TO: Committee of the Whole - Planning and Public Works
FROM: Mayor Angela Birney
DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR CONTACT(S):
|
Planning and Community Development |
Carol Helland |
425-556-2107 |
DEPARTMENT STAFF:
|
Planning and Community Development |
Seraphie Allen |
Deputy Director |
|
Planning and Community Development |
Michael Hintze |
Transportation Planning Manager |
|
Planning and Community Development |
Mary L’Heureux |
Transportation Planner |
|
Planning and Community Development |
Francesca Liburdy |
Senior Transportation Planner |
TITLE:
title
WSDOT Regional Mobility Grant Acceptance
OVERVIEW STATEMENT:
recommendation
The City of Redmond has been awarded the Washington State Department of Transportation’s Regional Mobility Grant. In accordance with the Transportation Master Plan and Downtown Strategic Parking Implementation Plan which are under development, these funds will be used to pilot a shared parking program and on-demand shuttle in downtown Redmond. The pilot will be for two years. The goal is to have the shared parking and shuttle operational by the time light rail connects to Seattle.
The shared parking program would involve outreach to commercial properties within the downtown core of Redmond with underutilized parking capacity to develop a shared parking program that would more fully utilize available parking. The primary goal for the shared parking program would be to provide residents and employees of downtown businesses with long term parking solutions (as opposed to time restricted on-street parking) and provide people coming from outside downtown and wanting to connect with light rail additional parking options. This allows for on-street parking to be prioritized for retail customers in the downtown area, as approved in the Downtown Strategic Parking Implementation Plan.
The on-demand shuttle would cover roughly 2-3 square miles in the downtown and Education Hill neighborhoods. This would be a free service for community members and would connect people to transit, grocery stores, employment, medical appointments, and more. This shuttle would operate similar to the BellHop shuttle that currently exists in Downtown Bellevue. It is a goal to have the shuttle vehicles be electric, reducing the amount of carbon emissions occurring in the downtown area.
body
☐ Additional Background Information/Description of Proposal Attached
REQUESTED ACTION:
☐ Receive Information ☒ Provide Direction ☐ Approve
REQUEST RATIONALE:
• Relevant Plans/Policies:
o Redmond 2050, FW-TR-1: Plan, design, build, operate, and maintain a safe transportation system that advances an equitable, inclusive, sustainable, and resilient community by providing for the mobility and access needs of all.
o Redmond 2050, FW-TR-4: Plan, design, build, operate, and maintain a transportation system that supports the City’s sustainability principles.
o Redmond 2050, FW-TR-5: Influence regional transportation decisions and leverage regional transportation investments in support of Redmond’s transportation policy objectives.
o Redmond 2050, TR-6.7: Implement transportation programs, projects, and services that support the independent mobility of those who cannot or choose not to drive.
o Redmond 2050, TR-15: Implement transit to connect people in all Redmond neighborhoods to centers, light rail, and other neighborhoods, considering a full suite of transit options appropriate to the land use context.
o Redmond 2050, FW-CR-1: Develop partnerships and programs to rapidly and equitably reduce greenhouse gas emissions and create a thriving, climate resilient community.
o 2020 Environmental Sustainability Action Plan, T1.4: Pilots for trip reduction. Continue piloting trip reduction initiatives such as app-based carpooling and scooter/bike share.
o 2020 Environmental Sustainability Action Plan, T1.8: Increase new mobility options. Encourage and foster the use of new mobility options, such as bike share, electric bike and scooters, and ride hailing.
o Downtown Parking Strategic Implementation Plan, 4: Facilitate more effective use of private parking facilities
§ 4a. Branding, wayfinding and marketing for the shared parking system that may include a technology focus
§ 4b. City facilitated shared parking program including an initial pilot program
o Downtown Parking Strategic Implementation Plan, 5: Build capacity within the City of Redmond to actively manage parking
§ 4c. Work with community and business partners to collaborate on parking management and mobility
• Required:
Council approval is required for grant acceptance.
• Council Request:
N/A
• Other Key Facts:
N/A
OUTCOMES:
We anticipate the shared parking program and on-demand shuttle will decrease vehicle miles traveled in the downtown core and will increase Redmond residents’ access to the downtown light rail station and transit center.
COMMUNITY/STAKEHOLDER OUTREACH AND INVOLVEMENT:
• Timeline (previous or planned):
City of Redmond Parking Questionnaire, March-April 2024
• Outreach Methods and Results:
Questionnaires
• Feedback Summary:
• Overall community interest in first/last mile connections to the existing and future transit network
• Interest and desire for more multimodal connections to the existing and future transit network, specifically via pedestrian and bicycle modes
• Interest in commuter and employee parking in the downtown core for people who would like to park all day and go to their jobs (either working in Downtown or commuting via bus or light rail).
BUDGET IMPACT:
Total Cost:
$1,219,000 (combined grant and matching funds) Staff working on this project are funded through the adopted budget.
Approved in current biennial budget: ☒ Yes ☐ No ☐ N/A
Budget Offer Number:
0000310-Mobility of People and Goods
Budget Priority:
Vibrant and Connected
Other budget impacts or additional costs: ☒ Yes ☐ No ☐ N/A
If yes, explain:
The City is required to contribute a 20% match of the Regional Mobility Grant funds for the project.
Funding source(s):
Regional Mobility Grant ($975,000)
Commute Trip Reduction (CTR) funds ($60,000)
LTAC ($136,000)
Commute Assistant Office (CAO) Fund ($48,000)
Budget/Funding Constraints:
N/A
☐ Additional budget details attached
COUNCIL REVIEW:
Previous Contact(s)
None
Proposed Upcoming Contact(s)
|
Date |
Meeting |
Requested Action |
|
9/2/2025 |
Business Meeting |
Approve |
Time Constraints:
Funding was awarded July 1, 2025.
ANTICIPATED RESULT IF NOT APPROVED:
Unable to take advantage of this grant opportunity.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A: WSDOT Regional Mobility Grant Application
Attachment B: WSDOT Award Letter