|
G8.1 Project title:
|
Safe Routes to School Phase G – Northwest Middle and B. Caruthers Schools, Sidewalk Improvements
|
|
G8.2 Project description: |
Construction of approx. 1.6 miles of sidewalks along the following routes: Cleveland Ave, Waverly Ave between 18th St and 11th St and north-south connectors between Cleveland and Parallel Pkwy. Sidewalk construction will include reconstruction of sidewalks in disrepair and building gaps between existing sidewalks. This project is part of the UG SRTS Program that has the objective to provide safe paths for pedestrians, reduce congestion, and rehabilitate neighborhoods. This project will serve a disadvantaged neighborhood with a population of all ages, provide pedestrian access between two schools, transit routes, Jersey Creek Trail, and other activity centers. The sidewalk improvements are being coordinated with the reconstruction of a new middle school building by USD 500, SRTS Outreach & Education Program, and UG SOAR (Stabilization, Occupation, and Revitalization) programs in the Historic Northeast Neighborhood.
|
|
G8.3 Project contact: |
BRENT THOMPSON
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS ENGINEERING DIVISION
913-573-5700
bthompson@wycokck.org
|
|
G1. Project Type: |
Non-Motorized Transportation - Facilities and SRTS Infrastructure
|
|
G2. Funding Stream: |
STP TAP
|
|
G3. TIP Number: |
|
|
G4. State: |
Kansas
|
|
G5. Project county: |
1. Wyandotte
|
|
G6. Project municipality: |
1. Unified Government
|
|
G7. Multiple agencies / jurisdictions?
|
No
|
|
G8.4 Purpose and need:
|
The purpose for this project is to provide new sidewalks in an underserved area of Kansas City, Kansas. This project will fill sidewalk gaps identified by residents of the Northeast Area. Residents also identified a need for safe access to schools, activity centers, and transit. This project will provide access to activity centers such as parks, trails, community centers, goods, access to transit and other services, which will increase transportation choices and a healthy living environment. This project is particularly needed in this area, as many students, are forced to walk in the street when going to and from school. New sidewalks would finally provide safe infrastructure for young children to use when going to and from school and increase transportation choices for an area with high percentage of zero-vehicle households.
|
| |
|
G9. Origin and ending
|
Route:
From:
To:
Length (Miles):
|
Cleveland Ave & Waverly Ave
11th Street
18th Street
1.6 miles
|
|
G10. Functional Classification:
|
Not Applicable
|
|
G11. In Transportation Outlook 2040?
|
No
Decade:
--Select--
|
|
G12. Muli-Agency Plan?
|
Yes
UG partners with USD 500 (KCK School District) to support a Citywide Safe Route to School program. In particular, UG has prioritized pedestrian infrastructure capital investment projects in this neighborhood in coordination with USD 500 capital improvement plan that includes the construction of new school building for the Northwest Middle school, located on 18th St.
|
|
G13. Included in a CIP?
|
Yes
Yes, this project is included in the CMIP for Safe Routes to School Sidewalk Improvements.
|
|
G14. Planning stage:
|
Conceptual Plan
|
|
G15. Reviewed by state DOT?
|
No
|
|
G16. Right-of-Way acquisition: |
Not started
|
|
G17. ROW by local public agency process manual?
|
Yes
|
|
G18. Other unique local goals and objectives?
|
Yes
This project promotes the other unique goals and objectives found in the SOAR (Stabilization, Occupation, and Revitalization) Initiative, the 2011 UG Complete Street Resolution, and the 202020 Movement. The SOAR initiative is a 5-year plan that will confront the lack of sidewalks in Wyandotte County amongst other safety and infrastructure issues in the County. As of 2018, the sidewalks in this project area had not yet been improved by the SOAR Program. Complete streets are roadways that allow safe and convenient travel for walking amongst other modes of travel. The 2011 UG Commitment to Complete Streets encourages such creation of complete streets that this grant would allow us to do so. Lastly, the 202020 Movement, which seeks to add at least 20 miles of bicycle routes, outdoor trails, and safe sidewalks by 2020 and beyond, will be promoted by the improvement and creation of sidewalks in the project area.
|
|
G19. Transportation Disadvantaged Population:
|
This project will primarily focus on building sidewalk infrastructure in an area that has long been underserved as far as infrastructure investment is concerned. The residents in the area are predominantly minority and disadvantage groups including a population of approximately 90% African-American, and 10% of Hispanics and others. This project will serve a population of all ages from younger kids to senior citizens, people with disabilities and veterans. In addition this project will serve a community where zero-car households is two or three times above the regional average and students suffer disproportionately from obesity-related diseases. Therefore, this project will serve a community with profound transportation disparities. By completing this project, these residents will have equitable access to activity centers, transit, access to good/walking routes to schools.
|
|
G20. Relevant Public Engagement:
|
The Historic Northeast Midtown Association (HNMA) has been engaged in a significant public involvement effort to identify the needs and priorities of this community. The best example of this engagement are posted on the HNMA website https://www.northeastkck.org/community-film-project/ where citizens are identified the lack of sidewalks as one of the main infrastructure needs in the area. UG is currently engage in the development of the Northeast Master Plan for this area, where the effort from the HNMA has helps tremendously in gathering the residents to discuss the needs, future of the community and define the scope and priorities for this project.
In addition to sidewalk needs, the 202020 Movement in WYCO has increased the awareness of the lack of safe access to parks from residential areas and school to parks. This has increasingly been raised nationally as far as increase in obesity and health issues. This project seeks to reduce that gap by extending the sidewalk network to the Jersey Creek area for the residents north of Parallel Pkwy.
|
|
G21. Planned Public Engagement:
|
Through the leadership of the Historic Northeast Midtown Association and UG SOAR program, UG has made the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the infrastructure in this neighborhood a priority. UG is currently engaging this neighborhood in public meetings and workshops through the Northeast Master Plan study. The attendance to these meetings have exceeded expectation, over 100 people in attendance to each meeting. This project has been discussed with residents during those meetings and additional public meetings will be held during the design process to receive additional input for the community. In fact, the original scope of this project was changed to make sidewalk along Cleveland Ave a priority, based on feedback received at the public meetings. We are excited of the support and interest received from this community. Together we are reinvesting in our community to create vibrant and safe environments for UG citizens.
|
|
G22. Sustainable Places Criteria:
|
----Active Transportation/Living-----------
Complete Street Design---------------
----Green Infrastructure-----------
------------Pedestrian-Oriented Public Realm---
----Repair Strip Corridors-----------
------
|
|
G22.1. Describe CSP relationship:
|
Constructing sidewalks in the project area will improve safety and connections for children walking to school and activity centers. Doing so will meet criteria for and Complete Street Design. Walkability will preserve mobility for residents who do not drive, meeting criteria for Active Living/Transportation. The vibrancy of the neighborhoods will be increased by access and connections to activity centers, creating strong land use relationships. Strong land use connections meet criteria for Repair Strip Corridors. The neighborhood will be improved aesthetically with new sidewalks and green spaces, meeting criteria for Green Infrastructure. Better aesthetics will improve the image of the community, as well as the quality of life for residents. Sidewalks build value through investment for this community and neighborhood, meeting criteria for Pedestrian-Oriented Public Realm. Lastly, air quality will improve by reducing VMT, meeting criteria for Complete Street Design.
|
|
G23. Implements Sustainable Places Initiatives?
|
Yes
CSP: This project will promote the guiding principles of Equity, Places, and Processes. Residents in the project area have long been underserved as far as infrastructure investment is concerned. By completing this project, these residents will have equitable access to activity centers, transit, and schools. Residents will see a multitude of sustainable places characteristics: reinvestment, an increase in transportation choices, development in activity centers and corridors, and design for healthier lifestyles. Lastly, stakeholders have been heavily involved in this project, promoting the Processes guiding principle.
PSP: New sidewalks in this community will promote vibrancy and connectivity within the project area. Residents will have connections to activity centers, transit stops, and schools that previously did not exist
|
|
G24. Serves Regional Activity Center?
|
Yes
Less-Intense and Less-Walkable Centers
This project will directly serve identified activity centers. The activity centers identified include parks, churches, a Boys and Girls Club, restaurants, commercial uses, and assisted living housing. The project area will see an improvement in vibrancy due to enhanced access to said activity centers and services. Connectivity will be vastly improved for residents walking to activity centers, children walking to school, and those who are simply seeking safe walking paths in their neighborhood. And lastly, a healthy environment will be promoted in this neighborhood, as residents will see an increase in walkability. As previously stated, improved connectivity to activity centers will also enhance the healthy environment in this neighborhood. Connectivity will be improved to RideKC transit stops along Parallel Parkway as well.
|
|
G25. Environmental justice tracts?
|
Yes
This project is located within a MARC designated Environmental Justice. Low-income and minority residents within this tract will have improved and equitable treatment when it comes to their neighborhood, walkability, and infrastructure investment. Residents have identified a lack of infrastructure investment in the project area, especially along Cleveland Avenue, where a majority of children walk to and from school. Low income residents ultimately do not have sufficient, safe, sidewalk access in this project area. This project will improve public health for low-income residents, which is another priority identified by residents.
|
|
G26. Reduces greenhouse gas emissions?
|
Yes
This project will reduce the number of cars on the road and allow for greater walkability within this project area. Better infrastructure will promote walkability in the project area. Less parents will have to drop their children off at school, as safe sidewalks will increase the likelihood of children walking to school. Safe access to transit stops and bikeways will be improved as well. Ultimately, this project will enhance accessibility to other modes of transportation, thus reducing greenhouse gas emissions and the use of carbon-based fuels.
|
|
G27. Natural Resource information:
|
|
|
G28. Community Links at Watershaed Scale:
|
This project is location the area serve by the Jersey Creek watershed. The project will provide pedestrian access to the Jersey Creek Trail. Those conserving the environment and providing access to nature resources in the area.
|
|
G29. Explain local land use or comprehensive plans:
|
This project is supported by the following comprehensive plans, 2008 City-Wide Master Plan, Northeast Area Master Plan, 2012 WYCO Sidewalk and Trails Master Plan, WYCO Parks Master Plan, and Safer Route to School Outreach and Education Program. The strong consensus of community engagement identified schools, parks and community centers in that order as the three top destination priorities for new sidewalk infrastructure.
|
|
G30.1 Complies with MARC’s CSP?
|
Yes
|
|
G30.2 Exception to the MARC CSP?
|
No
The following design guidelines will be used on the design: AASHTO Roadway Design manual, National Complete Street Coalition Policies & Guidelines, MARC Complete Street Handbook and other design as available. As a minimum the project will include the following complete street elements: 5ft sidewalks, and green space (depending of available ROW). Contextually-appropriate environmental solutions will be evaluated be evaluated during preliminary designs such as the width of green spaces between roadway and sidewalk.
|
| |
|
Traveler Type (All Ages & Abilities)
|
|
Pedestrians:
|
|
|
Mobility Aids:
|
|
|
Bicyclists:
|
|
|
Transit Riders:
|
|
|
Cars:
|
|
|
Trucks:
|
|
|
Motorcycles:
|
|
|
Buses:
|
|
|
Green Streets:
|
|
We welcome your feedback on this. Comments from the public will be shared with project
sponsors and the evaluating committee. If you wish to be contacted directly about
your comment, please note this. Comments can be viewed by all visitors.
