Submitted by: Council Vice President Waszczak
Submitting Department: Legislative
Agenda Section: Discussion
Item Title:
title
FY25 Council ARPA/Budget Amendment: Alternate Route 1 Holiday Lights
end
Suggested Action:
recommendation
For discussion: I move the Mayor and Council include funding in the FY25 Budget for the purchase and installation of holiday lights along Alternate Route 1.
end
Summary Background:
In 2022, Council passed CM Waszczak's budget initiative focused on improving safety, connectivity and beautification of the Alt Route 1/Baltimore Avenue corridor, which stretches from Hamilton Street at the north end to Charles Armentrout Drive and the Northeast Branch of the Anacostia River at the south end. This corridor includes more than 40 households on Emerson, Burlington, Buchanan, and Arundel, and more than 25 businesses.
Two major transportation barriers (i.e., the freight and passenger rail line and the state highway) disconnect residents and workers in this neighborhood from the rest of Ward 1 and the City of Hyattsville. Long term residents remember when there was a tunnel under the railroad tracks. The closure of that tunnel exacerbated this disconnection for pedestrians and cyclists. These transportation barriers negatively impact life opportunities, mobility, accessibility for residents, workers and customers.
The positive impacts of the Alt Route 1 Safety, Connectivity and Beautification Initiative are needed even more today than when it first passed. Since 2022, this corridor has suffered the environmental and economic impacts of a CSX derailment (September 2023), and the social and economic impacts of a fatal stabbing near the City's Department of Public Works campus (December 2022).
On the shortest day of the year, Maryland gets 5 1/2 fewer hours of light than on the longest day of the year. Winter decorative lighting will serve at least two purposes. The principles of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) state that proper design and effective use of the built environment can reduce the fear and incidence of crime, and improve quality of life. In other words, lighting can increase actual and perceived personal safety and the security of property, and enable people to see risks and take action at a distance.
The lighted decorations will also have a positive economic impact, by creating a more inviting southern gateway to Hyattsville's Arts District business zone during a busy shopping season.
Decorations: $15,000
The City spent approximately $15k for holiday decorations in 2018. This amount would most likely cover the Alt Rte 1 corridor.
Time and materials: $2000-$4000
DPW staff install and remove lighted decorations.
Permits: TBD
DPW will attach the lighted decorations to PEPCO's existing utility poles. We anticipate a modest permitting fee. We haven't attached items to PEPCO poles before, so DPW has reached out to PEPCO for more information.
This project could be supported with remaining ARPA funds or general funds.
Next Steps:
Council discussion.
Fiscal Impact:
$25,000 in FY25 Budget
City Administrator Comments:
Recommend support. This is a one-time purchase and can be funded by ARPA if approved.
Community Engagement:
N/A
Strategic Goals:
Goal 5 - Strengthen the City’s Identity as a Diverse, Creative, and Welcoming Community
Legal Review Required?
N/A