Title
Apply for Arizona State Parks & Trails Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant for Federal Fiscal Year 2026 (Ordinance S-52606) - Districts 7 & 8
Description
Request to authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to apply for, accept and if awarded, enter into agreements for disbursement of Land and Water Conservation Funds (LWCF) passed through the Arizona State Parks & Trails Department. Further request to authorize the City Treasurer to accept, and the City Controller to disburse, all funds related to this item. Additionally, further request an exemption from the indemnification prohibition set forth in Phoenix City Code Section 42-18 for a governmental entity pursuant to Phoenix City Code Section 42-20. The total grant funds applied for will not exceed $1.5 million, with a required local match not to exceed $1.5 million.
Report
Summary
The LWCF grant program, established under the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965 (Public Law 88-578), provides financial assistance to states, local and tribal governments for conservation and recreation. Primarily funded by offshore oil and gas leasing revenues, the program is a vital source for communities working to improve environmental sustainability and ensure equitable access to the outdoors. The maximum grant award of this program is $1.5 million with a minimum local match requirement of 50 percent.
The Rio Reimagined/3rd Street Bicycle Pedestrian Bridge project is a transformative infrastructure investment project currently in the design phase with construction slated for 2027. By establishing a dedicated crossing over the Rio Salado along the 3rd Street alignment, the project serves as a cornerstone of the regional Rio Reimagined initiative to revitalize the river corridor through sustainable development. This project directly advances LWCF objectives by restoring access to a primary Phoenix waterway and bridging the gap between South Phoenix communities, downtown amenities, and South Mountain, the largest municipal park in the United States.
The initial construction cost for the Rio Reimagined/3rd Street Bicycle Pedestrian Bridge was estimated at $35 million. The project team is currently working to complete the final design and provide an updated construction cost estimate. The City received $25 million under the USDOT Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity program. If the City is awarded $1.5 million under the LWCF grant program, it would be used to leverage City dollars with the total construction cost of the project.
Financial Impact
The City is requesting $1.5 million from the LWCF grant program, with a required local match of 50 percent, or $1.5 million. Funding for the local match is available in the Street Transportation Department's Capital Improvement Program budget.
Location
3rd Street alignment across the Rio Salado/Salt River
Council Districts: 7 and 8
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Deputy City Manager Frank McCune and the Street Transportation Department.