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Coos Bay parks commission OKs $175,000 ODOT planning grant to update bike-and-ped plan
Summary
The Coos Bay Parks Commission voted to use a $175,000 ODOT Transportation and Growth Management grant to update the city's bicycle and pedestrian planning by building off the 2020 Transportation System Plan and delivering a list of capital projects and an implementation section (option 2).
The Coos Bay Parks Commission voted to pursue option 2 for a newly awarded Oregon Department of Transportation Transportation and Growth Management (TGM) planning grant worth $175,000, directing staff to develop a scope that updates the bicycle and pedestrian sections of the city's Transportation System Plan (TSP) and produces a prioritized list of capital projects.
Staff told the commission that the city received the TGM award on Oct. 1 and met with ODOT planning and finance staff to shape two possible scopes. The first would have updated the 1991 bikeway master plan (bikes-only) and adopted it by reference into the 2020 TSP; the second would build on the 2020 TSP to integrate pedestrian facilities, add an implementation section and identify specific capital improvement projects. Staff recommended option 2 as the more practical way to produce tangible outcomes for Coos Bay.
"This option builds upon the previous work completed for the TSP and minimizes the need for new data collection," staff said during the meeting, noting ODOT's guidance that option 2 would deliver more "bang for the buck." Commissioners debated regional coordination and history of past plans before putting the recommendation to a vote.
Jamie Faraday moved to select option 2 and the motion was seconded; the commission recorded a voice vote and the motion carried. The commission directed staff to present the recommended scope to the public works director for approval and to coordinate with ODOT and the state Department of Land Conservation and Development for project kickoff and consultant selection.
Commissioners emphasized that the update should address both bicyclists and pedestrians, not just bikes, and should produce concrete, fundable projects that can be advanced to design and construction. Commissioner Kurt Benwick urged the plan to consider regional interfaces with North Bend and the Oregon Coast Bike Route so future local projects align with neighboring jurisdictions.
Next steps identified by staff included drafting the scope of work, coordinating with ODOT on consultant procurement, and returning to the commission with status reports. Staff estimated consultant selection and formal kickoff could occur in the spring depending on schedule and paperwork with ODOT.
