INTERMODAL IMPROVEMENTS for the

Larchmont Railroad Station - Palmer Avenue Business District

NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

TRANSPORTATION ENHANCEMENTS PROGRAM

PROJECT APPLICATION

FOR NYSDOT USE ONLY Region & Proposal ID #: ______________ Date Received: _______________ Minimum Eligibility Criteria Met: ______ Yes ______ No Within MPO Area: ______ Yes (MPO: __________________ ) ______ No NY Senate District Number _____________________ NY Assembly District Number ___________________ Regional or MPO Priority Ranking: __________ of __________ Funding Decision: _________ Project Fully Funded _________ Project Partially Funded (Explanation Attached) _________ Project Not Funded

2

Project Name: Intermodal Improvements for the Larchmont Railroad Station and Palmer Avenue Business District Project Location: Municipality(ies): Village of Larchmont County(ies): Westchester Sponsor: Village of Larchmont Applicant: Village of Larchmont

Sponsor Information Sponsor: Village of Larchmont Sponsor’s Mailing Address: 120 Larchmont Avenue, Larchmont NY 10538 Contact Person: Name: Elizabeth Feld Title: Mayor Phone: (914) 834-6230 Fax: (914) 833-2170 E-Mail Address: villageclerk@villageoflarchmont.org Sponsor’s Approval: Signature: _______________________________ Date: ________ Title: Mayor

Applicant Information All same as above

3

Enhancement Activity Category Check the enhancement category or categories under which this project is eligible. The reasons for how the project fits each checked category is required in Attachment D. [X] Provision of Facilities for Pedestrians and Bicycles (additional purpose) [_] Provision of Safety and Educational Activities for Pedestrians and Bicyclists [_] Acquisition of Scenic Easements and Scenic or Historic Sites (including Historic Battlefields) [_] Scenic or Historic Highway Programs (Including the Provision of Tourist and Welcome Center Facilities) [X] Landscaping and Other Scenic Beautification [_] Historic Preservation [_] Rehabilitation and Operation of Historic Transportation Buildings, Structures, or Facilities (Including Historic Railroad Facilities and Canals) [_] Preservation of Abandoned Railway Corridors (Including the Conversion and Use Thereof for Pedestrian or Bicycle Trails) [_] Inventory, Control and Removal of Outdoor Advertising [_] Archaeological Planning and Research [_] Environmental Mitigation to Address Water Pollution due to Highway Runoff or [_] Reduce Vehicle-Caused Wildlife Mortality while Maintaining Habitat Connectivity [_] Establishment of Transportation Museums

Project Costs and Funding (From Attachment H) Transportation Enhancement Program (TEP) Funds Requested: $ 683,704 (1) Local Non-Federal Share to Be Provided: $ 170,926 (2) Funds from Other Sources: $ 0 (3) Total Funding Needed for Project: $ 854,630 (4) Total Project Cost: $ 854,630 (5)

4

Table of Required Attachments • Attachment A and B: Sponsor and Applicant Information • Attachment C Project Description • Attachment D Eligibility: Project Category or Categories • Attachment E Eligibility: Relationship to Surface Transportation • Attachment F Eligibility: Benefit to the Public Interest (Public Access/Use) • Attachment G Expected Benefits to Result from Project • Attachment H Project Costs and Funding • Attachment I Implementation Schedule • Attachment J Maintenance & Operation of Project • Attachment K Documentation to Support Project Eligibility • Attachment L Documentation of Community and Political Support

5

The Village of Larchmont is the sponsor and appli-cant for this project. In these capacities, the Village will take responsibility for the managerial and fidu-ciary responsibilities associated with these roles. The following is the organizational structure for ad-ministration of the project. The Village of Larchmont is administered by the Mayor and Board of Trustees with the assistance of professional staff and volunteer committees of resi-dents. The organization for this project is described in the table below. The Village retained Cherbuliez/Munz, a planning and design firm specializing in urban streetscape improvement, for the preliminary design of the pro-ject. The firm completed a schematic design study, and summary materials are attached to this proposal. The Village also retained JWE Engineering for a preliminary engineering, cost estimation, and con-struction oversight services related to the project. JWE Engineering had been intensively involved in two similar nearby projects involving streetscape improvements in the Town and the Village of Mamaroneck. JWE brings their technical and cost

experience, based on those projects, to our team. The Village of Larchmont has earned an excellent AA1 bond rating, and has the ability to pre-finance the project using reserve funds, in advance of pro-gram reimbursement.

Attachment A and B - description of sponsor/applicant

Mayor of Larchmont and

Village Board of Trustees

Trustee-Liaison - Project Coordinator

Professional Consultants Architects and Planners

Project Engineer

Village Staff Village Engineer Village Treasurer DPW Manager

Village Attorney

Board of Architectural Review Planning Commission

Beautification Committee Parks and Trees Committee

Chamber of Commerce

Project Contractors

A&B:1

Note: The Project Application limits this section to 3 pages of text and 6 pages of maps, diagrams and illus-trations. This section consists of 9 pages because, for purposes of clarity, the illustrations are combined with the text. The Village of Larchmont seeks TEP funding for improvements in the Larchmont Railroad Station – Palmer Avenue Business District, which begins at the Larchmont Railroad Station, and extends through the main street adjacent to the Station, called Palmer

Avenue. The area serves as a major commuter hub for approximately 39,000 riders each week. The proposed improvements will benefit pedestrians, bicyclists and all who travel on Palmer Avenue, including those who commute by railroad or shop in the area. The Area: Palmer Avenue stretches for several miles from New Rochelle through Larchmont to the Village of Mamaroneck. It carries a huge volume of pedestrians, bicyclists, automobiles, buses, taxis and trucks each day. It is lined with apart-ment buildings and garden apartments for a substantial portion of its length, whose residents are heavy users of train and bus transportation. Within Larchmont, approxi-mately two-thirds of the apartment residents responding to a Palmer Avenue survey have incomes below the Westchester County median. Palmer Avenue is a principal access route to the Larch-mont Train Station, which serves commuters from Larchmont, New Rochelle, the Village of Mamaroneck and the Town of Mamaroneck and is the busiest station within New York State on Metro-North's New Haven line. Commuters reach the Station by walking along Palmer Avenue, and also by bicycle, private automobile, taxi and public bus. The bus connections run along Palmer Avenue, and also from the Station across Palmer Avenue into Larchmont residential areas. In Larchmont, the Palmer Avenue area also serves as a principal shopping district for local residents as well as

Project Area

Village of

Larchmont

Attachment C - Project Description

f

Larchmont Village

of Westchester County NY

C:1

Project Objectives 1. Enhance the appearance of the Larchmont Railroad Station - Palmer Avenue Business District. 2. Promote vehicle, pedestrian, and bicycle safety by improving lighting and sidewalk conditions. 3. Improve economic vitality and quality of life in this mixed commercial and residential

neighborhood. 4. Enhance the landscape of the shopping district by protecting viable trees and replacing deterio-

rated trees and by providing space for plantings and other streetscape amenities. 5. Restore selected historical features of the streetscape, particularly with respect to lighting and

sidewalk amenities.

residents of the nearby areas in New Rochelle and the Town of Mamaroneck. There are more than 100 shops, restaurants, offices, service establishments and a movie theater in the area. Project Improvements: The Larchmont Station – Palmer Avenue area in Larchmont needs improvements for the following reasons:? • Pedestrian and bicycle traffic is hampered by obsta-

cles accumulated on the sidewalks over many years. In some areas the sidewalks are especially narrow.

• Many of the shade trees need replacement, having

either failed to thrive or been hacked apart by the local utility in its maintenance program, and there are many new locations where trees are needed.

• Well-spaced shade trees and plantings would en-

hance the appearance and improve the environment.

The Larchmont Station - Palmer Avenue Business District was the focus of a professional study Cherbuliez-Munz, a planning and design firm specializing in business district improvement.

Larchmont Station - Palmer Avenue Business District

C:2

Although the Metro-North Railroad is proceeding with a $5.6 million project to improve the Train station, the project does not include the areas adjacent to the station not owned by the railroad. This view has greeted commuters as they leave the station. Our project will improve the appearance of this area.

• Lighting is uneven, and needs to be extended and improved for the benefit of all pedestrians and shoppers, particularly for disabled people.

• The Palmer Avenue streetscape and the appearance

of areas adjacent to the Station generally are in need of an uplift, which would provide visual benefits to all users – pedestrians and vehicle passengers alike.

Timing: This improvement project could build on other projects and circumstances. • Metro-North is presently renovating the Station

platform, at a cost of $5.6 million.

• The Town of Mamaroneck used grant funding to

upgrade sidewalks, curbs and lighting on streets adjacent to the area.

• Larchmont has undertaken a complete renovation of

an adjacent shoppers’ parking area with improved sidewalks and lighting that would complement this project.

• The Thruway Authority completed re-building and

re-furbishing of the parking deck adjacent to the Railroad Station.

Benefits: The benefits of the proposed improvements would be numerous, including: • Enhancement of the appearance of Railroad Station

This is one of the views for drivers approaching the train station to pick up commuters, and for commuters who walk to and from Palmer Avenue Business District on the way home. The bus stop is around the corner to the left. Our project will improve the Station area for all users - pedestrians, train commuters, bus riders, bicyclists and drivers.

Larchmont Railroad Station • Metro-North Railroad’s seventh largest

ridership. Serves approximately 39,000 riders per week.

• Serves riders from Larchmont, as well as

New Rochelle, Scarsdale, and the Town of Mamaroneck.

• Riders arrive and depart by foot, bicycle,

bus, taxi and personal cars either parked or dropped-off.

Summary of Project Scope In coordination with the Metro-North upgrade of the Railroad Station, improve the appear-ance of the train station area and adjacent busi-ness district by: • Improving street and sidewalk lighting, • Providing new bicycle parking facilities, • Improving sidewalk conditions, • Improving bus waiting facilities, • Eliminating barriers for disabled people, • Introducing trees and plantings, • Restoring the Paul Jenuwein gateway

signs, and • Installing additional benches and related

amenities.

C:3

area which is also the primary pedestrian and vehicular route to the Station; • Improved pedes-trian and bicycling access to the Railroad Station and the adja-cent shopping area; • Improved pedes-trian, bicyclist and street traffic safety; • Promotion of eco-nomic vitality in the shopping area and the neighborhood; • Improvement of the environment by

replacement of weak trees and the addition of new trees and plantings; and

• Leveraging of the benefit of other projects in the

adjacent areas. The proposed railroad station area project is an out-growth of an improvement plan developed by the land-scape design firm Cherbuliez/Munz. The methodology of the planning study included extensive formal and informal consultation by the design firm with Village residents, land use boards and committees, business op-erators, and commercial property owners. The Village Board has responded to the study with a block-by-block

inventory that refines the study’s approach. Objective #1: Enhance the appearance of the Larchmont Railroad Station - Palmer Avenue Business District. The Larchmont Railroad Station is one of Metro-North Railroad’s busiest. Approximately thirty-nine thousand riders each week arrive and depart on foot, bicycle, bus, and car, moving through the adjacent business district. The station and the adjacent area has been in deteriorated condition, and Metro-North has responded by funding a $5.65 million improvement project for the railroad platform. Metro-North’s project, which is in construction, provides for the following:

This is a view of the entrance to the Station from the Railroad Bridge. Our proposed project will improve the streetscape and signage, so that the surrounding area matches the improved char-acter of the station itself.

Metro-North Railroad replaced this stairway and is provid-ing elevators to improve access to the platforms for dis-abled persons. Our proposed project will improve access in the adjacent areas by eliminating barriers and by clear-ing congested sidewalks.

C:4

Palmer Avenue has many unsightly utility lines that also interfere with pedestrian and bicycle access to the Train Station area. The Village is planning to install infrastructure for utility burial as a separate but related project.

· A heated and enclosed overpass, · Elevators with ADA-compliant access, · A new canopy and drainage system, · Repainted walls and new lighting, · An additional stairway, · An expanded and air-conditioned waiting room

with concession area and bathroom, · An additional heated shelter, and · New directional and informational signs.

However, the platform project does not extend to the adjacent areas not owned and maintained by Metro-North. Riders arriving in Larchmont still will transit through a deteriorated and poorly-lit streetscape with narrow sidewalks, unsightly utility infrastructure, and trees and bushes well past their prime. The project also will displace a primary bicycle parking facility, which will have to be replaced.

(Continued on page 12)

Above is a conceptual plan for the Railroad Station - Palmer Avenue Business District, developed as an outgrowth of the Cherbuliez-Munz Planning Study. Subsequent to this phase of planning, the Village engaged JWE Engineering to study ap-proaches and costs for a separately-funded project to install infrastructure for underground relocation of certain overhead util-ity lines. During design and construction document development, definitive design decisions will be completed.

The lack of lighting for commuters walking home from the railroad station is a safety concern, and it limits the economic vitality of the business district. Our project will improve lighting on Palmer Avenue.

RAILROAD WAY

• IMPROVE SIDEWALKS AND PAVING

• RELOCATE BICYCLE PARKING

• ENHANCE LANDSCAPING IN EXISTING AREAS

• NEW SIGNAGE

• IMPROVE PEDESTRIAN WALKWAY IDENTIFICATION

• IMPROVED BUS STOP - WAITING AREA

C:5

RAILROAD WAY

DEP

OT

WAY

This project will provide improved sidewalk access for pedestrians, enhance lighting, provide new bicycle parking facilities, and generally improve the streetscape in the railroad area and adjacent commercial district. The project will benefit train riders whether they arrive and depart by car, bus, bicycle, or on foot. Objective #2: Promote vehicle, pedestrian, and bicy-cle safety by improving lighting and sidewalk condi-tions. The project will achieve important safety im-provements. Lighting will be improved for railroad users walking through the area before dawn or after dark. Im-proved accessibility is needed for disabled people who cannot negotiate steps into stores and whose movement is impaired by the density of infrastructure along the sidewalks. Improvements will also assist shoppers with strollers by eliminating barriers within narrow sidewalks. Objective #3: Improve economic vitality and quality of life in this mixed residential and commercial neighborhood, where 67% of the residents respond-ing to an income survey have incomes below the

Westchester County median. This project will address some persistent problems with the business district: • Trees and plants: Larchmont’s Parks and Trees

Committee and Beautification Committee, both con-sisting of volunteers, have worked to introduce trees and seasonal plantings into the business district. However, the trees lack appropriate planting areas and protection from vehicles, and there is no system-atic arrangement for locating and maintaining plants. As a result, plants and trees do not thrive as they should, nor do they provide the shade and comfort that they should.

• Trash: The Village has placed trash receptacles

around the business district. This project will update receptacles to facilitate cleanliness, harmonized with the overall appearance of the area.

• Lighting: Improved lighting will make the area

more inviting, and would prompt merchants to re-main open for longer and more convenient hours

• Neighborhood Amenities: Sixty-seven percent of

the residents (responding to an income survey) within the business district have incomes below the

Part of a block of the business district where the Village intro-duced tree wells to experiment with design elements for the project. This block reflects the overall scenic character that the project is intended to achieve.

Palmer Avenue includes apartments where 67% of the responding residents reported incomes below the Westchester County median. (Town of Mamaroneck Department of Community Services resident survey)

C:6

Westchester County median. Most of these residents live in apartment buildings, and the business district also serves as their back yard.

• Holiday Decorations: Palmer Avenue lacks appro-

priate facilities for flag displays, holiday decorations, and banners. This is due in part to the lack of any street lighting on one side of the street, so that there are no poles to attach to.

Objective #4: Enhancing the landscape of the shop-ping district. The project seeks to protect viable trees, replace deteriorated trees, and install new ones. Removal of overhead utility lines will also prevent hacking apart of trees by the utilities. The project will also provide space for plantings and other streetscape amenities. On page C.6, a picture shows one block of the business dis-trict where the Village made selected improvements (particularly the tree wells) to experiment with design approaches that could be extended to the rest of the dis-trict. The approach reflects ideas developed over several years, with extensive participation of community groups such as the Larchmont Village Beautification Commit-tee. The Committee consists of more than 20 local volun-

teers who plan flower plantings and other seasonal deco-rations and guide and assist the Village staff in installa-tion and maintenance. The Beautification Committee conducted an extensive survey of the business district,

A 1930s picture of Palmer Avenue shows lighting which no longer exists. Today, one side of the major street lacks street lighting altogether. The sidewalk is heavily used by commuters walking to and from the Larchmont Railroad Station. Our pro-ject will bring back needed street lighting.

C:7

Pedestrian access to stores is impaired by steps that are difficult to negotiate for disabled persons or parents with strollers. These barriers to access will be elimi-nated as part of this project.

identifying key problem areas and design opportunities. Objective #5: Restoring selected historical features of the streetscape, particularly with respect to lighting and sidewalk amenities. The Village has identified, based on historical research of pictures from Larchmont, features of the district that serve as a guide to the design process. The pictures reveal features of the business dis-trict that would make the area more welcoming for shop-pers, commuters walking to and from the railroad, and for neighborhood residents.

C:8

Early-morning pictures of the old and new bicycle parking facility that was upgraded as part of Metro-North’s project for the railroad platform. We will ex-pand and improve such facilities in the adjacent area.

Another example of historical restoration involves the gateway signs for Larchmont Village, at both ends of Palmer Avenue (boundaries with the Town of Mamaroneck and the City of New Rochelle) and on Chatsworth Avenue at the Railroad Bridge. The signs include original artwork developed in the 1930s by Paul Jenuwein (1890-1978) who was a Larchmont resident whose works are prominent in important buildings, such as Rockefeller Center in New York City. The signs are showing considerable deterioration, and do not feature the artwork in the most favorable manner. This project will include restoration of the existing gateway signs and instal-lation of new ones. One of the four signs will be re-installed on the Larchmont Railroad Station Bridge. Two others will be installed at each end of Palmer Avenue. Among Jenuwein’s most noted works are the nine cast bronze sculptures at the entrance to Rockefeller Center in New York City. In Washington D.C., his sculptures appear above the doors to the State Din-

ing Room and the East Dining Room of the White House, as well as in the Rayburn House Office Building and throughout the headquarters of the United States Department of Justice. Paul Jenuwein designed the gateway signs for Larchmont Village - signs which continue to greet visitors to Larchmont today. As part of this project, we would restore these entrance signs and install new ones. The Paul Jenuwein entrance signs are showing con-siderable deterioration, and the sign frames do not feature the artwork in the most favorable manner; nor do they offer structural reinforcement. The il-lustration on the right shows a preliminary restora-tion design by professional graphic designer and Larchmont resident Don Meeker, presenting the original artwork in a frame that protects and rein-forces the sculpture. One sign will be installed on the bridge at the Railroad Station; two others will be installed on either end of Palmer Avenue.

A gateway sign today. The proposed design for the gateway signs

C:9

This application responds to Category 5: Land-scape and other Scenic Beautification, which pro-vides for landscape planning, design, and construc-tion projects that enhance the aesthetic or ecological resources along highways and other transportation corridors and points of access. The most closely as-sociated example from the guidelines is: “Streetscape projects, including lighting, historic sidewalk pavers, benches, planting containers, deco-rative walls and walkways, decorative or gateway signs, public art, historical markers, etc.”

This project has several relationships to the surface transportation system. • Palmer Avenue is a major transportation corri-

dor. It stretches for several miles from New Ro-chelle through Larchmont to the Village of Mamaroneck. It carries a huge volume of pe-destrians, bicyclists, automobiles, buses, taxis and trucks each day.

• Palmer Avenue is a principal access route to the Larchmont Railroad Station, serves commuters from Larchmont, New Rochelle and the Town of Mamaroneck and is the busiest station within New York State on Metro-North's New Haven line. Commuters reach the Station by walking along Palmer Avenue, and also by bicycle, pri-vate automobile, taxi and public bus. The bus connections run along Palmer Avenue, and also from the Station across Palmer Avenue into Larchmont residential areas.

The project responds to two other categories.

Category 1. Provision of facilities for bicycles and pedestrians: The project replaces and im-proves storage for bicycles at the Larchmont Rail-road Station. The Metro-North project displaces an existing bicycle storage facility, which we will re-place. Our project also reduces obstacles and barri-ers for pedestrians and bicyclists, and improves the condition of the facilities they use.

Category 6. Historic Preservation: The project preserves the C. Paul Jenuwein gateway signs for

Larchmont Village. These signs were created by an artist whose work is displayed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art and permanently installed in the White House. While not listed on an historical regis-ter, the signs are a treasure deserving of preservation for future generations.

Attachment D - Eligibility - Project Category or Categories

D:1

The Village of Larchmont seeks TEP funding for improvements in the Larchmont Railroad Station – Palmer Avenue Business District, which begins at the Larchmont Railroad Station, and extends through the main street adjacent to the Station, called Palmer Avenue. The area serves as a major commuter hub for approximately 39,000 riders each week. The proposed improvements will benefit pedestrians, bicyclists and all who travel on Palmer Avenue, including those who commute by railroad or shop in the area. The Area: Palmer Avenue stretches for several miles from New Rochelle through Larchmont to the Village of Mamaroneck. It carries a huge volume of pedestrians, bicyclists, automobiles, buses, taxis and trucks each day. It is lined with apartment buildings and garden apart-ments for a substantial portion of its length, whose resi-dents are heavy users of train and bus transportation. Within Larchmont, some 70% of the apartment residents along Palmer Avenue have incomes below the West-chester County median. Palmer Avenue is a principal access route to the Larch-mont Train Station, which serves commuters from Larchmont, New Rochelle, the Village of Mamaroneck and the Town of Mamaroneck and is the busiest station within New York State on Metro-North's New Haven line. Commuters reach the Station by walking along Palmer Avenue, and also by bicycle, private automobile, taxi and public bus. The bus connections run along Palmer Avenue, and also from the Station across Palmer Avenue into Larchmont residential areas. Adjacent Surface Transportation Projects Metro-North Railroad Improvements to Larchmont Railroad Station: As described earlier, Metro-North Railroad has accelerated funding and implementation of a project to renovate the Station. North Avenue Parking Platform Renovation: The Vil-lage has undertaken a major maintenance project for the North Avenue Parking Platform which serves the rail-road and the business district. The project primarily in-volves repairs to the structure under the parking plat-form, but also enhances the appearance of the parking area by improving the fence to the railroad and by re-placing sidewalk. The Village has consulted with Cher-buliez-Munz on the details of the project to harmonize

the result with the overall plan for the area. North Chatsworth Avenue Streetscape Improve-ments: The Town of Mamaroneck has received a Com-munity Development Block Grant to improve the street-scape of the North Chatsworth area immediately north of the Larchmont Railroad Station - Palmer Avenue Busi-ness District. The Town and Village conferred during the design phase of the project, and our project is in-tended to complement and harmonize with the results achieved on North Chatsworth Avenue.

Attachment E - Relationship to Surface Transportation

E:1

Larchmont Railroad Station • Metro-North Railroad’s seventh largest

ridership. Serves approximately 39,000 riders per week.

• Serves riders from Larchmont, as well as

New Rochelle, Scarsdale, and the Town of Mamaroneck.

• Riders arrive and depart by foot, bicycle,

bus, taxi and personal cars either parked or dropped-off.

The Larchmont Railroad - Palmer Avenue Business District is a commercial and residential neighbor-hood, which satisfies the program eligibility require-ment that the project is open to the public. Stretching for several miles from New Rochelle through Larchmont to the Village of Mamaroneck, Palmer Avenue carries a huge volume of pedestri-ans, bicyclists, automobiles, buses, taxis and trucks each day. It is lined with apartment buildings and garden apartments for a substantial portion of its length. Palmer Avenue is also a principal access route to the

Larchmont Railroad Station, which serves commut-ers from Larchmont, New Rochelle and the Town of Mamaroneck and is the 7th largest Metro-North sta-tion. Commuters reach the Station by walking along Palmer Avenue, and also by bicycle, private auto-mobile, taxi and public bus. The bus connections run along Palmer Avenue, and also from the Station across Palmer Avenue into Larchmont residential areas. The project will improve accessibility for people who walk in the district. Improved accessibility is needed for disabled people who cannot negotiate steps into stores and whose movement is impaired by the density of infrastructure along the sidewalks. Improvements will also assist shoppers with stroll-ers by eliminating barriers within narrow sidewalks. Lighting will be improved for railroad users walking through the area before dawn or after dark.

Attachment F - Eligibility - Public Use and Access

The Larchmont Railroad - Palmer Avenue Busi-ness District is Larchmont’s gateway to the Rail-road Station. Metro-North’s 7th largest, the sta-tion serves approximately 39,000 riders per week.

F:1

1. Benefit to Enhancement

Region and Environment: • Preserving or positively influencing

natural or cultural resources, scenic quality, air or water quality, wildlife habitat or migration.

• Improving the quality of life through

job creation, increased tourism, eco-nomic development, balanced distribu-tion of funds and other socio-economic factors.

• Leverages Metro-North Railroad’s $5.65 million investment in the Railroad Station by improving the station and the sur-rounding commercial district for pedestrians, bicyclists, train and bus commuters, and drivers.

• Enhances the economic vitality of the business district, and improves shopping and service opportunities for commuters and residents.

• Targets blocks where two-thirds of responding residents have incomes below the Westchester County median.

• Preserves and enhances trees and plants in the business dis-tricts, which will have a positive effect on the environment.

• Improves the overall appearance of the area.

2. Enhancement of Transporta-tion Plans and Projects:

• Increased or improved access to activ-

ity centers (business, school, recreation, shopping, etc.). Additions or improve-ments to existing transportation sys-tems.

• Reinforces or complements the regional

transportation system, fills deficiencies in the system, has multi-modal aspects, or connects transport modes.

• Improves pedestrian access and safety on the sidewalks to and from the Larchmont Railroad Station, which is Metro-North’s 7th largest, serving approximately 39,000 riders per week.

• The project also improves the areas immediately adjacent to the station, including the Palmer Avenue Business District which is used by shoppers and by commuters as access to railroad.

• The district is on two bus routes and is a point of inter-modal transfer to and from buses and taxis.

• Two Westchester County regional bus routes stop in the Business District.

• Relates the Palmer Avenue business district to the Railroad Station.

3. Relationship To/Support for Other Plans, Projects:

• Implements goals in regional plans or

other federal, state or local plans. • A one-time opportunity exists to ac-

complish the project. The project is threatened. There is an immediate need or the project will be lost, or a resource substantially degraded.

• The project scope is a key component of Larchmont’s busi-ness district improvement plan. Enhances the results achieved by the rest of the plan because this is a core area with complex problems.

• Coordinated with Metro-North’s Railroad Station improve-ment project.

• Contiguous with Town of Mamaroneck North Chatsworth Community Development Block Grant improvement project.

• Contiguous with Village of Larchmont’s North Avenue parking area improvement project.

• There is a one-time opportunity to bury utility lines (separately funded) in the context of other needed improve-ments. If this is not done now, the sidewalks must be re-paired anyway, and an opportunity to relocate utility lines efficiently might be lost for several decades.

Attachment G - Benefits

G:1

4. Size of Matching Share, Assur-ance of Availability:

• Village of Larchmont assures match from Village funds.

5. Benefit to Immediate Proposal Area and Environment:

Increases availability, awareness or protection of historic, community, visual or natural re-sources. Identifies groups in the population, including people with disabilities, who will benefit from or are likely to use the project.

• Provides enhanced access for disabled persons to the train station, stores, and the shopping area, as well as to apart-ment buildings.

• Improves trees and plantings which are visual resources.

• Restores and preserves the Paul Jenuwein gateway signs.

6. Innovation, Creativity, Mix of Activities:

• Project encompasses two or more eligible

transportation enhancement activities. • Project is innovative or could serve as a

model for similar enhancement projects.

• Primary purpose of the project is enhancement of the streetscape of the business districts. (Category 4)

• Improves bicycle and pedestrian access to and from the train station. (Category 1)

• Project also is based on historical research on the appear-ance of the business districts during the first third of the 20th century, and preserves and restores the Paul Jenuwein gateway signs. (Category 10)

• Enhances access for disabled persons. • Project can serve as a model for a suburban intermodal

transportation hub in a mixed commercial and residential environment.

G:2

7. Supportive of Master Planning in Recognized Areas of Special Significance:

Complies with Westchester County Long-Range Planning Pol-icy:

• “Channel development wherever possible to centers where in-frastructure can support growth, where public transportation can be provided efficiently, ad where redevelopment can en-hance economic vitality.” (Patterns, Page 5)

• “Channel capital budget expenditures to infrastructure im-provements that reduce travel need and make centers more at-tractive places for residential and commercial invest-ment.” (Patterns, page 62)

• “Emphasize transit and pedestrian-friendly design as key con-siderations … for development.” (Patterns, Page 62.)

Westchester County Planning Board:

Patterns for Westchester: The Land and the People (White Plans, Westchester County 1996)

8. Level of Community, Regional Support:

• Approved on a unanimous and bipartisan basis by the Larch-mont Village Board of Trustees.

• Reflects written and oral comments actively solicited over a three-month period by the Village Board.

• Builds on planning and survey studies by the 20-member Larch-mont Beautification Committee.

• Supported by the Larchmont Chamber of Commerce.

• Reflects advice received from a public hearing with members of Larchmont’s land use boards

• Reflects advice received from a public hearing for Larchmont’s business operators and commercial property owners.

G:3

The project budget has been developed relying on professional estimates provided by Cherbuliez/Munz, which were independently evaluated and re-fined by JWE Engineering, and then updated based on recent experience in another streetscape project on the Boston Post Road in Larchmont. The Cherbuliez/Munz cost estimates are based on direct measurements of the affected sidewalks and related project components, with unit costs for pro-ject components based on prevailing costs for com-parable local and regional projects. Their study did not include detailed estimates of costs for utility burial. The JWE Engineering cost estimates are based on costs experienced in the Village of Mamaroneck and Town of Mamaroneck improvement projects. These nearby projects are underway as this application is being finalized, and JWE Engineering serves as pro-ject inspector and owner’s consultant for both pro-jects. Therefore, they have access to the most up-to-date information about local costs, as well as up-to-date insights about factors that will affect project cost. JWE Engineering also conducted a separate study of the costs of utility burial, once again basing their estimates on the costs experienced burying

utilities in the Town of Mamaroneck and Village of Mamaroneck projects. The following are explana-tions of the components of the project budget. Utility burial costs provide for burial of the major overhead utility lines on the Railroad Station end of the Palmer Avenue business district. Overhead utili-ties on adjacent side streets are not buried, and traf-fic signals will of course remain overhead and sus-pended from poles. Sidewalk improvement includes repaving of side-walk surfaces and curbs. Where the sidewalk sur-face is already in a condition consistent with the de-sign plan, the surface will not be replaced unless necessitated by the utility burial project. Street lighting provides for new lights on poles, as well as comparable lights attached to existing utility poles in locations where the existing utility poles remain. The budget is based on a light and pole comparable in height and distribution to a traditional streetlight. The lights and poles will be electrified for holiday decorations and banners. Benches and trash receptacles are specified based on the Cherbuliez/Munz study, although the number of

Attachment H - Project Costs and Funding

H:1

Project Cost Component Count Unit Price Total Improvement Sidewalk Paving with mitigation of cross-slope 7,050 Sq. Feet $10.50 74,025 Sidewalk Paving 29,969 Sq. Feet $9.50 284,703 Curbs 3,274 Linear Feet $35.00 114,590 Street Lights on Utility Poles 17 Fixtures $1,600.00 27,200 Street Lights with New Poles 13 Fixtures/Pole $7,500.00 97,500 Benches 3 Benches $1,200.00 3,600 Trash Receptacles 9 Receptacles $800.00 7,200 Tree Wells 69 Wells $200.00 13,800 Trees 19 Trees $700.00 13,300 Landscaping, Signage and Related Improvements 37,019 Sq. Feet $1.00 37,019 Subtotal 672,937 Contingency at 10% 67,294 Engineering at 17% 114,399 Grand Total Grand Total 100% $854,630 Federal Share 80% $683,704 Local Share 20% $170,926

new units has been reduced based on continued use of existing benches and receptacles where their de-sign and condition are appropriate. A tree well is provided for each existing or new tree. Existing trees are not disturbed unless the health and condition of the tree warrants replacement. The Vil-lage may supplement the project budget with expen-ditures for tree replacements based on the Villages existing tree evaluation and replacement program. The budget category “Landscape, Signage, and Re-lated Improvements” provides for general landscap-ing (especially along Railroad Way) as well as amenities such as the bicycle storage facility, sign-age, and the sign restorations. The Village envisions that there will be refinements to the project scope during the final design and engi-neering of the project which may affect the precise allocation of cost between categories. However, this budget reflects independent and informed profes-sional opinions as to scope and associated cost.

The Village has already made substantial investments in the Railroad Station - Palmer Avenue Business District. An exam-ple is the renovation of the North Avenue Parking Deck, illus-trated above during construction which is now complete) which provides parking for the railroad station and the business dis-trict. The design of our project is coordinated with this project to harmonize the appearance of the area.

H:2

The following is a summary of the schedule for this project, including steps already taken, and steps envi-sioned if the application is approved and funded: Project scope will be divided into two phases based on the recommendations of the landscape architect and the project engineer. Primary considerations will include the impact on project cost and the effect of con-struction activities on the railroad and commercial district.

Attachment I - Implementation Schedule

Date Related Event TEP Project Event Mayor appoints Business District Task

Force

Beautification Committee Survey of the Business District

Installation of tree wells and related improvements on one block to experi-ment with design elements.

Cherbuliez-Munz Study of the Busi-ness District

Public hearings conducted with land use boards and local business opera-tors and commercial property owners.

Village contracts with JWE Engineer-ing for technical services related to project planning and cost estimation.

June 2006 Application Filed

October 2006 Announcement of Funded Projects

December 2006 Authorize design and construction docu-ment development

March 2007 Phase One design and construction docu-ments completed.

Spring 2007 Phase One project bid and contract awarded

Summer-Fall 2007 Phase One project construction completed.

Fall 2007 Phase Two design and construction docu-ments completed

Spring 2008 Phase Two project bid and contract awarded

Spring-Fall 2008 Phase Two project construction completed.

I:1

Maintenance of the Larchmont Railroad Station and Palmer Avenue Business District is the responsibility of the Metro-North Railroad (the Train Station) and the Vil-lage of Larchmont (the surrounding area.)

The improvements funded by this project are all lo-cated in the areas that are the maintenance responsi-bility of the Village, and once the project is com-pleted, maintenance will be an ongoing responsibil-ity of the Village.

Attachment I - Maintenance and Operation of Project

I:1

This project has wide support within the Village of Larchmont. The project… • Approved on a unanimous and bipartisan basis

by the Larchmont Village Board of Trustees.

• Reflects written and oral comments actively so-licited over a three-month period by the Village Board.

• Builds on planning and survey studies by the 20-member Larchmont Beautification Committee.

• Supported by the Larchmont Chamber of Com-merce.

• Reflects advice received from a public hearing with members of Larchmont’s land use boards

• Reflects advice received from a public hearing for Larchmont’s business operators and com-mercial property owners.

The need for the project is also confirmed and sup-ported by the decisions of authorities and govern-ments with adjacent properties to invest in the area. For example…

• Metro-North Railroad is investing $5.6 million

in a Larchmont Railroad Station improvement project.

• The Town of Mamaroneck has sponsored the

North Chatsworth Community Development Block Grant improvement project, which is cur-rently underway.

• The Village of Larchmont has invested in the

renovation of the North Avenue parking area improvement project.

• The Thruway Authority has invested in the im-

provement of an adjacent parking structure.

Attached are letters of support for the application from County and State officials.

Attachment L - Evidence of Support

L:1