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Recommendation to authorize City Manager to enter into one or more agreements and to submit one or more grant applications to further the Public-Private Partnership process between the City of Long Beach and Save the Queen, LLC to apply for and secure grant funds for future planning efforts focused on the analysis of mass transit alternatives necessary for and appropriate to the future development of the Queen Mary leasehold. (District 2)
DISCUSSION
The successful bidder for the Queen Mary leasehold is Save the Queen, LLC (STQ). STQ intends to develop the approximately 45 acres of land included in the leasehold. This effort is anticipated to begin in the next few months and will likely continue for a period of approximately thirty-six months. One of the more difficult challenges to a successful development at this location is the inclusion of a transportation system that will accommodate the number of daily visitors required to sustain and support the significant capital investment that is anticipated.
STQ has contracted with Urban Innovations, based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (Urban). Urban is a firm that specializes in Transit Oriented Development. STQ and Urban believe that in order for development at the Queen Mary leasehold to be successful, significant investment in one or more transportation systems will be required to ensure that a sufficient level of daily visitors can easily and quickly enter and leave the site. STQ and Urban have proposed forming a Public-Private Partnership with the City, who is the Lessor, in order to more efficiently and economically deliver a regionally-serving mass transit system to support development.
In order to be prepared to analyze alternative transportation systems that may be proposed for the future development scenarios, it is prudent to apply for and secure transportation planning grant money. One of the grant sources is the Federal Transit Administration (FT A), through the Transit Title and the Highways Title. Currently, the focus will be on applications through the Transit Title, which will not impact the City's efforts to secure funds for significant transportation improvement projects, since funds are provided through the Highways Title. This funding source is re-authorized every six years, and the current authorization expires in 2009. As a result, in order to be considered for the next authorization, grant applications need to be submitted by July 21,2008.
A presentation on the Public-Private Partnership process was presented to the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on February 19, 2008, with a recommendation to hold a study session with the full City Council. The study session was held on March 11, 2008.
This letter was reviewed by Principal Deputy City Attorney J. Charles Parkin on July 3, 2008 and by Budget Management Officer Victoria Bell on July 7,2008.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action on this matter is requested on July 15, 2008, in order to submit the grant application to the FT A in a timely manner.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
Michael P. Conway,
Director of Public Works
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APPROVED: |
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PATRICK H. WEST |
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CITY MANAGER |