January 24, 2023
Public Works
DATE: January 24, 2023
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Daniel Chavarria, Director of Public Works
Patrick Phelan, Infrastructure Administrator
Subject:
Presentation of the Richmond Greenway Gap Closure
Study
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no impact to the General Fund. This study is funded by a grant from the California Department of
Transportation’s Sustainable Transportation Planning
Grant Program.
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
ACTION:
On July 29, 2020, Council adopted Resolution 81-20 to
accept and appropriate grant funds and execute
agreements and contracts for the Richmond Greenway
Gap Closure and Connectivity Study
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
The City, along with project partners and consultants,
have developed a plan for short- and long-term solutions to connect the east and west spans of the Richmond
Greenway. This study is being presented to City Council for adoption.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
RECEIVE a presentation; and ADOPT a resolution
adopting the Richmond Greenway Gap Closure Study –
Public Works Department (Daniel Chavarria/Patrick
Phelan 510-307-8111).
DISCUSSION:
The Richmond Greenway (“Greenway”) is a critical local and regional connector for Richmond residents and provides space for people to gather, play, and travel. However, the Greenway is not continuous and the gap between the east and west sides of the Greenway creates travel barriers by forcing trail users onto high-stress and high-speed AGENDA
REPORT
January 24, 2023
streets. Closing the Greenway gap would transform the connectivity of the Greenway, providing seamless access between Contra Costa, Alameda, and Marin counties.
Greenway improvements would also provide important benefits to lower income, communities of color who live in the neighborhoods next to the Greenway, including improved walking and biking access to local and regional destinations.
The City partnered with local community-based organization Pogo Park and non-profits Civic Well (formerly Local Government Commission) and Rails to Trails Conservancy to seek funding for a planning study and was awarded $280,208 in grant funds from the California Department of Transportation’s Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant Program for the Richmond Greenway Gap Closure and Connectivity Study (“Study”).
Through a competitive Request for Proposal process, the project team selected Fehr & Peers and a team of subconsultants to develop the Study.
Engagement with public and technical stakeholders was central to the Study and played a critical role in informing recommendations. Pogo Park led public engagement, which focused on understanding existing needs, co-creating a bridge design with Richmond residents, and refining emerging concepts and designs. Key public stakeholders included Friends of the Richmond Greenway, Dirt World, and Groundwork Richmond.
The Study developed concepts for a future bridge as well as street and park improvements. The final bridge design is inspired by an osprey and was informed by a community desire to have the bridge reflect the City of Richmond and present a bold vision for Richmond’s future. The Study also proposes a wide range of access improvements as well as specific street design concepts. Given the importance of reducing barriers and improving safety and comfort for people traveling across the Greenway gap, both near-term and long-term improvements are proposed. The Study also proposes improvements to the Greenway to improve comfort and accessibility for park users. Improvements would include park amenities such as seating, drinking fountains, and trail lighting.
The Study is consistent with the following goals within the City of Richmond General Plan:
Goal CR1: An Expanded Multimodal Circulation System, with a focus on safer and more attractive conditions for all modes;
Goal CR2: Walkable Neighborhoods and Complete Streets, which aims to make walking and biking a more attractive option and enhance connectivity between neighborhoods, schools, and work places;
Goal CR3: A Safe and Well-Maintained Circulation System, which emphasizes safety and maintenance improvements;
Goal EC2: Clean and Efficient Transportation Options, which seeks to expand the City’s green transportation network and reduce automobile reliance; and Goal HW4: Safe and Convenient Public Transit and Active Circulation Options, which supports access to adequate and safe public transit and active circulation options that increase physical activity.
January 24, 2023
This vision for the Greenway will be implemented with a three-pronged approach that encompasses securing funding, developing financing mechanisms, and ongoing collaboration with community stakeholders. The City will first coordinate with partner agencies to secure funding for the bridge, transportation, and park improvements.
The City will also coordinate with regional stakeholders to identify and implement a financing mechanism for on-going maintenance for the bridge and Greenway.
Continued collaboration with key community partners, particularly partners such as Dirt World who will be impacted by bridge construction, will also be critical to implement the recommendations in this study.
CALIFORNIA ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT (CEQA) DETERMINATION:
The Study is statutorily exempt from the CEQA per CEQA Guidelines Section §15262 that exempts Feasibility and Planning Studies. This exemption covers a project involving only feasibility or planning studies needed for possible future action for which an agency, board, or commission has not approved, adopted, or funded.
Implementation of projects identified within the Study by the City will require CEQA review. The Study does not have a legally binding effect on later activities.
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – Resolution
Attachment 2 – Draft Study
Attachment 3 – Presentation