by PegNews wire

Everybody wants a cut of that stimulus money, and Fort Worth alone has come up with 2.1 billion ways to spend it.

Fort Worth is one of many cities compiling a list of projects that could be funded by President Barack Obama’s initiative to rebuild the nation’s infrastructure. The proposed initiative could exceed $850 billion and create 2.5 million jobs nationwide.

The city has worked with the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce, the Metropolitan Black Chamber, the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber, Tarrant County, Tarrant Regional Water District, Trinity River Vision Authority, the Fort Worth Transportation Authority and the Fort Worth Independent School District to assemble a list of stimulus projects they all support.

Projects proposed by these community partners include county roads, wetland and ecosystem restoration, and the $471 million northeast-to-southwest regional rail project linking southwest Fort Worth to the DFW International Airport. When combined with the city’s proposals, these high-priority community projects total more than $2.1 billion.

About half of the $2.1 billion is for 13 eligible project packages identified by Fort Worth Council members and city staff. These projects support more than 15,000 jobs and reflect City Council priorities already on the drawing board, ready to go — projects that could be started in 2009 or 2010. In other words, if no federal dollars are received as part of the president-elect’s economic recovery plan, City Council will continue to partner with other private and public entities to ensure the list of projects submitted for consideration become a reality.

Any federal funding Fort Worth may receive as part of the stimulus plan will free city dollars for other projects — something council sees as a way to expedite a long list of community infrastructure needs and stretch current resources.

A big chunk of the money Fort Worth is requesting, slightly more than $383 million, would go toward flood control and other improvements related to or supporting the Trinity River Vision project, including moving the city’s Police and Fire Training Center currently at 1000 Calvert St. and constructing three bridges. The bridges, to be located at White Settlement Road and North Main and Henderson streets, will provide continuity of the arterial street network.

Following is a look at the other 12 projects:

Interstate Highway 35/ Loop 820 Interchange — $200 Million

This is one of the top five transportation projects in the region and is vital for continued sustainable growth. This project adds vehicle capacity on the interchange and complements other improvements planned as part of the North Tarrant Express venture, which calls for substantial phased improvements to reduce traffic congestion on Loop 820 and Interstate Highway 35.

Sewer Overflow/Street Rehabilitation — $177.3 Million

This project package includes the rehabilitation of 46 sanitary sewer lines citywide and the replacement of some 74 miles of collection mains to ensure a cleaner, safer city. Some of the mains date back to as far as 1908 and are made of clay or concrete.

In addition, a peak flow facility will be constructed at the Village Creek Waste Water Treatment Plan to divert and store excess wastewater.

And, because the project involves tearing up neighborhood roadways to get to the underground utilities, the package provides for 19 lane miles of street reconstruction — complete with lights and traffic signals.

Regional Swimming Centers — $106 Million

A result of the Fort Worth’s Aquatics Master Plan, approved in 2007, this project package could make possible two new natatoriums/community centers — one in southwest Fort Worth and the other in the southeast area of the city if funded. The package also includes four spraygrounds and replaces three old pools with four new family aquatic centers.

The proposed southwest facility is a partnership with the Crowley Independent School District, and the additional federal funding would enable all proposed phases to be built. The proposed southeast facility is a joint project in partnership with the Fort Worth Independent School District and JPS Health Network.

Spraygrounds are proposed to be located at Como, Diamond Hill, Highland Hills and Hillside community centers. The package calls for the Marine, Sycamore and Sylvania pools to be replaced and a new pool constructed at West Park in north Fort Worth.

Southwest Parkway Improvements — $83.7 Million

This proposed project package provides funding for the acquisition of the Union Pacific Rail Road (UPRR) easement and relocations needed for the roadway to move through the Davidson Rail Yard without negative impacts to rail operations. The proposal also calls for funding to complete the Dirks Road connection to the parkway and allows remaining utility relocations to be completed.

If the city receives federal dollars for this package, local and regional transportation funds could be used for other high-priority regional mobility projects.

Arterial Streets — $75.5 Million

This project package provides for construction projects on Berry Street/Highway 287, Harley Street, Keller Hicks Road, North Beach Street, Precinct Line Road, Silver Creek Road, Summer Creek Road and West Rosedale Street.

Westside Water Treatment Plant — $61 Million

The city recently rejected bids for this project because they were too high, exceeding available funds. The new facility will serve as a backup to the Eagle Mountain Water Treatment Plant and serve more than 50,000 residents.

Eastside Reclaimed Water Project — $55.5 Million

Benefitting Fort Worth, Arlington, Euless and the DFW International Airport, this project creates alternative water sources that help delay expansion of potable water treatment plants and includes a 14-million-gallon per day pump station at the Village Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant. Reclaimed water is used for irrigation and industrial water purposes.

Botanic Garden/BRIT Storm Water Management and Green Parking Area — $6 Million

Another green project that recycles water is the proposed Botanic Garden/BRIT parking lot. This public/private partnership between the City of Fort Worth and the Botanical Research Institute of Texas involves a permeable parking space and storm water collection system used to capture water for reuse as irrigation water. The extensive planting in the area reduces the heat sink of parking lot and makes vehicles cooler and reduces the energy consumption of cooling hot vehicles.

Western Heritage Parking Facility — $25 Million

This new garage will provide 1,117 additional parking spaces for the Will Rogers Memorial Center and improve access to Fort Worth’s entire Cultural District, including the new Museum of Science and History scheduled to open by year’s end 2009. The city proposes this funding be a loan and repaid with parking fees.

The new seven-story Western Heritage Garage won’t take care of all the parking needs at Will Rogers, but it’s the first of several steps to improve access to what is fast becoming a national destination and home to a huge number of events — everything from National Cutting Horse Association competitions to dog shows to high school graduations to antique and art shows.

Airport Improvements/Fire Response — $20 Million

This project package makes possible improvements at Spinks Airport and Fire Station No. 42, which provides emergency response and rescue for the airport, as well as three new fire stations.

Fort Worth Zoo Facilities — $16.77 Million

A 900-space parking garage, main walkways and restroom facilities make up this project package.

More than $100 million in privately funded improvements have been made at the world-class facility since the Fort Worth Zoo Association took over the management contract. While the association has been able to raise private funds for most Zoo improvements, it’s difficult to raise private dollars for basic Zoo infrastructure like parking garages, restrooms and walkways. These types of basic support facilities have been where the City has invested capital dollars at the Zoo. If the proposal receives federal funding for these infrastructure needs will free up local capital dollars for other infrastructure improvements.

Multimodal Transportation Connections — $16.5 Million

This project package aims to close crucial gaps in pedestrian and bicycle connections between schools and surrounding neighborhoods in five of Fort Worth’s urban villages — Hemphill/Berry, Berry/Riverside, Near East Side, Six Points and South Main Street. It includes almost 15 miles of new sidewalks, 35 miles of bike routes or lanes and 640 curb ramps accessible to those with physical disabilities.

Cobb Park — $9.52 Million

This proposed funding allows implementation of Phases II and III of the Cobb Park Master Plan and provides practice fields, park pavilions, trails, a boardwalk, wetlands, a small nature center with community gardens, grading, landscaping, lighting, new access roads and parking to access the new amenities.

Next Steps

Leaders on Capitol Hill have pledged to have legislation on the stimulus plan ready for Obama to sign shortly after his Jan. 20 inauguration. However, many details of the proposed stimulus plan are yet to be determined, including just how the federal government might distribute the money. Funding could go directly to local governments, or it could go to state governments to then distribute to cities and counties.

Source: Fort Worth

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