcomes of this project in terms of the criteria identified below? Quantify information where possible. • How many businesses do you plan on serving with this project? Approximately 30 • How many full-time, permanent jobs will this project create or retain? o Retain: Approximately 100 jobs o Create in 1-3 years: 5-10 o Create in 3-5 years: 10-20 • What is the size of the population that will benefit by these infrastructure improvements? 35,000 – Includes East Jefferson County and visitors • How many jobs during construction? Approximately 65 jobs are supported per $1 million of investment. These jobs include engineers, contractors, suppliers, and maintenance staff. • How will this project improve local infrastructure capacity? See below. Description: The Uptown business core is an important business district of the City and is home to approximately 30 businesses as well as the JC Farmer’s Market. Uptown not only provides an attraction to visitors, but also is a favorite among locals. The City has invested considerably in Downtown for the same economic development reasons. Basic infrastructure is critical to the success of these businesses as well as improving the aesthetics to create a welcoming environment. Goal 5 of the City’s Comprehensive Plan under the Economic Development Element is “Enhance and attract small and medium sized retailed businesses that serve the community’s need for goods and services.” This project is squarely in line with this goal. The City’s Comprehensive Plan also has the goal of promoting mixed use districts of which Uptown is a successful model. Accessibility for all users including those experience disabilities is a fundamental requirement for successful mixed-use districts. Description: Policy #7 of the County-Wide Planning Policy specifies Local government role is to provide capital facilities and associated land use to support the private sector. The Jefferson County Comprehensive Plan includes goals around place making, sustainable agriculture, and supporting food-related businesses. Uptown supports these important goals for the region, especially with the Jefferson County Farmers Market. 9 of 10 How many months will the work on this project take to complete? Are there other factors significant to this project that we should be aware of, such as health and safety, emergency declaration, “bird in hand” efforts, volunteer efforts, etc.? Description: Presently, the Uptown sidewalks are in disrepair. Additionally, pedestrian safety can be improved, especially related to street crossings and the addition of ADA facilities. This project is a precursor to installation of a stormwater system to remove stormwater from the sanitary sewer system as well as repaving of Lawrence Street. This project enables cost effective improvements providing environmental, economic, and social benefits. The next phase of storm sewer separation will add capacity to the City’s sewer system to support infill residential and commercial development in Uptown and Downtown approximately equivalent to 1,000 units or more. Description: The Project has a 55 working day limit in the contract, therefore we estimate 2 ½ months. Description: This project is widely supported. Given this support, the City Council voted to move forward with the project despite very high bids. The City’s original match for this project was $90,000. With the high bids, the City’s match elevated to $378,000 excluding contingency. This additional match takes away from other street infrastructure work badly needed throughout the City. Given the economic development benefit of this project, this application proposes doubling the City’s match from $90,000 to $180,000 with the requested $198,000 PIF funding support. 10 of 10 What Is The Project Phasing? Articulate the major phases of this project, including the start and completion date, PIF Funds requested for each phase, the eligible PIF expenditure category(ies) for that phase, and if asking for PIF funds for more than one phase, whether PIF funds could be awarded for each phase, separate from PIF funding for the other phases. Eligible PIF Expenditure Categories: The Washington State Attorney General 2001 No.5 opinion states that these funds may only be used for the following 6 eligible cost categories: 1. project design, including feasibility and marketing studies & plans, and debt & revenue impact analysis 2. costs of site planning & analysis 3. land use & permitting costs 4. project-specific environmental costs 5. capital facilities costs, including acquisition, construction, rehabilitation, alteration, expansion, or improvements of public facilities 6. costs of development & improvement for the public facilities Phase Start date End date PIF Grant Request (if any) PIF Loan Request (if any) PIF Expenditure Categories − write in number(s) from above. Can This Phase be Funded with PIF, Separate From the Other PIF Phases? Construction September 2024 December 2024 $198,000 $ 5 N/A $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ Uptown Business District Complete Streets Grant Vicinity Map Port Townsend Coupeville Ferry Fort Worden State Park Downtown Uptown Project Location SR20 Port of Port Townsend Uptown Business District Complete Streets Grant Vicinity Map Port Townsend Coupeville Ferry Tyler Street APP Project Downtown Uptown Project Location SR20 Uptown Business District Complete Streets Supporting Information With support of partners such as DASH, PT Main Street, Jefferson County Farmers Market and Jefferson Transit, the City is applying for funding for Lawrence Street pedestrian and accessibility improvements between Harrison Street and the Port Townsend Library and Tyler Street, the home of the Jefferson County Farmers Market. Project Goals: Improve Accessibility and Mobility: Lawrence Street is a main pedestrian route. Disability Awareness Starts Here (DASH) has identified Lawrence Street as a key route that needs accessibility updates. Creating good pedestrian connections between the Library and Aldrich’s would improve accessibility to the Uptown core as well as the Library. Adding bike lanes and narrowing the lanes will improve mobility for all in terms of traffic calming and providing space for bicycles. Paving: Lawrence Street is in extreme need of pavement repairs. Updating ADA ramps is a requirement for paving. Fixing the ramps ahead of paving stretches paving investments to repair more street. This project does not repave the street, but does lay the groundwork for future pavement repairs. Safety: Shorter pedestrian crosswalks crossing Lawrence Street improves visibility of pedestrians and results in easier street crossings. Bulbouts also tend to slow traffic. Parking: This project is not intended to change parking on Lawrence Street. Some small parking impacts may occur, but not wholesale changes. However, when the street is repaved, parking could be considered. Uptown Business District Enhancement: Good pedestrian facilities are important for a business district. Most of Downtown PT has bulbouts for accessibility and safety. Uptown needs the same investment. The project also will repair damaged sidewalk along with the installation of missing curbs. Some trees may be replaced or protected depending on evaluation of an arborist. Investment in Uptown will help support businesses and this critical economic hub for the City. Timing: This grant requires construction to be completed in 2024. This work may be done at the same time as the Tyler Street Paving project. This project will create limited disruptions to Uptown if paired with the Tyler Street Paving project. Road closures for more than a couple of days are not expected. Some work by City and PUD crews may be done in advance of the project. Uptown Community Center Typical bulbout and ADA wheelchair ramp Sidewalk repair around trees Example of shorter pedestrian crossings PT Library Example of wheelchair ramp and bulbout for pedestrian safety at the post office (2019). This type of upgrade is planned for pedestrians crossing Lawrence Street. Rain garden or tree wells Curb and Sidewalk Extension for Bus Stop Farmers Market Complete Streets - Quotes Port Townsend's Uptown is an essential commercial center for the residents of Port Townsend. Many visitors to the Olympics make it to this location, helping them learn how to promote an authentic walkable and people-friendly place in their towns. Lawrence is the heart of a compact 15-minute neighborhood. Parking is, and should be of limited supply, and so walking to and from this center is essential for the businesses to thrive. As an important center, the social life of the street will benefit from this traffic slowing, the added greening and reduced paving. A high percentage of elders and people with disabilities live here. For these and many additional reasons the correct Target Speed for this area, to maximize yielding behavior, and make this a mecca for human habitat should be 20 mph. The design (lane widths, curb extensions, color-enhanced bike lanes, high visibility crosswalk markings wide fog lines) needs to inform this speed. Dan Burden, Blue Zones (Resident) My home is in the condo at the corner of Lawrence & Fillmore. When I ride my power wheelchair to the farmers market/community center, as I often do, I must risk crossing Lawrence Street twice because the sidewalk between Polk and Tyler is now so bad on my side of Lawrence. Sidewalk repairs would be greatly appreciated by mobility device users as well as walkers. John Frasca (Resident) Existing Photos – Lawrence Street in Uptown Uptown Street Fair Uptown is part of the Historic Main Street District Street is wide and encourages high speeds with no bike lanes and long pedestrian crossings Vibrant Jefferson County Farmers Market on nearby Tyler Street Existing pavement failures to be repaired with a storm/sewer separation project and future pavement project Existing Photos – Lawrence Street Missing sections of curb Existing driveway that needs to be removed along with damaged sidewalk Sidewalk heaving around street tree Street Form This photo of Water Street in Downtown illustrates a similar street form proposed for the project in Uptown. This street form has resulted in amazing success for traffic calming, freight delivery, bikes, and peds. The street operates slowly and safely in an intense downtown environment. In this picture, the lanes shown are (2) 9 ft lanes with no centerline stripe. Bulbouts Provide Great Pedestrian and Stormwater Benefit The 2019 Complete Streets grant supported the installation of 3 bulbouts near the Post Office (above) and Downtown (right) To Whom It May Concern: On behalf of the Jefferson County Farmers Market (JCFM)or Port Townsend and Chimacum farmers markets,I write to express my support for the City of Port Townsend’s Lawrence Street project.This project benefits the businesses,residents, and visitors to Uptown Port Townsend,increasing the neighborhood’s livability and accessibility. This year,the Port Townsend Farmers Market (PTFM)celebrates 33 years of operation. We have called Uptown Port Townsend home since 2003.Our mission as a small nonprofit is to support local farmers and artisans with vibrant marketplaces that cultivate community and provide access to healthy food for all.We bring over 40,000 visitors to Uptown Port Townsend annually,and about 100 small businesses participate in our nine-month market season. The condition of the roads and sidewalks in Uptown Port Townsend increasingly impacts the operation and inclusivity of our farmers markets and neighboring businesses.The sidewalks on Lawrence Street are badly cracked and lack ADA-accessible ramps or space for Jefferson Transit to load and unload passengers safely.This reality makes it difficult for people using walkers,wheelchairs,or other mobility assistive devices to safely get to the farmers market or Uptown businesses. Of our 32,977 county population,the median age is 59 versus 38 in Washington State, and nearly 20%of the population identifies as living with a disability,according to the US Census.While our farmers markets serve people of all ages and from all demographics,the small businesses that participate in the PTFM rely on a consistent senior shopper base.Many of our shoppers–seniors and people of all ages–live with physical disabilities that impact their ability to access Uptown Port Townsend with ease. I have seen uptown visitors trip on cracks in the sidewalk and accidentally fall off unsafe cubs.Repairing our uptown sidewalks is critical for the health and safety of our community as well as the stability of our local economy. The primary driver for the Lawrence Street project is to improve ADA accessibility and non-motorized access to Uptown Port Townsend.The project adds plantings and rain gardens to replace several large trees to enhance the aesthetics of this important commercial center.With our largest county farmers market located next to Lawrence Street,this project is of significant importance to the market,the 100+businesses we serve,our 40,000+shoppers,and everyone else who visits and lives in Port Townsend. We are thankful for the project’s funding to date and the City’s commitment to move forward with it despite high bids.Funding for this project is essential for economic development,similar to past investments by the community in Downtown.This letter follows previous letters of support for a successful Transportation Improvement Board Complete Streets Grant awarded earlier this year. Thank you for considering the City of Port Townsend Lawrence Street project application.JCFM strongly supports this much-needed project.Please contact me should you have any questions. Sincerely, Amanda Milholland Executive Director September 12, 2024 John Mauro City Manager City of Port Townsend 250 Madison Street Port Townsend, WA Dear City Manager Mauro, The Port Townsend Main Street Program is writing this letter in support for the Lawrence Street Pedestrian Improvement Project. Our mission is to preserve, promote and enhance the historic districts of Port Townsend –Uptown and Downtown. This project is much needed and long overdue in support of Uptown businesses and the Jefferson County Farmers Market in terms of accessibility and streetscape improvements. The primary driver for this project is to provide improved ADA accessibility and non-motorized access to Uptown. The project also adds plantings along with rain gardens to replace several large trees in order to enhance the aesthetics and accessibility of this important commercial center. We are thankful for the project funding to date and the City’s commitment to move forward with the project despite high bids. Funding for this project is important for economic development similar to past investments by the community in Downtown. This letter of support follows previous letters of support for a successful Transportation Improvement Board Complete Streets Grant awarded earlier this year. Thank you for your consideration. Please let us know if you have any questions. Sincerely, Mari F. Mullen Executive Director The Port Townsend Main Street Program director@ptmainstreet.org 211 Taylor Street, #3 Port Townsend WA 98368