TO:

THROUGH:
FROM:
FOR AGENCY MEETING OF:
AGENDA ITEM NO.:

.AN RENEWAL AGENCY BOARD

1\J .
- LINDA DIRECTOR
- . .\.
-lv"'"'
URBAN DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
October 8, 2012
4.3 (a)
SUBJECT: MINTO ISLAND PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE AND TRAIL FUNDING
STRATEGY
ISSUE:
Shall the Urban Renewal Agency Board approve the attached funding strategy for the Minto
Island Pedestrian Bridge and Trail and allocate an additional $3,000,000 in Riverfront
Downtown Urban Renewal Area (URA) funding to support Bridge construction and increase
the competiveness of future grant applications for the project?
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the Urban Renewal Agency Board (Agency Board) approve the attached
funding strategy for the Minto Island Pedestrian Bridge and Trail and allocate an additional
$3,000,000 in Riverfront Downtown URA funding to support Bridge construction and increase
the competitiveness of future grant applications for the project.
BACKGROUND:
The Minto Island Bicycle and Pedestrian Bridge (Bridge) and related infrastructure (Trail) are
located in two URAs- Riverfront Downtown URA (Bridge) and South Waterfront URA (Trail)
(Attachment A). The Bridge component of the project is included as a project in the Riverfront
Downtown URA Plan, Section 1101. The Trail component is included as a project in the South
Waterfront URA Plan, Section V.A2.
To date, $1,930,000 in Riverfront Downtown URA and $212,700 in South Waterfront URA
funding has been committed to support design and permitting of the Bridge and Trail.
Additional funding of approximately $6,200,000 for the Bridge and $800,000 for the Trail is
needed for final design and construction. Because funding sources for the trail are more
limited, the City has focused on pursuing grants for the Trail component first.
In 2011 and 2012, the Agency submitted three applications requesting up to $1,000,000 for
design and construction of the trail and committing $121,700 in South Waterfront URA funding
as match if awarded funding. To date, the only grant awarded is a $60,000 grant from the
Oregon Business Development Department's Brownfields Redevelopment Program to fund
environmental assessment in the location of the future Bridge and Trail. Feedback from other
granting agencies indicates the funding gap for the Bridge and Trail is too large, leading to
uncertainty regarding the ability to finance the project. Committing additional Riverfront
Minto Bridge Funding Strategy- Agency Page 1 of3 October 8, 2012
Downtown URA funding for the Bridge and additional South Waterfront URA funding for the
Trail will significantly increase the competitiveness of future grant applications.
FACTS AND FINDINGS:
Funding Strategy
Riverfront Downtown URA Funding- Bridge
The total estimated cost of the Bridge, including design, permitting, construction, and staff
support is approximately $8,000,000. To date, $1,930,000 in Riverfront Downtown URA
funding has been committed for design, permitting, and to initiate construction. In addition, the
Downtown Advisory Board has recommended including an additional $1,080,000 in Riverfront
Downtown URA funds to support Bridge construction in the proposed budget for FY 2013-14.
Granting agencies have indicated that grant funding is unlikely because the funding gap is so
large it leads to uncertainty regarding the City and Agency's ability to complete the project.
On September 10, 2012, Council directed staff to return with a funding strategy for the Minto
Island Pedestrian Bridge and Trail Project, including the use of additional URA funds.
Staff recommends allocating an additional $3,000,000 in Riverfront Downtown URA funds in
order to be competitive for up to $2,1 00,000 in state grants and other sources for the Bridge
(Attachment B). If more grant funding is secured than expected, the required Riverfront
Downtown URA funding could be reduced. Committing additional Riverfront Downtown URA
funding also increases the competitiveness of future state grants and other funding sources for
construction of the Trail.
In order to allocate $3,000,000 in additional Riverfront Downtown URA funds, several projects
and programs must be eliminated or reduced. The table below details the proposed
reductions.
Recommended Riverfront Downtown URA Funding- $3 000 000
' '
FY 2012-13 Projects/Programs Funds to be Reallocated
Reduce Existing Toolbox Loan Program Funds $1,300,000
Reduce Demonstration Grant Allocation $1,000,000
Eliminate Streetscape Funds $150,000
Reduce Ending Fund Balance $550,000
TOTAL $3,000,000
On September 27, 2012, the Downtown Advisory Board voted to support allocating $3,000,000
in Riverfront Downtown URA funds by reducing or eliminating the above- listed
projects/programs. One member voted in opposition and one member abstained from the
vote.
Minto Bridge Funding Strategy- Agency Page 2 of3 October 8, 2012
South Waterfront Funding- Trail
The total estimated cost of the Trail, including design, permitting, construction, and staff
support is approximately $1,000,000. To date, $212,700 in South Waterfront URA funding has
been committed to fund design, permitting, and provide matching funds for grant applications.
An additional $200,000 of tax increment revenue is expected to be available in the South
Waterfront URA in FY 2013-14, leaving a funding gap of nearly $600,000 (Attachment C). If
more grants or other private funds are secured than expected, the required South Waterfront
URA funding could be reduced.
Grants and other Sources
The next grant opportunities are the ODOT State Transportation Improvement Program
(November 2012) and the OPRD Local Government Grant Program (April2013). There are
several private foundations with grants that may be applicable to the project, but many require
a non-profit be the applicant or co-applicant. Staff continues to coordinate with a local non-
profit, the Friends of Two Bridges, to evaluate and pursue private funding.
Staff is evaluating the possibility of several other funding sources for the Bridge and Trail, as
well as opportunities to reduce the overall project cost.
Next Steps
Conceptual design of the Bridge and Trail concluded in August 2012. The Bridge and Trail
consultant, OBEC, is proceeding with the next phase of design and preparing materials for the
necessary permits for both Bridge and Trail. This next phase is expected to conclude in March
2013. Staff will continue to pursue funding for both Bridge and Trail, including coordinating
with external stakeholders such as the Friends of Two Bridges. In November, staff will return
to seek authority to apply and to expend matching funds for the Oregon Department of
Transportation Statewide Improvement Program for the Bridge. An additional $200,000 in
South Waterfront URA funding for the Trail will be recommended through the FY 2013-14
budget process.
Attachment A: Map
Attachment B: Funding Strategy- Bridge
Attachment C: Funding Strategy- Trail
Report Prepared By: Annie Gorski, Project Manager
G:\URBANDEVIADMINISTRATION\Final Council Staff Reports\2012\0ct 8\Minto Funding\Minto funding strategy_agency Final2.docx
Minto Bridge Funding Strategy- Agency Page 3 of 3 October 8, 2012
CITY

Publle Work Departmeot I
Pedestrian Bridge Urban Renewal Areas
NAME
=Trail
--Contours
C::J RIVERFRONT DOWNTOWN
CJ SOUTH WATERFRONT
parks
water_polys
Minto Island Bicycle and Pedestrian
Bridge and Trail
Legend
Pedestri an Bridge
c.== Bridge
=Trail
-- Preferred Route
- - Park Trails
ATTACHMENT A
Minto Island Pedestrian Bridge
Recommended Funding Strategy
Minto Island Pedestrian Bridge
Total Estimated Cost
Riverfront Downtown URA- Available Funds 7/1/2011
Funding Gap
Potentital Sources to Fill Funding Gap
Additional Riverfront Downtown URA Funds- FY 12-13 Allocation
FY 13-14 Riverfront Downtown URA Funds
Previously included in DAB recommendations for future allocations
Remaining Funding Gap
Potential sources to fill remaining $2,084,815 funding gap :
ODOT Enhance It Program -Grant Funds
Other State Grants
8,000,000
1)
1,835,185
6,164,815
2)
{3,000,000)
{1,080,000)
2,084,815
1) Original allocation of $1,930,000- $94,815 expended on concept design study which
provided the four orignal design options for Council/Agency consideration
2) Requires reduction or elimination of some currently funded projects
ATTACHMENT B
Minto Island Pedestrian Trail
Attachment C: Recommended Funding Strategy
Minto Island Pedestrian Trail
Total Estimated Cost
South Waterfront URA- Committed
Funding Gap
Potentital Sources to Fill Funding Gap
Additional South Waterfront URA Funds- FY 13-14 Allocation
Private Fundraising, Foundation Grants, and Other Sources
Oregon Parks and Recreation Local Government Grant Program
Potential Funding Sources Identified
1)
1,000,000
212,700
787,300
200,000
200,000
400,000
800,000
1) Requires collaboration with a local non-profit, the Friends of Two Bridges
ATTACHMENT C