Trails and Recreational Access for Alaska (TRAAK) Project Nomination Package Project Title: Jensen- Olson Arboretum Trailhead Parking and S.E. Alaska Botanical Center A project qualifies under TRAAK if it: Improves access to recreational facilities, Provides trails and pathways for transportation, or Provides scenic and interpretive improvements along highways. If you fill in this form sequentially, items such as project cost and population will auto fill. The fields that have words in them already are drop down menus click on the field to get the drop down arrow, and select the correct answer. If there are any inconsistencies or concerns, please note those in the Question 11 comment field. Do you have a resolution from a local or tribal government explicitly committing to taking ownership of the facility upon completion? Yes No A commitment to take ownership must be in a signed local or tribal government resolution. Along with ownership comes a commitment to fully maintain the project for a period not less than its useful life. Total project costs = $1,000,000.00 X 0.0903 = $90,300.00, required local match. Do you have a resolution from a local or tribal government explicitly committing to providing match for this project? Yes No If you are not providing match, are you providing a match waiver approved by the commissioner? Yes No If no, explain: Are you providing a Tapered Match Agreement signed by FHWA? Yes No If no, explain: If you plan to provide required local match with anything other than funding (for instance, property, or prep work), you will need to have a Tapered Match Agreement in place, where the Federal Highway Administration recognizes that the work qualifies as match. Contact your regional planner for assistance and details. Page 1
If you do not provide a Tapered Match Agreement for work done in lieu of funds, the Project Evaluation Board will not be able to grant points for local funding contributions. A Tapered Match agreement is required for the project to be considered by the Project Evaluation Board, but does not in any way guarantee inclusion in the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program, or any other funding regime. The state requires that the sponsor or community commit to providing local funds to match federal funds in order to be considered for advancement to the Project Evaluation Board, or provide a match waiver signed by the Commissioner of DOT&PF. A commitment to provide local matching funds must be in a signed local or tribal government resolution. Any resolution should also explicitly acknowledge funds in excess of required match. A local match resolution or match waiver is required for the project to be considered by the Project Evaluation Board, but does not in any way guarantee inclusion in the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program, or any other funding regime. NOTE: In order to be considered by the Project Evaluation Board, a project must have key documents, including but not limited to: A resolution of support committing to funding match. A resolution accepting ownership or maintenance responsibility (as applicable). A Tapered Match agreement for work done in lieu of matching funds (as applicable). If key documents are not provided, this project will not be advanced to the Project Evaluation Board, and will not be considered for funding in the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program. The project will be added to the Needs List, an inventory of projects requested throughout the state. Inclusion on the Needs List does not imply any consideration for funding. Page 2
Please contact your regional planner to submit this nomination, or to answer any questions you may have. You can find a map of regional planners and their contact information at: http://www.dot.state.ak.us/stwdplng/cip_stip/index.shtml Look for: Project nomination materials should be submitted to your regional planner by close of business on: September 13, 2010 Page 3
Trails and Recreational Access for Alaska (TRAAK) Project Nomination Package Project Title: Jensen- Olson Arboretum Region: Southeast Project ID: Primary Sponsor: CBJ Primary Sponsor Contact: Rod Swope; Marc Matsil Phone: (907) 586-0932 Fax: e mail address: marc_matsil@ci.juneau.ak.us Location: Juneau, AK House District: Borough: Juneau MPO: None Length: Population Served: 30,700 Note: Please use Alaska Department of Labor statistics for population: http://laborstats.alaska.gov/?pageid=67&subid=171 under Place Estimates 2000 2009 Project Description: : The popularity of the Jensen-Olson Arboretum and the Point Caroline trail on the Arboretum premises (free and open to the public), has greatly increased since its opening in 2007. Presently, parking is extremely limited to approximately eight vehicles. Arboretum users often park along the Glacier Highway road shoulder which is extremely dangerous (photo attached). The project will also involve construction of an interpretive education center at Mile 23 on the Glacier Highway, accessible by both automobile and bicycle. The additional parking would be located adjacent to the Pt. Caroline Trail (part of the Arboretum). In addition to parking, the Southeast Alaska Botanical Interpretive Center will be located at the Jensen- Olson Arboretum, managed by the City & Borough of Juneau. The project will involve construction of an interpretive education center at Mile 23 on the Glacier Highway, accessible by both automobile and bicycle. The Arboretum is a virtual living laboratory of more than 650 species and cultivars situated on the garden's magnificent 17 acres. The garden was bequeathed to the City in 2006 and supports specimen primrose, lilac, and a diverse pallete of SE Alaska native plants. The Interpretive Center is a priority of the City and the Jensen-Olson Arboretum Board. The Interpretive Center would provide a facility for learning about SE Alaska's diverse natural resources and will provide a venue for educational workshops for the Juneau School District, University of Alaska Southeast and visitors. Justification: Page 4
Health and safety concerns - presently roadside parking along the shoulder of Glacier Highway is unsafe. The parking area would provide a safe loaction for arboretum and trail users.and provide a venue for trail and arboretum interpretation. Phase: Total Cost Funds available Source Design $ $20,000.00 $ $20,000.00 CBJ $ $ Right of Way $ $ $ $ Utilities $ $ $ $ Construction $ $980,000.00 $ $71,000.00 CBJ $ $ TOTAL: $ $1,000,000.00 $ $91,000.00 Explanation: If able, please attach 2 3 photos of the project area. Page 5
Trails and Recreational Access for Alaska (TRAAK) Project Nomination Package Project Title: Jensen Olson Arboretum Trailhead Parking and S.E. Alaska Botanical Center 1. Describe how the project impacts health and quality of life, including but not limited to air and water quality, neighborhood continuity, enhanced recreational opportunities, and enhanced understanding of natural and manmade environment. Please note if it reduces an existing negative factor, or if it involves provision of a new facility that improves quality of life. The popularity of the Jensen-Olson Arboretum and the Point Caroline trail on the Arboretum premises (free and open to the public), has greatly increased since its opening in 2007. Presently, parking is extremely limited to approximately eight vehicles. Arboretum users often park along the Glacier Highway road shoulder which is extremely dangerous (photo attached). The Southeast Alaska Botanical Interpretive Center will be located at the Jensen-Olson Arboretum, managed by the City & Borough of Juneau. The project will involve construction of an interpretive education center at Mile 23 on the Glacier Highway, accessible by both automobile and bicycle. The additional parking would be located adjacent to the Pt. Caroline Trail (part of the Arboretum). The Arboretum is a virtual living laboratory of more than 650 species and cultivars situated on the garden's magnificent 17 acres. The garden was bequeathed to the City in 2006 and supports specimen primrose, lilac, and a diverse pallete of SE Alaska native plants. The Interpretive Center is a priority of the City and the Jensen-Olson Arboretum Board. The Interpretive Center would provide a facility for learning about SE Alaska's diverse natural resources and will provide a venue for educational workshops for the Juneau School District, University of Alaska Southeast and visitors. 2. Safety: Describe how the project will reduce bicycle and/or pedestrian injuries or fatalities due to vehicular crashes. A parking area adjacent to the Arboretum's Point Caroline Trail would eliminate the need to park on Glacier Highway's unsafe shoulder. If this project is supported by the Strategic Highway Safety Plan, please cite the page and paragraph: The SHSP can be viewed at: http://dot.alaska.gov/stwdplng/shsp/documents/alaska_complete.pdf Does this project remove pedestrian/bicycle traffic from an arterial or collector street? Yes No Page 6
If so, provide the following information: Street Name: Mile 23.5 Average Daily Traffic: 100+ vehicles (more on weekends) Posted speed: 3. Local contributions to fund capital costs: Describe any local funds that will be provided in addition to required local match: 4. Describe any contribution to assume ownership or maintenance responsibility for the facility. A. If it is a DOT&PF facility: Sponsor will assume ownership of the facility if it is currently owned by DOT&PF Sponsor will assume ownership of another facility of similar M&O cost Sponsor will assume full M&O responsibility of this DOT&PF facility Sponsor will assume full M&O responsibility of another DOT&PF facility of similar M&O cost Are the commitments above in writing and passed by the governing body of the community or tribal government? Yes (attach copy, if a copy is not attached the project evaluation board will be unable to award points) No, explain: The Project Evaluation Board will be unable to award full points unless the M&O commitment is made in writing and approved by an elected representative body. Any commitment to fund must be accompanied by a written commitment approved by the local elected body that explicitly acknowledges match requirements B. If it is NOT a DOT&PF facility: Sponsor will assume ownership of and maintenance responsibility for the new facility. Sponsor will assume full M&O responsibility, but not ownership Sponsor will assume full M&O of another DOT&PF facility of similar M&O cost The project will provide significant local maintenance savings: How much: Continued sponsor ownership and operation of a locally owned facility. 5. Public support: Please check all that apply: Project has resolution of support from local elected body Project is fully supported in state, tribal or local plans. Project is nominally supported in state, tribal or local plans. Page 7
Preponderance of public record indicates support Majority of public record indicates support 6. Describe how the project bridges gaps or removes barriers between trail systems. Please not if the project provides continuity between trails, rest areas and/or interpretive centers. Provides needed parking for health and safety of visitors and an interpretive venue for students and visitors with the S.E. Alaska Botanical Interpretive Center. 7. Is this project tied to an annual recreational, educational or tourism event or activity? Yes No, proceed to question 8 How long has the annual event or activity been in place? Please describe the event or activity: Public Gardens Day; Trail Days; and several special events. The events have been in place since the Arboretum's opening in 2007. Public Gardens Day commenced in 2010. 8. Describe the following qualities of the proposed project. Scenic: See attached brochure. Historic: Cultural: Natural: Archeological: Recreational: 9. Historic Properties: Does the project provide stabilization or renovation of a historic property related to transportation? No Yes, please explain below: If the property is on the National Historic Register, please attach documentation. Do you have a letter of support from the Office of History and Archeology that declares the property to be of historical importance? No Yes If yes, is it determined to be: Significant historical importance Moderate historical importance Neither significant or moderate Page 8
10. How many people use or are projected to use the facility? 20,000. What is this estimate based on? Third year of operation -- based on increasing numbers. The Arboretum has limited parking. Parking would increase visitation and safety. 11. Other factors: Please elaborate on factors you would like to be considered that are not covered in the nomination questions. Page 9