Discussion and possible action to approve the submittal of a Reconnecting Communities Pilot Grant for the continuance of planning, permitting and design of the Grand Avenue Pedestrian Bridge.

The City of Peoria completed the Grand Avenue Pedestrian Bridge Feasibility Study in 2021. The study included community input, City Council input, and stakeholder participation, which included Arizona Department of Transportation, Maricopa Association of Governments, Burlington Northern Santa Fe Rail, Arizona Corporation Commission, Peoria United School District and others. The final document identified the 87th Avenue alignment as the preferred location for the overpass, outlined the next steps toward design and construction, and included 15% Design Plans. The next steps include additional community input, stakeholder input, partnership building, permitting, environmental studies, cost benefit analysis, right-of-way acquisition and other related documents.

In December 2020, City Council approved TYLin International’s request to complete a Feasibility Study to identify options for safe pedestrian travel across Grand Avenue/U.S. 60. The consultant was focused on the student population, mitigating jaywalking, and railyard trespassing. Funding for the feasibility study came from Maricopa Association of Government’ Pedestrian Design Assistance Program in the amount of $90,000. The project was completed April 2021. Input from students, teachers, parents, and stakeholders included reviews of several locations before selecting the preferred 87^th Avenue alignment.

Staff recommends approval of the Reconnecting Communities Pilot Grant submittal for the continuance of planning, permitting and design of the Grand Avenue Pedestrian Bridge.

If the grant is awarded, the City would be responsible for a 20% match to all grant funds received.  Specific fund sources for the match would be determined as part of the FY2026 budget process.