TXDOT SLASHES FUNDING
Agency cites Katrina, war as reason; decision causes concern in city
By Lori Mellinger

Right, is a rendering architect Mike Leinbeck did for Bullard’s Vision Committee. Improvements like the ones shown, at left, would have renovated the downtown area.

The fact that it was done with no warning is what has many upset at TxDot's decision to end a well-known grant program, and - in essence - the dreams of many small communities.

The transportation department's decision to cut a federally funded grant program has left cities in around Smith county wondering where they will come up with the $28.7 million they intended to use for beautification, hike-and-bike trails, sidewalks, tourism facilities and other improvements - projects that TxDOT initiated and asked for cities to compete for.

The City of Bullard is one - asking the agency for almost $1.3 million - in an 80/20 split. TxDOT would pay 80 percent, and the city would agree to a 20 percent match - with both funds and in-kind labor.

City Manger - while disappointed - isn't entirely surprised.

“Anytime you can’t decide what to do with funding, it is effectively in limbo,” Morgan said. “The program has changed names repeatedly, and in my opinion, didn ’t have a firm grasp of how and when to use the money.”

Morgan cited projects ranging from beaufication projects, courthouse renovations, trail systems and downtown revitalization.

“But there was one common thread that wove all the projects together: The money awarded was related to tourism.”

And tourism, Morgan said, is an animal that is “wide and deep.”

The City of Bullard proposed constructing a pedestrian and bicycle trail along the East Texas Rails to Trails property running parallel with FM 2493.

The ten-foot wide concrete trail would begin just north of Sawyer Street, near the O. L. Ferrell Park, and progress southeast to the Bullard High School campus.

The project included sidewalk renovations along businesses at the northwest corner of Main and Phillips Streets.

New sidewalks would be constructed from the trail to street corners or parking facilities in the five-block “Common Areas” between Sawyer and Tyler streets - connecting connect the trail to the existing transportation system.

Pedestrian lighting, directional signage, benches, trash receptacles, drinking water fountains, bicycle racks, sodding, landscaping and an irrigation system would be located throughout the trail within the Common Areas.

Accessibility and safety features include access and curb ramps, three parking areas, crosswalk signage and striping, with additional lighting for crosswalks and parking.

The sidewalks from Tyler Street to the High School would have had pedestrian lighting and signs.

TxDOT has plans to widen FM 2493, and this was considered. Bullard was once a railroad shipping point for agricultural products. Today the Rails to Trails property is a wide piece of land that seems to separate the town.

The city hoped to use this property to provide a transportation system that would bring the community together, while remembering and making use of a thoroughfare from the past.

The cuts have displeased some who say TxDOT didn’t break the news until after local governments spent time and money on engineering studies, grant-writing fees and planning.

Transportation officials conducted workshops in 2005 to advertise the availability of grants. Applications were due in April 2006. The Transportation Commission hinted at its May meeting that it might kill the program, but Chairman Ric Williamson didn’t send a letter informing applicants of the decision until Nov. 20.

Gary Traylor, whose Tyler firm helped eight cities prepare grant applications seeking more than $12.8 million, said TxDOT committed to partnering with local communities in 2005, and has broken that commitment.

Williamson has informed 330 local government entities, by letter dated Nov. 20, that TxDOT is not able to continue the 2006 competition for transportation enhancement projects; a decision he says TxDOT was forced to make because of nationwide budgetary recessions of unobligated federalaid highway funds. TxDOT’s decision has killed 330 pending enhancement nominations totaling $690 million submitted by governmental entities in April. It was the first enhancement competition held by TxDOT in five years.

The Safe, Accountable, Flexible and the Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) requires that states expend at least 10 percent of their Surface Transportation Program apportionment for transportation enhancement activities.

Traylor acknowledged that the cuts directly hurt his grant-writing business, but he said they also hurt small communities that had pledged their own funds and already spent money planning the projects.

He wonders why TxDOT couldn’t cut 2 percent of its $14.5 billion across the board, instead of targeting enhancements.

“To me, it suggests there should be much greater involvement by our local officials and general citizenry in holding TxDOT accountable for what it is doing,” he said.

But State Sen.-elect and former TxDOT commissioner said that - while he wasn’t on the commission when they made their decision, he understood the rationale.

“The federal government gives an allocated amount to the agency, and when there’s a shortfall like this, commissioners have to make tough decisions,” Nichols said.

He said TxDOT has four main areas of budgeting: maintenance, expansion, safety and enhancement money.

“When the federal government pulled back the money, the commissioner was forced to make a tough decision,” Nichols said. “And were I in there shoes, I would have made the same choice.

“Communities had a lot of hopes and dreams for this enhancement money, and of course, they are disappointed, but it’s not the end of the enhancement program.”

The program, he said, is alive; the funding is just not there for this cycle.

Some local governments across the state are already urging lawmakers to reinstate the program in the upcoming legislative session. State Rep. Leo Berman, RTyler, said supported Bullard’s project.

“It’s the only way cities can really build the hike-and-bike trails and also enhancements around historical monuments,” Berman said, adding that he doesn’t think using the cuts to target a single program was a good idea.

In the meantime, Morgan is still acting.

“I’m asking TxDOT for an extended lease on the right of way running through town on FM 2493,” he said. “The city will maintain it, and we will go from there.”

Morgan said it’s a setback, but it’s not a defeat.

Morgan and councilwoman Pam Frederick put together the Bullard Vision last year - and while one big project was the enhancement grant, there’s plenty of work to keep members busy.

“Our goal with you is a standing committee,” he said. “We want your ideas and input on far-sighted, progressive projects to enhance Bullard.

“And we are far from finished. ”

The group puts together of a cross-section of the community to work on a plan that would completely change the landscape of downtown.

And while the enhancement project is - for the time being - dead, Morgan are moving forward.

“In order to do this, we have to think outside the box,” Frederick said, who serves as chair of the committee.

Morgan is asking members to begin thinking of smaller projects - such as a Web site to lure prospective businesses and brochures touting what Bullard has to offer.

Frederick has brought in speakers to the group who have experience in growing cities to impart their views and show how Bullard can maximize it’s reputation to make it a destination point.

Frederick is, admittedly, disappointed in TxDOT’s move, but she’s still determined.

“We will continue to work, we will continue to find new and creative ways to revitalize the downtown area,” she said. “With the help of the Vision Committee, we can get this done.”