Planning commission update: trail study RFP issued; borough awarded $325,000 multimodal grant

Planning staff told the Planning Commission on Feb. 20 that the borough's trail study request for proposals (RFP) has been publicly released and that the borough has been awarded $325,000 through Pennsylvania's multimodal improvements grant program.

Why it matters: the RFP and grant together advance a study and potential capital work on pedestrian connections and a creek-side trail alignment; the grant includes restrictions (only 10 percent allowable for engineering) and is limited to hard improvements rather than planning-only activities.

Trail study status

Staff said the trail-study RFP attracted a strong public response and that a subcommittee will evaluate proposals. The study area described at the meeting runs from the Leetsdale (or Lehi) Riding Hill area along the creek to the Public Works building and includes a leg behind a former medical office that connects to the Woodlawn Busway and adjacent commercial areas. Staff and commissioners walked the corridor recently to view conditions and flagged flood-plain, Army Corps flood-mitigation features and steep-slope conditions as factors for consultants to study.

Multimodal grant award and limits

Staff announced the borough applied for $3 million and was awarded $325,000. Commissioners said the award is substantial given the statewide competition but noted the funds can be spent only on physical (hard) pedestrian improvements; up to 10 percent may be used for engineering. The business development subcommittee (appointed the same night) was identified as a likely advisory body for how to use funds in the historic center.

Next steps

A trail-study subcommittee will evaluate proposals and recommend an award; staff said a selection decision will follow the RFP timeline. For the grant funds, staff said follow-up coordination between the planning department, the business development subcommittee and council will be necessary to identify eligible projects and to satisfy grant conditions.

Ending

Commissioners thanked staff and noted that receiving grants helps the borough demonstrate implementability for future awards; no final projects or engineering work were approved at the Feb. 20 meeting.