The Community of Chandler is seeking a nearly $1 million grant from the Oklahoma Department of Transportation to help fund a 1.1 mile sidewalk that will connect with an existing one completed earlier this year.
Diann Herrmann helps head up the Safe and Healthy Lifestyles Committee in Chandler.
She said the pre-proposal was submitted to ODOT on Oct. 30 and the final grant proposal is due Nov. 30.
The Committee is seeking a TAP grant from ODOT totaling $996,363.01. TAP is Transportation Alternative Program.
Herrmann said, “The grant requires our community to secure 10 percent of the grant funds, approximately a little over $96,000.”
She said the committee has raised right at 80 percent of the needed amount.
“We have applied for a $54,727.23 grant from the Avedis Foundation and don’t know what we will receive,” Herrmann noted.
She said the city of Chandler is the vehicle from which the TAP grant is applied through. “The city of Chandler has committed funds as part of the 10 percent commitment,” she said.
With the deadline for the final grant proposal two weeks away, Herrmann emphasized the community must have its 10 percent of the grant committed, but doesn’t have to have all those funds in hand.
The $996,363.01 is the total project cost, she said, and that includes the construction, engineering, survey and contingency figures.
City Manager Jason Orr also weighed in on the proposed project.
“Even though this is not officially a City of Chandler project, we have pledged a 10 percent match of the estimated $996,000 price tag as required by the grant. All of the city’s portion was donated by community members for the first phase, and we anticipate all funds will be raised in the same manner for Phase II.
“I am proud of Diann and all of those who have contributed many volunteer hours to make this community project possible,” Orr said.
“The selection committee will announce its selections on April 1, 2023.”
She pointed out, “We are currently asking for community contribution commitments until the end of November,” further stressing, community commitment is an essential scoring component for the grant.
“Purpose of community involvement is to show good faith that the community’s goals are parallel to ODOT guidelines for funding.”
If anyone would like to donate to the Phase II Project, they are asked to send a letter of contribution commitment to Chandler Safe Routes c/o Marshall Alsip 601 Manvel Chandler, Ok 74834 or Email dherrmannrn@yahoo.com or territory.marshall@yahoo.com by Nov. 29, Herrmann said.
Herrmann explained the proposed 1.1 mile project is an eight-feet wide ADA sidewalk that begins at the northeast entrance of the Chandler Junior High School to the Safe Room at Parkroad Elementary School.
She pointed to the proposed solar path lighting that will also be installed along the new sidewalk as seen on the existing sidewalk. She said an additional 530 feet will connect to the Phase I sidewalk project.
Herrmann said the final connecting point for Phase II will be to continue the safe sidewalk at the end of Phase I which starts at the entrance of the city park.
The 1,003 feet of sidewalk will continue along the south side of the guardrail of the city park to the corner of Park Road Street and Joe Long Drive then continue to thefootball field.