February 3, 2016 – The Salt Lake City Council approved three bike related items in last night’s meeting. Two matches for grants for Bike Share Expansion, and a city park proposal that would include a bike park and pump track were approved to go to a consent agenda for a meeting in the next month or so. [Note that this means they are for all practical purposes approved, but the official vote will happen soon.]
The first proposal is for a new city park on Block 40 in downtown Salt Lake City. The park would include a bike park and pump track, as well as a multi-use trail, pavilion, restrooms, and bouldering garden. Funding would come from the Salt Lake County ZAP tax fund. The cost of the park is slated at $12, 846,341. Block 40 lies between Main Street and W. Temple, and 400 South and 500 South. Currently, a surface level parking lot occupies the space.
The agenda item is as follows:
2. Zoo, Arts, and Parks (ZAP) Recreation General Obligation Bond Legislative Sponsor: Not Required – Grant Application(s) Purpose/Goal of the Grant: The grant monies would fund the construction associated with the development of a new six acre outdoor recreation park on Block 40 in downtown Salt Lake City. The park’s outdoor recreation amenities would include a .75 mile multi-use trail, pump track/bike park, dry stream bed, bouldering garden, park space, pavilions, and a restroom/park maintenance building. Funding would come from the Salt Lake County ZAP Recreation General Obligation Bond (assuming the bond passes in November 2016). Grant Amount: $12,846,381 Requested by: Salt Lake City Department of Public Services Match Requirement: – 0 – Funding Agency: Salt Lake County in collaboration with Downtown Alliance, Downtown Community Council, and Momentum Indoor Climbing/Walltopia
GreenBike Bike Share also stands to benefit from two grants for expansion of the system. The first is a UDOT CMAQ (Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Program) that would fund 8 new GreenBike stations in downtown Salt Lake City, as well as provide funding for other programs. The total grant amount is $600,000 with a $43,570 match coming from Salt Lake City. The Salt Lake City Council Agenda item is as follows:
5. UDOT Congestion Mitigation & Air Quality Program – Bike Share Expansion Legislative Sponsor: Not Required – Grant Application(s) Purpose/Goal of the Grant: The grant monies would be used to support the purchase and installation of at least eight (8) additional GreenBike stations in the city’s central business district and to leverage GREENBike sponsorship commitments from other private and/or public sector agencies. Grant Amount Requested: $600,000 Requested by: Salt Lake City Department of Community and Economic Development Match Requirement: cash match of $43,570 from the City’s Capital Improvement Program Funding Agency: U.S. Department of Transportation via Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) and Wasatch Front Regional Council.
The second grant is a UDOT Transportation Alternatives Program grant that would fund 2 new bike share stations and expand 6 others. The total grant amount is $350,000 with $25,416 coming from Salt Lake City’s Capital Improvement Fund from fiscal year 2013. The Salt Lake City Council Agenda item is as follows:
UDOT Transportation Alternatives Program / BikeShare Expansion Legislative Sponsor: Not Required – Grant Application(s) Purpose/Goal of the Grant: This request would assist in funding the Salt Lake City Bike Share Expansion, specifically, the installation of two (2) new bike share stations and the expansion of six (6) existing stations. Grant Amount Requested: $350,000 Requested by: Salt Lake City Department of Community and Economic Development Match Requirement: $25,416 from the City’s Capital Improvement Program Fiscal Year 2013 Bikeway Projects Citywide Funding Agency: U.S. Department of Transportation via Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) and Wasatch Front Regional Council.
