DEPARTMENT: World Heritage Office
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Colleen Swain
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: District 5
SUBJECT:
World Heritage Underpass Art Infrastructure Project along the World Heritage Trail
SUMMARY:
This item is a consideration of three Ordinances relating to the World Heritage Underpass Art Infrastructure Project along the World Heritage Trail and authorizing the following:
A. An Ordinance authorizing the acceptance of a 2020 AARP Community Challenge Grant in the amount of $30,000 for the U.S. Highway 90 Underpass Beautification Project, a project that activates a new public space and improves the intersection underneath U.S. Highway 90 at Mission Road and Steves Avenue.
B. An Ordinance authorizing the execution of a Memorandum of Understanding with AARP, a social welfare organization and nonprofit that helps communities nationwide become livable places for people of all ages, for the U.S. Highway 90 Underpass Beautification Project underneath U.S. Highway 90 at Mission Road and Steves Avenue.
C. An Ordinance amending the General Obligation Capital Project budget for the World Heritage Underpass Art Infrastructure Project of $800,000, and increasing it by $30,000 with funds from a 2020 AARP Community Challenge Grant for a total project amount of $830,000.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The 2020 AARP Community Challenge Grant provides small grants to fund “quick-action” projects that can help communities become more livable for people of all ages. Eligible projects should aim to improve housing, transportation, public space, technology (“smart cities”), civic engagement, and more.
According to AARP, approximately 45 million Americans are age 65 or older. By 2030, that number will reach 73 million Americans, where one in five Americans will be older than 65. By 2035, the United States will - for the first time ever - be a country comprised of more older adults than of children. AARP Livable Communities supports the efforts of neighborhoods, towns, cities and rural areas to be great places for people of all ages. AARP believes that communities should provide safe, walkable streets; age-friendly housing and transportation options; access to needed services; and opportunities for residents of all ages to participate in community life.
In 2017, through Ordinance 2017-09-21-0678, City Council approved the reprogramming of $7 million from the 2012-2017 General Obligation Bond Program that voters approved for the Presa Ramps project. The reprogramming of funds allocated approximately $800,000 into SAP WBS element 23-017XX-90-01-12-03 for the World Heritage Underpass Art Infrastructure Project in the City’s World Heritage area. The underpass project provides for pedestrian improvements, including sidewalks, lighting, landscaping, installation of native vegetation, hardscape and rock complements.
Throughout the public input and design process for improvements for the U.S. Highway 90 Underpass Beautification Project, residents and community members voiced the need for places for rest to view the artwork, improved pedestrian access, lighting, and landscaping. Additionally, participants during this process requested that improvements be accessible for seniors, such as wider sidewalks for those that require walking assistance, as well as lighting to make the area more inviting and safer.
On July 8, 2020, the AARP National Office notified the World Heritage Office that its grant application was selected to receive a 2020 AARP Community Challenge Grant for $30,000 for the U.S. Highway 90 Underpass Beautification Project. The World Heritage Office request included the installation of bench seating and interpretive design concepts to activate the new public space and beautify the U.S. Highway 90 underpass at Mission Road (World Heritage Trail) and Steves Avenue.
On July 28, 2020, the AARP National Office provided the World Heritage Office with a draft Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to complete tasks and deliverables for the U.S. Highway 90 Underpass Beautification Project that includes the following: Conduct a public meeting to solicit feedback from stakeholders for a design enhancement in the newly activated space, and install a design enhancment with bench seating under U.S. Highway 90 and Mission Road (World Heritage Trail).
Acceptance of the 2020 AARP Community Challenge Grant and authorization for the City of San Antonio to enter into the MOU with AARP will amend the project budget and deposit $30,000 into SAP WBS element 23-017XX-90-01-12-03. The term of the grant begins upon the execution of the MOU and ends on March 31, 2021.
ISSUE:
The World Heritage Office has been awarded a 2020 AARP Community Challenge Grant in the amount of $30,000 for the U.S. Highway 90 Underpass Beautification Project. This grant will assist the City’s efforts to beautify the underpass along the World Heritage Trail, activate a new public space, and provide access to the Windows to Our Heritage public art installation. This Ordinance will allow the World Heritage Office to receive the grant in the amount of $30,000, enter into an Memorandum of Understanding with AARP, a social welfare organization and nonprofit, and amend the City’s budget for the World Heritage Underpass Art Infrastructure Project for pedestrian improvements from $800,000 to $830,000.
ALTERNATIVES:
The funding provided by this grant supports the City’s World Heritage Work Plan and beautification efforts in the World Heritage area. Should City Council choose not to approve the acceptance of the grant and to enter into a Memorandum of Agreement with AARP for this project, funds will be redistributed to other grantees, limiting opportunities to beautify the World Heritage area and improve the resident and visitor’s experience along the World Heritage Trail, including seniors and older adults.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This Ordinance authorizes the acceptance of funds from AARP, a social welfare organization and nonprofit that works to empower people to choose how they live as they age, in the amount of $30,000 and enter into a Memorandum of Understanding upon City Council approval and ending March 31, 2021. This Ordinance will also authorize an increase in the World Heritage Underpass Art Infrastructure Project by $30,000 and amend the total project budget from $800,000 to $830,000. No new positions will be added. There is no impact to the City’s General Fund, as no cash match is required.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of an Ordinance authorizing the acceptance of funds from AARP for the 2020 AARP Community Challenge Grant, authorizing the City to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with AARP to complete the beautification project, and amending the capital budget for the World Heritage Underpass Art Infrastructure Project from $800,000 to $830,000.