Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Grant Acquisition Transportation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Bonita Springs staff to explore Safe Streets for All land-acquisition grant; 20% local match estimated at $5 million
Summary
City staff asked to develop more information on a Safe Streets for All acquisition grant opportunity that would require a 20% local match (estimated about $5 million); the grant must be included in the Lee MPO plan and applications from neighboring municipalities were invited.
City staff said they will pursue more information about a federal Safe Streets for All acquisition grant after a request from Trust for Public Land, and the council indicated general direction to staff to continue exploring the opportunity.
Community Development staff told the council the grant "does require a 20% match, which would be approximately 5,000,000 from the city to, pledge that match to the grant application." Staff also said the project would need to be accepted into the Lee County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) plan before application and that the village of Estero and Collier County had also been asked to participate.
The staff presentation noted the grant application is due Jan. 26 and recommended staff return with more detailed information if the council wanted to pursue an application. Staff warned that the application may require technical studies beyond basic grant writing and that the MPO or an outside consultant might need to assist.
Council members discussed whether multiple jurisdictions should apply together; one council member observed joint projects across county lines may be more competitive. Staff said any formal application or grant agreement would return to the council for final approval.
The council did not take a formal vote; staff said they would gather more information, assess potential consultant needs, and report back. Staff also noted there may be trade-offs if the city pursues multiple Safe Streets projects concurrently; the staff mentioned a potential project on the Pennsylvania corridor being considered for the same funding program.
