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CT River Greenway ApplicationII: Applicant /Developer Information Contact Person and or /primary applicant: Wayne Feiden Property Owner (if applicable): Northampton Conservation Commission Organization (if applicable): Conservation and Recreation Commissions and OPD Mailing Address: 210 Main Street, City Hall, Northampton MA 01060 Daytime phone 413 587 -1265 Fax 413 587 -1264 E -mail address: wfeiden0northamptonma.gov COMMUNITY PRESERVATION PROJECT APPLICATION COVER SHEET I: Project Information Project Summary: CPA Funding is sought to advance the design of the Hatfield Northampton Connecticut River Greenway Trail. CPA funds will be used to complete a survey of the area from River Run condominiums to the Norwottuck Rail Trail, and brinq design of the trail to the 25% phase. Estimated start date: August, 2011 Estimated completion date: August, 2013 (for this phase) CPA Program Area (check all that apply): Open Space Historic Preservation Community Housing Recreation Project Title: Connecticut River Greenway III: Budget Summary CPA funding request: $200,000 CPA request as percentage of total budget: 2.5 Total budget for project: $8,225,000 Applicant's Signature: r Date Submitted: February 7, 2011 Connecticut River Greenway CPA Application 1 CONNECTICUT RIVER GREENWAY CPA APPLICATION Narrative: CPA Funding is sought to advance the design and feasibility of the Connecticut River Greenway Trail connecting Northampton to Hatfield. There is currently no safe bicycle or pedestrian connection between Northampton and its multi -use trail network, and Hatfield's network of bike friendly roads. Damon Road is an especially treacherous route for bicyclists and those on foot, and the project will create a safe and attractive connection. CPA funds will be used to conduct a survey of the portion of the trail from River Run condominiums to the Norwottuck Rail Trail, and then to bring design of the trail to the 25% design phase. Work on the overall project has already begun, and is continuing. The City of Northampton and the Town of Hatfield, along with volunteers and committee members, have identified the approximate route for the trail, including scenic views, worked with abutters, kept local boards and commissions informed about progress, and have closed on the first parcel involved with the trail. A surveyor has been hired, with help from a small grant, and a recordable land survey will soon be completed that will identify all property owner information for the northern segment of the trail; from Damon Road to the Hatfield town line. This will allow the City to layout the route of the trail sufficiently to identify which parcels are required for acquisition, and create a detailed target list of necessary acquisitions. While the planned eastern portion of the trail can be located almost entirely on land owned by the Conservation Commission, a survey is needed to determine elevations and identify other features, and develop a layout for the trail. CPA funding will also allow for an engineering consultant to be obtained to bring the trail to 25% design. Once the trail meets this step, the project can enter the funding queue, and it is hoped the trail will be constructed in five to six years from this point. Obtaining funding for engineering was difficult for several other trail projects, since initial planning does not receive federal or state support. The biggest challenge to development of multi -use trails is obtaining funds for initial design and layout. CPA funds will bridge that gap, and will leverage state and federal funding for construction. Community Preservation Criteria The project meets several Community Preservation general criteria: Serves more than one CPA program area The project serves both Open Space and Recreation. Contributes to the preservation of Northampton's unique character, boosts the vitality of the community, and enhances the quality of life for its residents Northampton is known for its network of multi -use trails, and this trail will be a valuable addition to this resource. The trail will connect the Norwottuck Rail Trail with the Town of Hatfield, which will greatly expand the amount of trails and bicycle friendly roads available to Northampton residents and visitors. Connecticut River Greenway CPA Application 2 Addresses recommendations contained in the Sustainable Northampton comprehensive plan and /or the Northampton Open Space and Recreation Plan 2005 -2010, Open Space, Recreation, and Mixed Use Trail Plan 2011 -2017 or is consistent with other city -wide planning efforts that have received broad -based scrutiny and input and can demonstrate wide community support Multi -use paths were identified as a primary objective in the Open Space, Recreation, and Mixed Use Trail Plan, so much so that the Plan's name was changed to include them. The Plan noted that "opportunities for new or expanded connections to existing trail networks for alternative transportation, walking, hiking, biking, cross country skiing, and other recreational opportunities" are priorities when considering sites for recreation. The Connecticut River Greenway Trail was called out as a specific goal as well: "Extending a trail 1.5 miles from Damon Road or 1.3 miles from River Run Access Road to Elm Court in Hatfield would dramatically open up multi -use trail opportunities. It would connect a new town to the growing rail trail network and provide easy access to Hatfield's safe back roads for Northampton bicyclists. It would also be a spectacular trail with great Connecticut River vistas and it would be anchored by the south by the new greenway community boathouse park and on the north by the Connecticut River Greenway parcel with frontage on the river." Serves under served populations The Trail will provide access to River Run condominiums, the largest low income condominium complex in the city. The condos are currently isolated from the trail network, as well as the rest of the City, by busy, unsafe roads. This project will create a direct link for Places high value on sustainable, ecologically responsible, energy conserving structures, locations, and materials; demonstrates that the project minimizes the ecological footprint The project will create additional connections for alternative modes of travel, and provide new opportunities to bike and walk to shopping areas and the downtown, potentially reducing vehicle trips. Receives endorsement by community groups, municipal boards and /or departments The project is supported by the Office of Planning and Development, Recreation Commission, Conservation Commission, Transportation and Parking Commission, and Bicycle/Pedestrian Subcommittee. Leverages additional public and /or private funds, or demonstrates that other funding sources are not readily available or sufficient The initial first- dollar -in CPA investment will allow leveraging of state and federal funds for construction. Funding is unfortunately not readily available for the initial, design phase of multi -use trail projects, and other trails have been stalled at this phase. CPA funds will allow the ball to get rolling on the Greenway Trail, and bring us many steps closer to a ribbon cutting. Demonstrates a high benefit /cost value Connecticut River Greenway CPA Application 3 A relatively small initial investment of CPA funds will leverage a great deal of state and federal funds for construction. Multi -use trail projects have typically received tremendous public support in Northampton, and this trail will be a very visible, highly traveled addition to the trail network. Can be implemented expeditiously and within budget Bids can be sought for project consultants as soon as a grant is awarded. The sooner trail design can be completed, the sooner the project can enter the funding queue. While the larger project is subject to the availability of funding from other sources, experience with other trails and oversight the multi -year process that led to our current $13 million of construction funding and all of our current construction projects, we know that this is achievable. The project also meets many of the specific criteria for Open Space and Recreation projects. Open Space Criteria: Provide opportunities for passive recreation and environmental education Provide connections with existing non motorized multi -use trails or potential trail linkages Preserve valuable surface water resources, including rivers, streams, lakes, ponds, wetlands, buffer zones, vernal pools and riparian zones Recreation Criteria: Support multiple active and passive recreation uses; Serve a significant number of residents; Expand the range of recreational opportunities available to /Northampton residents of all ages Enhance the appreciation of the natural world and its conservation Contribute to the positive health status of its citizens Benefit conservation and recreation initiatives Maximize the utility of land already owned by Northampton (e.g. school property) Promote the creative use of former railway, waterways and other corridors, including connecting corridors, to create safe and healthful non motorized transportation and exercise opportunities Connecticut River Greenway CPA Application 4 Task CPA Portion Match Total Design: Includes Surveying, Engineering and Other Consulting $200,000 Enter queue for federal and state funding $200,000 Project Oversight, Community Outreach, Wetlands Flagging and Permitting, Mapping 2 years $25,000 $25,000 Construction: leverage that will be provided once design is complete 4 years $8,000,000 $8,000,000 Trail construction complete 6 years $8,225,000 Task Timeline All necessary environmental due diligence 1 year Preliminary design (25 of entire trail 1 year Enter queue for federal and state funding 1 year Purchase all necessary right -of -way 2 years 25% design of entire trail accepted by MassDOT 3 years 100% plans specifications and estimates 4 years Advertising to build trail 5 years Trail construction complete 6 years Project Timeline (Entire project): Project Budget: Attachments: Support Letters: Friends of Northampton Trails and Greenways MassBike Greenway Connection Map Connecticut River Greenway CPA Application 5 Friends of Northampton Trails and Greenwat js, Inc. Po Box 60643 Florence, MA 01062 -06+3 iittp://www.cntg.net Community Preservation Committee 210 Main Street, Room 11 Northampton, MA 01060 January 4, 2011 Dear Community Preservation Committee, Thanks to the support of many, including the Community Preservation Committee, Northampton has been a leader in Massachusetts in the development of multi -use trails. However, there is no trail or safe roadway route that allows access for bikers and walkers to travel between Northampton and Hatfield. We are now working to fill this gap. When complete, our proposed trail will provide a connection from Hatfield to an extensive network of trails that links many communities. It will also provide a connection to a beautiful segment of the Connecticut River in an area that has long been separated from both communities by the Interstate. Work to make the trail a reality is already being undertaken through creative partnerships between communities, private citizens, and nonprofit organizations. The design funds being requested from the Community Preservation Act will bring the trail closer to a ribbon cutting. As President of the Friends of Northampton Trails and Greenways, a non profit organization that seeks to improve the expanding network of rail trails in our city, I know the importance of this project to our community. This application has our full support, and we continue to serve as a partner with the City of Northampton and other groups to create these new recreational paths and greenspaces. Yours sincerely, 7,// 5 Nicholas Horton President FNTG The Friends of Northampton Trails and Greenwa Inc. is a non profit volunteer organization that supports the expanding network of rail- trails in Northampton, Massachusetts. Katharine Baker, Chair Community Preservation Committee Office of Planning and Development City Hall, 212 Main St. Northampton, MA 01060 Sincerely, James D. Lowenthal, President 413 586 -4088 james@ast.smith.edu MassBike /Pioneer Valley P.O. Box 816 Northampton, MA 01061 -0816 RE: Hatfield Northampton trail feasibility and layout 7 February 2011 Dear Ms. Baker: Northampton has been a leader in Massachusetts in the development of multi- use trails. However, there is no trail or safe roadway route that allows car -free travel for bikers and walkers connecting Northampton to Hatfield. I am writing on behalf of MassBike /Pioneer Valley to voice strong support for CPA funding to conduct a full feasibility and layout study for such a trail connecting these two neighboring towns, bringing the trail plan to the 25% stage. When complete, the trail will provide a connection from Hatfield to an extensive network of trails linking many communities; the node of that network is Northampton. It will also provide a connection to a beautiful segment of the Connecticut River, in an area that has long been separated from the rest of the city. It will support local economies, will improve the quality of life in the region, and will enhance the environment by taking cars off the road. Work to make this trail a reality is being done through partnerships of communities, private citizens, and nonprofit organizations. This grant will allow us to clear an important hurdle in making the trail a reality, bringing us much closer to aribbon- cutting. The project is eminently consistent with CPA goals. We hope you will fully fund this important CPA request.