Metro - File #: 2026-0583

• File #: 2026-0583
• Type: Program
• Status: Agenda Ready
• File created: 7/28/2026
• In control: Executive Management Committee
• On agenda: 9/17/2026
• Title: CONSIDER: APPROVING the use of $1 million of previously deobligated local Proposition C 25% Call for Projects funding set aside in reserve for capital projects to fund Open and Slow Streets Cycle 8 operational events between September 2026 and March 2028; AMENDING the FY27 Budget by $1,000,000 to authorize expenditures for Recommendation A; and AUTHORIZING the Chief Executive Officer or their designee to award eligible Cycle 8 events that meet the requirements and process outlined in Attachment A.
• Sponsors: Board of Directors - Regular Board Meeting
• Indexes: Budgeting, Call For Projects, Formula Allocation / Local Return, Grant Aid, Local Returns, Metro’s Open Streets Grant Program, Open Streets, Outreach, Program, Proposition C, Ridership, Ridesharing, Safety, Strategic planning, Sustainable transportation, Transfer on 2nd Boarding, Transportation Development Act - Article 4, Transportation Development Act of 1971, Transportation modes, Walking

Meeting_Body
EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
SEPTEMBER 17, 2026

Subject
SUBJECT: OPEN AND SLOW STREETS PROGRAM UPDATE

Action
ACTION: APPROVE RECOMMENDATION

Heading
RECOMMENDATION

Title
CONSIDER:

APPROVING the use of $1 million of previously deobligated local Proposition C 25% Call for Projects funding set aside in reserve for capital projects to fund Open and Slow Streets Cycle 8 operational events between September 2026 and March 2028;

AMENDING the FY27 Budget by $1,000,000 to authorize expenditures for Recommendation A; and

AUTHORIZING the Chief Executive Officer or their designee to award eligible Cycle 8 events that meet the requirements and process outlined in Attachment A.

Issue
ISSUE

At its July 2026 meeting, the Board approved an amendment by Directors Horvath and Bass to the Open and Slow Streets directing the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to report back with the identification of $1 million in Metro-controlled funding for the Open and Slow Streets Program.

Background
BACKGROUND

Metro’s Open and Slow Streets grant program was created as a pilot in 2013 to help subsidize the operating expenses for civic events that help people experience public transportation, walking, and biking, potentially for the first time. The program aims to encourage the adoption of sustainable transportation modes and promote civic community engagement to develop policies and infrastructure for multiple modes of transportation with an emphasis on advancing equity. Since 2013, the Open and Slow Streets grant program has proceeded through seven funding cycles, committing funding to 113 events through a competitive process.

In June 2021, the Board authorized staff to update and release Open and Slow Streets program guidelines for future cycles. On August 11, 2025, criteria and goals for Cycles Six and Seven were released. One of the objectives of Cycles Six and Seven was to encourage active transportation and transit use both during and beyond Open and Slow S...