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.