title
Adopt a resolution of local support authorizing the filing of an application for funding assigned to the Metropolitan Transportation Commission for the Solano360 Mobility Hub Phase 1 project
body
Published Notice Required? Yes ____ No _X _
Public Hearing Required? Yes ____ No _X _
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The Department of Resource Management recommends that the Board of Supervisors:
1) Adopt a resolution of local support authorizing the filing of an application for funding assigned to the Metropolitan Transportation Commission for the Solano360 Mobility Hub Phase 1 project.
SUMMARY:
The Solano360 Specific Plan for the Fairgrounds property includes plans and requirements for various transportation, transit, and parking improvements. In 2023, the Department of Resource Management was selected for a $2.1 million competitive federal grant award through the One Bay Area Grant 3 (OBAG 3) program for the first phase of the Solano360 Mobility Hub (Project). The Mobility Hub improvements include a new parking area, electric vehicle charging stations, and a transit stop near the northern portion of the Fairgrounds property along Sage Street consistent with improvements anticipated in the Specific Plan (See attached Specific Plan Land Use and Parking, Attachment A). The Mobility Hub anticipates including a parking structure in a future phase once other portions of the Solano360 Specific Plan are developed.
In order to facilitate use of OBAG 3 federal grant funds, Solano County must commit to planning goals and requirements established by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC). MTC requires agencies receiving OBAG 3 funds adopt a resolution of Local Support which commits a jurisdiction to the requirements within. With the Board’s adoption of the resolution (Attachment B), the Department of Resource Management will execute all documents necessary to facilitate use of the federal grant funds for the Project.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The costs associated with preparing the agenda item and submitting the executed resolution are nominal and absorbed by the Department’s FY2023/24 Working Budget. The Department will exercise Transportation Development Act Article 4 & 8 funds, amongst a variety of other potential grant funds, to fund the local match requirements that are required for Project delivery. Construction of the Project using grant funds will only be exercised after all environmental and design portions are completed and will require a future action by the Board to recognize the funds.
DISCUSSION:
On December 11, 2012, the Board approved the Solano360 Specific Plan and certified the Environmental Impact Report for the phased redevelopment of the Fairgrounds property. The Solano360 Specific Plan incorporates a mix of land uses that require connectivity within the Specific Plan area and outward to the local and regional transportation networks. Approval of the Specific Plan and EIR has set in motion various traffic mitigation and redevelopment projects to serve the Fairgrounds property and the local community, including:
1) Reconstruction of the Highway 37/Fairgrounds Drive interchange, in coordination with Solano Transportation Authority and Caltrans;
2) Reconstruction of Fairgrounds Drive, in coordination with Solano Transportation Authority and the City of Vallejo;
3) Realignment of the Fairgrounds Drainage Channel, in coordination with Vallejo Sanitation and Flood Control District and City of Vallejo;
4) Demolition of the antiquated Fairgrounds stadium, in coordination with the Solano County Fair Association; and,
5) Regional Express Bus and local transit stop improvements, in coordination with Solano Transportation Authority and SolTrans.
The Mobility Hub will establish a new node that will provide multi-modal connectivity for electric vehicles, transit riders, commuters, pedestrians, and cyclists. Per 5.3, Parking, of the Specific Plan, “The Transit/North Parking Center would provide interim surface parking in Phase 1 and, starting in Phase 2, a parking structure.” The Mobility Hub will also provide expanded transportation options for a variety of uses including the Solano County Fair, local event overflow parking, transit, ride share, and future development access.
The 2020 Facility Forecast and Recommendation Report, by the Solano Transportation Authority, provided a regional parking demand forecast for the Fairgrounds property of 320 spaces currently needed for Solano Express Bus, ride share, and SolTrans fixed route transit for existing uses. The Report recommends parking facility phased enhancements as Solano360 is developed to include electric vehicle charging stations, bike facilities, lighting, fencing, and a full parking structure build in the last phase.
Phase 1 of the Mobility Hub will be accessed from Sage Street which will be developed to include transit bus stop facilities, pedestrian sidewalks, and bike lanes. Development of the site will include approximately 320 parking spaces, 12 electric vehicle charging stations, landscaping, lighting, and fencing. As the broader Solano360 area builds out, future phases of the Mobility Hub are anticipated to include solar facilities, bus charging, and a parking structure.
The OBAG 3 grant required the County update the Housing Element of the County’s General Plan to meet regional and State requirements. Now that the Housing Element is certified, the Department can move forward by obligating the $2.1 million of OBAG 3 federal grant funds with MTC. Department staff will return to the Board with a future agreement to establish the final scope for final design and construction of the Mobility Hub Phase 1 project.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board could choose to not adopt the resolution, however, this is not recommended because development of the Mobility Hub, as part of the Solano360 Specific Plan, is facilitated through this process.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
Department staff solicited input from Solano Transportation Authority, City of Vallejo, SolTrans, and the Metropolitan Transportation Commission.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION