Minutes 07/26/2022 - Laserfiche WebLink

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July 26, 2022  Localities, public transit operators, and metropolitan planning organizations submit projects to the Virginia Department of Transportation for scoring through the SMART SCALE process.  Projects are objectively scored according to various key factors. Discussion:  VDOT is accepting SMART SCALE applications. The application deadline is August 1, 2022.  The Complete High Street Innovation Corridor Project is a multi-modal, complete streets roadway improvement project along High Street between Chestnut Street and the Martin Luther King Expressway (approximately 1.3 miles).  The Project includes scenic streetscaping, utility relocations, high visibility crosswalks, sidewalk upgrades and a shared use path.  The Project reduces travel lanes from four lanes to two in order to accommodate raised medians and on-street bicycle accommodations.  The Project supports the City’s newly designated Innovation District, a mixed-use redevelopment area west of Downtown Portsmouth.  The SMART SCALE application seeks construction funding for the Project.  The estimated construction cost is $9,153,900 in FY 2023 dollars, which equals an estimated $10,689,212 in FY 2025 dollars. Accordingly, the City’s application seeks $10,689,212 in FY 2025 funding. Financial Impact:  The City is seeking state funding for the entire construction cost of the Project. Recommended Action:  Adoption of the resolution Next Steps Following Council Action:  Submit resolution to VDOT as part of the Smart Scale application. 1. Donna Sayegh, 3104 Garland Drive, voiced her concern with this project not being part of the budget and asked that funds be redirected to other projects. 2. Armando Grundy-Gomez, 6010 California Circle, Rockville, MD, spoke in support of this item. Motion by Mr. Moody, and seconded by Ms. Lucas-Burke, to adopt the following resolution, and was adopted by the following vote: “RESOLUTION SUPPORTING A SMART SCALE APPLICATION FOR THE CITY OF PORTSMOUTH COMPLETE HIGH STREET INNOVATION CORRIDOR PROJECT. WHEREAS, the Virginia Department of Transportation is accepting SMART SCALE program applications; and WHEREAS, the Complete High Street Innovation Corridor Project is a multi-modal, complete streets roadway improvement project along High Street between Chestnut Street and the Martin Luther King Expressway (approximately 1.3 miles); and WHEREAS, the Project includes scenic streetscaping, utility relocations, high visibility crosswalks, sidewalk upgrades and a shared use path; and WHEREAS, the Project reduces travel lanes from four lanes to two in order to accommodate raised medians and on-street bicycle accommodations; and WHEREAS, the Project supports the City’s newly designated Innovation District, a mixed-use redevelopment area west of Downtown Portsmouth; and