title
Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Apply for $2,681,347 in Surface Transportation Block Grant – Direct Attributable Funds from the Wilmington Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization with a Required Local Match of $670,337 for the Kerr Avenue Trail Project
body
|
Department: |
Engineering |
Meeting Date: |
9/9/2025 |
|
Contact Name: |
Kim Gordon |
Public Hearing: |
No |
|
Contact Phone: |
910.341.5812 |
Advertising Date/Advertised By: |
N/A |
|
Attachments: |
Attachment #1: Resolution; Attachment #2: Kerr Ave Trail Map |
PURPOSE:
The purpose of this resolution is to authorize the City Manager to apply for Surface Transportation Block Grant-Direct Attributable (“STBG-DA”) funds from the Wilmington Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (“WMPO”) in the amount of $2,681,347 for the construction of the Kerr Avenue Trail 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 2014 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 Project scope and cost significantly increased due to not reaching an agreement to align the trail through UNCW property, resulting in the need for supplemental funding for the utility relocation and construction.
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.
This application will request $2,681,347 in STBG-DA funding from the WMPO, and require a 20% local grant match of $670,337 from the City, for a total of $3,351,684, with the increase in project funding intended to cover anticipated construction and related costs. Funding for the local grant match would be covered from the unencumbered project fund balance and the Transportation Bond Roadway Contingency fund.
BUDGET IMPACT:
$2,681,347 in STBG-DA funding would be received from the WMPO for construction, with a local match of $670,337, which would be covered from the unencumbered project fund balance and the Transportation Bond Roadway Contingency fund.
RECOMMENDATION / ACTION REQUESTED:
Passage of the resolution is recommended.