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Ordinance Making Appropriation of $2,681,347 of Direct Attributable (DA) Funds from the Surface Transportation Block Grant Program (STBG-DA) to the Kerr Avenue Trail Project
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Department: |
Design & Construction |
Meeting Date: |
9/22/2026 |
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Contact Name: |
Kim Gordon |
Public Hearing: |
No |
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Contact Phone: |
910.341.5812 |
Advertising Date/Advertised By: |
n/a |
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Attachments: |
Attachment #1: Ordinance; Attachment #2: COW Resolution of Financial Support; Attachment #3: WMPO FY26-28 DA Award Letter; Attachment #4: NCDOT Agreement; Attachment #5: Kerr Ave Trail Map |
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this Ordinance is to appropriate $2,681,347 in Surface Transportation Block Grant-Direct Attributable Funds (“STBG-DA”) from the Wilmington Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (“WMPO”) to the Kerr Avenue Trail Project. This will supplement the $670,337 of already appropriated project funds as required per the attached companion Resolution authorizing the City Manager to enter into this Agreement with the NCDOT for the Project.
BACKGROUND:
The Kerr Avenue Trail project (hereinafter “the Project”) was identified in the WMPO’s 2009 Walk Wilmington Plan, as a priority to be included in the current Transportation Bond as part of Wilmington/New Hanover County’s Comprehensive Greenway Plan. The Project will provide a 10-foot-wide multi-use path on the east side of Kerr Avenue from Patrick Drive to Fountain Drive, on the north side of Fountain Drive, and on the west side of North College Road to Hoggard Drive, where it will connect to an existing signalized crosswalk that will provide a safe crossing of College Road to UNCW and the Gary Shell Cross-City Trail.
The WMPO’s STBG-DA program provides funding for various types of locally administered projects, including bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure. The WMPO call for projects has federal funding through the North Carolina Department of Transportation (“NCDOT”), which requires a twenty percent (20%) local grant match.
On September 9, 2025 City Council approved the City of Wilmington to apply for the allocated direct attributable (DA) funds from the Surface Transportation Block Grant Program (STBG-DA). On November 21, 2025, the City was notified the WMPO Board voted to award funding in the amount of $2,681,347 to the Kerr Avenue Trail project.
The companion Resolution to this Ordinance authorized the City Manager to enter into an Agreement with the NCDOT to receive these STBG-DA grant funds from the WMPO. This Agreement will secure $2,681,347 in STBG-DA funding and require a 20% local grant match of $670,337 from the City, for a total of $3,351,684. The increase in project funding is intended to cover anticipated utility relocation and construction costs. The required local match has already been appropriated and exists within the project budget.
budget
BUDGET IMPACT:
$2,681,347 in STBG-DA funding from the WMPO for utility relocation and construction with a local match of $670,337. There is already sufficient funding in the project budget to cover the required 20% local match of $670,337.
recommendation
RECOMMENDATION / ACTION REQUESTED:
Passage of the Ordinance and companion Resolution is recommended.