Agenda Date: 04/02/2024
Subject:
Title
Resolution 52-2024: Authorizing two applications for funding from the Arapahoe County Open Spaces Grant Program for 1) Santa Fe Drive Regional Trail Connection, and 2) Community Trail Connection
Body
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From: |
James L. Becklenberg, City Manager |
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Prepared by: |
Kenna Davis, Transportation Planner |
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Presentations: |
Kenna Davis, Transportation Planner |
PURPOSE:
Does city council support two grant applications to Arapahoe County Open Spaces (ACOS) for 1) Santa Fe Drive Regional Trail Connection, and 2) Community Trail Connection?
LONG-TERM OUTCOME(S) SERVED:
Safe Community
DISCUSSION:
In compliance with Arapahoe County Open Spaces grant requirements and the City of Littleton’s grant policy the city is requesting council support to apply for ACOS grant funds for:
1. Planning Grant - Santa Fe Drive Regional Trail Connection: This project would include designing a regional connection between the Santa Fe Drive trail improvements south of County Line Road as part of the Douglas County Santa Fe Drive Widening Project to the South Platte River Parkway extension cycle track and sidewalks that connect further north to the Mary Carter Greenway and South Platte Park. This trail segment would connect Douglas County to the Mary Carter Greenway, Mineral Light Rail Transit Station, and Aspen Grove Shopping Center.
2. Community Trail Connection: Littleton Community Trail Connection project will design a paved connection between the Littleton Community Trail and Bemis Street, as well as constructing a mid-block crossing across Bemis Street, ultimately connecting the Community Trail to Sterne Park. This will also provide access to Shepperd Gardens and the War Memorial Rose Garden. This trail connection and crossing enhancement are identified in the Littleton Linkages Trail Study.
BACKGROUND:
1. Santa Fe Drive Regional Trail Connection:
a. This is one piece of larger regional development and infrastructure improvements:
i. Connect to the southern end of continuous multimodal infrastructure being installed cooperatively by three mixed-use developments occurring in southwest corner of the Santa Fe Drive and Mineral Avenue intersection.
ii. South Platte River Parkway extension through these mixed-use developments to have a two-way cycletrack and sidewalks. This will act as the main north-south connection to these amenities.
iii. Douglas County Santa Fe Drive Widening Project is building a trail along Santa Fe Drive to connect to the C-470 Trail and High Line Canal Trail south of County Line Road.
iv. Zocalo Development will design and build a trail connection between this project and South Platte River Parkway (southern terminus).
b. The Santa Fe Drive Action Plan identified the need for more multimodal connections along Santa Fe Drive. Phase 2 of the Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) Study identified the best routes within the area for multimodal connections to the developments and the Mary Carter Greenway. Other ongoing projects that this segment would help connect to include:
i. Mineral Station West Project (TIP funded) is currently designing and constructing a cycle track extension north of Mineral Avenue along South Platte River Parkway to connect to Carson Drive, the Mary Carter Greenway, and South Platte Park, as well as the Aspen Grove Mall.
ii. Mineral Mobility East improvements east of Santa Fe Drive will include intersection improvements at Mineral Avenue and Jackass Hill Road, paving of the Mineral Trail between Jackass Hill Road and Peninsula Drive, at-grade improvements to the High Line Canal crossing of Mineral Avenue, bicycle improvements along Jackass Hill Road between Mineral Avenue and Prince Street, and a buffered bike lane on Mineral Avenue between Jackass Hill Road and Peninsula Drive.
iii. The Santa Fe Drive and Mineral Avenue Improvement project will add mobility improvements west of and through the intersection.
2. Community Trail Connection:
a. Connecting this gap in Littleton’s trail network will provide greater connectivity within the neighborhood, but also to the regional trails accessed via the Community Trail, such as Lee Gulch Trail and the Mary Carter Greenway Trail. With this proposed trail connection and enhanced crossing directly adjacent to the Colorado Center for the Blind, the intent of this project is to create safe, accessible trail facilities for all users.
Prior Actions or Discussions
Historically, the city has applied for numerous grants through the Arapahoe County Open Spaces (ACOS) grant program to make various improvements to open spaces and parks in the city limits.
1. Santa Fe Drive Regional Trail Connection: August 15th, 2023 - Resolution 85-2023 & March 5th, 2024 - Resolution 14-2024.
2. Community Trail Connection: August 8th, 2020 - Resolution 57-2020 & March 5th, 2024 - Resolution 14-2024.
FISCAL IMPACTS:
1. Santa Fe Drive Regional Trail Connection: The total estimated cost of this project is $150,000. The grant request will be $135,000 and the city will provide the remaining $15,000 partnered with South Suburban Parks and Recreation District, Zocalo Developers, Santa Fe Drive Action Plan Coalition (CDOT, Douglas County, Arapahoe County, CCD, Englewood, Sheridan, Littleton, DRCOG, RTD).
2. Community Trail Connection: The total estimated cost of this project is $150,000. The grant request will be $135,000 and the match will be $15,000 partnering with South Suburban Parks and Recreation.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the resolution.
ALTERNATIVES:
If council does not approve submitting the applications to the ACOS Grant Program, the projects will not be completed until funds are available. Should the grant not be awarded, city staff will determine whether it is possible to continue the project within the current budgeted amounts.
PROPOSED MOTION:
Proposed Motion
I move to approve Resolution 52-2024 authorizing two applications to the Arapahoe County Open Spaces Grant Program: 1) Santa Fe Drive Regional Trail Connection, and 2) Community Trail Connection.