Press Releases

For Immediate Release

MTC Awards $500,000 in New Grants to Promote Livable Communities

Ten Bay Area Projects Selected

CONTACT:

Steve Kinsey
415.499.7331

Jim Spering
707.421.7300

Ashley Nguyen
510.817.5809

OAKLAND, Calif., Jan. 8, 2003... The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) today approved 10 new planning grants totaling $500,000 through its Transportation for Livable Communities (TLC) program to support community-oriented transportation projects in Brentwood, Colma/Daly City, Cordelia, Fremont, Healdsburg, Larkspur, Millbrae, Santa Rosa, Walnut Creek, and an unincorporated area of western Contra Costa County. MTC established the TLC program in 1998 to provide incentives for pedestrian- and transit-oriented developments, streetscape improvements and other projects that strengthen the link between transportation, land use and community goals.

The 10 projects approved for funding Wednesday were selected from among a pool of 26 applications totaling over $1.5 million in requests. Each project will be developed by community groups and local jurisdictions, and will involve public outreach and participation as part of the planning process. In all cases, the MTC funds will supplement funding provided by the project sponsor. (A list of the 10 projects awarded planning grants is attached.)

"There’s a tremendous amount of creativity at the local level all across the Bay Area," noted MTC Vice-Chair and Marin County Supervisor Steve Kinsey. "That’s reflected in the strong demand for TLC funding and the wide variety of projects that will be able to move forward with the help of these grants."

"Look at the list of new planning grants and you’ll see that money is going to several projects designed to improve pedestrian and bicycle access to transit facilities," observed MTC Commissioner and Suisun City Mayor Jim Spering, who spearheaded establishment of the TLC program during his tenure as MTC Chair from 1997 to 1999. "But look closer and you’ll see that each one is unique. TLC encourages local solutions to local problems instead of imposing a top-down, one-size-fits-all approach."

The TLC program, which is intended to help Bay Area municipalities plan and construct community-oriented transportation projects, includes three separate components: planning grants, capital grants for project implementation, and Housing Incentive Program grants for cities and/or counties that propose housing developments adjacent to transit service.

Informational materials explaining the Transportation for Livable Communities program and the Housing Incentive Program – and their respective project application procedures – are available through the MTC-ABAG Library by e-mail (library@mtc.ca.gov), fax (510/817-5932) or telephone (510/817-5836). Information about the program also may be obtained from MTC’s Web site at <www.mtc.ca.gov>.

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

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Note to editors: A complete of list of projects approved for funding in the current TLC planning grant cycle is attached, along with contact information for project sponsors and MTC commissioners.

Transportation for Livable Communities (TLC)
FY 2002-03 Planning Grants

PROGRAM OF PROJECTS
APPROVED JANUARY 8, 2003

Sponsor: City of Fremont
Project: Bay Street Planning and Implementation Project
Scope: To prepare a detailed streetscape concept design for Bay Street, which connects to future Irvington BART station and AC Transit routes; draft zoning regulations and design guidelines for mixed-use development and shared parking; and draft a proposal to form a Business Improvement District (BID) for Bay Street businesses.
Amount: TLC Grant: $68,000; Local Match: $92,000; Total Project Cost: $160,000
Contact: Jake Lavin, Redevelopment Project Manager, Redevelopment Agency, 510.494.4428
MTC Commissioner to contact: Scott Haggerty, 510.272.6691
Sponsor: City of Brentwood
Project: Brentwood Downtown Specific Plan
Scope: To prepare a Downtown Specific Plan (DSP) for the revitalization of the historic town center. The DSP planning process will seek consensus on a district revitalization strategy; site development concepts for key opportunity areas; design concepts for capital improvements; and planning concepts to condition land use and development, new construction, circulation and parking strategies. DSP will plan for the possibility of an eBART station in downtown or other Brentwood sites under consideration.
Amount: TLC Grant: $65,000; Local Match: $75,000; Total Project Cost: $140,000
Contact: Mitch Oshinsky, Community Development Director, City of Brentwood, 925.516.5139
MTC Commissioner to contact: Mark DeSaulnier, 925.646.5763
Sponsor: Contra Costa County
Project: Montalvin Manor Pedestrian and Transit Access Project
Scope: To conduct a planning process designed to improve pedestrian access to bus transit on San Pablo Avenue, pedestrian access to the proposed Bay Trail, internal pedestrian circulation, and visual enhancements in the lower-income Montalvin Manor neighborhood.
Amount: TLC Grant: $50,000; Local Match: $25,000; Total Project Cost: $75,000
Contact: Jim Kennedy, Deputy Director-Redevelopment, Contra Costa County, 925.335.1255
MTC Commissioner to contact: Sharon Brown, 510.869.5098
Sponsor: BART (lead agency), Contra Costa County, and City of Walnut Creek
Project: Pleasant Hill BART Shortcut Path and Wayfinding System Project
Scope: To plan a multi-use path and signage system just east of the Pleasant Hill BART Station to improve access to/from an area with approximately 4,500 homes.
Amount: TLC Grant: $20,000; Local Match: $30,000; Total Project Cost: $50,000
Contact: Kevin Connolly, BART Planning Division, 510.464.6151
MTC Commissioner to contact: Mark DeSaulnier, 925.646.5763
Sponsor: City of Larkspur
Project: Central Marin Nonmotorized Ferry Connection Project - Phases II & III
Scope: To prepare a plan and preliminary design for nonmotorized access for north-south and east-west travel to overcome the obstacles that US 101 and the Greenbrae interchange, Corte Madera Creek, East Sir Francis Drake Blvd., and the Northwestern Pacific Railroad trestles present to bicycle commuters headed to the Larkspur Landing Ferry Terminal, the Richmond San Rafael Bridge, local employment centers, and points beyond San Rafael.
Amount: TLC Grant: $65,000; Local Match: $80,000; Total Project Cost: $145,000
Contact: Hamid Shamsapour, Director of Public Works, City of Larkspur,415.927.5017
MTC Commissioner to contact: Steve Kinsey, 415.499.7331
Sponsor: Town of Colma, City of Daly City, and Unincorporated San Mateo County
Project: Mission Street Pedestrian Enhancement and Streetscape Plan
Scope: To prepare a streetscape plan that analyzes traffic volumes along El Camino Real (possibly reduce number of lanes); studies additional crosswalk on B Street; improves pedestrian access to the Colma BART station from El Camino Real; and design a consistent streetscape to apply along El Camino Real frontage, regardless of jurisdiction.
Amount: TLC Grant: $22,000; Local Match: $4,000; Total Project Cost: $26,000
Contact: Malcolm Carpenter, City Planner, Town of Colma, 650.997.8300
MTC Commissioner to contact: Mike Nevin, 650.363.4572
Sponsor: City of Millbrae
Project: Millbrae BART/SamTrans/ABAG Bay Trail Conceptual Bikeway Alignment Plan
Scope: To complete a feasibility study to determine the preferred alignment for a 1.5-mile bike/pedestrian corridor segment along the BART extension within Millbrae.
Amount: TLC Grant: $60,000; Local Match: $10,000; Total Project Cost: $70,000
Contact: Karla McElroy, Director of Parks and Recreation, City of Millbrae, 650.259.2360
MTC Commissioner to contact: Sue Lempert, 650.522.7522, ext. 6268
Sponsor: City of Fremont
Project: Bay
Scope: To.
Amount: TLC Grant: $0; Local Match: $0; Total Project Cost: $0
Contact: Jake
MTC Commissioner to contact: Scott Haggerty, 510.272.6691
Sponsor: Solano County and City of Fairfield
Project: Improvements to Old Town Cordelia
Scope: To evaluate the feasibility of constructing a historical bike/walking path in Old Town Cordelia, and extending the path to portions of Fairfield to the west (Lopes Road) and to the east (Pittman Road) of the Old Town. Plan will also recommend other streetscape improvements (e.g., old-fashioned lighting standards, street trees, historical markers, historical signs) to enhance Old Town.
Amount: TLC Grant: $50,000; Local Match: $15,000; Total Project Cost: $65,000
Contact: Paul Wiese, Engineering Manager, Solano County, 707.421.6072; or, Gene Cortright, City Engineer, City of Fairfield, 707.428.7494
MTC Commissioner to contact: Jim Spering, 707.421.7300
Sponsor: City of Healdsburg
Project: Foss Creek/Northwestern Pacific Multi-Use Trail
Scope: To plan the 4.1-mile Foss Creek/Northwestern Pacific Railroad multi-use trail that would provide access between the city's northern and southern limits. It will provide transportation alternatives for the community's low-income and minority residents. This trail is included in MTC's Regional Bicycle Plan.
Amount: TLC Grant: $45,000; Local Match: $10,000; Total Project Cost: $55,000
Contact: Richard Spitler, Planning and Building Director, City of Healdsburg, 707.431.3346
MTC Commissioner to contact: Sharon Wright, 707.575.3677
Sponsor: City of Santa Rosa
Project: Courthouse Square Land Use Concept Feasibility Study
Scope: To prepare a land use concept feasibility study for Courthouse Square in downtown Santa Rosa as a way to promote economic development through mixed use in downtown, enhance transit use to/from downtown, and make Courthouse Square a sought-after destination for residents and visitors.
Amount: TLC Grant: $55,000; Local Match: $55,000; Total Project Cost: $110,000
Contact: Nancy Adams, Transportation Planner, City of Santa Rosa, 707.543.3910
MTC Commissioner to contact: Sharon Wright, 707.575.3677