Federal Stimulus - Local Projects

Miggy · Post by **Miggy** » January 22nd, 2009, 1:14 pm

Here's the wish list from CAMPO (Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization - the conduit for federal transportation funds) for Austin Transportation related Infrastructure spending (note that hike & bike trails of a certain width can be classified as commuter routes and are thus eligible for transportation funds):

You will see that this list differs from the list generated by the City in November, 2008, in
response to the request from the U.S. Conference of Mayors for Austin infrastructure projects.
CAMPO’s request was for transportation projects only, rather than the broader “infrastructure”
projects, and CAMPO’s definition for “shovel-ready” is that projects would be ready to bid by
August 2009, rather than the USCM’s requirement of completion by end of 2010.

• E. 7th St. Corridor Project (Pleasant Valley to Pedernales St) to include street
reconstruction and drainage and utility upgrades, streetscape amenities (sidewalk,
landscaping, lighting), and ADA improvements. $8,120,000
• Bicycle Infrastructure Improvements (a package of ready-to-install bicycle lanes, sharedused
bicycle and pedestrian paths, and minor infrastructure improvements to remove
barriers on bicycle routes). $2,600,000
• Bicycle, Shared Paths, Connected Trails and Sidewalk Project. $2,500,000
• Burnet Road Sidewalk Project: sidewalk to be installed on both sides of Burnet Rd
between Koenig/Allendale and US Hwy 183, providing an ADA-accessible route along
an arterial. $10,000,000
• ADA Title II Handicap Facility-Compliant Upgrades. $5,000,000
• Sidewalk along Wm. Cannon Drive, IH 35 to Pleasant Valley Rd. $3,000,000
• Boardwalk along Lady Bird Lake: The project will close a 1.3-mile gap in a heavily-used
pedestrian and bicycle trail system, improving safety and providing additional access to
the Pfluger Bridge, major bike and pedestrian facility in downtown Austin. $18,000,000
• Brazos Street Utilities and Road Reconstruction Project (from Cesar Chavez to E. 11th
St). $9,700,000
• Wells Branch Roadway Project. $2,000,000
• S. First St. Sidewalk Project: sidewalk on both sides of S. First from Slaughter Ln. to
Wm. Cannon, providing an ADA-accessible route along an arterial. $5,000,000
• Brodie Ln. Sidewalk Project: sidewalk on both sides of Brodie Ln from Travis County
line to Slaughter Ln. $1,500,000
• Westgate Blvd Roadway Project, Cameron Rd. to Cohoba Drive. $2,000,000
• Intersection/Safety Improvement Projects (various Austin locations). $1,500,000
• Purchase and Install Transit Fare and Parking Mgmt Kiosks: solar powered, cell phonebased
travel fare machines to be installed on-street along proposed Austin Urban Rail
Corridor and at MetroRail stations, to dispense transit tickets and manage station parking.
$5,000,000
• Austin Safe Routes to School Supplemental Funding. $3,000,000
• Austin Urban Rail Project: purchase vehicles and maintenance equipment necessary to
jumpstart high capacity rail investment in Central Austin. $60,000,000
• Trail Enhancements at Lady Bird Lake (to include, for example, trail resurfacing, 5
restroom replacements, retaining wall replacement, 25 water fountain replacements, 2
park shelter replacements, etc.). $7,000,000
• Davis/Deer Ln Roadway Improvements. $1,000,000
• Purchase and install Computer technology necessary to allow web access to existing
200+ arterial traffic cameras and other traffic information devices, resulting in improved
driver information and system efficiency. $800,000
• 20 signals at various Austin locations. $2,400,000
• Purchase and install variable message signs on major highways and arterials to manage
special events in Central Austin and provide improved driver information. $5,000,000
• Purchase and install vehicle detection stations using toll-tag registration tags, creating a
real-time congestion information system accessible by Austin citizens. $6,000,000
• Asphalt Overlay Projects Citywide. $1,500,000
______________________________________________________________________________

The following projects are not on the list because they cannot meet the federal requirement of
being ready to bid by end of August, 2009:
• Pleasant Valley Road Extension: to close a gap in S. Pleasant Valley Rd. between Button
Bend and St/ Elmo Rd.). $2,500,000
• North Lamar Sidewalk Project: sidewalk on both sides of N. Lamar from Rundberg Ln to
Braker Ln, providing a high-priority ADA-accessible route along an arterial. $6,500,000
• Pfluger Bridge Bicycle & Pedestrian Bridge Extension: an extension of the existing
bycicle/pedestrian bridge built in 2001. The bridge provides a safe, effective crossing of
Lady Bird Lake in the city’s downtown area. $2,300,000
• Bicycle & Pedestrian Tunnel (Bowie St. Underpass): sponsored by the City’s Economic
Growth and Redevelopment Dept and the Public Works Bicycle & Pedestrian Program,
the project will provide bicycle and pedestrian connectivity in downtown Austin adjacent
to an arterial. $3,500,000
• Todd Lane Roadway Improvements Project, St. Elmo Rd. to Ben White Blvd: upgrade an
existing two-lane roadway to a four-lane arterial with center turn lane, bicycle lanes,
sidewalk on both sides, and drainage improvements. $2,000,000

Miggy · Post by **Miggy** » January 22nd, 2009, 1:15 pm

And here's the ones that Austin Energy submitted:

Austin Energy and other city departments are proposing infrastructure projects that have a green bent.

•Project: Fire Department headquarters

Cost: $1.8 million

Jobs produced: 25

Goals: Energy-efficiency improvements to building on Techni Center Drive that houses the Austin Fire Department headquarters and other city offices. They would lower energy costs, improve indoor air quality and lower maintenance costs.

•Project: Hornsby Bend Biosolids Treatment Plant

Cost: $1.8 million

Jobs produced: 15 (for up to a year)

Goals: Replacing one of the current biogas generators with higher-efficiency equipment will offset 400 kilowatts to 500 kilowatts of the facility's power demand. The project also is expected to generate 3.3 million to 4.1 million kilowatt-hours of electricity.

•Project: Decker Power Plant

Cost: $3.5 million

Jobs produced: 10 (for about 6 months)

Goals: Replace decades-old solar photovoltaic modules, which are no longer functional, and install new electrical infrastructure to support the solar array.

•Project: City facilities

Cost: $1.5 million

Jobs produced: 15

Goals: Retrofit existing 32-watt fluorescent lamps with energy-efficient 28-watt low mercury lamps to increase the quality of light, reduce energy use and carbon footprint.

•Project: Energy Efficiency Services

Cost: $200,000

Jobs produced: 30 to 40; training for 100 to 150

Goals: Provide building commissioning training to contractors and technicians in Energy Efficiency Services group. The group provides energy-efficiency technical support and training to building operators and owners.

•Project: Austin City Hall

Cost: $200,000

Jobs produced: 12

Goals: Retrofit light fixtures in the parking garage to energy-efficient induction lighting fixtures.

•Project: American YouthWorks

Cost: $570,000

Jobs produced: 12

Goals: Increase energy efficiency and use of solar photovoltaic system at American YouthWorks, a nonprofit charter school and job training center. Project would include installation of a 50-kilowatt photovoltaic system.

•Project: Energy efficiency training

Cost: $300,000

Jobs produced: 6; training for 200 to 300

Goals: Certify local contractors through training accredited by the Building Performance Institute, which specializes in certifying technicians proficient in energy-efficiency regulations and building practices.

•Project: Residential and commercial solar development

Cost: $250,000

Jobs produced: 5

Goals: Increase the use of solar photovoltaic systems in public facilities, businesses and private residences. The project also will stimulate local solar installation business.

•Project: Virtual Net Zero Households Project

Cost: $300,000

Jobs produced: 5 to 10

Goals: Make all new, single-family homes zero-net energy-capable by 2020. Zero-net energy-capable homes use renewable power generation such as solar panels combined with energy-efficient appliances, lighting, insulation and thermostats. The Virtual Net Zero Households Project will help install solar arrays, provide training for green builders and provide resources to make residences more energy-efficient.

•Project: Zilker Botanical Garden

Cost: $175,000

Jobs produced: 32 to 42

Goals: Install energy-efficient outdoor trail and exhibit lighting and electrical outlets so that the facility can extend operating hours and host nighttime shows and exhibits.

•Project: Lamar Street Bridge

Cost: $100,000

Jobs produced: 12

Goals: Replace degraded and costly incandescent lighting with installation of energy-efficient fiber-optic lighting. Project also aims to stimulate nighttime use of the nearby Pfluger Pedestrian Bridge.

Miggy · Post by **Miggy** » January 22nd, 2009, 1:26 pm

It should be pointed out that Judge Andy Austin is also asking for $60M+ for a new federal courthouse - and I absolutely oppose that tooth and nail - but I'm unlikely to make an impact on that decision unfortunately :-/

If you have input for/against - do consider contacting your Austin/Texas delegation of representatives (e-mail is recommended when they're in Washington because their mail goes through an extensive security check. When they're in-district (on recess from D.C.) - it doesn't and physical mailing is recommended).

If you do send anything - please consider mentioning that you oppose the federal courthouse, also

U.S. Senators

Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison
961 Federal Building
300 East 8th Street
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 916-5834
http://hutchison.senate.gov/contact.cfm

Senator John Cornyn
Chase Tower
221 West Sixth Street
Suite 1520
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 469-6034
http://cornyn.senate.gov/public/index.c ... ontactForm

Members of Congress

Rep. Lloyd Doggett
763 Federal Building
300 East 8th Street
Austin, TX 78701
(512) 916-5921
http://www.house.gov/doggett/doggett_im ... ress.shtml

Rep. Lamar Smith
1100 NE Loop 410, Suite 640
San Antonio, TX 78209
(210) 821-5024
http://lamarsmith.house.gov/contact.aspx?section=Mail

Rep. Michael McCaul
5929 Balcones Drive, Suite 305
Austin, TX 78731
(512) 473-2357
http://www.congress.org/congressorg/mai ... &chamber=H

Rep. John Carter
One Financial Center
1717 North IH 35
Suite 303
Round Rock, TX 78664
(512) 246-1600
http://www.congress.org/congressorg/mai ... &chamber=H

apiaryist · Post by **apiaryist** » January 22nd, 2009, 6:14 pm

That's a hefty hunk of change. You are currently my only source for community information like this. Thank you.

I'm for any bike and pedestrian friendly improvements. Too bad that one of them was an initial casualty. I'm in total agreement with you on the courthouse. Utterly unnecessary and a waste of money. Wasn't the extension to the 11th street courthouse a huge scandal and boondoggle? I seem to remember years of construction and 40000 private toilets for some judges and officials. Maybe it was all just a dream.

Miggy · Post by **Miggy** » April 1st, 2009, 11:43 am

Miggy wrote:It should be pointed out that Judge Andy Austin is also asking for $60M+ for a new federal courthouse - and I absolutely oppose that tooth and nail - but I'm unlikely to make an impact on that decision unfortunately :-/

If you have input for/against - do consider contacting your Austin/Texas delegation of representatives (e-mail is recommended when they're in Washington because their mail goes through an extensive security check. When they're in-district (on recess from D.C.) - it doesn't and physical mailing is recommended).

If you do send anything - please consider mentioning that you oppose the federal courthouse, also

Courthouse got approved yesterday

beardedlamb · Post by **beardedlamb** » April 1st, 2009, 12:06 pm

doesnt anyone understand that spending money stupidly is what is screwing this country? so in 10 years we'll have a pretty courthouse that will probably cost $70 million. we'll also still have dropouts and potholes. stupid.