Casselberry approves $1.5 million federal Safe Streets grant to fund quick-build pedestrian, bike improvements

The Casselberry City Commission voted Nov. 17 to accept a $1,500,000 Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) planning and demonstration grant and a related budget amendment. Keena Henry, Special Projects Manager for the public works department, told the commission the award includes $1.2 million in federal funds and a required $300,000 local match and will be paid on a reimbursement basis.

The commission approved Resolution 25-3550 after staff presented a three-phase approach: a base planning phase to produce a Mobility Action Plan (to replace the expiring multimodal master plan), a design phase for quick-build demonstrations using temporary materials such as paint and delineators, and a construction/evaluation phase that would include pre- and post-evaluations and an update to the city’s Vision Zero action plan.

Henry said staff expects consultant costs to make up a substantial portion of the grant and that project costs will depend on bids, but that many demonstration elements are relatively low-cost. “The grant award was for a total of $1,500,000 with the federal contribution of $1,200,000 and the local contribution of $300,000,” Henry said. She outlined a tentative schedule that begins consultant solicitation in early 2026, completes design by 2027, and anticipates construction and completion in 2028, with the grant term ending in March 2029.

Commissioners asked whether the city’s $300,000 match would cover all planned work and whether the schedule was achievable; staff replied that scope can be adjusted if bids come in higher and that the federal partner allows amendments in significant circumstances. There were no public speakers on the item.

The commission approved the resolution and budget amendment by voice vote. Next steps include returning to the commission with 30%-design briefings for the quick-build demonstrations and proceeding with consultant selection.