EASTHAMPTON — In a bid to qualify for millions in federal grant money, the City Council voted unanimously on Wednesday to borrow $450,000 to pay for costs of the redesign of Union Street.
The costs include engineering and design, constructing sidewalks, curb cuts, bike paths and landscaping.
By completing the design, the city would qualify for over $3 million in federal grant money, Councilor Daniel Rist said.
“We can’t apply for the full federal funding until the design is complete,” Rist said.
The federal funding would come through the Pioneer Valley Transportation Improvement Program (TIP).
The Pioneer Valley Metropolitan Planning Organization receives roughly $20 million annually to allocate to transportation projects eligible for federal funding, according to the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission public affairs manager Patrick Beaudry. The process in receiving funding through a TIP is competitive and projects are scored.
Designs consistent with U.S. Department of Transportation’s “complete streets” policies, which provides safe and accessible options for walking, biking, transit and vehicles, can receive a higher score. Easthampton plans to follow those policies for the Union Street redesign.
“This project is so massive,” Public Works Director Joseph I. Pipczynski said. “We’re going to design it immediately and get the ball rolling.”
Pipczynski said a contract with the civil engineering company Vanasse Hangen Brustlin Inc. is waiting to be signed to start the design process.
However, Pipczynski said the design could take a year, and if the city lags, another community can fill the spot for the grant.
“We’ve got to think of this as a race,” Pipczynski said. “If we delay, we lose federal funding.”
Pipczynski said the project will look at sidewalks and crosswalks, as well as the intersection of Union Street, Liberty Street and the Manhan Rail Trail, which he said is a problem area with a high crash rate.
City Planner Jessica Allen said in a previous interview that the project could bring “huge economic development” to the neighborhood and foot traffic helps businesses thrive.
In 30 years, Pipczynski said he believes Union Street has been paved only once.
“This is very exciting,” he said. “This is something that is going to be a big deal.”
On Wednesday, the councilors also voted to transfer $45,056 for two Fire Department retirees for sick leave buyback to fulfill contractual obligations.
On Feb. 15, the 2018 fiscal year City Council budget will be presented to the full council. Public hearings scheduled for Feb. 15 include a $23,000 appropriation for replacement of a dump body for a Sewer Department dump truck and a $150,000 appropriation for replacement of water main crossing at Ferry Street bridge.
The Ordinance Subcommittee has canceled its Feb. 8 meeting. The next session is scheduled for 6 p.m. Feb. 22 in the second-floor meeting area. The subcommittee will discuss the possibility of a sanctuary city designation as well as recreational marijuana regulations and the creation of a Human Rights Ordinance.
Caitlin Ashworth can be reached at cashworth@gazettenet.com.