Meeting_Body
PLANNING AND PROGRAMMING COMMITTEE MEETING
JANUARY 17, 2024
Subject
SUBJECT: OPEN AND SLOW STREETS GRANT PROGRAM CYCLE FIVE
Action
ACTION: APPROVE RECOMMENDATIONS
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
CONSIDER:
A. AWARDING $5 million to the Open and Slow Streets Grants Program Cycle Five to fund 16 events scheduled through December 2025 (Attachment A); and
B. REPROGRAMMING Cycle Four funds not expended by December 31, 2023, up to the amount of $500,000, towards Cycle Five (Attachment A), increasing the total available funding amount for Cycle Five to $5.5 million.
Issue
ISSUE
The Open and Slow Streets Grant Program funds events that are designed to close streets to vehicular traffic, allowing Los Angeles County residents and visitors to experience alternative modes of transportation. The primary goal of Open Streets events is to promote walking, cycling, and the use of public transportation. By doing so, the program aims to encourage the development of multimodal policies and infrastructure at the city and community levels.
Cycle Four of the Open and Slow Streets Grant Program ended on December 31, 2023. Board approval is needed to fund Cycle Five and reprogram the unused funds from Cycle Four.
Background
BACKGROUND
In September 2013, the Metro Board approved the Open Streets Competitive Grant Program framework in response to Motion 72 by Directors Villaraigosa, Molina, Najarian, and Wilson (Attachment B). This framework includes the following:
* A grant program based on a two-year cycle.
* An annual allocation of funds of up to $2 million.
* A competitive grant process and program.
* A technical process for collecting data and evaluating funded events.
* Funding for support of planning, coordination, promotion, and other related organizational costs.
Summary of Open Streets Events to Date - Cycles One, Two, Three, and Mini Cycle
Staff developed a comprehensive framework and competitive grant process to solicit and evaluate Open...
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