The City of Billings submitted a Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) Community Transportation Enhancement Project (CTEP) grant application for the North Broadway Sidewalk – Northern Hotel project in October 2010. This project will consist of replacing the current substandard sidewalk with new sidewalk (approximately 300 lineal feet) that will run along North Broadway from First Avenue North to Montana Avenue; also included in this project is new curb and gutter. The replacement of the nonconforming ADA ramps, replacement of landscaping planters and historic lighting will be also completed. CTEP funds will be used for the sidewalk, ADA ramps, landscaping and historic lighting. The local match for this project is being provided by the Northern Hotel and the City of Billings Engineering Division will be administrating the construction project. The project was approved through the local CTEP project selection process involving the City Council, Board of County Commissioners and Planning Board, and also was approved by MDT. The Policy Coordinating Committee (PCC) approved this project at its regular meeting on October 19, 2010. The Project Specific Agreement represents the formal agreement between the City and MDT for the project’s scope, funding, and federal aid compliance. Council must authorize the Mayor to execute a Project Specific Agreement for the North Broadway Sidewalk Project to begin project development. This project is expected to be completed in 2011.

The City Council may:
• Approve the CTEP Project Specific Agreement.
• Not approve the CTEP Project Specific Agreement. This would result in the loss of CTEP funding for this project.

The funding breakdown for this project is as follows:

CTEP Grant                                        $179,564
Northern Hotel (local match)             $ 27,833
Total Funds Available                        $207,397

Staff recommends that Council authorize the Mayor to execute the CTEP Project Specific Agreement for the North Broadway Sidewalk –Northern Hotel Project.