ACTION REQUESTED:
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Communication from the City Manager with a Request to APPROVE a RESOLUTION of Proposed Match Funding for the CONSOLIDATED RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE AND SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS (CRISI) PLANNING GRANT, for Peoria to Chicago Passenger Rail Service Systems and Environmental Planning, with the Federal Funding Requested to be $2,500,000.00, with a Local Match for Construction No Less than $500,000.00, with the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) providing $250,000.00, and the City of Peoria providing $250,000.00.
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BACKGROUND: The City of Peoria currently ranks as the 8th largest city in Illinois. Of the top 15 largest cities in Illinois by population, Peoria is the only one without current or planned access to a passenger rail service. With that in mind, the Tri-County Metro area and supporting communities, associations, and others requested the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) conduct a feasibility study of re-establishing passenger service between Peoria and Chicago. The primary studied alignment is the former Rock Island Peoria Rocket passenger route which operated between 1937-1978. Findings from the feasibility study determined that the route is feasible, projected ridership levels are sufficient to warrant consideration as part of the Intercity Rail Passenger Service in Illinois, and that further analysis is warranted, including environmental analysis and detailed economic benefit assessments.
The next step in the process is to secure funding to continue moving the project forward. The CRISI Grant would allow the rail system and environmental planning to begin.
This resolution is required in the grant application package to ensure that the local community will approve the projects to be considered for federal funds and must be submitted with the grant application due December 1, 2022, but it does not require the local community to allocate the funds unless the projects are selected for approval. The Federal Funding requested will be $2,500,000.00, with a Local Match for no less than $500,000.00. IDOT has committed to $250,000 of the match and the City of Peoria will be responsible for the other $250,000.
In the near future, the city also plans to apply for Corridor Identification and Development Program Grant to move this project forward.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: Funds have been allocated in the Fiscal Years 2023 and 2024 of the Community Investment Program.
NEIGHBORHOOD CONCERNS: The project will include additional public involvement to address concerns.
IMPACT IF APPROVED: Our applications will be reviewed by the Federal Railroad Administration for consideration
IMPACT IF DENIED: The city will continue to pursue other grant opportunities to fund the project.
ALTERNATIVES: N/A
EEO CERTIFICATION NUMBER: N/A
WHICH OF THE GOALS IDENTIFIED IN THE COUNCIL’S 2017 - 2032 STRATEGIC PLAN DOES THIS RECOMMENDATION ADVANCE?
1. Financially Sound City
2. Grow Peoria
3. Safe Peoria
WHICH CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTOR(S) FROM THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DOES THIS RECOMMENDATION IMPLEMENT?
1. Invest in our infrastructure and transportation.
2. Support sustainability.
3. Keep taxes and fees competitive.
DEPARTMENT: City Manager's Office