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Berkeley council approves application for $100,000 transit-access grant to study Coolidge Corridor
Summary
The council voted to apply for an Oakland County "access to transit" grant of $100,000, requiring a $20,000 local match, to fund conceptual design and preliminary engineering for Coolidge (11 Mile to Webster). Staff said the project is budgeted at about $190,000 and the grant is competitive.
City staff told the council the Oakland County Access to Transit program offers capital funds for projects that improve safe access to public transportation. The council approved a resolution to apply for $100,000 for conceptual design and preliminary engineering of the Coolidge Corridor (11 Mile to Webster) on July 20.
Planning staff said the requested grant would require a $20,000 local match and that the project is budgeted by the city at about $190,000; staff also noted that the program is competitive. "Any grant funding we receive would be over and above," a staff member said, adding that the city has budgeted the full cost and a grant would free up planned local dollars.
Mayor Pro Tem Gavin moved the motion and the council approved the resolution by roll call. Council members praised the opportunity to "reimagine" the downtown corridor and noted the potential to improve safety and business access.
Why it matters: The conceptual design and preliminary engineering step is an early but necessary phase for future roadway, streetscape and mobility improvements; securing outside funding could accelerate work or allow the city to allocate local funds elsewhere.
What happens next: Staff said they have issued an RFP for design proposals and will return with a contract recommendation at a future meeting; the grant application will be submitted and the city will learn grant outcomes through Oakland County's competitive process.
