Title
Resolution - A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Mansfield, Texas, Authorizing a Grant Application to the Texas Department of Transportation for Green Ribbon Funding for the Design and Construction of Median Improvements of the State Highway FM 1187 Corridor; Finding That the Meeting at Which This Resolution is Passed is Open to the Public as Required by Law; And Declaring an Effective Date (GF - Transportation Street Bonds)
Requested Action
Consider Authorizing Grant Application
Recommendation
Approve resolution
Description/History
Since 2001, the Texas Legislature has added a rider to the Texas Department of Transportation’s (TxDOT) department appropriation legislation which requires TxDOT to expand the concepts of the Houston District Green Ribbon Project. TxDOT is accomplishing the requirements by allocating funds to districts with non-attainment counties to plant and establish trees and plants on the state highway system to help mitigate the effects of air pollution.
The FM 1187 corridor has been proposed to have the median areas redeveloped, beginning at the western limits of Newt Patterson Road and continuing east up to Main St/Bus 287. The main improvements will include new landscaping in the form of trees and some planting beds with ground cover/shrubs and flowers, as well as new irrigation systems to support the added landscape elements. The City of Mansfield plans to include designs for new entryway monuments, with possible hardscape elements to be added to the median project as well.
Staff is proposing to submit a grant application in the amount of $400,000 to design and construct median enhancements to the FM 1187 corridor between the western city limits and Main Street/US Hwy 287. The grant funding will be used to cover the cost of landscaping and irrigation of the medians, but would not cover monuments or other hardscape elements. Green Ribbon funds are fixed dollar amounts that the City is not required to match, but the City must cover any cost overruns along with other elements that are not eligible to be covered, such as decorative designs or other hardscape elements and amenities. The City is estimating that the total cost for this project to be $1.1M, meaning if the grant application is successful, the City would be responsible for the estimated $700,000 in funding to complete the full median enhancement project.
Justification
As TxDOT is currently planning improvements along the FM 1187 corridor from I-35W up to Newt Patterson Road, this project would tie into that and continue the improvements into the city, providing a beautiful and welcoming entry point into Mansfield.
Funding Source
General Fund - Transportation Street Bond Funding
Prepared By
James Fish, RLA, ASLA
Parks Planning Manager
James.Fish@mansfieldtexas.gov
817.728.3394