Manhan Rail Trail Expedited
April 24, 2009 Community Preservation Committee Attn: Fran Volkmann, Chair 210 Main Street, Room 11 Northampton, MA 01060 RE: Expedited Request for Manhan Rail Trail Project in
Northampton Dear Fran: The City of Northampton Office of Planning and Development is submitting the attached documentation as part of an expedited review in order to maximize federal
stimulus funds to create local jobs and grow the local economy by utilizing $4.67 million dollars that have been approved for the construction of the Manhan Rail Trail from the Grove/Earle
Street intersection in Northampton to Ferry Street in Easthampton. Funds for this “shovel ready” project, if out to bid within the extremely aggressive 120 day “use it or lose it” funding
period, will be committed to connect the Manhan/Norwottuck Rail Trail network in Northampton with the Manhan Rail Trail network in Easthampton. The project is not only an investment
that provides immediate economic impact to the local economy, but one that provides long-term permanent benefits to the citizens of Northampton by creating sustainable transit options
to connect the City of Northampton to regional urban centers, promoting the wellbeing of the individual and the community by providing wholesome recreational opportunities, reducing
traffic congestion and improving overall air quality. The project has broad public support and meets the recommendations of the Sustainable Northampton Plan, Northampton Comprehensive
Transportation Plan and the Community Preservation Plan. In order to secure the federal stimulus dollars and move forward with the transit construction project, the City of Northampton
must commit an additional $100,000 for soft costs and overrun costs prior to bidding of the rail trail extension project. The following are estimated City costs associated with the project
that are not covered by the $4.67 million dollars in federal stimulus funds: o Right-of-way costs, to the extent they exceed $53,000 in a federal grant already allocated. o Construction
costs due to unknown or changed conditions to the extent they exceed 10% overrun costs ($467,000). o Requested project changes, including any necessary changes to provide future access
ramps. o Some utility and taking relocation costs. o Soft costs including appraisals, title abstracts, survey work related to the right-of-way. o Engineering costs to address MassHighway
change requests, changed conditions, bid review, final as-built drawings, and serve as the owner’s agent. Thank you for your consideration on this request. I look forward to working
with the CPC and providing whatever information you need to help you in your deliberations. Sincerely, Wayne Feiden, FAICP Director of Planning and Development
COMMUNITY PRESERVATION PROJECT APPLICATION FORM I: Project Information Project Title: Manhan Rail Trail Recreation Project Project Summary: This multi-use recreational rail trail project
is 4,400 meters in length from Earle Street in Northampton to Ferry Street in Easthampton and links the Manhan/Norwottuck Bike Trail in Northampton to the Manhan Bike Trail in Easthampton.
Estimated start date: June 12, 2009 Estimated completion date: Fall 2010 CPA Program Area (check all that apply): Open Space Historic Preservation Community Housing X Recreation
II: Applicant/Developer Information Contact Person and or/primary applicant: Wayne Feiden Organization (if applicable): Office of Planning and Development Mailing Address: 210 Main Street,
Room 11, Northampton, MA 01060 Daytime phone #: 413-587-1265 Fax #: 413-587-1264 E-mail address: WFeiden@NorthamptonMA.gov III: Budget Summary Total budget for project: $ 5,000,000 CPA
funding request: $100,000 CPA request as percentage of total budget: 2% Applicant’s Signature: __ _________ Date Submitted: _04/24/2009__________________
Project Narrative ProjectAddressesCommunityPreservationCriteria Supports multiple active and passive recreation uses Addresses recommendations contained in the Sustainable
Northampton comprehensive plan and is consistent with other city-wide planning efforts that have received broad-based scrutiny and input and can demonstrate wide community support
Receives endorsement by community groups, municipal boards and/or departments Leverages additional funds Serves a significant number of residents, boosts the vitality of the community,
and enhances the quality of life for its residents Expands the range of recreational opportunities available to Northampton residents of all ages Can be implemented expeditiously
and within budget Enhances the appreciation of the natural world and its conservation Contributes to the positive health status of its citizens Benefits conservation and recreation
initiatives Promotes the creative use of former railway, waterways and other corridors, including connecting corridors, to create safe and healthful non-motorized transportation and
exercise opportunities Receives endorsement by community groups, municipal boards and departments ProjectServesCommunityNeeds This project provides jobs, promotes the wellbeing
of the individual and the community by providing a wholesome recreational opportunity, reduces traffic congestion and improves air quality. ProjecthasCommunitySupport This project
is part of a broader effort to create sustainable transit options to connect the City of Northampton to regional urban centers. As presented to the Community Preservation Committee on
April 15, 2009, the project has received support from the Mayor, City Council, Transportation and Parking Commission, Northampton Bike/Pedestrian Committee, Friends of the Northampton
Trails and Greenways, and is part of the Northampton Comprehensive Transportation Plan and Sustainable Northampton Plan, as adopted by the Planning Board, Board of Public Works and City
Council. SuccessFactors The success of this project will be measured by: o The project advertisement in June, which secures the federal stimulus funds for this project. o The ability
of the project to serve as a catalyst in improving the local economy by providing jobs and services. o The embracement of the new bikepath by the neighborhood and community. Maintenance
Only a very low level of maintenance is required. The Department of Public Works maintains Northampton’s rail trails and has accepted the maintenance requirements of this rail trail
extension. Project Budget
Uses of Funds (entire project) TOTAL Construction Price ~$4,670,000 Soft costs (appraisals, legal, etc) ~$330,000 TOTAL ~$5,000,000 CPA as percent of total project 2% All CPA funds
will be used for the Northampton section of the rail trail project. Soft-costs are based on quotes and similar experience. Some of these items have been contracted for prior to final
City Council action, but no CPC funds are requested for these items. Soft-costs are defined here as all of the non-granted funded costs (enhancement grant plus federal economic stimulus
money) that pay for the core project. Soft costs include: o Right-of-way costs, to the extent they exceed $53,000 in a federal grant we have received. o Construction costs due to
unknown or changed conditions to the extent they exceed 10% of the project construction budget ($467,000). o Requested changes, including any necessary to provide any future access ramps.
o Some utility and taking relocation costs. o Soft costs including appraisals, title abstracts, survey work related to the right-of-way. o Engineering costs to address MassHighway requests,
change conditions, bid review, final as-built drawings, and costs to serve as owner’s agent. Uses of CPA and Traffic Mitigation Funds) Low Range Estimate High Range Right-of-way for
trail and ramps $0 $20,000 $100,000 Construction Costs (overruns, ramps, utility) $0 $50,000 $300,000 Appraisal, survey, engineering, title $20,000 $50,000 $100,000 TOTAL (of which CPA
request is $100,000) $20,000 $120,000 $500,000 Project Timeline CPC vote……………………………….Assume-May 6, 2009 City Council vote………………………May 21, 2009 and June 4, 2009 Project Bid Release…………………….June
12, 2009 Project Construction……………………Fall 2009 or Spring 2010 Project Feasibility The City of Northampton has evaluated the existing utility corridor and has completed the initial environmental
review. The project is at 100% design phase, and land takings have been approved by City Council. Project is close to ready to go out to bid on June 12, 2009. Attachments 1. Manhan Bike
Trail Extension Locus 2. Manhan Bike Trail Extension Orthophoto
Proposed Rail Trail Extension EASTHAMPTON RD Easthampton 0.5 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 Miles
Proposed Rail Trail Extension EASTHAMPTON RD Easthampton 0.5 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 Miles