{"id":229443402,"date":"2012-04-09T14:16:42","date_gmt":"2012-04-09T14:16:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp.baltimorespokes.org\/?p=229443402"},"modified":"2012-04-09T14:16:42","modified_gmt":"2012-04-09T14:16:42","slug":"bikeways-grant-faqs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wp.baltimorespokes.org\/?p=229443402","title":{"rendered":"Bikeways Grant FAQ’s"},"content":{"rendered":"

[B’ Spokes: Before I share the following email I have a pop quiz for you all: How does one become a Priority Funding Area? No idea? Congrats, that’s the correct answer!<\/p>\n

While I was really impressed with the out reach for MDOT Trails Plan, MDOT’s Priority Funding Areas is a whole other matter. As far as I can tell it’s totally top secret with no public comments allowed, or it’s just a simple matter that no one really bothers to set these things up, as only in rare occasions have I seen the term actually used for a project and even then it seems to be more of a perk to give a developer then anything else, and that’s not right.<\/p>\n

High pedestrian fatality rates, really low bike modal share numbers, these do not seem to be enough to make a Priority Funding Area. [heavy sigh]<\/p>\n

But there is hope<\/b> with the County Priority Letter; start writing your County’s Exec to prioritize your bike projects, (though still annoying this is outside the normal planning processes.)<\/p>\n

And please remember, a simple Bike Master Plan is not enough to get funding.]<\/em><\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n
Hi all,
\n<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n
As a reminder, the new Bikeways program is accepting
\napplications for funding through May 4. Information and application materials
\nare at www.cycle.maryland.gov<\/a><\/div>\n
Many of you may be getting questions from potential
\napplicants, or may be suggesting that local governments consider applying. I\u2019ve
\ncompiled a few key pieces of info to help with initial screening and questions
\nfrom potential applicants. You can continue to direct questions to me, but I
\nthought this would be helpful.   <\/div>\n
What types of projects can be funded? <\/b><\/div>\n
The program is pretty broad, and can help fund almost any
\nbike project for general public use. On-road facilities and off-road trails;
\nLocal and state roads (though most state road projects will be handled through
\nbike retrofit, system preservation, etc.) <\/div>\n
Is (blank) project eligible for Bikeways
\nfunding?<\/b><\/div>\n
To be eligible for Bikeways funding, a project must
\nbe:<\/div>\n
–         
\n<\/span><\/span>Located substantially (80%) within the Priority Funding Area
\n(PFA), and\/or <\/div>\n
–         
\n<\/span><\/span>Located within \u00bd mile of a rail transit station, and\/or\n<\/div>\n
–         
\n<\/span><\/span>Addressing a gap identified in the MDOT Trails Plan A Greener Way
\nto Go, and\/or <\/div>\n
–         
\n<\/span><\/span>Identified as a transportation priority in a County\u2019s most recent
\nannual priority letter submitted to MDOT<\/div>\n
We have created an online map showing these areas that can be
\naccessed from the webpage with the application materials. If a project is not
\ncovered by any of these criteria, then it will not be considered for Bikeways
\nfunding. <\/div>\n
Are local road projects eligible?<\/b><\/div>\n
Yes, as long as the project falls within an eligible area
\nlisted above.<\/div>\n
What types of projects are likely to receive
\nfunding?<\/b><\/div>\n
This is a new program, so we don\u2019t know how competitive it is
\nlikely to be this year. Projects that have the greatest potential to improve
\nbicycling as a transportation option will be rated the highest. So, for example,
\nprojects that provide access to transit and connections to employers, schools
\nand other destinations will be favored. In addition, projects that are included
\nin the MDOT Trails Plan will be rated highly. <\/div>\n
Who can apply?<\/b><\/div>\n
Local governments, state agencies, MPOs, RPOs, transit
\nentities, and federal public lands agencies. Private and non-profit
\norganizations can not apply directly, but they can partner with an eligible
\napplicant.<\/div>\n
What is the required match?<\/b><\/div>\n
The required matching fund level varies from 0 to 80%
\ndepending on the location and type of a particular project. <\/div>\n
The first step is to determine if a project falls within a
\nbikeways priority area. We have created an online map showing the priority
\nareas. They include:<\/div>\n
–         
\n<\/span><\/span>Rail transit station areas (within \u00bd mile) <\/div>\n
–         
\n<\/span><\/span>Planned missing links in MDOT Trails Plan  <\/div>\n
–         
\n<\/span><\/span>Sustainable Community Areas (designated by DHCD)<\/div>\n
–         
\n<\/span><\/span>Maryland Main Streets <\/div>\n
–         
\n<\/span><\/span>Central business districts (not an official designation, but
\nevidenced by land uses) and major institutions <\/div>\n
–         
\n<\/span><\/span>(e.g. universities, major hospitals) <\/div>\n
–         
\n<\/span><\/span>Census tract(s) at or below 60% of Area Median Income  <\/div>\n
The next step is to look at the type of project. Match rates
\nare as follows:<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n
 <\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
In Bikeways Priority Area<\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
Not in Bikeways Priority Area<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
Minor Retrofit (up to $100,000 for signing, pavement
\nmarkings, etc)<\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
0%<\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
50%<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
Feasibility Assessment\/Planning<\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
20%<\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
50%<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
Design<\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
20%<\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
50%<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
Construction<\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
70%<\/div>\n<\/td>\n
\n
80%<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
There are not hard and fast rules about soft match, cash
\nmatch, what can count toward match, etc. Projects with stronger cash match will
\nbe more competitive for funding.  <\/div>\n
Is this federal money?<\/b><\/div>\n
No, it\u2019s 100% state money. So it can be used toward an
\nEnhancements grant match.<\/div>\n
Please continue encouraging local governments to apply \u2013
\ngetting word out about the new program is critical to its success!! Please also
\nfilter back any feedback or concerns you are hearing to me.<\/div>\n
Thank you,<\/div>\n
Kate  <\/div>\n
Kate R.
\nSylvester<\/span><\/div>\n
Office of Planning and Capital
\nProgramming<\/span><\/div>\n
Maryland Department of
\nTransportation (MDOT)<\/span><\/div>\n
410-865-1304<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

[B’ Spokes: Before I share the following email I have a pop quiz for you all: How does one become a Priority Funding Area? No idea? Congrats, that’s the correct answer! While I was really impressed with the out reach for MDOT Trails Plan, MDOT’s Priority Funding Areas is a whole other matter. As far … <\/p>\n

Continue reading “Bikeways Grant FAQ’s”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"1","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-229443402","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-bike-paths"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.baltimorespokes.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/229443402","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.baltimorespokes.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.baltimorespokes.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.baltimorespokes.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.baltimorespokes.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=229443402"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/wp.baltimorespokes.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/229443402\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.baltimorespokes.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=229443402"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.baltimorespokes.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=229443402"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.baltimorespokes.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=229443402"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}