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July 31, 2023
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
THROUGH: Finance Committee
FROM: Department of Transportation
SUBJECT: ACCEPTANCE OF SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES PROGRAM GRANT
FOR ACTIVATE ALLEN AVENUE QUICK BUILD PROJECT IN THE
AMOUNT OF $164,181 AND AMENDMENT TO THE FISCAL YEAR
2024 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM BUDGET
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council:
1. Find this action exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Section 15061 (b) (3), Common Sense Exemption;
2. Authorize the City Manager to enter into an agreement with the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) to receive a $164, 181of Sustainable Communities Program for the Enhancements to Metro L Line Allen Station and execute any subsequent agreements regarding this grant award; and
3. Amend the Fiscal Year 2024 Capital Improvement Program Budget by appropriating $164,181 in 2018 Sustainable Communities Program Grant to the Enhancements to Metro L Line Allen Station (75514) project.
BACKGROUND:
As part of the FY 2018 Capital Improvement Program, City Council approved funding to the Enhancements to Metro L Line Allen Station (75514) project for a concept study of Allen Avenue between Villa Street and Colorado Boulevard to enhance pedestrian and bicycle access to the Metro (Gold/L) Line Allen Station. The Allen Avenue project corridor contains residential and commercial uses. Within this corridor, there will be spaces allocated for housing as well as for businesses and commercial activities. It is a mixed-use development that aims to· provide a blend of residential and commercial amenities in the designated areas along Allen Ave. Allen Ave, also provides vehicular, MEETING OF 07/31/2023 AGENDA ITEM NO. __ l_B __ _
Grant Acceptance - Activate Allen Avenue Quick Build
July 31, 2023
pedestrian and transit access to nearby educational institutions including Pasadena City College (PCC), Jefferson Elementary School, and Colorado Boulevard which are all within walking distance of the project corridor. The pedestrian safety and transit accessibility enhancements of the project are aimed at directly improving the quality of life for students and transit customers.
The concept design includes bulb-outs and sidewalk extensions, high visibility crosswalks, striping of right-turn lanes, improved street lighting, wayfinding signage, leading pedestrian intervals, and a designated pick-up/drop-off zone in front of the station. The plan also includes a buffered bike lane, connecting the existing bikeway on Villa Street to the Allen Station.
As part of the concept design process, outreach was conducted to introduce the project to stakeholders and community members along the corridor, explain the goals of the project, identify necessary safety needs and opportunities, and receive input on the concept design. Community members offered their input via online surveys, emails, and at four in-person workshops.
Allen Ave Quick Build
The City applied for and was awarded funds through Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) in 2018 for a Pasadena Allen Avenue Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Project (Quick Build). The City was awarded $164, 181 for the project for the period between October 9, 2019 and February 29, 2024.
The SCAG grant allows for Quick Build implementation of identified safety enhancements. A quick build is a pilot infrastructure project that provides opportunities to test improvements, further engage the local community, collect and evaluate feedback and data, and expedite changes. A quick build project typically lasts between six and twelve months, and uses short-term, low-cost, and scalable interventions that allow for modifications and feedback before a permanent project, including:
• Restriping
• Flexible delineators
• Planters
• Signage
• Painted curb extensions
The Department of Transportation has scheduled the installation of the project for fall 2023 and has five additional public outreach events planned throughout the duration of the quick build project period.
Safe System Approach
DOT has implemented a Safe System Approach to traffic safety, based on national guidance from the Federal Highway Administration. A key safe system principle is that safety is proactive. The Quick Build project will build upon past safety improvements that reduce vehicle speeds, reduce crossing distances, and improve access to transit.
Grant Acceptance - Activate Allen Avenue Quick Build
July 31, 2023
Additionally, one of the goals of the project is to achieve zero pedestrian and bicycle collisions along the project corridor. This goal is consistent with a Safe System Approach to traffic safety.
COUNCIL POLICY CONSIDERATION:
The Activate Allen Avenue Quick Build project supports the General Plan guiding principle that Pasadena will be a city where people can circulate without cars. This program will directly assist the Department of Transportation in implementing the following objectives of the Mobility Element:
• Enhance Livability
• Encourage walking, biking and other alternatives to motor vehicles.
Specifically, this project addresses a policy of the Mobility Element:
• Policy 1.23 Improve public health by supporting walking and bicycling throughout the City.
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS:
The proposed action is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Section 15061 (b) (3), Common Sense Exemption.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Approval of this Funding Agreement will enable the City to obtain a $164,181 in 2018 Sustainable Communities Program Grant from SCAG, through Caltrans. The recommended appropriation will result in a $164,181 increase to FY 2024 Capital Improvement Program Budget.
Prepared by:
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Armin Kheirmand
Associate Engineer
Approved by:
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MIGUrt MARQUEZ
City Manager
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Director
Department of Transportation