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Center Point Hike & Bike Trail Westchase Management District 1/12/2015 12:46:19 PMProject Narrative
Just west of the intersection with Wilcrest and Westheimer there is a CenterPoint utility corridor that runs (in part) north-south between Westheimer and Richmond. It has been part of the Westchase District's vision for a comprehensive hike and bike trail network to implement a trail along this otherwise vacant corridor. Due to efforts of Mayor Annise Parker, Westchase Executive Director/State Representative Jim Murphy, and others, it is now legally possible for a trail to be built on the CenterPoint owned property. As such, Westchase would like to move forward with implementation in order to connect this corridor to existing City of Houston bike routes on Richmond and Meadowglen, as well as other trails such as the Library Loop Trail, and the soon to be (re)let Brays Bayou Connector Trail. The trail will provide a new, ADA accessible, north-south ped./bike connection that is separated from auto corridors. The implementation of this trail will, in part, work to implement the vision of the recently completed West Houston Mobility Study, that recommends the build-out of a hike and bike trail network in West Houston. The proposed CenterPoint Trail will provide Westchase visitors and residents with another north-south trail option to be used in conjunction with the Library Loop Trail and the Brays Bayou Trail Connector; the latter is anticipated to be under construction in early CY15. The trail will also provide connectivity to the existing city on-street bikeway network on Richmond and Meadowglen. The project will create a safer environment for pedestrians and transit users by providing improved ADA accessibility, creating an alternative route around adjacent degraded sidewalk conditions (trip hazard), and placing a barrier between pedestrians and traffic. The CenterPoint Trail will provide access to (METRO) transit routes along Westheimer, Wilcrest, and Richmond. There are 42 bus stops within half mile buffer of the proposed CenterPoint Trail. The combined ridership along these bus stops is 1,735. The proposed project consists of constructing a 0.62 mile long, 10' wide, hike & bike trail along an existing CenterPoint transmission utility corridor from Westheimer Road to Richmond Avenue. The trail will be constructed according to all AASHTO requirements. The proposed project will be constructed entirely within right-of-way owned by Centerpoint through the form of a license agreement. This is possible due to a recent legislative agreement (May 2014) reached with CenterPoint to allow for the construction of trails within utility-owned rights-of-way. The project is approximately 30% designed. Acceleration to a 100% design can be done extremely quickly, as the trail is essentially a linear path without elevation challenges. The only alternative to this project is the no-build alternative. The no build alternative will result in no use of the vacant property within the CenterPoint utility corridor. This alternative will not allow for increased property values or for an active transportation option along this corridor in the Westchase District.Project Narrative
No Categorical Exclusion (CE) (c)(3) Construction of bicycle and pedestrian lanes, paths, and facilities No 21/08/2013 No 0 Yes The proposed project doesnot require the removal or modification of any existing utilities within the corridor. Yes Westchase et with City of Houston Planning and Public Works representatives in early October. COH representatives have provided a letter of project support. Westchase has also championed the legislation that will make this project possible. The license agreement with Centerpoint has been entered into in September 2014. The CenterPoint Trail has been discussed at various Westchase District public meetings, which are advertised and open to the public. The most recent meeting on September 15, 2014 included an agenda item to discuss and approve entering into a license agreement with CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric LLC for the development of trails on CenterPoint transmission corridors. Additionally, this project is included within the Westchase District's 380 Agreement with the City of Houston. This process involved a significant public outreach component, including discussion at several Westchase District public meetings, as well as City Council meetings/action. This project has been coordinated as part of the larger effort to make it possible for CenterPoint and municipalities and special districts within Harris County to collaborate on trail projects within utility corridors. This effort involved coordination by Mayor Anise Parker, Governor Rick Perry, State Representative Jim Murphy, and several other state legislators. Design for the project can be completed relatively quickly due to the nature of the project. It is anticipated that if awarded, Westchase would seek a Letter of No Prejudice to be able to construct the trail in advance of the availability of the federal award. It is anticipated that environmental approval could be gained quickly through a categorical exclusion.Map/Location
Screening Questions
Yes The proposed facility will meet AASHTO design guidelines for multi-use paths (10' wide, signage, entry barriers, etc.)Evalutation Questions - Pedestrian/Bicycle Projects
Design Standards
Yes The proposed facility will meet AASHTO design guidelines for multi-use paths (10' wide, signage, entry barriers, etc.)Connectivity
Barrier Elimination
Yes The proposed trail will allow for unimpeded pedestrian, wheelchair, and bicycle access from Westheimer to Richmond just west of Wilcrest. While it is possible to make this trip along Wilcrest itself, the sidewalks are 4' wide and present some ADA access issues (Meadowglen and Wilcrest for example). This trail will take these users off of an automotive corridor and put them onto a user-friendly 10' wide trail. Additionally, this trail will make better use of what is effectively a barrier itself, a utility corridor.Pedestrian/Bicycle Facility Connections
Yes The Centerpoint Trail will intersect existing City of Houston bikeways along Richmond and Meadowglen and provide connectivity to bikeways on Walnut Bend and Wilcrest . Additionally, the trail will also serve to extend the north-south trail connectivity of the soon to be constructed Brays Bayou Trail. Once complete, an individual will be able to walk/ride from Westheimer to Bellaire Blvd. The importance of introducing alternative modes of transportation has been specifically highlighted as part of the H-GAC sponsored West Houston Mobility Plan.Transit Connections
Direct link to transit connection This trail will provide connectivity to METRO bus routes on both Richmond, Westheimer, and Wilcrest. There are 42 bus stops within the half mile buffer of the proposed CenterPoint Trail. The combined ridership of these bus stops is 1,735.Connections to Regional Destinations
Provides a connection to or within activity centers*?* Density thresholds for different types of activity centers are defined within the Livable Centers Benefits Calculator, which is available online at http://www.h-gac.com/livable-centers/tools.aspx. Project area is considered within a 1/2-mile radius of the project location.
Waiting for H-GAC AnalysisPilot Projects
No This project is located adjacent to other Westchase trail projects (Brays Bayou Connector Trail and Library Loop Trail). However, this project will act to augment the benefits of these other trail projects and work to complete a District (and region) wide alternative mode network.Safety
Does proposed facility:
Yes Yes No Yes - The trail will provide a separated bike/ped. connection that is adjacent to a major corridor (Wilcrest) and also connects two major corridors served by transit service (Westheimer and Richmond). - The trail corridor will provide an alternative path that complies with ADA standards. The north-south connection on Wilcrest contains overgrown and damaged ramps that do not allow for unimpeded ADA access. - The trail will provide access to Alief Early College High School, Houston Community College, and Remington College.
Project will be awarded:
15 points if three or more of the aforementioned characteristics are met.
10 points if two of these characteristics are met.
5 points if one of these characteristics is met.
Existing Plans/Studies
Yes The project is listed and/or addressed in the following plans: - Westchase Long Range Plan - West Houston Mobility Study And is aligned with the Hike and Bike plan originally established in the 2011 Westchase District Pedestrian-Transit PlanFunding Leverage
Both Westchase will provide a 25% match to the project and will also utilize property owned by CenterPoint through the form of a license agreement. This participation, when aggregated and assigned value, would be well in excess of 50% of the total project cost.Underserved Population Access
Is all or part of the proposed facility located within a Census Tract that has a higher proportion of the following populations than the regional average:
H-GAC to conduct analysis based on the GIS/map project location provided above
Project will be awarded:
3 points if one of the aforementioned indicators is above the regional average
7 points if two of the aforementioned indicators is above the regional average
10 points if three of the aforementioned indicators is above the regional average