Press Releases

For Immediate Release

MTC Awards $220,000 for Community-Oriented Transportation Plans

Funding process for $9 million in capital grants also announced

CONTACT:

Joe Curley
510.817.5847

Steve Heminger
510.817.5810

OAKLAND, Calif., January 13, 1999. . . The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) has approved $220,000 in special grants to support planning efforts for seven community-oriented transportation projects in the Bay Area. The planning grants are being awarded as part of MTC's new Transportation for Livable Communities (TLC) program, which aims to support development plans and projects that strengthen the link between transportation, community goals and land use, including pedestrian- and transit-friendly developments and streetscape improvements. The plans receiving funding will be developed in partnership by transportation providers and local communities, and will involve public outreach and participation as part of the planning process. In each case, the MTC funds will supplement project sponsor funding for the individual planning efforts. [A list of the seven projects awarded planning grants is contained in Attachment A.]

The $220,000 in funding announced today brings MTC's outlay of planning grant money to $365,000 for the TLC program in the 1998-99 fiscal year (July 1, 1998 to June 30, 1999).

Also, in a significant expansion of the Transportation for Livable Communities program, MTC has begun soliciting applications for the first round of capital grants, which will fund actual construction and/or implementation of TLC-approved projects in the Bay Area. TLC capital grants will range in amount from $150,000 to $2 million per project, with approximately $9 million available overall in this year's call for projects. The federal Surface Transportation Program and Transportation Activities Enhancement Program are the sources of funds for the TLC capital program. Applications for TLC capital grants have been sent to over 1,400 local jurisdictions and community organizations in the region. The deadline for receipt of capital grant applications is February 23, 1999, at noon.

"The phasing in of the capital grant process marks an important stage in the growth of the Transportation for Livable Communities program,"said MTC Executive Director Lawrence D. Dahms. "Now we can not only encourage good project ideas with planning grants, we can also help them to bear fruit with the award of needed capital funds." MTC has designated more than $50 million to fund the Transportation for Livable Communities program over the next six years.

MTC will hold a round of informational workshops for potential TLC project sponsors (capital grant or planning grant candidates) in three Bay Area locations in the coming weeks. The locations and dates are:

East Bay Tuesday, Jan. 19, 1999, from 10 a.m. until noon
MTC Auditorium
101 Eighth Street
Oakland, CA

North Bay Tuesday, Jan. 26, 1999, from 1:30 p.m.
until 3:30 p.m.
Permit Management & Resource Dept.
(Hearing Room 2550)
County of Sonoma
2550 Ventura Avenue
Santa Rosa, CA

South Bay Thursday, Jan. 28, 1999, from 10 a.m. until noon
Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority
Building B, Room B-104
3331 River Oaks
San Jose, CA

Questions about the TLC workshops should be directed to Mark Miletich of MTC's staff at 510/464-7814, or via e-mail at <mmiletich@mtc.ca.gov>.

MTC also has issued a brochure explaining the Transportation for Livable Communities program and the project application process. Copies of the brochure are available through the MTC-ABAG Library by telephone (510/817-5836) or e-mail (<library@mtc.ca.gov>). Information about the program may also be obtained from MTC's Web site, at <www.mtc.ca.gov/planning/smart_growth/>.

MTC is the transportation planning, coordinating and financing agency for the nine-county San Francisco Bay Area.

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Attachment A

MTC Transportation for Livable Communities Program
Planning Grants Approved Jan. 13, 1999


Project: Urban Design Study for International Boulevard
(Oakland)
Sponsor: Spanish Speaking Unity Council, City of Oakland
Scope: To explore alternative streetscape design features to
improve pedestrian safety along International Boulevard,
High Street and Fruitvale Ave.
Budget: $65,000 (MTC contribution = $35,000; local match =
$30,000)
Contact: Arabella Martinez, Spanish Speaking Unity Council,
510/535-6913

Project: Broadway Corridor Conceptual Design Study
(San Francisco)
Sponsors: Chinatown Community Development Center, San
Francisco Department of Public Works
Scope: To create a conceptual urban design plan that would better
connect Broadway to the waterfront and to regional
transportation systems.
Budget: $45,000 (MTC contribution = $35,000; local match =
$10,000)
Contact: Gordon Chin, Chinatown Community Development
Center, 415/984-1450; Theresa Burke, San Francisco
Dept. of Public Works, 415/558-4506

Project: Ashby BART Ed Roberts Campus Design
Concept (Berkeley)
Sponsors: Ed Roberts Campus Coalition, City of Berkeley, BART
Scope: To design a transit-oriented "campus" to serve as
headquarters for a consortium of organizations for
disabled persons in the Bay Area.
Budget: $100,000 (MTC contribution = $50,000; local match =
$50,000)
Contact: Joan Breves, Ed Roberts Campus Coalition,
510/849-2911; Joan Leon, Ed Roberts Campus Coalition,
510/652-6583

Project: Interstate 80 Reliever Route, Phase 2
(Solano County)
Sponsor: Solano Transportation Authority
Scope: To develop a complementary land use/transportation plan
(addressing needs of motorists, transit users, bicyclists
and pedestrians) for a new roadway facility in the I-80
corridor between Vacaville and Suisun City.
Budget: $45,000 (MTC contribution = $30,000; local match =
$15,000)
Contact: Michelle Brubaker, Solano Transportation Authority,
707/422-6491

Project: Downtown Napa Transit Center and Parking
Structure Feasibility Study
Sponsors: Napa County Transportation Planning Agency, Napa
County, City of Napa, Napa Downtown Merchants and
Professional Association
Scope: To study the possibility of a mixed-use transit terminal and
parking structure to stimulate economic revitalization of
downtown Napa and enhance pedestrian access.
Budget: $60,000 (MTC contribution = $30,000; local match =
$30,000)
Contact: Mike Zdon, Napa Co. Transportation Planning Agency,
707/259-8631

Project: 24th Street BART Station Area Design Plan
(San Francisco)
Sponsors: Mission Economic Development Association, City of San
Francisco, San Francisco Transportation Authority,
BART
Scope: To redesign public plaza at station location, encourage
desirable land uses adjacent to the station, and attract and
retain economic and cultural activity in the Mission Street
corridor.
Budget: $50,000 (MTC contribution = $35,000; local match =
$15,000)
Contact: Jose Luis Moscovich, San Francisco Co. Transportation
Authority, 415/522-4803

Project: St. Vincent/Silveira Land Use and
Transportation General Plan (Marin County)
Sponsors: Marin County Community Development Agency, City of
San Rafael
Scope: To develop and include specific recommendations
concerning pedestrian and bicycle uses in the general plan
amendment for a 1200-acre parcel bordering Highway 101
north of San Rafael.
Budget: $55,000 (MTC contribution = $5,000; local match =
$50,000)
Contact: Carol C. Williams, Marin County Community
Development Agency, 415/499-6269

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