Improve downtown street & sidewalk infrastructure

Priority: Catalyzing Downtown Reinvestment

Author/Source: Thomas Walker, Kurt Weigle, Dan Pistor, Kathleen Ratcliffe

In order to advance quality of life, mobility, and development Downtown, the City could repair and improve Downtown streets and sidewalks. This would involve fixing potholes and other street issues, sidewalk repair and replacement, improving lighting, widening sidewalks, planting more trees, adding bikeways or bike lanes, building shade structures, adding speed humps, and curb extensions. These infrastructure improvements would increase walkability and bike access, boost foot traffic, promote public safety, and contribute to Downtown revitalization.

This idea could be fully or partially funded by the annual interest accrued from a municipal endowment fund and could be supplemented by other City funds. It would be administered by the Streets Department. 

Funding Considerations

• Cost estimate: To be assessed
• Can this be funded from interest via a Municipal Endowment Fund? (Estimated value of $12M annually): Yes
• Does this require matching funds? (More than $250M) No
• Is this eligible for a tax-exempt bond? (Project benefits taxpayers and proceeds used by governmental entity) Yes
• Is this likely to attract philanthropic funding? No
• Are there other potential funding sources? Yes

City: Ward Capital, General Revenue

State: Uncertain

Federal: Uncertain