The City of Akron, Ohio
Downtown Akron Promenade: Phase II A Sustainable Gateway to Economic Prosperity
October 16, 2017
US DOT TIGER Discretionary Grant Application The Downtown Akron PromenadeWŚĂƐĞ//: ŽŶŶĞĐƚŝŶŐ>ĂĚĚĞƌƐŽĨKƉƉŽƌƚƵŶŝƚLJ
d½Ê¥ÊÄãÄãÝ
1. Executive Summary ...... 1
2. Project Description ...... 3
3. Project Parties ...... 7
4. Sources and Uses ...... 16
5. Selection Criteria ...... 18
5HVXOWVRI&RVW%HQH¿W$QDO\VLV...... 26
7. Project Readiness ...... 27
)HGHUDO:DJH5DWH&HUWL¿FDWLRQ ...... 31
FY 201ϳ ii ®ÝÙã®ÊÄÙù'ÙÄãÖÖ½®ã®ÊÄ The Downtown Akron Promenade Phase II: A Sustainable Gateway to Economic Prosperity ^ã®ÊÄϭ͗ øçã®ò^çÃÃÙù 1.1 Project Description The Downtown Akron Promenade is a strategic investment that will transform a 1,700-foot segment of Main Street from Mill Street to Perkins Street (SR-59) as the second phase of a 1.4-mile “Green and Complete Street” gateway corridor through the heart of the City’s urban core linking residents to ladders of opportunity by connecting centers of education, employment, innovation, entrepreneurship, culture, entertainment and recreation. Phase II will build on the momentum of the Phase I project funded through TIGER 2016 and advanced by the City. Figure 1 (Page 2) displays the proximity of numerous destinations located along South Main Street in the Downtown Akron Innovation District. 1.2 Project Parties The Downtown Akron Promenade has the support of key parties, both public and private, including: Senator Sherrod Brown Mayor Daniel Horrigan METRO Regional Transit Authority Senator Rob Portman Ohio Department of Transportation University of Akron Congressman Tim Ryan Summit Metro Parks Akron Public Schools Congresswoman Marcia Fudge METRO Regional Transit Authority BOUNCE
1.3 Sources and Uses A total of $8,000,743 of TIGER 2017 funds is being requested for design and construction of the Downtown Akron Promenade. The total project cost is $11,060,965. The non-federal local match contribution is 28%. 1.4 Selection Criteria The Downtown Akron Promenade will advance the long-term outcomes of the TIGER Discretionary Grant Program by: • Bringing existing transportation facilities into a state of good repairE\DGGUHVVLQJGH¿FLHQFLHVLQWKHH[LVWLQJ SDYHPHQWGUDLQDJHV\VWHPWUDႈFFRQWURODQGOLJKWLQJ • Promoting economic competitiveness by providing “Ladders of Opportunity” for those striving to enter the middle class by increasing access to education, jobs and opportunities for innovation and entrepreneurship in the heart of the Downtown Akron Innovation District, particularly through the Akron Biomedical Corridor, BOUNCE, Akron’s Innovation Hub and the University of Akron - all key partners located right on South Main Street. • Enhancing livability by improving access to all modes of transportation and providing direct linkages to greenspace amenities that include the 100-mile Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail, Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad and Summit Metro Parks. • Ensuring environmental sustainability through the installation of green infrastructure that will reduce combined VHZHURYHUÀRZV &62 PLQLPL]HLPSHUYLRXVVXUIDFHDUHDDQGSURYLGHHQHUJ\VDYLQJV • Improving safetyWKURXJKWKHLPSOHPHQWDWLRQRIWUDႈFFDOPLQJPHDVXUHVHQKDQFHGSHGHVWULDQIDFLOLWLHVF\FOHWUDFN ADA accessible facilities, skid-resistant pavement and lighting. • Demonstrating project readinessZLWKD¿QDQFLDOO\DQGWHFKQLFDOO\IHDVLEOHFRQFHSWWREHFRQVWUXFWHGentirely within the existing right-of-way that is ready to advertise for bid via design-build delivery. In addition, the project will enhance secondary selection criteria by inspiring innovation and fostering collaborative partnership in a city with a storied history of invention and industry now emerging as a leader in biomedical technology. The Downtown Akron Promenade provides a QHWEHQH¿WRI for a %HQH¿W&RVW5DWLR. 1.5 Planning and Environmental Approvals The project is supported by the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) and the Akron Metropolitan Area 7UDQVSRUWDWLRQ6WXG\ $0$76 WKHUHJLRQDO0HWURSROLWDQ3ODQQLQJ2UJDQL]DWLRQ 032 8SRQWKHDZDUGRI7,*(5IXQGLQJ the project will be added to AMATS Transportation Improvement Plan. The project will advance through ODOT’s Project Development Process (PDP) as a Path 3 project and will require a Categorical Exclusion C2 environmental document. The proposed improvements will be constructed HQWLUHO\ZLWKLQWKHH[LVWLQJULJKWRIZD\ enabling the project to be implemented using the design-build delivery method and progress smoothly without schedule delays and cost overruns. FY 2017 ®ÝÙã®ÊÄÙù'ÙÄãÖÖ½®ã®ÊÄ 1 The Downtown Akron Promenade Phase II: A Sustainable Gateway to Economic Prosperity Cuyahoga Cuyahoga Valley NationalValley Park to Scenic Railroad R IDGE Northside ST
T S Lofts . F Akron Biomedical D URN R ACE A ST W Corridor O Northside District H T
N NS I A M End Project N PERK INS ST (ML K BL N VD)
M T S Akron A 8
H . I Public t G L
N Rt.8R I Schools P
H S A
T T N D W S I Austenusteustens F T M Y Phase II A SummaCare R S R BioInnovaBioInnovationnnovanovaaatiattioioonoSojourner A E E AVE K T ENDAL E P I GL T S InsInstitutensstitstituttituttete Truth W T Bldg D M (TIGER 2017) ) A M Y O U E A R S G T A W S B N S E John F. Seiberling O E T United N R R FederalFe Bldg PA F A Bldg E RK E K D MA ST V L RK A M Nantucket E ( T J D 9 Bldg ST OU N 5 Akron R A R NA R S Chemstress Art L A LT Akron L BE Centre Museumum ER N .8 IN Shoppesoppees SOUTHMainMai MAIN STREET SummitSSiSummiit t LibraryLibL rary BeginAArtspacertspac Projectace Rt.8R FFirstirst T Energynergy S T T I S A John S KnightiggAkronhrtonon BaBarr krc n M T C o AAssoc C Cen y M tre ti CommunityCCoComommmmmunu iit Conventiontioo E a l U P Q e FirstMeriterierrit to H BuildingBuBuillddini g Centerer S S T U The Ohio & Erie Canal S Tower O H d E S S A M R A GothicGotthic IL P K L s 3 Cascade ST oCu E a Bldg rtyard S Ce Towpath Trail R Plaza Greystone qSe r a u S PNC T Building Main Place Ameritech Cascade I AkronAkron Bldg Auto CitiCenter W Assoc YST Lock 4 UA CE OWER E Quaker E NT WB Civic 159 S Mainaiin BO AV E Bldgg WE Inn T R Theatre C CityC RY DAR HU ST RC Hall H Ocasekk T
W S S W S Ohio T Bldg B TA Bldgg N U TE T (Summitt CountyCCo L
C O H ST S T Lock 3 C EL N N A I 195 Bldgg I VE Akron A Summit County L Children’s M Malonee BldgBl Court House T S S Hospital Keyy BBldBldg Morley W E O’Neil’s Health Ctr FORGE ST E IN X P Bldg C UAA Stubbs Justice H NIHF- T AN Polskylsk L4 Center S U L G T Canal N STEM School L E S BldgBld IV EJ Thomas I ST Considine E ER S.T.E.M. School T Professional ST SI Performing H S AT TY Arts Hall U Building Park E S A C Bldg N T VE O L E BUCHTEL AVE L N T E S T Stadium D S I H S A G Y I UAUA T E Howe M S W R H PhaseUAUA I G E PolskyPolsky Y D C House S CollegeCollege of ED DeckDeck A BuckinghamBuckkinggham E A W E BBusus AdAdmdm L R O B W BldgBBldg S U F T B T CH (underD development) S T A L W EL O R SP AV O E RI E R W T Kaiseraisiseserr BldgB g N B A GS T W T S S T EvansEvans BBldgldg R S E S L M E A E I E TheThh UUniversity of Akro L ExchangeExchange H L EX I C W W BBldgldg HA L N U G A E P 222 ExchangeExchangnge ST Beacon Journal AESAES E CARROLL ST. CE T BusinessBBusiness DA R S CampusCampuus R S ATE 401401 LoftsLofts T W AR S Y C DR EL K LE P ST SpaghettiSpaghettSpaghepaghe i S DowntownE Akron E E WWarehousearehohousho e G XC G D H O E AN O L G D Innovation District E R F S I T T C L S H O S W N T I A M CanalCanal S W PlacePlP acce FA I-76-7 T LOR 6 S S I-77I-7 Y T SOUTH MAINRt.224R STREET A Downtown Akron W D AkronAkAkroron GlobalGlGlobobaall GOJO A ROSA PARKS DR O Industries R Promenade BBusinessusinessiness AcceleratoAcceleratAcceleratorttoo B S
T S Phase II (TIGER 2017) H G I H Phase I (TIGER 2016) S METROO Future Phase Transit BARTGRTG Center ESSSST
&ŝŐƵƌĞϭ͗WƌŽũĞĐƚ>ŽĐĂƟŽŶDĂƉ
FY 2017 ®ÝÙã®ÊÄÙù'ÙÄãÖÖ½®ã®ÊÄ 2 The Downtown Akron Promenade Phase II: A Sustainable Gateway to Economic Prosperity ^ã®ÊÄϮ͗WÙʹãÝÙ®Öã®ÊÄ 2.1 Project Location The Downtown Akron Promenade is located in the heart of urban Summit County, Ohio. Once known as the “Rubber Capital of the World,” Akron has had to reinvent itself to keep up with a changing economy. While WKHSRO\PHULQGXVWU\SOD\VDVLJQL¿FDQWUROHLQ$NURQ¶VHFRQRP\LWLVQRW enough. Akron has capitalized on a burgeoning biomedical industry that builds on the polymer industry to shape how we treat burn victims, our elderly and generally improve the care and access to medical devices for $PHULFDQV0RUHVSHFL¿FDOO\WKHJURZLQJ$NURQ%LR0HGLFDO&RUULGRU needs assistance investing in its infrastructure to attract and retain industry and provide opportunities for jobs. $NURQLVRQHRI2KLR¶VODUJHVWFLWLHVZLWKRYHUSHRSOHLQWKHPHWUR DUHD,WLVDOVRRQHRIWKHPRVWDFFHVVLEOHEHLQJZLWKLQDPLOHUDGLXV of 42 major U.S. cities. The Downtown Akron Promenade is located in the YLFLQLW\RIDODWLWXGHRIÛ¶´1DQGDORQJLWXGHRIÛ¶´:7KH project location is depicted in Figure 2 - Akron Location Map. $NURQ¶VFHQWUDOORFDWLRQEHWZHHQ1HZ
2.2 Existing Conditions &RUULGRU Downtown Once a bustling thoroughfare that hosted street cars along a corridor anchored by several multi-story department stores, Akron’s existing Main Street has fought resiliently over the years to combat the effects of suburban sprawl and disinvestment in the urban core. &ŝŐƵƌĞϯ͗'ůŝŵƉƐĞŝŶƚŽƚŚĞWĂƐƚ 5RDGZD\'H¿FLHQFLHV ŽǁŶƚŽǁŶŬƌŽŶ͛ƐDĂŝŶ^ƚƌĞĞƚĐŽƌƌŝĚŽƌ Today Main Street is striped for 4 lanes along the majority of the roadway, ǁĂƐŽŶĐĞŚŽŵĞƚŽŵĂũŽƌĚĞƉĂƌƚŵĞŶƚƐƚŽƌĞƐ GHVSLWHKDYLQJDQ$YHUDJH'DLO\7UDI¿F $'7 RIDSSUR[LPDWHO\ ďĞĨŽƌĞƐƵďƵƌďĂŶƐƉƌĂǁůůĞĚƚŽƚŚĞŝƌĚĞŵŝƐĞ͘ vehicles resulting in excess vehicular capacity and wasted space that could be dedicated to more sustainable modes of travel, green infrastructure, on- street parking and streetscape amenities. The existing corridor lacks any sense of uniform driver expectation due to abrupt lane shifts and the lack of a uniform streetscape. Because of this drivers encounter safety problems where through lanes become turn lanes. Furthermore, drivers’ attention is taken away from the destinations that line Main Street resulting in a negative impact on storefront retail businesses. The existing corridor is also marred by deteriorating pavement conditions and crumbling pavers and medians. Numerous uncoordinated streetscape improvements have been implemented over the past several decades in conjunction with various redevelopment projects leaving the corridor littered &ŝŐƵƌĞϰ͗DĂŝŶ^ƚƌĞĞƚdŽĚĂLJ with discrete enhancements without any homogenous feel or uniform identity. Lack of Connectivity ŝƐŝŶǀĞƐƚŵĞŶƚĂůŽŶŐƚŚĞDĂŝŶ^ƚƌĞĞƚĐŽƌƌŝĚŽƌ ƉƌĞƐĞŶƚƐŽƉƉŽƌƚƵŶŝƟĞƐĨŽƌŚŝŐŚͲĚĞŶƐŝƚLJ͕ŝŶĮůů Despite paralleling the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail throughout the ƌĞĚĞǀĞůŽƉŵĞŶƚĂƚƐƵƌĨĂĐĞƉĂƌŬŝŶŐůŽƚƐ͘ entire downtown corridor, Main Street does not provide any bicycle accommodations or signage. While being serviced by multiple METRO bus lines, Main Street provides no consistent transit waiting area environments or bus route signage. On-street parking in Downtown on Main Street is sporadic – in stretches it is parallel parking, in other spots it is back-in angle parking, while much of the corridor completely lacks on-street parking to the detriment of storefront retailers in dire need of easily accessible customer DFFHVV7KHDEVHQFHRIXQLIRUPVLJQDJHSDUWLFXODUO\WKHODFNRIZD\¿QGLQJ for public parking and connectivity to the Towpath Trail, leaves the City with a densely concentrated mix of destinations that fail to readily attract visitors. Poor lighting, particularly at the pedestrian scale, poses a safety issue and discourages a vibrant “24/7” atmosphere despite the presence of a university accompanied by downtown apartments and numerous entertainment, nightlife and dining options. &ŝŐƵƌĞϱ͗^KKƵƞĂůůƐ Combined Sewers ƵƌƌĞŶƚůLJϳ^KƐĚŝƐĐŚĂƌŐĞŝŶƚŽƚŚĞŚŝƐƚŽƌŝĐ Existing drainage systems along the corridor currently outlet to a Combined KŚŝŽΘ ƌŝĞĂŶĂů͕ĂĐĞŶƚĞƌƉŝĞĐĞŽĨƚŚĞƉĂƌŬƐ 6HZHU2YHUÀRZ &62 DJJUDYDWLQJVHZHURYHUÀRZVGXULQJSHDNUDLQIDOO ĂůŽŶŐƚŚĞŽǁŶƚŽǁŶŬƌŽŶWƌŽŵĞŶĂĚĞ͘ events resulting in untreated sewage being discharged into local rivers and VWUHDPV,Q1RYHPEHU WKH&LW\RI$NURQVLJQHGD&RQVHQW'HFUHHZLWK86(3$DQG2(3$WKDWIRUPDOL]HVDQ year plan to control CSOs and improve water quality in accordance with the Clean Water Act and the City’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit. As a result of the Consent Decree, the City of Akron developed a Long 7HUP&RQWURO3ODQ /7&3 WRUHGXFHFRPELQHGVHZHURYHUÀRZVDQGLPSURYHZDWHUTXDOLW\LQQHDUE\ULYHUV
FY 201ϳ 4 ®ÝÙã®ÊÄÙù'ÙÄãÖÖ½®ã®ÊÄ The Downtown Akron Promenade: ŽŶŶĞĐƟŶŐ>ĂĚĚĞƌƐŽĨKƉƉŽƌƚƵŶŝƚLJ
Neighborhoods The Downtown Akron Promenade City of Akron Several demographic indicators reveal that the neighborhoods directly served by the Downtown Akron Promenade are comprised of traditionally underserved segments of the population based on data showing higher than statewide and nationwide proportions of Low Income, Minority, and Less than High School Degree populations. Low Income Populations Akron’s central neighborhoods are home to some of the City’s highest concentration of low-income and minority populations. The area immediately surrounding the Downtown Akron Promenade (pictured in Figure 6) is FRPSULVHGRILQGLYLGXDOVZKRDUHFODVVL¿HGDV/RZ Income by the US Census Bureau compared to 34% statewide and 34% nationwide (Source: US Census Bureau - EJSCREEN: Environmental Justice Screening &ŝŐƵƌĞϲ͗>Žǁ/ŶĐŽŵĞWŽƉƵůĂƟŽŶƐ and Mapping Tool.) This high concentration of Low Income persons ranks in the 98th percentile of Low Income h^ĞŶƐƵƐƵƌĞĂƵĚĂƚĂƐŚŽǁƐϴϱйŽĨƉĞƌƐŽŶƐŝŶƚŚĞŝŵŵĞĚŝĂƚĞ populations nationally. ǀŝĐŝŶŝƚLJŽĨƚŚĞŽǁŶƚŽǁŶŬƌŽŶWƌŽŵĞŶĂĚĞĂƌĞ>Žǁ/ŶĐŽŵĞ͘ Minority Populations The same area depicted in Figure -- is comprised 47% of Minority persons compared to 19% statewide and 36% nationwide This high concentration of Minority persons The Downtown ranks in the 67th percentile of Minority populations Akron Promenade nationally. Educational Attainment Educational attainment in Akron’s central neighborhoods is low compared to both statewide and national averages. The area immediately surrounding the Downtown Akron Promenade (pictured in Figure 7) is comprised 24% of individuals age 25 and over who have never attained a high school diploma compared to 12% statewide and 14% nationwide. This high concentration of individuals age 25 and over without a high school diploma ranks in the 80th percentile nationally.
&ŝŐƵƌĞϳ͗ĐĐĞƐƐƚŽ ĚƵĐĂƟŽŶ h^ĞŶƐƵƐƵƌĞĂƵĚĂƚĂƐŚŽǁƐϮϰйŽĨƉĞƌƐŽŶƐĂŐĞϮϱĂŶĚŽǀĞƌŝŶ ƚŚĞŝŵŵĞĚŝĂƚĞǀŝĐŝŶŝƚLJŽĨƚŚĞŽǁŶƚŽǁŶŬƌŽŶWƌŽŵĞŶĂĚĞŚĂǀĞ ŶŽƚĂƩĂŝŶĞĚĂŚŝŐŚƐĐŚŽŽůĚŝƉůŽŵĂ͘
FY 201ϳ 5 ®ÝÙã®ÊÄÙù'ÙÄãÖÖ½®ã®ÊÄ The Downtown Akron Promenade: ŽŶŶĞĐƟŶŐ>ĂĚĚĞƌƐŽĨKƉƉŽƌƚƵŶŝƚLJ
5HJLRQ Northeast Ohio The Downtown Akron Promenade is located in the heart of the Northeast Ohio region in the heart of what is often referred to as the Midwest “Rust Belt”, an aging manufacturing region amidst a transition WRUHGH¿QHLWVHOILQDQLQFUHDVLQJO\JOREDOL]LQJHFRQRP\$VRQHRI1RUWKHDVW2KLR¶VPDMRUSRSXODWLRQ centers, Downtown Akron faces challenges in maintaining a vibrant urban core while combating the effects of suburban sprawl. Aging and deteriorating infrastructure is a major concern in the Northeast Ohio region where highways and sewers were built at a time when sustainable land use practices and stormwater management were not a part of the mainstream vernacular. Suburban Sprawl & Urban Decay Urban sprawl has spread out across Northeast Ohio over the past several decades, and this trend is damaging the region’s economy. Between 1979 and 2006, the average number of people per acre of developed land in Northeast Ohio declined by 22.96%, with many residents moving from urban areas like Akron to more sparsely populated ones. The region’s economy has faced challenges as a result. Cities and towns in the region are struggling to support the cost of roads and sewers in this &ŝŐƵƌĞϴ͗^ƵďƵƌďĂŶ^ƉƌĂǁůΘhƌďĂŶĞĐĂLJ sparse development, as these expenses have far outpaced public revenues from employment growth, per capita wage growth, and ŬƌŽŶĂŶĚEŽƌƚŚĞĂƐƚKŚŝŽ͛ƐƵƌďĂŶĐĞŶƚĞƌƐŚĂǀĞ property value increases. The region’s housing market is weak, ƐƵīĞƌĞĚĨƌŽŵĚĞĐĂĚĞƐŽĨĚŝƐŝŶǀĞƐƚŵĞŶƚĂŶĚƵŶŝŵƉĞĚĞĚ as supply exceeds demand and many homes stand vacant. Yet ƐƵďƵƌďĂŶƐƉƌĂǁů͘ there’s a shortage of housing that meets the needs of people with disabilities and elderly residents, and the area’s sparse population GLVWULEXWLRQPDNHVSXEOLFWUDQVSRUWDWLRQGLI¿FXOWWRVXSSRUW,Q addition, as many residents move to the suburbs low-income families who cannot afford to move are often left in areas that now struggle to afford public services. Ecological Existing drainage systems along South Main Street currently outlet to a CSO which lows into the Cuyahoga River and Lake Erie. The City of Akron’s CSO discharges contribute to non-attainment of biological water quality standards in the Cuyahoga River downstream of the City.
&ŝŐƵƌĞϵ͗ƵLJĂŚŽŐĂZŝǀĞƌtĂƚĞƌƐŚĞĚ džŝƐƟŶŐĚƌĂŝŶĂŐĞƐLJƐƚĞŵƐĂůŽŶŐ^ŽƵƚŚDĂŝŶ^ƚƌĞĞƚ ĐƵƌƌĞŶƚůLJŽƵƚůĞƚƚŽĂ^KǁŚŝĐŚŇŽǁƐŝŶƚŽƚŚĞƵLJĂŚŽŐĂ ZŝǀĞƌĂŶĚ>ĂŬĞ ƌŝĞ͘
FY 201ϳ 6 ®ÝÙã®ÊÄÙù'ÙÄãÖÖ½®ã®ÊÄ The Downtown Akron Promenade Phase II: A Sustainable Gateway to Economic Prosperity
2.3 Proposed Improvements The City of Akron is proposing to leverage TIGER funds to design and construct enhancements along South Main Street that will serve as the spine of the City’s future Smart Cities infrastructure and implement the following improvements entirely within the existing right-of-way as depicted in Figure 9: • Pavement Restoration – Replace all pavement and curbs along the corridor • Vehicular Lanes5HFRQ¿JXUHWKHH[LVWLQJODQHVWRFRQVLVWHQWO\DOLJQRQHWKUXODQHLQHDFKGLUHFWLRQZLWK QHFHVVDU\WXUQODQHVPDLQWDLQHGDWSULPDU\LQWHUVHFWLRQVWRLQFUHDVHVDIHW\DQGSURYLGHDXQLIRUPH[SHFWDWLRQIRU drivers traveling the corridor • Cycle Track - Install an elevated 10-foot bidirectional cycle track along west side of street to provide cyclists with a safe space to ride separated from vehicles and increase connectivity to the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail • Pedestrian Facilities - Install curb bumpouts at intersections to reduce crosswalk lengths and apply stamped concrete treatments to crosswalks to increase pedestrian visibility • Transit Facilities – Provide transit waiting area enhancements at bus stops to encourage the use of mass transit and reduce reliance on the single occupancy automobile • On-street Parking3URYLGHXQLIRUPSDUDOOHOSDUNLQJRQERWKVLGHVRIWKHVWUHHWWRPD[LPL]HDFFHVVWR'RZQWRZQ businesses, attractions and event programming • Green Infrastructure – Provide pervious pavement for on-street parking and pervious pavers in tree lawns with in- OLQHWUHHWUHQFKVWRUPZDWHUWUHDWPHQWWRUHGXFHSHDNHYHQW&62ÀRZV • Streetscape±3URYLGHFRQWH[WVHQVLWLYHODQGVFDSHDQGKDUGVFDSHHQKDQFHPHQWVWKDWDFWLYDWHWKHVWUHHWDQG JHQHUDWHDGGLWLRQDOIRRWWUDႈFIRU'RZQWRZQVWRUHIURQWVDQGGLQLQJ • Lighting±,QVWDOOGHFRUDWLYHHQHUJ\HႈFLHQW/('OLJKWLQJDSSURSULDWHO\VFDOHGIRUERWKYHKLFOHVDQGSHGHVWULDQV WRLQFUHDVHVDIHW\DQGSURPRWHDYLEUDQW³´'RZQWRZQ • 7UDF6LJQDOV,QVWDOOQHZWUDႈFFRQWUROHTXLSPHQWXWLOL]LQJ¿EHURSWLFLQWHUFRQQHFWYLGHRGHWHFWLRQDQG/(' VLJQDOVWKXVLQWHJUDWLQJWKHFRUULGRULQWRWKH&LW\¶V&HQWUDO7UDႈFPDQDJHPHQWV\VWHPDVZHOODVLQFRUSRUDWLQJ decorative components • :D\¿QGLQJ6LJQDJH±,QWHJUDWHVHDPOHVVZD\¿QGLQJVLJQDJHLQWRWKHVWUHHWVFDSHGLUHFWLQJYLVLWRUVWRDQGIURP 'RZQWRZQGHVWLQDWLRQVDQGWKH2KLR (ULH&DQDO7RZSDWK7UDLO • Utilities5HSODFHDOOGH¿FLHQWVXEVXUIDFHXWLOLW\OLQHVLQFOXGLQJWKHVHYHUHO\GHWHULRUDWHGVWHDPOLQHV
Figure 9: Proposed Improvements The Downtown Akron Promenade will rebrand the Main Street corridor as a “Green and Complete” street through a “Road Diet” that accommodates a cycle track, on-street parking and enhanced pedestrian spaces integrated with green infrastructure.
Mixed-Use 104’-126’ Existing Right-of-Way Mixed-Use Building Building Width Varies 5’ 10’ 10’ Parallel 10’ Parallel Width Varies Patio Space & Permeable Elevated Parking Parking Patio Space & Upper Floors Sidewalk Paver Cycle (Permeable) 4 Travel Lanes @ 11’ (Permeable) Sidewalk Upper Floors Office / Buffer Track Office / Residential Residential
A k A r k o r n o Ground Floor n Ground Floor Retail Retail Storefront Storefront 03 Centennial 03 BBB 453 03 Ghibity 03
03 Centennial 03 BBB 453 03Centennial 03 03 Ghibity 03 BBB 453 03 Ghibity 03
Stormwater StormwaterSt Stormwater Treatment Treatment Treatment
FY 2017 ®ÝÙã®ÊÄÙù'ÙÄãÖÖ½®ã®ÊÄ 7 The Downtown Akron Promenade Phase II: A Sustainable Gateway to Economic Prosperity
Smart Cities: Facilitating an Environment Conducive to Innovation & Collaboration $NURQLVWKHUHJLRQ¶VHSLFHQWHURILQQRYDWLRQDQGLQYHQWLRQZLWKWKH'RZQWRZQ Akron serving as the backbone of Smart Cities technology that will improve VHUYLFHVDQGUHVLGHQWH[SHULHQFHVVXSSRUWORFDOHQWUHSUHQHXUVDQGVWDUWXSV through our new central innovation hub downtown, and attract companies from DFURVVWKHJOREHWKDWVSHFLDOL]HLQDGYDQFHGPDWHULDOVSRO\PHUVDQGWHFKQRORJ\ ,QYHVWLQJLQWKHWUDQVSRUWDWLRQLQIUDVWUXFWXUHRIWKH'RZQWRZQ$NURQ3URPHQDGH ZLOOOD\DVWDEOHIRXQGDWLRQIRUWKH'RZQWRZQ$NURQ,QQRYDWLRQ'LVWULFWDQGSURYLGH DWWUDFWLYHRSWLRQVIRUERWKQDWLRQDODQGLQWHUQDWLRQDOFRPSDQLHVORRNLQJWRH[SDQGLQ DYLEUDQWXUEDQVHWWLQJWKDWDJJUHJDWHVWDOHQWHGGULYHQSHRSOHDVVHPEOHGLQFORVHTXDUWHUVHQFRXUDJLQJWKHH[FKDQJHRI ideas and knowledge in a dynamic process of innovation, imitation, and improvement. The proposed improvements along 6RXWK0DLQ6WUHHWZLOOIRVWHUWKHFUHDWLRQRIDQHQYLURQPHQWZKHUHLQWHUQDOLGHDVFDQEHFRPPHUFLDOL]HGE\H[WHUQDOVWDUW XSFRPSDQLHVDQGHQWUHSUHQHXUVEHFDXVHDGHQVHZDONDEOHXUEDQVHWWLQJUHPRYHVERXQGDULHVEHWZHHQD¿UPDQGLWV VXUURXQGLQJHQYLURQPHQWHQDEOLQJLQQRYDWLRQWRÀRZPRUHHDVLO\ 7KH'RZQWRZQ$NURQ3URPHQDGHZLOOLQYLJRUDWHWKH,QQRYDWLRQ'LVWULFWE\OLQNLQJDQFKRULQVWLWXWLRQV FXUUHQWO\RULHQWHG within their own campuses) with the rest of the district, downtown, and the community as a whole. The proposed multi- PRGDOWUDQVSRUWDWLRQHQKDQFHPHQWVZLOONQLWWRJHWKHUWKHSK\VLFDOIDEULFE\UHSXUSRVLQJH[FHVVURDGZD\FDSDFLW\DQG XQGHUXWLOL]HGSDYHPHQWDQGUHSODFHWKHPZLWKFRQQHFWLQJHOHPHQWVWKDWLQFOXGHDF\FOHWUDFNVLGHZDONVRQVWUHHW parking, and activated public spaces. The proposed incorporation of mass transit enhancements and connections to the regional bikeway/trail system will VWUHQJWKHQFRQQHFWLYLW\EHWZHHQWKH'RZQWRZQ$NURQ3URPHQDGHDQGWKHEURDGHUPHWURDUHDWRHQVXUHWKH,QQRYDWLRQ 'LVWULFWGRHVQRWEHFRPHDQLVODQGLVRODWHGIURPWKHUHVWRIWKHFRPPXQLW\
Patio Patio Seating Seating
Retail Retail Storefront Storefront
Patio Patio Seating Seating
Figure 10: Proposed Improvements dŚƌŽƵŐŚƉŚLJƐŝĐĂůĞŶŚĂŶĐĞŵĞŶƚƐƚŚĂƚƌĞŵŽǀĞƚŚĂƚƚƌĂĚŝƟŽŶĂůďĂƌƌŝĞƌƐƚŽƉĞĚĞƐƚƌŝĂŶĂĐƟǀŝƚLJƚŚĞŽǁŶƚŽǁŶŬƌŽŶWƌŽŵĞŶĂĚĞǁŝůů ĞŶĐŽƵƌĂŐĞƚŚĞĨƌĞĞͲŇŽǁŝŶŐĞdžĐŚĂŶŐĞŽĨŝĚĞĂƐĂŶĚŬŶŽǁůĞĚŐĞŝŶĂĚLJŶĂŵŝĐƉƌŽĐĞƐƐŽĨŝŶŶŽǀĂƟŽŶ͕ŝŵŝƚĂƟŽŶ͕ĂŶĚŝŵƉƌŽǀĞŵĞŶƚ͘
FY 2017 ®ÝÙã®ÊÄÙù'ÙÄãÖÖ½®ã®ÊÄ 8 The Downtown Akron PromenadeWŚĂƐĞ//: ŽŶŶĞĐƚŝŶŐ>ĂĚĚĞƌƐŽĨKƉƉŽƌƚƵŶŝƚLJ
2.4 Project Objectives In accordance with the TIGER Discretionary Grant program this grant application provides a unique opportunity for the USDOT to invest in a catalytic, multi-modal transportation project ZLWKLQH[LVWLQJFLW\RZQHGULJKWRIZD\ in the heart of Downtown Akron that seeks to achieve critical national objectives by aspiring to: %RRVWWKHHI¿FLHQF\RIH[LVWLQJWUDQVSRUWDWLRQLQYHVWPHQWV by building on momentum resulting from recent adjacent investments in Downtown Akron’s infrastructure through public-private partnerships Provide “Ladders of Opportunity” for those striving to enter the middle class by increasing access to education, jobs and opportunities for innovation and entrepreneurship Transform the corridor with a modern FRQWH[WVHQVLWLYHGHVLJQ that enhances accessibility among all modes of transportation while increasing safety, productivity and public health Steward ecological resourcesE\LQFUHDVLQJHQHUJ\HI¿FLHQF\DQGUHGXFLQJSHDNHYHQW&RPELQHG6HZHU2YHUÀRZ (CSO) discharges by decreasing impervious surface area and incorporating green infrastructure to treat stormwater runoff Produce a model for regional collaboration and strategic investment where synergetic public-private partnerships facilitate the rise of Akron’s creative class in becoming the leaders of tomorrow, particularly in Akron’s blossoming biomedical industry Serve as a fulcrum to leverage private reinvestment in adjacent vacant and blighted structures and promotes the KLJKGHQVLW\PL[HGXVHGHYHORSPHQWRIDGMDFHQWYDFDQWDQGXQGHUXWLOL]HGSDUFHOV 3URPRWHLQ¿OOVWRUHIURQWUHGHYHORSPHQW for local independent niche/boutique retailers by activating the streetscape DQGJHQHUDWLQJDGGLWLRQDOIRRWWUDI¿FLQ'RZQWRZQ$NURQ &RQVWUXFWDZHOFRPLQJJDWHZD\ to those who live, work and play in Downtown Akron
FY 201ϳ 9 ®ÝÙã®ÊÄÙù'ÙÄãÖÖ½®ã®ÊÄ The Downtown Akron Promenade Phase II: A Sustainable Gateway to Economic Prosperity
The Final Piece of the Downtown Akron Innovation District Ultimately the Downtown Akron Promenade represents the ¿QDOOLQNLQFUHDWLQJDWKULYLQJXUEDQHQYLURQPHQWLQ$NURQWKDW DQFKRUVWKH'RZQWRZQ$NURQ,QQRYDWLRQ'LVWULFW6XEVWDQWLDO FRPSOLPHQWDU\LQYHVWPHQWV VHH)LJXUH KDYHDOUHDG\ EHHQPDGHDQGFRPPLWWHGWRDGMDFHQWSURMHFWVXQGHUSURMHFW GHYHORSPHQWDORQJWKHFRUULGRULQFOXGLQJ • Downtown Akron Promenade Phase I ($27 Million) IXQGHG WKURXJK7,*(5LQZLOOFRQVWUXFWWKHLQLWLDOVHJPHQWRIWKH FRUULGRUEHWZHHQ&HGDU$YHDQG0LOO6WUHHWDQGUHFRQVWUXFWWKH 6WDWH6WUHHWEULGJH • $NURQ,QQHUEHOW5HFRQ¿JXUDWLRQ($13 Million)ZLOOUHSXUSRVH DFUHVRIXQQHHGHGIUHHZD\WRFUHDWHGHYHORSDEOHVSDFH ZLWKLQWKH%LR0HGLFDO&RUULGRU • &HGDU([FKDQJH³&RPSOHWH6WUHHWV´ ($9 Million) ZLOOWUDQVIRUPH[FHVVYHKLFXODUODQHVRQWKLVRQHZD\SDLURI DUWHULDOVLQWRPXOWLPRGDODFFRPPRGDWLRQVDQGRQVWUHHWSDUNLQJ • 2KLR (ULH&DQDOZD\%HDXWL¿FDWLRQ($5 Million) ZLOOUHVWRUHDQRSHUDWLRQDOORFNV\VWHPDQGSURYLGHLQWHUDFWLYH LQWHUSUHWLYHHOHPHQWVDORQJWKLVKLVWRULFWUHDVXUHDQG1DWLRQDO+HULWDJH&RUULGRU • Cascade Plaza Renovations ($6 Million) ZLOOWUDQVIRUPWKHVSDFHEHWZHHQWKH&LW\¶VODUJHVWRႈFHWRZHUVLQWRDQ DWWUDFWLYHDQGLQYLWLQJJDWKHULQJSODFHLQWKHKHDUWRI'RZQWRZQ
&ŝŐƵƌĞϭϭ͗ŽŵƉůĞƟŶŐƚŚĞ ŽǁŶƚŽǁŶ/ŶŶŽǀĂƟŽŶ ŝƐƚƌŝĐƚWƵnjnjůĞ ŽŵŵŝƩĞĚĂĚũĂĐĞŶƚƉƵďůŝĐ ŝŶĨƌĂƐƚƌƵĐƚƵƌĞŝŶǀĞƐƚŵĞŶƚƐ ŝŶŽǁŶƚŽǁŶŬƌŽŶĂůƌĞĂĚLJ ƵŶĚĞƌƉƌŽũĞĐƚĚĞǀĞůŽƉŵĞŶƚ ƚŽƚĂůŽǀĞƌΨϲϬDŝůůŝŽŶ͘
,QDGGLWLRQWRWKHSLFWXUHG LQYHVWPHQWVWKH'RZQWRZQ Akron Partnership is FXUUHQWO\RYHUVHHLQJWKH Downtown Akron Vision DQG5HGHYHORSPHQW3ODQ WRFUHDWHDFRPPRQYLVLRQ IRU'RZQWRZQZKLOHD URRPERXWLTXHKRWHO LVEHLQJGHYHORSHGDWWKH FRUQHURI0DLQDQG0DUNHW VWUHHWVZLWKDVVLVWDQFHIURP DPLOOLRQ2KLR+LVWRULF 3UHVHUYDWLRQ7D[&UHGLW
FY 2017 ®ÝÙã®ÊÄÙù'ÙÄãÖÖ½®ã®ÊÄ 10 The Downtown Akron Promenade: ŽŶŶĞĐƟŶŐ>ĂĚĚĞƌƐŽĨKƉƉŽƌƚƵŶŝƚLJ
3URMHFW%HQHILFLDULHV The Downtown Akron Promenade will LPSURYHWKHVDIHW\RI$PHULFD¶VSDVVHQJHUVDQGJRRGV by repairing and replacing existing infrastructure in a more sustainable and inclusive way that will simultaneously expand economic opportunity and socioeconomic mobility for underserved segments of the population. The Downtown Akron Promenade is a transformative transportation investment that will: Work to create jobs and pave the way for business, particularly small and disadvantaged business enterprises, by leveraging existing workforce development and business incubation facilitators along the project corridor including %281&( $NURQ¶V,QQRYDWLRQ+XE. &RQQHFWvia a seamlessly integrated multimodal transportation system (vehicle, pedestrian, bicycle, and transit) with safe, reliable, and affordable connections to employment, education, healthcare, and other essential services. 5HYLWDOL]H surrounding urban neighborhoods with high concentrations of low income and minority populations and uplift the long neglected Northeast Ohio “Rustbelt” region by investing in Complete and Green Streets that attract new opportunities, jobs, and housing.
Project Beneficiaries WORK CONNECT REVITALIZE Businesses along the Residents, workers, Vacant storefronts and corridor receive a students, and visitors are underutilized parcels will welcoming front door provided multimodal become the focus of infill with on-street parking connections among development and enhanced Downtown Akron’s opportunities ped/bike/transit access numerous offices, retail, Corridor housing, institutions, Downtown services, and recreation
Residents of Akron’s Low income, minority Investments in poorest central populations are Downtown infrastructure neighborhoods welcome connected to workforce will help stabilize Akron’s safe and reliable access development agencies poorest neighborhoods to transit and dedicated and business incubators by improving access to Neighborhoods non-motorized along the corridor jobs and education City of Akron transportation facilities
Regional Economy and Users of regional trail Installation of Green Public Health is improved network and Cuyahoga Infrastructure reduces by green infrastructure, Valley National Park are CSO discharges and modal shift, and connected to Downtown improves water quality in enhanced access to Akron via Ohio & Erie the Cuyahoga River Area Region healthcare and Canal Towpath Trail and of Concern Northeast Ohio recreational facilities Scenic Railroad
FY 201ϳ 11 ®ÝÙã®ÊÄÙù'ÙÄãÖÖ½®ã®ÊÄ The Downtown Akron Promenade: ŽŶŶĞĐƟŶŐ>ĂĚĚĞƌƐŽĨKƉƉŽƌƚƵŶŝƚLJ
&RUULGRU Downtown All those who live, work, and play in Downtown $NURQZLOOEHQH¿WIURPWKHFRQVWUXFWLRQRIWKH Downtown Akron Promenade as it will provide residents, employees, and visitors with safe and reliable multimodal connectivity among numerous nodes of activity within a short walk of South Main Street. Local Businesses Commercial and retail businesses along the Downtown $NURQ3URPHQDGHZLOOEHQHILWIURPLQFUHDVHGIRRWWUDIILFGXH to pedestrian improvements, increased cycling as a result of installing DF\FOHWUDFN, and increased transit ridership from &ŝŐƵƌĞϭϯ͗ĐĐĞƐƐƚŽŽŵŵƵŶŝƚLJWƌŽŐƌĂŵƐ HQKDQFLQJWUDQVLWZDLWLQJDUHDV'HVSLWHWKHOHYHORIWUDIILF calming and emphasis on alternative modes of transportation, dŚĞŽǁŶƚŽǁŶŬƌŽŶWƌŽŵĞŶĂĚĞWŚĂƐĞ//ǁŝůůĐŽŶŶĞĐƚ EXVLQHVVHVZLOOVWLOOVHHLQFUHDVHGYHKLFXODUWUDIILFGXHWRWKH ƌĞƐŝĚĞŶƚƐ͕ƐƚƵĚĞŶƚƐ͕ĞŵƉůŽLJĞĞƐĂŶĚǀŝƐŝƚŽƌƐĂůŝŬĞƚŽƚŚĞ provision of on-street SDUDOOHO parking along the corridor which will ŬƌŽŶWƵďůŝĐ>ŝďƌĂƌLJ͕ǁŚŝĐŚŚŽƐƚƐĂƵƐŝŶĞƐƐΘ enhance access to DPHQLWLHVDORQJ South Main Street in the heart 'ŽǀĞƌŶŵĞŶƚŝǀŝƐŝŽŶĚĞĚŝĐĂƚĞĚƚŽĂƐƐŝƐƚŝŶŐƉĂƚƌŽŶƐ of Downtown Akron adjacent to Canal Park and Lock 3 Park. ǁŝƚŚĐĂƌĞĞƌƉůĂŶŶŝŶŐŽƌũŽďƐĞĂƌĐŚĞƐ͘dŚĞůŝďƌĂƌLJŝƐ ĂůƐŽŚŽŵĞƚŽWƌŽũĞĐƚ>ĞĂƌŶǁŚŝĐŚƉƌŽǀŝĚĞƐ^Ƶŵŵŝƚ &UHDWLQJLQIUDVWUXFWXUHIRUQRQPRWRUL]HGWUDQVSRUWDWLRQDQG ŽƵŶƚLJƌĞƐŝĚĞŶƚƐǁŝƚŚƚŚĞŽƉƉŽƌƚƵŶŝƚLJƚŽĂĐŚŝĞǀĞƚŚĞŝƌ lowering automobile speeds by changing road conditions can ĞĚƵĐĂƚŝŽŶĂůŐŽĂůƐďLJƉĂƌƚŝĐŝƉĂƚŝŶŐŝŶĨƌĞĞůŝƚĞƌĂĐLJ͕' ͕ improve economic conditions for both business owners and ĐŽůůĞŐĞƉƌĞƉĐůĂƐƐĞƐĂŶĚƚƵƚŽƌŝŶŐ͘ residents. When Valencia Street in San Francisco’s Mission District VOLPPHGLWVWUDIILFODQHVWRVORZGRZQFDUVDQG DFFRPPRGDWHother users, merchants reported the street changes enhanced the area. Nearly 40 percent of merchants reported increased sales, and 60 percent reported more area residents shopping locally due to reduced travel time and convenience. Working Families The Downtown Akron Promenade will create a more walkable 'RZQWRZQQHLJKERUKRRGZKLFKZLOOSURYLGHEHQHILWVIRUZRUNLQJ families. People living in communities that give them the option to safely walk, bike or take transit to their destinations often pay less in total housing and transportation costs than those who live in areas with lower housing prices that are more auto-dependent. (Source: Center for Neighborhood Technology (2010, March). Penny wise and pound fuelish: New measures of housing + transportation affordability.) Property Owners &ŝŐƵƌĞϭϰ͗ŽŶŶĞĐƚŝŶŐƚŚĞEŽƌƚŚƐŝĚĞŝƐƚƌŝĐƚ 3URSHUW\RZQHUVZLOOEHQHILWIURPWKH'RZQWRZQ$NURQ3URPHQDGH DVUHVLGHQWLDORIILFHDQGFRPPHUFLDOSURSHUW\YDOXHVULVHIURP dŚĞƉƌŽũĞĐƚǁŝůůƉƌŽǀŝĚĞĂĐƌŝƚŝĐĂůŶŽƌƚŚĞƌŶůŝŶŬďĞƚǁĞĞŶ nearby investments in bicycle, pedestrian, and transit ŽǁŶƚŽǁŶŬƌŽŶĂŶĚƚŚĞĞŵĞƌŐŝŶŐEŽƌƚŚƐŝĚĞŝƐƚƌŝĐƚ͕ infrastructure as well as streetscape improvements. In a survey of ƚŚĞƐŝƚĞŽĨŽŶŐŽŝŶŐƌĞĚĞǀĞůŽƉŵĞŶƚĞĨĨŽƌƚƐĂŶĚ 15 real estate markets from Jacksonville, Florida to Stockton, ĞƐƚĂďůŝƐŚĞĚĚĞƐƚŝŶĂƚŝŽŶƐƚŚĂƚŝŶĐůƵĚĞƚŚĞEŽƌƚŚƐŝĚĞ California a one-point increase in the walkability of a neighborhood >ŽĨƚƐ͕ŽƵƌƚLJĂƌĚDĂƌƌŝŽƚ͕ĂƵLJĂŚŽŐĂsĂůůĞLJEĂƚŝŽŶĂů as measured by WalkScore.com increased home values by $700 ^ĐĞŶŝĐZĂŝůƌŽĂĚ^ƚĂƚŝŽŶĂŶĚƐĞǀĞƌĂůĐůƵďƐ͕ƐŚŽƉ͕ĂŶĚ to $3,000 ƌĞƐƚĂƵƌĂŶƚƐ͘ (Source: CEOs for Cities (2009, August). Walking the Walk.)
FY 201ϳ 12 ®ÝÙã®ÊÄÙù'ÙÄãÖÖ½®ã®ÊÄ The Downtown Akron Promenade: ŽŶŶĞĐƟŶŐ>ĂĚĚĞƌƐŽĨKƉƉŽƌƚƵŶŝƚLJ
Neighborhoods City of Akron Transit-dependent residents of the City of Akron’s central neighborhoods immediately adjacent to the 'RZQWRZQ$NURQ3URPHQDGHZLOOEHQH¿WWUHPHQGRXVO\IURPLQFUHDVHGQRQPRWRUL]HGWUDQVSRUWDWLRQWR and from METRO Regional Transit Authority (RTA) bus service along South Main Street which provides direct access to education, employment, health care, and social services. As evidenced in their attached letter of support, METRO RTA strongly supports the City of Akron’s application for a TIGER grant for its South Main Street Corridor which serves Downtown Akron and the heart of the county-wide transit network transporting more than 5.4 million passengers annually countywide. Among the important destinations located within a couple blocks of the Downtown Akron Promenade are METRO’s Robert K. Pfaff (RKP) Intermodal Transportation Center, the University of Akron, Akron-Summit County Public Library, Canal Park, Lock 3 Park, the Akron Art Museum, the John S. Knight Convention Center and the Inventor’s Hall of Fame STEM School. The proposed project will increase low income and minority population access to the RKP Intermodal Transportation Center which is the heart of METRO’s regional public transit network, serving an average of 13,500 passengers daily RQVFKHGXOHGGDLO\EXVWULSVVHUYHGE\ ¿[HGURXWHVSOXVWUDQVIHUSDVVHQJHUVWRIURP*UH\KRXQG6WDUN$UHD Regional Transit Authority (SARTA-Canton), Portage Area Regional Transit Authority (PARTA-Kent), and the Roo Express 8QLYHUVLW\RI$NURQ 5.3LVD/(('*ROGFHUWL¿HGIDFLOLW\RSHQHGLQ DWDFRVWRIPLOOLRQ'XULQJSHDNKRXUV two buses per minute arrive or depart the center. In 2014 METRO constructed a 154-stall Park and Ride lot adjacent to RKP to improve access to the X61 North Coast Express route to/from Cleveland, and routes serving Akron-Canton Airport and employment sites outside Downtown Akron. An improved pedestrian/street connection between RKP and South Main Street was built by METRO and the City of Akron in 2014 along Rosa Parks Drive, which serves 276 GDLO\ EXVHVRQIL[HGURXWHVDQGSURYLGHVWKHPRVWGLUHFWZDONLQJURXWHWR5.3IURP6RXWK0DLQ6WUHHW The Downtown Akron Promenade serves nine METRO routes through Downtown Akron, providing 444 scheduled bus trips per weekday. This segment includes 19 designated bus stops that serve a total of 910 passenger boardings per day, or an average of 48 boardings per stop. The existing conditions within the project segment are highly variable, but in many cases, the conditions are unfriendly to transit customers who walk or cycle to transit stops. The proposed project improvements will replace existing sidewalks which are in poor condition with little or no landscaping, and enhance transit stops which currently lack shelters, benches, bicycle racks, or amenities to provide a safe and adequate waiting environment. The construction of improved pedestrian and bicycle facilities in conjunction with transit waiting areas and streetscape enhancements would encourage increased ridership on METRO Routes 1, 3, 4, DQGDQGKHOSUHGXFHVLQJOHRFFXSDQWYHKLFOHWULSV,QFRUSRUDWLQJZD\¿QGLQJVLJQDJHDORQJWKH Corridor will aid in orienting passengers to the appropriate METRO bus stops and/or to the RKP Transit Center. METRO, Summit County and the City of Akron are at a critical juncture in terms of providing sustainable transportation service to growth and development spread over an increasingly larger area. The proposed enhancements to South Main 6WUHHWDUHQHHGHGWREHWWHUOLQN$NURQ¶VUHVLGHQWVZRUNIRUFHDQGYLVLWRUVZKRXWLOL]H0(752¶VSXEOLFWUDQVLWVHUYLFH
&ŝŐƵƌĞϭϱ͗D dZKŽǁŶƚŽǁŶdƌĂŶƐŝƚĞŶƚĞƌ >ŽĐĂƚĞĚůĞƐƐƚŚĂŶϭ͕ϬϬϬĨĞĞƚĨƌŽŵƚŚĞŽǁŶƚŽǁŶŬƌŽŶWƌŽŵĞŶĂĚĞ͕D dZK͛ƐŽǁŶƚŽǁŶdƌĂŶƐŝƚĞŶƚĞƌŝƐƚŚĞďƵƐŝĞƐƚƚƌĂŶƐĨĞƌ ƉŽŝŶƚŝŶƚŚĞD dZKƚƌĂŶƐŝƚƐLJƐƚĞŵǁŝƚŚŽǀĞƌϲϬƉĞƌĐĞŶƚŽĨƚŚĞD dZK͛ƐďƵƐͲƚŽͲďƵƐƚƌĂŶƐĨĞƌƐƚĂŬŝŶŐƉůĂĐĞĚŽǁŶƚŽǁŶ͘
FY 201ϳ 13 ®ÝÙã®ÊÄÙù'ÙÄãÖÖ½®ã®ÊÄ The Downtown Akron Promenade: ŽŶŶĞĐƟŶŐ>ĂĚĚĞƌƐŽĨKƉƉŽƌƚƵŶŝƚLJ
5HJLRQ Northeast Ohio As Akron and the region’s other central cities have lost population, Northeast Ohio’s poorer residents have tended to be left behind because they could not afford to move. This has often left low income populations isolated and underserved in the urban core with declining tax bases and strained public facilities and social services. The Downtown Akron Promenade will work to reverse this trend by strategically investing in the heart of the urban core where access to jobs, &ŝŐƵƌĞϭϲ͗E K^ZĞŐŝŽŶĂů&ƌĂŵĞǁŽƌŬ education and services is easily accessible and the UHWXUQRQLQYHVWPHQWLVPD[LPL]HG7KHSURMHFWZLOO dŚĞƉƌŽũĞĐƚ͛ƐŝŶǀĞƐƚŵĞŶƚŝŶŬƌŽŶ͛ƐƵƌďĂŶĐŽƌĞ also address water quality issues affecting the region ĂůŝŐŶƐǁŝƚŚƚŚĞϭϮͲĐŽƵŶƚLJƌĞŐŝŽŶĂůĨƌĂŵĞǁŽƌŬ E\PRGHUQL]LQJDQWLTXDWHGVHZHUV\VWHPVZLWKJUHHQ ĚĞǀĞůŽƉĞĚďLJƚŚĞEŽƌƚŚĞĂƐƚKŚŝŽ^ƵƐƚĂŝŶĂďůĞ infrastructure. ŽŵŵƵŶŝƟĞƐŽŶƐŽƌƟƵŵ;E K^ͿĨƵŶĚĞĚ ƚŚƌŽƵŐŚĂĨĞĚĞƌĂů,hŐƌĂŶƚ͘ Revitalizing the Urban Core The City of Akron and its project partners fully understand the role that strategic transportation investments in existing infrastructure can play in community transformation. As such, the region’s MPO has adjusted its transportation priorities away from those that contribute to urban sprawl and the continued outmigration of jobs and opportunities from the urban core, and has instead shifted to those that support it: system preservation, transportation safety, and the promotion of WUDQVSRUWDWLRQDOWHUQDWLYHV$OOWKUHHRIWKHVHJRDOVDUHUHÀHFWHGLQWKH Downtown Akron Promenade, with its emphasis upon the redesign and upgrading of the physical infrastructure that will create a safe, attractive, and multi-modal streetscape. The creation of a Complete & Green Street through the heart of Downtown Akron will leverage reinvestment in the urban core creating an vibrant environment that uplifts and retains current residents while welcoming and attracting new ones resulting in an improved regional economy. Ecological Restoration The proposed project will install a separate storm sewer accompanied by green Infrastructure (i.e. tree trenches, pervious paver amenity VWULSVDQGSDUNLQJVWDOOV WR¿OWHUWKHVHSDUDWHGVWRUPZDWHUDQGUHGXFH WKHSHDNÀRZVWRKHOSDGGUHVVWKHZDWHUTXDOLW\DQGZDWHUTXDQWLW\RI the stormwater prior to discharge to the local canal waterway. These proposed stormwater improvements will redirect approximately 27 acres of impervious roadway surface runoff from the combined sewer system to the green infrastructure best management practices and new storm sewer system resulting in over 7,000,000 gallons of CSO reduction over DW\SLFDO\HDU7KHVH&62UHGXFWLRQVZLOOEHQH¿WWD[SD\HUVLQWKH&LW\RI Akron through implementation of an alternative solution to the higher cost grey infrastructure while still meeting the requirement of the EPA Consent Decree. The implementation of green infrastructure will also help to UHGXFHWKHYROXPHRIÀRZUHTXLULQJ&62WUHDWPHQW2YHUDOOSXEOLF &ŝŐƵƌĞϭϳ͗ŝƚLJŽĨŬƌŽŶ/ŶƚĞŐƌĂƚĞĚWůĂŶ health will be improved for all in the region due to improvements in water TXDOLW\ZKLOHUHFUHDWLRQDOXVHUVRIWKH&X\DKRJD5LYHUEHQH¿WGLUHFWO\ dŚĞƐĞƉĂƌĂƟŽŶŽĨƐƚŽƌŵĂŶĚƐĂŶŝƚĂƌLJƐĞǁĞƌƐ from a more inviting habitat along this precious ecosystem meandering ĂůŽŶŐ^ŽƵƚŚDĂŝŶ^ƚƌĞĞƚŝŶĐŽŶũƵŶĐƟŽŶǁŝƚŚƚŚĞ through the Cuyahoga Valley National Park and downstream to Lake ŝŶƐƚĂůůĂƟŽŶŽĨŐƌĞĞŶŝŶĨƌĂƐƚƌƵĐƚƵƌĞǁŝůůĂůŝŐŶǁŝƚŚ Erie. ƚŚĞŝƚLJŽĨŬƌŽŶ͛Ɛ/ŶƚĞŐƌĂƚĞĚWůĂŶƚŽĐŽŵƉůLJ ǁŝƚŚĂŶ WŽŶƐĞŶƚĞĐƌĞĞ͘
FY 201ϳ 14 ®ÝÙã®ÊÄÙù'ÙÄãÖÖ½®ã®ÊÄ The Downtown Akron PromenadeWŚĂƐĞ//: ŽŶŶĞĐƚŝŶŐ>ĂĚĚĞƌƐŽĨKƉƉŽƌƚƵŶŝƚLJ ^ã®ÊÄϯ͗WÙʹãWÙã®Ý
The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) supports the City of Akron’s application to the National Infrastructure Investment (TIGER) Discretionary Grant funding program. All project elements fall within the boundaries of the City of Akron and within right-of-way that is owned by the City of Akron. The Akron Engineering Bureau is the lead city agency responsible for project implementation, maintenance of the city’s roads and infrastructure network, and administers federal and state road and infrastructure funding. The Akron Engineering Bureau implements projects that are consistent with the City’s comprehensive planning efforts, including the 5 Year Capital Improvement Plan and maintains cooperative working relationships with the public, City Council, the administration, other City divisions, consulting engineers, utility company UHSUHVHQWDWLYHVFRQWUDFWRUVGHYHORSHUVVXSSOLHUVDQGIHGHUDOVWDWHDQGPXQLFLSDODJHQFLHV&LW\RI¿FLDOVUHSUHVHQW the City of Akron as members of the Akron Metropolitan Transportation Study (AMATS), the local Metropolitan Planning 2UJDQL]DWLRQ
In addition to the project parties responsible for administration, oversight and approval processes required during the project’s development, numerous stakeholders are engaged and will be continually involved throughout the catalytic transformation that will result from the construction of Downtown Akron Promenade:
FY 201ϳ 15 ®ÝÙã®ÊÄÙù'ÙÄãÖÖ½®ã®ÊÄ The Downtown Akron Promenade Phase II: A Sustainable Gateway to Economic Prosperity ^ã®ÊÄϰ͗^ÊçÙÝÄhÝÝ
A total of $8,000,743 of TIGER 2017 funds is being requested for the Downtown Akron Promenade Phase II. The total project cost is $11,060,965. The non-federal local match contribution is 28%.
Table 1 details the proposed sources and uses of funds for the Downtown Akron Promenade Phase II:
Project Funding Sources $ Amount Percent TIGER 2017 Grant Request $8,000,743 72% Non-Federal $3,060,222 28% WCF $613,870 6% STEAM (AKRON ENERGY SYSTEMS) $814,775 7% SLA $391,589 4% SCF $1,239,988 11% Total Project Cost $11,060,965 100%
Project Funding Uses TIGER Non-Federal Preliminary & Final Design $673,276 $0 Roadway ConstrucƟon (including green infrastructure, water line and sanitary sewer) $6,558,009 $0 UƟlity Replacements $3,060,222 Subsurface UƟlity Engineering $96,182 $0 ConstrucƟon InspecƟon $673,276 $0 Total $8,000,743 $3,060,222
Table 1: Sources and Uses of Funds
The City of Akron has a proven track record of leveraging federal grants to stimulate local investment from a wide array of non-federal sources, both public and private, at the local, regional and state levels. USDOT’s TIGER 2016 award of $5,000,000 to the City of Akron for Downtown Akron Promenade resulted in non-federal contributions totaling approximately $21,705,078 through a combination of 10 funding sources as shown below in Table 2.
Non-Fed Source Contribution SA $344,585 GO $4,856,464 WCF $325,450 SLA $847,997 SCF $1,030,582 OPWC $3,500,000 TID $250,000 Summit $50,000 BR $7,500,000 FE $3,000,000 TOTAL $21,705,078 Table 2: Downtown Akron Promenade Phase I Non-Federal Investment Leveraged (2016)
FY 2017 1 ®ÝÙã®ÊÄÙù'ÙÄãÖÖ½®ã®ÊÄ The Downtown Akron Promenade Phase II: A Sustainable Gateway to Economic Prosperity
REF. ITEM DESCRIPTION QUAN. UNITS PRICE AMOUNT REF. ITEM DESCRIPTION QUAN. UNITS PRICE AMOUNT ROADWAY LIGHTING 201 Clearing and Grubbing 1 L.S. $12,250 $12,250 625 Connection, Fused Pull Apart 48 EACH $80 $3,840 202 Pipe Removed, 12 inch 940 L.F. $3 $2,820 625 Connection, Unfused Permanent 34 EACH $85 $2,890 202 Pipe Removed, 15 inch 250 L.F. $3 $750 625 Light Pole Foundation, 24" X 4', As per plan 15 EACH $1,000 $15,000 202 Pavement Removed 11542 S.Y. $10 $115,420 625 Light Pole Foundation, 24" X 8'. As per plan 9 EACH $1,200 $10,800 202 Catch Basin or Inlet Removed 22 EACH $250 $5,500 625 No. 4 AWG 2400 Volt Distribution Cable 9408 L.F. $4 $37,632 202 Water Mains Removed 1500 L.F. $3 $4,500 625 No. 10 AWG Pole and Bracket Cable 1647 L.F. $2 $2,471 203 Excavation Including Embankment Construction 2450 C.Y. $25 $61,250 625 Conduit, 2" , 725.051 2450 L.F. $5 $12,250 203 Embankment 245 C.Y. $50 $12,250 625 Conduit, 3" , 725.04 (Jacked and Drilled) 343 L.F. $25 $8,575 203 Subgrade Compaction 8602 S.Y. $2 $12,903 625 Trench, 24" Deep 2450 L.F. $25 $61,250 203 Proof Rolling 3 HOUR $100 $280 625 Pull Box, 725.08, 17"x30" 11 EACH $900 $9,900 203 Aggregate Refill, Type 1 (12 inch Thick 25% total Area) 546 C.Y. $55 $30,030 625 Ground Rod 24 EACH $170 $4,080 455 Curb, Type 6" X 18" 3119 L.F. $20 $62,380 625 Plastic Caution Tape 2450 L.F. $1 $1,225 455 Combination Curb and Gutter 130 L.F. $40 $5,200 625 Light Pole, Conventional (6ft and 8ft Davit incl) 9 EACH $2,000 $18,000 456 Concrete Walk, 6 inches Thick, Buff Wash 62503 S.F. $14 $875,042 625 Light Pole Decorative, As Per Plan 15 EACH $3,500 $52,500 456 Curb Ramp 14 EACH $1,000 $14,000 625 Luminaire, Post Top, Solid State LED, As per plan 15 EACH $1,700 $25,500 460 Brick Walk, As Per Plan 7284 S.F. $22 $160,248 625 Luminaire Conventional Solid State LED, As per plan 9 EACH $1,200 $10,800 Special Brick Crosswalk with Pavement Headers Complete 5550 S.F. $60 $333,000 625 Light Pole Removed For Storage 10 EACH $400 $4,000 Special Concrete Cycle Track, 6 inches Thick 13679 S.F. $17 $232,543 625 Light Pole Foundation Removed 10 EACH $250 $2,500 Special Remove and Re-erect Café Seating Fence 1 EACH $1,600 $1,600 625 Disonnect Circuit 3 EACH $200 $600 Special Basement Waterproofing 9 EACH $10,000 $90,000 625 Smart Lighting Controls Add 24 EACH $300 $7,200 $2,031,966 625 Power Service/ Festival Box Relocation 3 EACH $4,000 $12,000 EROSION CONTROL 625 Building Accent Lighting 3 EACH $12,500 $37,500 832 ODOT 832 Erosion Control 19600 EACH $1 $19,600 $340,513 832 ODOT 832 Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan 1 L.S. $2,500 $2,500 TRAFFIC $22,100 630 Signing 1 L.S. $61,250 $61,250 WATER MAIN 632 Removal of Traffic Signal Installation 1 EACH $5,000 $5,000 252 Trenches for Water Services in Earth 1300 L.F. $75 $97,500 632/633Traffic Signal Installation 1 EACH $175,000 $175,000 254 12 inch Ductile Iron Pipe 1500 L.F. $215 $322,500 632/633RRFB Installation 2 EACH $75,000 $150,000 258 12 inch Gate Valve 4 EACH $1,800 $7,200 645 Pavement Markings 1 L.S. $36,750 $36,750 260 Fire Hydrants 8 EACH $3,500 $28,000 Special Wayfinding Signage 1 L.S. $25,000 $25,000 263 Tying Into Existing 12 inch Main 2 EACH $1,000 $2,000 $453,000 265Water Main Valve Boxes Adjusted 54EACH $150 $8,100 COMMUNCIATIONS Lead Water Service Replacement 16 EACH $4,000 $64,000 625 4" Schedule 40 PVC Conduit, Not Encased 8600 L.F $10 $86,000 $529,300 625 4" Schedule 40 PVC Conduit, Encased 956 L.F $30 $28,680 STEAM (City Owned) 625 Trench 2891 L.F $10 $28,910 Special Steam Line 1 LUMP $122,500 $122,500 625 Trench in Paved Areas, Type B 319 L.F $40 $12,760 $122,500 632 Pull Box, 24"x36"x24", Reinforced Polymer Concrete 30 EACH $1,000 $30,000 CONDENSATE RETURN (City Owned) Special ODOT Item 804E15011 Fiber Optic Cable, 48 Fiber, Armore 1593 L.F $5 $7,965 Special 6 Inch Condesate Return Line 1500 L.F. $240 $360,000 $194,315 $360,000 CHILLED WATER (City Owned) STREETSCAPING Special 16 Inch Chilled Water Line 1300 L.F. $140 $182,000 Special 24 Inch Chilled Water Line 200 L.F. $220 $44,000 456 Planter Curbs, 4-inch reveal, As per plan 3200 LF $41 $131,200 $226,000 653 Topsoil Furnished & Placed, 18" Thick, As Per Plan 124 CY $45 $5,580 PAVEMENT 301 9 inch Bituminous Aggregate Base 1637 S.Y. $125 $204,625 653 Topsoil Furnished & Placed, 36" Thick, As Per Plan 576 CY $45 $25,920 304 Aggregate Base, 6 inch Thick (Limestone Only) 1091 C.Y. $55 $60,005 662 Planting Shrubs 740 EACH $65 $48,100 407 Tack Coat (0.075 GAL/ SY) 491 GAL. $4 $1,717 662 Planting Shrubs, Perennial and Orn. Grasses 1458 EACH $23 $33,534 407 Tack Coat for Intermediate Course (0.04 GAL/ SY) 262 GAL. $4 $916 663 Tree Planting in Lawn Area 60 EACH $450 $27,000 446 Asphalt Concrete Intermediate Course, Type 2, Medium, 1.7 319 C.Y. $130 $41,470 Special Irrigation 7210 SF $10 $72,100 446 Asphalt Concrete Surface Course, Type 1, Medium, 1.25 in 228 C.Y. $175 $39,900 Special Water Main Tie-In for Irrigation Complete (Permit, Backflow 4 EACH $1,665 $6,660 451 12 inch Reinforced Portland Cement Concrete Pavement, A 929 S.Y. $200 $185,800 Special CU Structural Soil, Complete 1107 CY $160 $177,120 Special Pervious Pavers 6160 S.F. $15 $92,400 Special 4-foot bench 6 EACH $1,200 $7,200 Special Paver Header, 12" X 18" 728 L.F. $40 $29,120 Special Bike Rack 8 EACH $750 $6,000 $655,953 Special Planter Allowance 1 LS $4,900 $4,900 DRAINAGE Special Bike Repair Center 1 EACH $2,500 $2,500 553 12 inch Inlet Connection, RCP, Class "B" Bedding 490 L.F. $175 $85,750 Special Trash/Recycling 6 EACH $2,250 $13,500 553 15 inch Inlet Connection, RCP, Class "B" Bedding 250 L.F. $185 $46,250 $561,314 562 Manhole Adjusted by Adding Adjustment Ring 5 EACH $1,000 $5,000 562 Manhole Reconstructed on Storm Sewer 2 EACH $1,800 $3,600 SUBTOTAL OF PRIMARY COST DRIVERS $6,890,301 563 Inlet, No. 5 14 EACH $2,500 $35,000 563 Inlet, Double No. 5 8 EACH $4,000 $32,000 MISCELLANEOUS 564 6 inch Pipe Underdrains 3249 L.F. $10 $32,490 103.05 Contract Performance Bond 1 L.S. $100,000 $100,000 Special BMP 1 L.S. $75,000 $75,000 614 Maintaining Traffic 1 L.S. $400,000 $400,000 $315,090 618 Computer Equipment 1 Allow. $5,000 $5,000 SANITARY 619 Field Office 1 L.S. $90,000 $90,000 557 12 inch Sanitary Sewer, Class B Bedding 450 L.F. $225 $101,250 623 Construction Layout Stakes 1 L.S. $75,000 $75,000 Special 60 inch Sanitary Sewer, CIPP Lining 750 L.F. $450 $337,500 624 Mobilization 1 L.S. $250,000 $250,000 Special 60 inch Sanitary Sewer, Cleaning 750 L.F. $35 $26,250 $820,000 Special 72 inch Sanitary Sewer, CIPP Lining 750 L.F. $550 $412,500 Special 72 inch Sanitary Sewer, Cleaning 750 L.F. $45 $33,750 CONTINGENCY Special By-pass Pumping, Complete 1 L.S. $150,000 $150,000 15% of Primary Cost Drivers $1,033,545 562 Brick Manhole Adjusted 9 EACH $1,000 $9,000 562 Manhole Reconstructed on Sanitary Sewer 2 EACH $4,000 $8,000 SUMMARY OF PROBABLE TOTAL CONSTRUCTION $1,078,250 COSTS 2017 $8,743,846
PROBABLE TOTAL CONSTRUCTION COSTS INCLUDING 10% INFLATION FOR MIDPOINT OF CONSTRUCTION (OCTOBER 1ST, 2020) $9,618,231
DESIGN ENGINEERING COSTS (ASSUMING ALTERNATIVE DELIVERY METHOD) (7% of Construction Cost) $673,276 SUBSURFACE UTILITY ENGINEERING (SUE) (1% of Construction Cost) $96,182 CONSTRUCTION INSPECTION COST (7% of Construction Cost) $673,276
SUMMARY OF PROBABLE TOTAL PROJECT COSTS 2017 $11,060,965
dĂďůĞϯ͗ ƐƟŵĂƚĞŽĨWƌŽďĂďůĞŽƐƚ
FY 2017 ®ÝÙã®ÊÄÙù'ÙÄãÖÖ½®ã®ÊÄ The Downtown Akron Promenade: ŽŶŶĞĐƟŶŐ>ĂĚĚĞƌƐŽĨKƉƉŽƌƚƵŶŝƚLJ ^ã®ÊÄϱ͗^½ã®ÊÄÙ®ãÙ® 5.1 Primary Selection Criteria 7KH'RZQWRZQ$NURQ3URPHQDGHDOLJQVZLWKHDFKRIWKHSULPDU\VHOHFWLRQFULWHULDDVVXPPDUL]HGEHORZDQGGLVFXVVHGLQ detail on Page 19-23.
HOW PROJECT SELECTION CRITERIA ADVANCES OUTCOME Bring existing transportation facilities into a state of good repair by addressing deficiencies in the STATE OF existing pavement, drainage system, traffic GOOD REPAIR control, lighting and TJEFXBMLT
Promote economic competitiveness by providing “Ladders of Opportunity” for those ECONOMIC striving to enter the middle class by increasing COMPETITIVENESS access to education, jobs and opportunities for innovation and entrepreneurship
Enhance quality of life by improving access to all QUALITY modes of transportation and providing direct linkages to greenspace amenities the Ohio & Erie OF LIFE Canal Towpath Trail, Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad
Ensure environmental sustainability through the installation of green infrastructure that will reduce combined sewer overflows (CSO), SUSTAINABILITY minimize impervious surface area and provide energy savings
Improve safety through the implementation of traffic calming measures, enhanced pedestrian facilities, DZDMFUSBDL, ADA accessible facilities, SAFETY skid-resistant pavement and lighting
FY 201ϳ 18 ®ÝÙã®ÊÄÙù'ÙÄãÖÖ½®ã®ÊÄ The Downtown Akron PromenadeWŚĂƐĞ//: ŽŶŶĞĐƚŝŶŐ>ĂĚĚĞƌƐŽĨKƉƉŽƌƚƵŶŝƚLJ
Primary Selection Criteria 1: State of Good Repair One of the primary goals of the Downtown Akron Promenade is to bring the transportation facilities into a VWDWHRIJRRGUHSDLUE\ DGGUHVVLQJGH¿FLHQFLHVLQWKHH[LVWLQJSDYHPHQWGUDLQDJHV\VWHPWUDI¿FFRQWURO and lighting. The project is consistent with the Ohio Department of Transportation’s (ODOT’s) Statewide Transportation Plan, Access Ohio 2004 – 2030 to maintain the existing infrastructure in a state of good repair. Similarly, the Akron Metropolitan Area (AMATS) Regional Transportation Plan goals state that the existing transportation system should be preserved, maintained and enhanced and give priority to resurfacing, restoration, and rehabilitation, improvements in the development of regional transportation plans and programs. Primary Selection Criteria 2: Economic Competitiveness “We are actually a less mobile society than many other nations... This challenges the notion of America as the land of opportunity.” - The Brookings Institution The Downtown Akron Promenade will increase the upward mobility of Akron residents by providing “Ladders of Opportunity” for those striving to enter the middle class by increasing access to education, jobs and opportunities for innovation and entrepreneurship within the Downtown Akron Innovation District. Increasing Access to Education The Downtown Akron Promenade will LQFUHDVHDFFHVVWRHGXFDWLRQDQGhelp build and coordinate systems of support so that America’s most vulnerable children succeed from cradle to career, and have a clear path to the middle class by improving access to educational facilities along South Main Street including the University of Akron, Akron Early College High School and the National Inventors Hall of Fame (NIHF) School, Center for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Learning. The Downtown Akron Promenade provides a gateway to the western doorstep of the University of Akron (UA), with over 27,000 students and 300 academic degree programs in a metropolitan setting in the heart of a dynamic, regional economy, and in sync with the pulse of EXVLQHVVJRYHUQPHQWDQGWKHFRPPXQLW\%XVLQHVV:HHNPDJD]LQH ranked UA’s College of Business Administration among the nation’s top 100 undergraduate business schools in 2009 and 2010, and currently places it at No. 1 in Ohio for return on tuition dollars after graduation. The College of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering is home to the world’s largest polymer academic program and greatest concentration of polymer expertise — helping to establish Northeast Ohio as an advanced functional materials hub that competes on the ZRUOGVWDJHLQWKHGHYHORSPHQWDQGFRPPHUFLDOL]DWLRQRIPDWHULDOVIRU many industries. UA’s College of Engineering is the fastest-growing engineering program in Ohio and fourth in the nation, according to a review of the nation’s top 150 schools by the American Society for Engineering Education. Research and grant funding to The University of Akron increased 60 percent in the past decade. The College of %XVLQHVV$GPLQLVWUDWLRQ¶VJUDGXDWHSURJUDPKDVEHHQUHFRJQL]HGLQ The Princeton Review’s Best Business Schools for the past six years. &ŝŐƵƌĞϭϵ͗ĐĐĞƐƐƚŽ ĚƵĐĂƟŽŶ &XUUHQWO\WKH8QLYHUVLW\RI$NURQLVSURPRWLQJ¿YHQHZLQLWLDWLYHVWKDW focus on innovation, entrepreneurship and community involvement as dŚĞŽǁŶƚŽǁŶŬƌŽŶWƌŽŵĞŶĂĚĞůĞĂĚƐƚŽƚŚĞ part of the institution’s ongoing community engagement efforts. These ŚĞĂƌƚŽĨŚŝŐŚĞƌůĞĂƌŶŝŶŐƉƌŽǀŝĚŝŶŐĐƌŝƟĐĂůĂĐĐĞƐƐƚŽ new initiatives join several ongoing projects that make up what has ůĂĚĚĞƌƐŽĨŽƉƉŽƌƚƵŶŝƚLJĨŽƌƵƉǁĂƌĚŵŽďŝůŝƚLJ͘
FY 201ϳ 19 ®ÝÙã®ÊÄÙù'ÙÄãÖÖ½®ã®ÊÄ The Downtown Akron PromenadeWŚĂƐĞ//: ŽŶŶĞĐƚŝŶŐ>ĂĚĚĞƌƐŽĨKƉƉŽƌƚƵŶŝƚLJ
FRPHWREHFDOOHGWKH“Akron Model” for University leadership in regional economic development. At Akron Early College High School, a 2013 Blue Ribbon School, enrolled students attend their entire 4 years of Kigh Vchool on the University of Akron campus taking Kigh Vchool and Xniversity coursework with the opportunity to graduate Kigh Vchool with their KLgh Vchool Giploma and an Dssociates Gegree from the University of Akron. University FRXUVHZRUNDQGUHTXLUHGWH[WERRNVDUHSURYLGHGIUHHRIFKDUJHWRVWXGHQWV7KHSURJUDPLVGHVLJQHGIRUILUVWJHQHUDWLRQ college applicants. Classes are taught at Whe University of Akron by a combination of high school teachers and college professors. In addition, the National Inventors Hall of Fame (NIHF) School, Center for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Learning is located just two blocks from Main Street. NIHF-STEM is designed to be a unique and comprehensive STEM middle school that promotes formal and informal learning with an experience that ensures creativity and inventive thinking through a focus on science, mathematics and technology. The provision of enhanced multi-modal transportation facilities along South Main Street will help implement the President’s YLVLRQIRUMREFUHDWLRQDQGDQH[SDQGHGPLGGOHFODVV, particularly for children and youth who face the greatest barriers to success by increasing affordable, sustainable access to learning which will transform Downtown’s surrounding high-poverty neighborhoods into places of opportunity that attract private investment, improve education, and create jobs. Promoting Entrepreneurship & Innovation Another primary goal of the Downtown Akron Promenade is to provide economic development opportunities within the Downtown Akron Innovation District by promoting entrepreneurship and innovation. Improvements to Downtown Akron Promenade will complement the adjacent repurposing of SR-59 which will increase the productivity of land within the Akron BioMedical Corridor™, and create 13.7 acres of much needed expansion room within the Akron BioMedical Corridor™, which has become an attractive option for both national and international companies looking to site or expand. Akron’s Economic Development Department is actively seeking investors and developers for the area. As part of that, the City maintains a dedicated website (www.akronbiomedicalcorridor.com) to help attract entrepreneurs and businesses to the area and offer BioInvestment Funds to help start-ups. The City has a proven track record for promoting innovation and small businesses. %281&($NURQ V,QQRYDWLRQ+XE KRVWVWKH&LW\ V Eusiness Dccelerator located right on South Main StreetDQGhome to 48 start-up companies. It offers upscale RIILFHODEDQGPDQXIDFWXULQJVSDFHZLWKVWDWHRIWKHDUWFRQIHUHQFLQJIDFLOLWLHVDQG,7VHUYLFHV%281&(DOVR RIIHUVHQWUHSUHQHXULDOVXSSRUWDQGFRXQVHOLQJVHUYLFHVLQFOXGLQJ FDVKIORZPDQDJHPHQWILQDQFLQJPDUNHWLQJDQGsales, business plan development and much more. Today, it is the center of entrepreneurial activity and technology FRPPHUFLDOL]DWLRQLQ1RUWKHDVW2KLR$VRQHRIWKH&LW\¶VSDUWQHUVZLWKWKH$NURQ%LRPHGLFDO*DWHZD\SURMHFW%281&( will promote development within the project area. The Akron BioMedical Corridor™ has drawn international interest as well. Another project partner, The Greater Akron Investment Partnership (GAIP), created a pool of funds that together with a matching investment by the City of Akron invested $1.5 Million into the Israeli Targetech Incubator. This collaboration has resulted in bringing international trade to the area. A Targatech graduate has brought their US sales, marketing and engineering personnel to the Accelerator in early 2008. The City has been able to connect them with clients such as Proctor & Gamble. The Accelerator’s trade show marketing activities have also lead to the establishment RID86VDOHVDQGPDUNHWLQJRI¿FHE\DQ,WDOLDQSURGXFHURISUHFLVLRQIRUJLQJV7KH City continues to collaborate with Targatech and this project will help attract more international trade into the area. The City is similarly reaching out to biomedical companies in Finland and Germany. 7KH&LW\RI$NURQKDVPDGHVLJQLILFDQWLQYHVWPHQWVDORQJ6RXWK0DLQ6WUHHW ,PSURYHPHQWVOLNH/RFN3DUNDQGWKH2KLR (ULH7RZSDWK7UDLODQGRIILFH buildings and O’Neil’s Parking Deck amount to a $60 million investment. Private &ŝŐƵƌĞϮϬ͗WƌŽŵŽƟŶŐ^ƚĂƌƚͲƵƉƐ companies have also invested in the area. The Akron Children’s Hospital has made numerous improvements to their nearby campus, including additional parking. YƵŝĐŬĨĂĐƚƐŝůůƵƐƚƌĂƚŝŶŐƚŚĞƐƵĐĐĞƐƐ Private developers have recently invested tens of millions in student housing ŽĨƚŚĞŬƌŽŶΖƐďƵƐŝŶĞƐƐĂĐĐĞůĞƌĂƚŽƌ downtown and a new downtown hotel. Other businesses are opening as a result, ŽǀĞƌƚŚĞƉĂƐƚϱLJĞĂƌƐ;ϮϬϬϴͲϮϬϭϯͿ͘ including restaurants and night clubs.
FY 201ϳ 20 ®ÝÙã®ÊÄÙù'ÙÄãÖÖ½®ã®ÊÄ The Downtown Akron PromenadeWŚĂƐĞ//: ŽŶŶĞĐƚŝŶŐ>ĂĚĚĞƌƐŽĨKƉƉŽƌƚƵŶŝƚLJ
Primary Selection Criteria 3: Quality of Life The Downtown Akron Promenade will work in concert with federal housing, transportation, water, and other infrastructure investments to make Akron’s Downtown neighborhoods more prosperous, enable LWVFLWL]HQVWROLYHFORVHUWRMREVVDYHWKHFLW\¶VKRXVHKROGVWLPHDQGPRQH\DQGUHGXFHSROOXWLRQDQG LQFUHDVHHQHUJ\HI¿FLHQF\ZKLOHUHGXFLQJVWUDLQRQWKHHQYLURQPHQW7KH'RZQWRZQ$NURQ3URPHQDGH will incorporate the six principles of livability established by the Partnership for Sustainable Communities: (QKDQFH transportation choices The Downtown Akron Promenade will provide safe, reliable, and economical transportation choices to decrease household transportation costs, reduce our nation’s dependence on foreign oil, improve air quality, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and promote public health by constructing a more walkable downtown and that includes Ddedicated F\FOH WUDFN, enhanced pedestrian spaces and transit waiting environments. Promote equitable, affordable housing The Downtown Akron Promenade will expand access to location- and HQHUJ\HI¿FLHQWKRXVLQJFKRLFHVIRUSHRSOHRIDOODJHVLQFRPHV races, and ethnicities by increasing mobility and lower the combined cost of housing and transportation. The City of Akron is committed to equitable, affordable housing along the corridor and many of the buildings along South Main Street have the potential to become mixed XVHEXLOGLQJVZLWKFRPPHUFLDOVSDFHRQWKHJURXQGÀRRUDQGUHVLGHQWLDO XQLWVRQWKHXSSHUÀRRUV7KLVW\SHRIPL[HGXVHGHYHORSPHQWFUHDWHVD synergy between downtown street activity and downtown development. Enhance economic competitiveness The Downtown Akron Promenade will improve economic competitiveness through reliable and timely multi-modal access to employment centers, educational opportunities, services and other basic needs by workers, as well as expanded business access to markets. The proposed improvements to South Main Street will result in a more attractive Central Business District that will, attract new businesses to the Downtown Akron Innovation District, help existing business attract more desirable employees as well as assist the University of Akron in attracting the best students and later encouraging WKHPWRWKHQVWD\ZKLOHDOVRFUHDWLQJDSODFHWRYLVLWDQGSDWURQL]H Support existing communities The Downtown Akron Promenade will target federal and local funding on Akron’s existing urban core—through strategies like transit-oriented, mixed-use development and the adaptive re-use of existing buildings —to increase community UHYLWDOL]DWLRQDQGWKHHI¿FLHQF\RISXEOLFZRUNVLQYHVWPHQWVDQGVDIHJXDUGFXOWXUDOO\VLJQL¿FDQWDQGKLVWRULFVWUXFWXUHV Coordinate and leverage federal policies and investment The Downtown Akron Promenade will align with federal policies and funding to remove barriers to collaboration, leverage funding, and increase the accountability and effectiveness of all levels of government to plan for future growth, including making smart energy choices such as locally generated renewable energy. Improvements to South Main Street are expected to stimulate mixed-use and commercial redevelopment of numerous properties whose economic viability has EHHQOLPLWHGE\ORZVLGHZDONWUDI¿F5HGHYHORSPHQWRIWKHVHEXLOGLQJVZLOOFRRUGLQDWHDQGOHYHUDJHIHGHUDOSROLFLHVDQG VSXULQYHVWPHQWLQWKHFRUULGRUWKURXJKKLVWRULFSUHVHUYDWLRQWD[FUHGLWVVWRUPZDWHUPLWLJDWLRQIXQGLQJ HQHUJ\HI¿FLHQF\ grants, Main Street grants and livable communities’ grants. Value communities and neighborhoods The Downtown Akron Promenade will enhance the unique characteristics of the City of Akron by investing in a vibrant XUEDQFRUHFRQVLVWLQJRIZHOOFRQQHFWHGKHDOWK\VDIHDQGZDONDEOHQHLJKERUKRRGV$VZLWKPDQ\UHYLWDOL]HGFLWLHV DFURVVWKHFRXQWU\WKHEHVWSODFHIRU$NURQWRVWDUWLVZLWKWKHGRZQWRZQGLVWULFWVSHFL¿FDOO\0DLQ6WUHHWWKHFLW\¶VPDLQ SURPHQDGH,PSURYLQJWKH GHVLJQRIWKLVVWUHHWZLOOHQKDQFHFLWL]HQV¶TXDOLW\RIOLIHUDLVHSURSHUW\YDOXHVDQGHQFRXUDJH investment, as well as make the street easier and less costly to maintain. Main Street is populated with a great mix of historic and modern buildings that together create a unique downtown that is desperately in need of a jump start to experience the vibrancy that once was.
FY 201ϳ 21 ®ÝÙã®ÊÄÙù'ÙÄãÖÖ½®ã®ÊÄ The Downtown Akron PromenadeWŚĂƐĞ//: ŽŶŶĞĐƚŝŶŐ>ĂĚĚĞƌƐŽĨKƉƉŽƌƚƵŶŝƚLJ
Primary Selection Criteria 4: Environmental Sustainability 7KH7UXPSDGPLUDWLRQLVFRPPLWWHGWRUHVSRQVLEOHVWHZDUGVKLSRIWKHHQYLURQPHQWE\SURWHFWLQJFOHDQDLU DQGFOHDQZDWHUFRQVHUYLQJRXUQDWXUDOKDELWDWVDQGSUHVHUYLQJRXUQDWXUDOUHVHUYHVDQGUHVRXUFHV The Downtown Akron Promenade will aid in theVH 7UXPS Administration’s efforts to protect natural resourcesDQGSURWHFWSXEOLFKHDOWKDQGVDIHW\ in several ways:
Reduce Energy Consumption The Downtown Akron Promenade includes options and project solutions that reduce energy consumption, support energy HIILFLHQWPRYHPHQWRISHRSOHDQGJRRGVDQGXVHUHVRXUFHVZLWKORZHURSHUDWLRQVDQGPDLQWHQDQFH UHTXLUHPHQWV7KHSURMHFWZLOOUHGXFHHQHUJ\FRQVXPSWLRQE\LQVWDOOLQJ/('OLJKWLQJDQGGHFUHDVLQJ&62IORZVZKLFK UHVXOWVLQOHVVHQHUJ\being expended at wastewater treatment plants. The proposed improvements will also reduce the carbon footprint and consumption of petroleum by discouraging dependency on the single-occupancy automobile and promoting alternative modes of transportation. Reduce Impacts to Environmental Resources 7KH'RZQWRZQ$NURQ3URPHQDGHLQFOXGHVVROXWLRQVWKDWPLQLPL]HLPSDFWVRQVXUURXQGLQJHFRV\VWHPVHQFRXUDJHDQG VXSSRUWELRGLYHUVLW\DQGUHIOHFWKLVWRULFDODQGFXOWXUDOFRQWH[W 7KHSURMHFWZLOOUHVXOWLQLPSURYHGDLUTXDOLW\WKURXJKUHGXFHGFRQJHVWLRQDQGPRGDOVKLIWDVWKHPRGHUQL]DWLRQDQG FRRUGLQDWLRQRIVLJQDOL]HGLQWHUVHFWLRQVZLOOLPSURYHWUDIILFIORZand reduce idling, while the installation of DF\FOHWUDFN Hnhanced pedestrian facilities, and transit waiting environments will encourage modal shift and improve air quality by reducing reliance on the single occupancy automobile. The project will also address climate change and improve water quality by reducing runoff and improving natural absorption. Impervious surface areas will be reduced by 44% due to the addition of permeable pavement in parking bays, permeable pavers in tree lawns and tree trenches that will recycle rainwater. Cultural and historic resources will be enhanced by restoring property value and making private reinvestment viable and attractive. Promote Vibrant Urban Communities The Downtown Akron Promenade includes solutions that incorporate features that support community livability; public VHUYLFHVDQGDGMDFHQWODQGXVHV DQGHQKDQFHSXEOLFKHDOWKVDIHW\DQGVHFXULW\IRUDOOSHRSOH7KHSURMHFWZLOOFDSLWDOL]H on the unique natural environment presented by the overlapping Ohio & Erie Canal Heritage Corridor in planning to strengthen the downtown business environment. Smart Growth and Low Impact Development (LID) principles will be fostered through multi-modal transportation investments. Support Sustainability during Implementation The Downtown Akron Promenade includes solutions that support local economic, social, and resource management needs, or that reduce impacts during the construction of a capital project, or during operations and maintenance of physical transportation projects.
FY 201ϳ 22 ®ÝÙã®ÊÄÙù'ÙÄãÖÖ½®ã®ÊÄ The Downtown Akron PromenadeWŚĂƐĞ//: ŽŶŶĞĐƚŝŶŐ>ĂĚĚĞƌƐŽĨKƉƉŽƌƚƵŶŝƚLJ
Primary Selection Criteria 5: Safety The Downtown Akron Promenade features many improvements that will help enhance safety: 7UDIILF&DOPLQJ0HDVXUHV 5RDG'LHW1DUURZ/DQHV&XUE%XPSRXWV7UHDWHG&URVVZDONV 7UDIILFFDOPLQJDQGWKHUHGXFWLRQRIFURVVZDONOHQJWKVZLOOEHHVSHFLDOO\EHQHILFLDOWRDUDSLGO\JURZLQJ University of Akron campus population that travels by foot to and from classes, local attractions and off-campus housing along South Main Street. This project will reduce vehicle travel speeds in areas where vehicles and pedestrians interact. The project will also increase safety for students attending classes at Akron’s Early College High School and National Inventors Hall of Fame (NIHF) School, Center for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Learning. Construction of new pavement will improve skid resistance The reconstruction of pavement along the Downtown Akron Promenade will improve skid resistance as a loss of control WKURXJKVNLGGLQJFDQEHDVLJQLILFDQWIDFWRULQPDQ\FUDVKHVHVSHFLDOO\ZKHQDURDGLVZHW3RRUVNLGUHVLVWDQFHFDQRFFXU ZKHQWKHURDGVXUIDFHEHFRPHVZRUQ DJJUHJDWHEHFRPHVSROLVKHG XQGHUWKHDFWLRQRIWUDIILFRUWHPSRUDULO\LIWKHUHLVD build-up of oil or debris on the road or if road drainage is poor. Replacing the pavement along the corridor at areas where braking commonly occurs such as on the approaches to intersections and pedestrian crossings will help reduce crashes. Provision of D&\FOH7UDFN ,QVWDOOLQJGHGLFDWHGDQHOHYDWHGF\FOHWUDFNDORQJWKHOHQJWKRIWKH'RZQWRZQ$NURQ3URPHQDGHZLOOUHVXOWLQEHQHILWVWR QRWRQO\cyclists, but also vehicles and pedestrians as bicycles will be removed from the vehicular travel lane and encouraged to not ride on the sidewalk. (QKDQFHGZD\ILQGLQJDQGVLJQDJHQHZSDYHPHQWPDUNLQJV The upgrade of existing signage and pavement markings along the Downtown Akron Promenade will enhance safety for DOOURDGZD\XVHUV2QHRIWKHPRVWLPSRUWDQWDVSHFWVRIDVDIHDQGHIILFLHQWURDGZD\LVWKHXQLIRUPDSSOLFDWLRQRIVLJQDJH DQGSDYHPHQWPDUNLQJVWRGHOLQHDWHWKHURDGZD\SDWKDQGVSHFLILFWUDIILFWUDYHOODQHV6LJQDJHDQGSDYHPHQWPDUNLQJV FDQFRPPXQLFDWHLQIRUPDWLRQWRURDGXVHUVDVQRRWKHUWUDIILFFRQWUROGHYLFHVFDQDVWKH\SURYLGHFRQWLQXRXVLQIRUPDWLRQ to road users related to destinations, roadway alignment, vehicle positioning, and other important driving-related tasks. ADA compliant facilities The Downtown Akron Promenade’s pedestrian facilities will meet the requirements of ADA to ensure that users of all ages and abilities have equal access to transportation. Transportation facilities designed to ADA standards improve safety for all users. In recent years the principles of ADA have been espoused into the movement called “universal design.” Instead RIIRFXVLQJRQGHVLJQLQJIRUSHRSOHZLWKGLVDELOLWLHVXQLYHUVDOGHVLJQUHFRJQL]HVWKDWGHVLJQIRU$'$FRPSOLDQFHPHDQVD design for all—including parents with strollers, a person rolling luggage, cyclists walking bikes, and children. Transit Waiting Area enhancements The provision of enhanced Transit Waiting Areas along the corridor will contribute to an improved passenger experience and perception of safety on the transit system. Adequate sidewalk space will be provided at all transit interfaces so that riders will not be forced to walk/stand in the street while traveling to or from a stop. In addition, crosswalks will be made safer through a combination of upgrades that include curb bumpouts, decorative pavers, signage, and pedestrian signals. Installation of LED Lighting 7KHLQVWDOODWLRQRI/('OLJKWLQJDORQJWKH'RZQWRZQ$NURQ3URPHQDGHZLOOVLJQLILFDQWO\LPSURYHYLVLELOLW\LQFUHDVHVLJKW distance, and make pedestrians more noticeable to drivers, and therefore more avoidable. The Lighting Research Center at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and Pennsylvania (Penn) State University has published research that studies roadway lighting and night-time safety in rural and urban intersections. Quality lighting, such as the uniform coverage that energy HIILFLHQW/('EDVHGOXPLQDLUHVDUHFDSDEOHRIFDQUHVXOWLQDORZHUQLJKWWRGD\FUDVKUDWLRLQXUEDQ LQWHUVHFWLRQV
FY 201ϳ 23 ®ÝÙã®ÊÄÙù'ÙÄãÖÖ½®ã®ÊÄ The Downtown Akron PromenadeWŚĂƐĞ//: ŽŶŶĞĐƚŝŶŐ>ĂĚĚĞƌƐŽĨKƉƉŽƌƚƵŶŝƚLJ
5.2 Secondary Selection Criteria Secondary Selection Criteria 1: Innovation The Downtown Akron Promenade is an innovative transformation to the heart of the Main Street Corridor that OHYHUDJHVWKHEHQHILWVRIFXWWLQJHGJHJUHHQLQIUDVWUXFWXUH and “Complete Streets” best practices to provide a sustainable, accessible, safe and functional transportation facility that will foster Smart Growth development for generations to come. The Downtown Akron Innovation District and overlapping Akron BioMedical Corridor™ are predicated on the creative exchange of new ideas, which will be facilitated by the physical enhancements of the proposed Downtown Akron Promenade. One of the key components to attracting innovation to the area is providing funding and support for new growth. The City has set up Akron BioInvestments Funds that are used to target domestic and international companies focusing on orthopedics, wound healing and cardiovascular science, as well the use of biomaterials, the use of medical information technology, and the development of medical devices. All companies receiving investment must commit to maintain an Akron headquarters, or plan to establish a material presence in Akron, with an emphasis on the Biomedical Corridor. The Product Development Fund supports the demonstration and validation of high-potential local biomedical start-up companies by providing funds for proof of concept, prototyping, market assessment and business plan development, among other things. This fund operates in collaboration with the Austen BioInnovation Institute in Akron (ABIA) and its GOODTEC initiative. 7KH5DSLG&RPPHUFLDOL]DWLRQ/RDQ)XQGVXSSRUWVWKHFRPPHUFLDOL]DWLRQRIKLJK potential biomedical early-stage technologies by providing low-interest loans to &ŝŐƵƌĞϮϭ͗ƵƐƚĞŶŝŽŝŶŶŽǀĂƟŽŶ FRPSDQLHVWKDWDUHFORVHWRFRPPHUFLDOL]DWLRQFUHDWHDWOHDVWMREVLQ$NURQ /ŶƐƟƚƵƚĞŝŶŬƌŽŶ;/Ϳ within three years, and commit to a long-term presence in Akron. The emphasis LVRQFRPSDQLHVWKDWDUHFORVHUWRFRPPHUFLDOL]DWLRQZKLFKDFFHOHUDWHVMRE >ŽĐĂƚĞĚĂůŽŶŐƚŚĞŽǁŶƚŽǁŶŬƌŽŶ FUHDWLRQDQG¿WVZLWKWKH6WDWH¶VQHZHFRQRPLFGHYHORSPHQWVWUDWHJ\ WƌŽŵĞŶĂĚĞŝƐ/͕ĂƌĞĐŽŐŶŝnjĞĚ The Akron BioMedical Corridor offers direct access to clinical trial programs. By ŝŶŶŽǀĂƟŽŶůĞĂĚĞƌĂŶĚŝƚƐ/ŶŶŽǀĂƟǀĞ reducing the time needed for developing protocol, obtaining IRB approval and ^ŽůƵƟŽŶƐĨŽƌ/ŶǀĞŶƟŽŶyĐĞůĞƌĂƟŽŶ conducting actual trials, you can reach new conclusions faster. ;/^/yͿŵĞƚŚŽĚ͕ŝŶĐŽůůĂďŽƌĂƟŽŶǁŝƚŚ dŚĞhŶŝǀĞƌƐŝƚLJŽĨŬƌŽŶZĞƐĞĂƌĐŚ Other support given includes: &ŽƵŶĚĂƟŽŶ͕ŚĂƐďĞĞŶŚĞƌĂůĚĞĚďLJ $VVLVWLQJLQPDUNHWUHVHDUFKDQDO\VLVDQGDVVHVVPHQW ƚŚĞh͘^͘ŽŵŵĞƌĐĞĞƉĂƌƚŵĞŶƚ͕ EĂƟŽŶĂů/ŶƐƟƚƵƚĞƐŽĨ,ĞĂůƚŚĂŶĚ 'HYHORSLQJVWUDWHJLFPDUNHWDQGEXVLQHVVSODQV EĂƟŽŶĂů^ĐŝĞŶĐĞ&ŽƵŶĚĂƟŽŶĂƐŽŶĞ ,GHQWLI\LQJSRWHQWLDOVWUDWHJLFSDUWQHUVDQGFXVWRPHUV ŽĨƚŚĞŶĂƟŽŶ͛ƐďĞƐƚĂƉƉƌŽĂĐŚĞƐƚŽ 8QGHUVWDQGLQJRILQFHQWLYHVDQGLQYHVWPHQWVRXUFHV ƚĞĐŚŶŽůŽŐLJĐŽŵŵĞƌĐŝĂůŝnjĂƟŽŶĂŶĚ ĞŶƚƌĞƉƌĞŶĞƵƌƐŚŝƉ͘ 3URYLGLQJDFFHVVWRIXQGLQJDQGFDSLWDOVRXUFHV /RFDWLQJORZFRVWDQGKLJKTXDOLW\IDFLOLWLHV 5HFUXLWLQJNH\SHUVRQQHO The anchor medical systems within the BioMedical Corridor employ more than 19,000 professionals while combined outpatient visits total more than 1.9 million each year. The BioMedical Corridor’s central geographic location along the Downtown Akron Promenade offers new businesses exciting opportunities for strategically located development sites as they work to advance innovative biomedical technologies, products and services, as well as conduct clinical tests and SUHOLPLQDU\WHVWPDUNHWLQJ6WUDWHJLFLQYHVWPHQWVLQPRGHUQL]LQJWKHLQIUDVWUXFWXUHRIWKH'RZQWRZQ$NURQ3URPHQDGHZLOO create synergy between biomedical activities and help further innovation throughout the corridor.
FY 201ϳ 24 ®ÝÙã®ÊÄÙù'ÙÄãÖÖ½®ã®ÊÄ The Downtown Akron PromenadeWŚĂƐĞ//: ŽŶŶĞĐƚŝŶŐ>ĂĚĚĞƌƐŽĨKƉƉŽƌƚƵŶŝƚLJ
Secondary Selection Criteria 2: Partnership The City of Akron has developed a vision for reviving the Main Street Corridor by collaborating with numerous stakeholders across both the public and private sectors to envision a series of integrated HQKDQFHPHQWVWKDWGLUHFWO\EHQH¿WQRWRQO\'RZQWRZQEXWDOVRWKHHQWLUH&LW\RI$NURQ6XPPLW&RXQW\ and the Northeast Ohio region through strategic investment in an existing network of transportation facilities that include the Interstate Highway System, the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail and the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad. Support Letters for the project can be found at: KWWS ZZZDNURQRKLRJRYFPVHQJLQHHULQJPDLQLQGH[KWPO $VHYLGHQFHGE\WKHQXPHURXVOHWWHUVLQVXSSRUWRIWKHSURMHFWWKH'RZQWRZQ$NURQ3URPHQDGHZLOOEHQH¿WDOORIWKH&LW\ RI$NURQ¶VSDUWQHUVERWKSXEOLFDQGSULYDWHLQVWUDWHJLFDOO\UHYLWDOL]LQJWKHVSLQHRI'RZQWRZQ¶VLQIUDVWUXFWXUH:KLOHWKH &LW\¶VSDUWQHUVDUHWRRQXPHURXVWRGHWDLOZLWKLQWKHFRQ¿QHVRIWKLVDSSOLFDWLRQQDUUDWLYHKLJKOLJKWVIURPVRPHRIWKHPRVW important supporters of jobs and commerce along South Main Street are discussed below: 'RZQWRZQ$NURQ3DUWQHUVKLS6SHFLDO,PSURYHPHQW'LVWULFW 6,' Since its inception in 1995, Downtown Akron Partnership (DAP) has been a catalyst for enhancing the Downtown environment by supporting existing community programs, while also developing new, innovative programs designed to create interest in and to attract people to Downtown Akron through strategic marketing and management. DAP administers the Services Plan for the Downtown Akron Special Improvement District, Inc (SID). The SID is a private, QRWIRUSUR¿WRUJDQL]DWLRQWKURXJKZKLFKSURSHUW\RZQHUVDVVHVV themselves to provide funding for district-wide marketing and &ŝŐƵƌĞϮϮ͗ŽǁŶƚŽǁŶŬƌŽŶWĂƌƚŶĞƌƐŚŝƉ promotion, business resources, physical environment enhancement ^ƉĞĐŝĂů/ŵƉƌŽǀĞŵĞŶƚŝƐƚƌŝĐƚ;^/Ϳ services, safety, residential and parking programs, as well as advocacy services. The SID has a service area (see Figure 22) dŚĞŽǁŶƚŽǁŶŬƌŽŶWƌŽŵĞŶĂĚĞŝƐƚŚĞďĂĐŬďŽŶĞ that covers the majority of the Downtown Akron Promenade project ŽĨdŚĞŽǁŶƚŽǁŶŬƌŽŶWĂƌƚŶĞƌƐŚŝƉ͛Ɛ^/ƚŚƌŽƵŐŚ limits from the north terminus of the corridor at Perkins Street south ǁŚŝĐŚƉƌŽƉĞƌƚLJŽǁŶĞƌƐĂƐƐĞƐƐƚŚĞŵƐĞůǀĞƐƚŽƉƌŽǀŝĚĞ to Selle Street. ĨƵŶĚŝŶŐĨŽƌĞdžƚĞŶĚĞĚƐĞƌǀŝĐĞƐĂŝŵĞĚĂƚƚŚĞĞĐŽŶŽŵŝĐ ĞŶŚĂŶĐĞŵĞŶƚŽĨƚŚĞĂƌĞĂ͘ %281&($NURQ V,QQRYDWLRQ+XE 3KDVH,,RIWKH'RZQWRZQ$NURQ3URPHQDGHZLOOHQKDQFHPXOWLPRGDODFFHVVWR%281&($NURQ¶V,QQRYDWLRQ+XE$VD IRXQGDWLRQDOSLOODURIWKLVVWUDWHJ\WKHFLW\¶VLQQRYDWLRQEDVHGHFRQRPLFGHYHORSPHQWVWUDWHJ\0D\RU+RUULJDQDQQRXQFHG WKHFUHDWLRQRI%281&(ZKLFKZLOOGHSOR\DQRSHQLQQRYDWLRQPRGHOZLWKSURJUDPPLQJWKDWEULQJVWRJHWKHU HQWUHSUHQHXUVLQYHVWRUVFRUSRUDWHH[HFXWLYHVDQGVWXGHQWV%281&(UHSUHVHQWVDIUHVKRSHQPRGHOWKDWHQDEOHV LQWHUDFWLRQDFURVVVHFWRUVDQGIXQFWLRQVDQGZLOOEHDFHQWUDOORFDWLRQIRUDOOLQQRYDWLRQDFWLYLWLHVLQWKHFLW\ZKHUHFUHDWLYH PLQGVDQGHVWDEOLVKHGFRPSDQLHVDOLNHFDQFROODERUDWHDQGHQJDJHZLWKHDFKRWKHUWKURXJKµFXUDWHGFROOLVLRQV¶,W LQFOXGHVDPDNHUVSDFHFRZRUNLQJVSDFHFDIpEXVLQHVVGHYHORSPHQWWRROVFODVVURRPVDQGPHQWRUVKLSVHUYLFHV %281&(ZLOOKRXVHWKH%LW)DFWRU\DQGWKH&LW\¶VEXVLQHVVDFFHOHUDWRUDQGLQFXEDWRUVHUYLFHV The Akron BioMedical Corridor The aforementioned Akron BioMedical Corridor™ brings together three nationally known hospitals (Akron General Medical Center, Akron Children’s Hospital and Summa Health System), $usten BioInnovation Institute in Akron (ABIA), the Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED) and a world-leading biomaterial center at the University of Akron. $GYDQFLQJ2QJRLQJ3ODQQLQJ(IIRUWV 3KDVH,,RIWKH'RZQWRZQ$NURQ3URPHQDGHZLOOFRPSOHPHQW'$3¶VRQJRLQJZRUNRQWKH'RZQWRZQ$NURQ9LVLRQDQG 5HGHYHORSPHQW3ODQZLOOZRUNZLWKWKH$NURQFRPPXQLW\WRFUHDWHDFRPPRQYLVLRQIRU'RZQWRZQ7KURXJKDQH[WHQVLYH SXEOLFSURFHVVLQYROYLQJVWDNHKROGHUVFRPPXQLW\OHDGHUVDQG$NURQUHVLGHQWVWKHSODQKDVLGHQWLILHGWKHQHHGIRU OLQNLQJSHRSOHDFURVVDOOPRGHVRIWUDQVSRUWDWLRQLQDQGEHWZHHQ'RZQWRZQ¶VGLVWULFWVDORQJWKH0DLQ6WUHHW,QDGGLWLRQ 3KDVH,,RIWKH'RZQWRZQ$NURQ3URPHQDGHZLOODGYDQFHWKH2KLRDQG(ULH&DQDOZD\&RDOLWLRQ¶VHIIRUWVWRHQKDQFH FRQQHFWLYLW\WKURXJKWKH&LYLF*DWHZD\DORQJ0DLQ6WUHHWUHFUHDWLRQDODQGVRFLDODPHQLWLHVLQFOXGLQJWKH$NURQ&LYLF 7KHDWUH/RFN3DUN&DVFDGH3OD]DDQGWKH$NURQ6XPPLW&RXQW\3XEOLF/LEUDU\ FY 201ϳ 25 ®ÝÙã®ÊÄÙù'ÙÄãÖÖ½®ã®ÊÄ The Downtown Akron Promenade Phase II: A Sustainable Gateway to Economic Prosperity
5HVXOWVRI%HQHILW&RVW$QDO\VLV $FFRUGLQJWRWKH%HQHILW&RVW$QDO\VLVWKH'RZQWRZQ$NURQ3URPHQDGHSURYLGHVDQHWEHQHILWRI IRUD %HQHILW&RVW5DWLR7KHEHQHILWVDUHVXPPDUL]HGEHORZLQ7DEOH7KHEHQHILWVDUHGHWDLOHGLQWKH%HQHILW&RVW $QDO\VLV1DUUDWLYHDQG$SSHQGL[$%HQHILW&RVW$QDO\VLV&DOFXODWLRQVZKLFKFDQEHIRXQGDW KWWS ZZZDNURQRKLRJRYFPVHQJLQHHULQJPDLQLQGH[KWPO
Long-Term Outcome IdenƟĮed BeneĮt $ Amount State of Good Repair Maintenance Savings $Ϯ͕ϵϳϬ͕ϰϭϰ Environmental Sustainability CSO ReducƟon $1ϭ͕ϯϳϬ͕ϭϰϲ CSO Treatment Avoidance $2,092,Ϯϵϳ LighƟng Energy Savings $2Ϭ͕Ϯϴϱ Safety Crash ReducƟon $1ϭϮ͕ϲϱϰ Total Project BeneĮts $16,6ϱϲ,ϳϵϲ
dĂďůĞϱ͗^ƵŵŵĂƌLJŽĨĞŶĞĮƚƐ
,QDGGLWLRQWRWKHEHQH¿WVVXPPDUL]HGDERYHDQGGHWDLOHGLQWKH%HQH¿W&RVW$QDO\VLVWKHIROORZLQJEHQH¿WVFDQEH FRQVLGHUHGWREHFRQWULEXWLQJIDFWRUVWRLQFUHDVHGSURSHUW\YDOXHVEXWQRH[SOLFLWPRQHWDU\YDOXHLVFDOFXODWHG • %XVLQHVV&UHDWLRQ$QDWWUDFWLYHFRPSOHWHVWUHHWZLWKLPSURYHGODQGVFDSLQJDQGLQFUHDVHGSHGHVWULDQWUDႈFZLOO DWWUDFWDQGVXVWDLQQHZEXVLQHVVHV FUHDWLQJMREVDQGERRVWLQJWKHORFDOHFRQRP\ • (PSOR\HH$WWUDFWLRQDQG5HWHQWLRQ7KHSURMHFWZLOOPDNH'RZQWRZQ$NURQDQDWWUDFWLYHGHVWLQDWLRQIRU\RXQJ SURIHVVLRQDOVDOORZLQJEXVLQHVVHVWRH[SDQGE\KLULQJDQGUHWDLQLQJKLJKO\TXDOL¿HGHPSOR\HHV • &RPPXQLW\&RKHVLRQ$QHZDQGLPSURYHGSXEOLFVSDFHGHVLJQHGIRUJUHDWHUSHGHVWULDQPRELOLW\DQGVDIHW\ZLOO EHDSRLQWRISULGHIRUGHFDGHVWRFRPH • /LYDELOLW\,PSURYHGELF\FOHDQGSHGHVWULDQIDFLOLWLHVDORQJWKH3URPHQDGHSURPRWHDQGHQFRXUDJHKHDOWKLHU OLIHVW\OHVZKLFKSURYLGHVDSRVLWLYHEHQH¿WIRUWKLVSURMHFW • 3URSHUW\9DOXHV7KHLPSOHPHQWDWLRQRI³&RPSOHWH6WUHHWV´SURMHFWVKDYHVKRZQDSRVLWLYHEHQH¿WRQSURSHUW\ YDOXHVWKURXJKPDQ\SXEOLVKHGVWXGLHV
FY 2017 ®ÝÙã®ÊÄÙù'ÙÄãÖÖ½®ã®ÊÄ 2 The Downtown Akron PromenadeWŚĂƐĞ//: ŽŶŶĞĐƚŝŶŐ>ĂĚĚĞƌƐŽĨ KƉƉŽƌƚƵŶŝƚLJ ^ã®ÊÄϳ͗WÙʹãZ®ÄÝÝ 7.1 Technical Feasibility The Downtown Akron Promenade 3KDVH,,will involve the full-depth reconstruction of South Main Street between 0LOO Street and Perkins Street (SR 59). The current roadway centerline will be maintained, but the existing pavement will be reallocated by eliminating one travel lane in each direction, adding DF\FOHWUDFNWRWKHZHVW side of the road, and installing RQVWUHHWSDUDOOHOSDUNLQJDORQJERWKVLGHVRIWKHVWUHHW7KHUHDUHWUDIILFVLJQDOVDORQJWKHFRUULGRUDQG WKHVHVLJQDOVZLOOEHUHSODFHGDQGPRGHUQL]HG. Sidewalks, crosswalks and landscaping will be updated to provide stormwater treatment and compliance with ADA requirements. 0LGEORFNFURVVLQJVZLOOEHSURYLGHGZLWK5HFWDQJXODU 5DSLG)ODVKLQJ%HDFRQV 55)% LQVWDOOHGIRUGULYHUDZDUHQHVVDQGSHGHVWULDQSURWHFWLRQExisting steam lines, water lines, sanitary sewers, and storm sewers will be replaced as part of the project. The project will take place HQWLUHO\ ZLWKLQWKHH[LVWLQJULJKWRIZD\which will prevent budget escalation and schedule delays. No environmental issues are anticipated.
&ŝŐƵƌĞϮϯ͗ůƚĞƌŶĂƟǀĞĞůŝǀĞƌLJƌŝƚĞƌŝĂWůĂŶƐ dŚĞŝƚLJŽĨŬƌŽŶŚĂƐƉƌĞƉĂƌĞĚůƚĞƌŶĂƟǀĞĞůŝǀĞƌLJƌŝƚĞƌŝĂWůĂŶƐĐŽŶƚĂŝŶŝŶŐƉƌŽƉŽƐĞĚƚLJƉŝĐĂůƐĞĐƟŽŶƐ͕ƉůĂŶĂŶĚƉƌŽĮůĞƐ͕ĂŶĚĐƌŽƐƐ ƐĞĐƟŽŶƐƚŚĂƚǁŝůůƐĞƌǀĞĂƐƚŚĞĨŽƵŶĚĂƟŽŶŽĨƚŚĞƉƌŽũĞĐƚ͛ƐĞƐŝŐŶͲƵŝůĚďŝĚĚŽĐƵŵĞŶƚƐ͘
7.2 Financial Feasibility The City of Akron has prepared the project funding sources (see Section 4 - Table 1-2) and an Estimate of Probable &RVWLQ VHH6HFWLRQ7DEOH 7KHEXGJHWUHÀHFWVHVWLPDWHGH[SHQVHVSOXVFRQWLQJHQF\DQGDGPLQLVWUDWLYHFRVWV and is backed by the City of Akron’s proven ability to manage a project on-time and under budget. All matching funds are comprised of local commitments. 7KH&LW\RI$NURQDQGLWVFRQVXOWDQWVKDYHSUHSDUHGDQ(VWLPDWHRI3UREDEOH&RVWIRUWKHSURMHFWWRUHÀHFWWKHOHYHO of engineering completion. The estimates are based on ODOT Bid Tabs of recent unit costs received during their bidding process. Probable costs using 201 dollars were estimated for the proposed corridor enhancements using the methodology in the ODOT Procedures for Estimating. Based on the ODOT Estimating Procedure the “major cost drivers” LQFOXGLQJSDYHPHQWURDGZD\VWRUPZDWHUPDQDJHPHQWVWUHHWVFDSHDQGWUDI¿FFRQWUROZHUHHVWLPDWHGEDVHGRQWKH projected work limits. For work items with unit costs not provided in the ODOT Procedures for Estimating, unit costs were established using ODOT’s Summary of Contracts Awarded. The total project costs were developed for a design-build alternative delivery method and are based on the estimated construction cost plus the estimated preliminary development costs (7% of construction costs), construction inspection costs (7% of construction costs) and contingency costs (5%). The contingency percentage was obtained from the ODOT 3'3'HVLJQ&RQWLQJHQF\*UDSKIRUSUHOLPLQDU\HQJLQHHULQJOHYHORIGHWDLO3URMHFWFRQVWUXFWLRQFRVWVZHUH LQIODWHGWRYDOXHVXVLQJ2'27¶V&<%XVLQHVV3ODQ,QIODWLRQ&DOFXODWRUEDVHGRQDQDQWLFLSDWHGFRQVWUXFWLRQ PLGSRLQWRIOctober 20. The City of Akron has committed funding to this project as outlined above. Evidence of the commitment of funds by the City of Akron can be found at http://www.akronohio.gov/cms/engineering/PDLQ/index.html under the heading Support Letters.
FY 201ϳ 27 ®ÝÙã®ÊÄÙù'ÙÄãÖÖ½®ã®ÊÄ The Downtown Akron PromenadeWŚĂƐĞ//: ŽŶŶĞĐƚŝŶŐ>ĂĚĚĞƌƐŽĨKƉƉŽƌƚƵŶŝƚLJ
7.3 Project Schedule & Delivery The design and construction of the Downtown Akron Promenade will be advanced using the Design-Build delivery method, which is faster than the traditional design-bid-build process and combines the design and construction of the project into a VLQJOHFRQWUDFW7KHGHVLJQLQJ¿UPDQGFRQVWUXFWLRQFRQWUDFWRUZLOOEHDXQL¿HGWHDPZRUNLQJFRQFXUUHQWO\RQWKHGHVLJQ and construction phases of a project, expediting delivery.
&ŝŐƵƌĞϮϰ͗ůƚĞƌŶĂƟǀĞĞůŝǀĞƌLJdŝŵĞ^ĂǀŝŶŐƐ dŚĞŝƚLJŽĨŬƌŽŶǁŝůůƐŚĞƉŚĞƌĚƚŚĞŽǁŶƚŽǁŶŬƌŽŶWƌŽŵĞŶĂĚĞƉƌŽũĞĐƚƚŚƌŽƵŐŚKKd͛ƐWWƚŽĞŶƐƵƌĞƐĂůĞŽĨƚŚĞƉƌŽũĞĐƚďLJ :ƵŶĞϮϬϭϴƵŶĚĞƌĂŶĂůƚĞƌŶĂƚŝǀĞĚĞůŝǀĞƌLJŵĞƚŚŽĚ͘ 7KHWLPHVDYLQJVLQGHVLJQEXLOGSURMHFWVLVUHDOL]HGE\HOLPLQDWLQJWKHOHDGWLPHQHFHVVDU\WRFRQWUDFWDGHVLJQHUDQG then accept bids from contractors to build the design. Projects move from design to construction much faster through the use of the single design build contract. Additionally, because the designer and contractor are working in tandem, the contractor’s changes can be incorporated into the design phase, eliminating the need for costly and time consuming changes during construction. This will also allow the Akron Engineering Bureau to estimate project cost early in the project development process, allowing for more effective budget planning. The design-build delivery method will also provide the City of Akron with cost savings that would not be achieved under a traditional design-bid-build delivery. Historical data shows that roughly 80% of project costs are driven by subcontractors and suppliers. In traditional project delivery, these parties do not get involved until plans are complete. By then it is too late, or very costly, to incorporate and cost savings ideas they could offer. As a part of a design-build process, input from subcontractors and suppliers is provided at the start and can be incorporated into the design at no additional cost to the project. A schedule of key project milestones is show in Table 5. The project will be let to bid in 6HSWHPEHU.
AcƟvity AnƟcipated Start/CompleƟon Environmental Studies/Approvals JĂŶƵĂƌLJ201ϴ/ƵŐƵƐƚ201ϴ TIGER Grant Award &ĞďƌƵĂƌLJ 201ϴ Right-of-Way AcquisiƟon NOT REQUIRED AdverƟse and Bidding ^ĞƉƚĞŵďĞƌ201ϴ Project Award &ĞďƌƵĂƌLJϮϬϭϵ Design-Build Delivery DĂƌĐŚϮϬϭϵ/October 20ϮϬ Project Opening November ϮϬϮϬ dĂďůĞϱ͗WƌŽũĞĐƚ^ĐŚĞĚƵůĞ
FY 2016 28 ®ÝÙã®ÊÄÙù'ÙÄãÖÖ½®ã®ÊÄ The Downtown Akron PromenadeWŚĂƐĞ//: ŽŶŶĞĐƚŝŶŐ>ĂĚĚĞƌƐŽĨKƉƉŽƌƚƵŶŝƚLJ
7.4 Planning Approvals The Downtown Akron Promenade is within the Akron Metropolitan 7UDQVSRUWDWLRQ6WXG\ $0$76 WKHORFDO0HWURSROLWDQ3ODQQLQJ2UJDQL]DWLRQ (MPO) for Summit and Portage counties. AMTAS fully supports the Downtown Akron Promenade as it advances concepts recommended in their 2011 Downtown Connectivity Study. The Ohio Department of Transportation also supports the project and has provided a letter of support. Both the Akron Metropolitan Area Transportation Study (AMATS) Transportation Improvement Plan approval and the Statewide Transportation Improvement Plan (STIP) approval would occur upon an award of TIGER funds. The Downtown Akron Promenade can reasonably anticipate approval at federal, state, and local levels, including completion of a NEPA environmental document by November 2016. Complete documentation of NEPA will be included in the Design Report submitted at the completion of preliminary design for Design Approval. The effort to complete the environmental documentation is expected to include coordination with affected agencies, 5LJKWRI:D\,QFLGHQWDOVWRFRQ¿UPQRULJKWRIZD\LPSDFWVDQGFRRUGLQDWLRQ ZLWKWKH6WDWH+LVWRULF3UHVHUYDWLRQ2I¿FHU 6+32 WRDGGUHVVDQ\SRWHQWLDO Section 106 impacts. It is currently anticipated that Preliminary Design Approval can be granted by September 2016 before the project is advertised for Design-Build delivery.
&ŝŐƵƌĞϭϵ͗Dd^^ƚƵĚLJ 7.5 NEPA Approvals ODOT programs develop nearly 1,000 projects each year. Nearly 95% dŚĞŽǁŶƚŽǁŶŬƌŽŶWƌŽŵĞŶĂĚĞ of NEPA documentation associated with the program is completed as a ŝŵƉůĞŵĞŶƚƐƌĞĐŽŵŵĞŶĚĂƟŽŶƐŵĂĚĞŝŶƚŚĞ Categorical Exclusion -- actions that do not individually or cumulatively Dd^ͲƐƉŽŶƐŽƌĞĚϮϬϭϭŽǁŶƚŽǁŶŬƌŽŶ KDYHDVLJQL¿FDQWHQYLURQPHQWDOLPSDFW2'27KDVEHHQDEOHWRDFKLHYH ŽŶŶĞĐƟǀŝƚLJ^ƚƵĚLJ͕ǁŚŝĐŚǁŝůůĞŶƐƵƌĞƚŚĂƚƚŚĞ this because of its partnership with the FHWA. On February 23, 2015, ƉƌŽũĞĐƚŝƐĂĚĚĞĚƚŽƚŚĞDWK͛ƐdƌĂŶƐƉŽƌƚĂƟŽŶ ODOT and FHWA executed a new Programmatic Categorical Exclusion /ŵƉƌŽǀĞŵĞŶƚWůĂŶƵƉŽŶƐĞĐƵƌŝŶŐĨƵŶĚŝŶŐ͘ &( 3URJUDPPDWLF$JUHHPHQWWKDWFUHDWHG¿YHGLIIHUHQWOHYHOVRI&(V (C1, C2, D1, D2, D3) based upon context and intensity of the environmental impacts. The Programmatic Agreement was developed using 23 CFR 771 as a guide and enables low impact projects to be documented and cleared by ODOT 'LVWULFW(QYLURQPHQWDO6WDII &&' PHGLXPOHYHOLPSDFWVE\2I¿FHRI(QYLURQPHQWDO6HUYLFHVVWDII ' DQGKLJKHU impacts projects by FHWA (D3). $VSDUWRIWKHLU3URJUDPPDWLF$JUHHPHQW2'27DQG)+:$KDYHDJUHHGWR¿YHOHYHOVRIGRFXPHQWDWLRQIRU&(SURMHFWV based on a projects degree of environmental impact: C1, C2, D1, D2, and D3 The Downtown Akron Promenade will EHFODVVL¿HGDV&OHYHOHQYLURQPHQWDOGRFXPHQWE\2'27¶V2I¿FHRI(QYLURQPHQWDO6HUYLFHVDVLWLQYROYHVD³5RDG Diet” that reduces the number of vehicular travel lanes in order to construct new bicycle lanes, pedestrian facilities and bus transfer facilities. As a C2, the environmental documentation will require the signature authority of the District Environmental Coordinator (DEC) and District Planning & Engineering Administrator (P&EA). It is anticipated that the C2 environmental document will be approved without any schedule delays given that the proposed improvements will not FKDQJHWUDI¿FSDWWHUQV UHTXLUHSURSHUW\DFTXLVLWLRQLQYROYHZRUNLQZHWODQGVRUZDWHUZD\VUHTXLUHD I HYDOXDWLRQRU LQYROYHDQ\NQRZQKD]DUGRXVPDWHULDOVVLWHV7KHSURMHFWZLOOUHTXLUHD¿QGLQJRIQRLPSDFWIURPWKH6+32DVWKHSURMHFW LVDGMDFHQWWRSURSHUWLHVZLWK 1DWLRQDO+LVWRULFVWDWXVEXWWKLV¿QGLQJLVH[SHFWHGWREHJUDQWHGDVWKHSURMHFWZLOOLQFOXGH elements to complement historic resources.
FY 201ϳ 29 ®ÝÙã®ÊÄÙù'ÙÄãÖÖ½®ã®ÊÄ The Downtown Akron PromenadeWŚĂƐĞ//: ŽŶŶĞĐƚŝŶŐ>ĂĚĚĞƌƐŽĨKƉƉŽƌƚƵŶŝƚLJ
7.6 ODOT’s Project Development Process (PDP) ODOT has developed and implemented a Project Development Process (PDP) that includes regular communication DPRQJWHFKQLFDOGLVFLSOLQHVUHVXOWV LQTXDOLW\SODQVDQGPLQLPL]HVFRVWRYHUUXQVGXULQJULJKWRIZD\DFTXLVLWLRQDQG SURMHFWFRQVWUXFWLRQ7KH3'3FRQVLVWVRI¿YHSKDVHVWKDWSURMHFWVPXVWDGYDQFHWKURXJKSULRUWRFRQVWUXFWLRQ7KHVH phases are Planning, Preliminary Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Final Engineering, and Construction. The PDP is a project management and transportation decision-making process that outlines project development from concept through completion. Each PDP activity is timed to facilitate informed decision making based on an appropriate level of project development and risk management. The PDP encourages communication among disciplines, requires documentation of the reasoning behind project decisions, eliminates duplicated effort among disciplines, and provides for HDUO\LGHQWL¿FDWLRQRISRWHQWLDOLVVXHV,QYROYHPHQWRIDOOGLVFLSOLQHVGXULQJWKHHDUO\VWDJHVRISURMHFWGHYHORSPHQWHQVXUHV that issues affecting project type, scope, development schedule, and costs can be correctly evaluated and anticipated. 'HSHQGLQJRQWKHLUVL]HFRPSOH[LW\DQGRUSRWHQWLDOLPSDFWWRWKHHQYLURQPHQW2'27WUDQVSRUWDWLRQSURMHFWVDUH FDWHJRUL]HGDVRQHRI¿YHSDWKV 3DWK± 7KH'RZQWRZQ$NURQ3URPHQDGHLVDQWLFLSDWHGWREHFODVVL¿HGDVD3DWK project under ODOT’s PDP. ODOT PDP Path 3 projects involve a higher level of complexity than projects in Path 1 or 2 and involve projects such as: moderate roadway work, intersection upgrades, minor realignments, reconstructions, etc.
&ŝŐƵƌĞϮϲ͗KKdWWWĂƚŚϯ dŚĞŽǁŶƚŽǁŶŬƌŽŶ WƌŽŵĞŶĂĚĞŝƐĂŶƟĐŝƉĂƚĞĚƚŽ ĂĚǀĂŶĐĞƚŚƌŽƵŐŚKKd͛ƐWW ĂƐĂWĂƚŚϯƉƌŽũĞĐƚǁŚŝĐŚŵĞĂŶƐ ŝƚǁŝůůŶŽƚďĞƐƵďũĞĐƚƚŽƚŚĞ ŵŽƌĞƌŝŐŽƌŽƵƐĞŶǀŝƌŽŶŵĞŶƚĂů ĂŶĚĂůƚĞƌŶĂƟǀĞƐĂŶĂůLJƐŝƐ ƌĞƋƵŝƌĞŵĞŶƚƐĂƐƐŽĐŝĂƚĞĚǁŝƚŚ ŵŽƌĞĐŽŵƉůĞdžWĂƚŚϰŽƌWĂƚŚϱ ƉƌŽũĞĐƚƐ͘
Design-build projects must follow the same design standards, manuals, and guidelines used by FHWA and ODOT. The design-build process does not skip any of the state or federally-required steps, including important environmental, oversight, and public involvement processes. As a Path 3 design-build project candidate, the Downtown Akron Promenade was chosen for Alternative Project Delivery during the Planning Phase of the PDP after the project scoping document (see Project Initiation Package) and feasibility study (see Alternative Delivery Criteria Plans) were completed. Upon anticipated completion of necessary environmental studies and coordination in $XJXVW 201, the project will then be able move into the Environmental Engineering, Final Engineering, and Construction Phases quickly via the alternative delivery process so that environmental clearance and the appropriate level of engineering may be completed prior to construction, with an anticipated sale date of )HEUXDU\ . The Project Initiation Package and Alternative Delivery Criteria Plans can be found at: KWWS ZZZDNURQRKLRJRYFPVHQJLQHHULQJPDLQLQGH[KWPO
7.7 Legislative Approvals The expenditure of TIGER funds will require approval by the Akron City Council. Upon award of TIGER funds, two UHDGLQJVDUHUHTXLUHGWRSDVVOHJLVODWLRQRIWKLVW\SH$VWKH&LW\&RXQFLOPHHWVHYHU\ZHHNXSRQQRWLILFDWLRQRIDZDUGWKH City can obtain legislation within three weeks.
FY 201ϳ 30 ®ÝÙã®ÊÄÙù'ÙÄãÖÖ½®ã®ÊÄ The Downtown Akron PromenadeWŚĂƐĞ//: ŽŶŶĞĐƚŝŶŐ>ĂĚĚĞƌƐŽĨKƉƉŽƌƚƵŶŝƚLJ ^ã®ÊÄϴ͗&Ù½t¦ZãÙ㮥®ã®ÊÄ
$VWKHVLJQDWRU\WRWKLVDSSOLFDWLRQWKH&LW\RI$NURQFHUWL¿HVLWZLOODVOHDGDSSOLFDQWIRUWKLV7,*(5JUDQWDSSOLFDWLRQ comply with all wage rate requirements and other applicable provisions of the United States Code, Subchapter IV of Chapter 31 of Title 40.
FY 201ϳ 31 ®ÝÙã®ÊÄÙù'ÙÄãÖÖ½®ã®ÊÄ