Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutPresentation - Coachella Valley Association of Governments - South Coast Air Quality Managemnet District 1e11 Projecta Parkway 1�l 1 CVAG is evaluating a project that would connect all nine Coachella Valley cities with a neighborhood electric vehicle/bicycle/walking path. The parkway would extend along the Whitewater River from Palm Springs to Coachella with a connection to Desert Hot Springs. $A r 4- nd Owlna d°�„� - LL R,w,c Aa Mwsps � Br.mudw Qv.•sp '�•sN Ind IrW wfl W�14w U Qu"* 0 G,s: tW 4 h,•+N,a1G W. 0 The concept builds upon a decade's old plan to build bike and hiking paths along the Whitewater River. In 2009, the Desert Recreation District and Riverside County Regional Park and Open Space District commissioned a study that estimated the 45 mile path (all the way to the Salton , Sea) would cost millions of dollars and was projected to take decades to assemble the funding, local agency commitments and construct the project. CVAG's chairman, Supervisor John Benoit, is leading efforts to "kick-start" this long time dream with an infusion of funding. The funding could come from environmental mitigation payments made by Sentinel Power Plant, a natural gas fired power plant located between Palm Springs and Desert Hot Springs. While the plant includes some of the best and cleanest emission control technologies, the plant's emissions were subject to regulation by the South Coast Air Quality Management District and mitigation payments authorized by legislation authored by Assemblyman Manuel Perez and co-authored by then State Senator John Benoit and Assemblyman Brian Nestande. Taking advantage of our wonderful climate (most of the year) and encouraging biking, hiking, and golf cart use is not a new concept in the Coachella Valley. What would be new is a dedicated path that was safe from conflicts with faster moving automobiles. Undoubtedly, the concept of a Parkway 3P-11, largely parallel to the existing Highway 111 could be even more expensive than the original bike trail plan. However, if the project is designed correctly, a mix of environmental mitigation funds, conventional transportation dollars and perhaps less conventional funding could be used to build and maintain such a system. Perhaps this infrastructure could stimulate the use of new technologies in the Coachella Valley and be the first of its kind in the State and Nation. 4 / / _ Changes NEXT EXIT �I - .� ;A ►' While the project is still being conceptualized and studied, we know the project could benefit the Valley by relieving some congestion on Highway 111, provide air quality benefits, offer another amenity for our tourist industry, provide an avenue for people to get off their sofas and get exercise, and, last but not least, stimulate the economy with the need for engineers, surveyors, and many construction related jobs. CVAG looks forward to working with the public, our partnering agencies and many others to determine if such a Parkway is feasible. Some of the challenges that must be addressed is how best to work around, under, over or through golf courses, bridges or other constraints built over time in and around the channel. By the way, next time you travel down and around the Whitewater channel, notice for yourself how much of the route is already in place, or as is the case with bridges under construction now, how elements of the project are currently under construction, like the undercrossing at Adams Street in La Quinta. For more information, please contact cvag@cvag.org or 760-346-1127. a Parkway lel 1 the itsert Sun DECEMBER 6, 2011 WWW.MYDESERT.COM --- SERVING THE COACHELLA VALLEY SINCE 1927 The Whitewater River wash near Michael S. Wolfson Park at Da Val) and Frank Sinatra drives in Rancho Mirage. CRYSTAL CHATHAWTHE DESERT SUN Leaders hope to secure $53 million in funding by accommodating electric vehicles on proposed trail By Erica Felcl The Desert Sun c';>zwhella Walley leaders %cant to secure a 1�5._ iinllwn pc�t of funds by building a trail along Whitewater River for neighborhoW electric vehicles, golf carts and bikes. The paved path would extend from Desert Hot Springs to Coachella, offering travelers plug-in stations, rest areas and connections to the valley's existing trail systems. Building a trail along the wash has been discussed in concept for years, but the idea was tabled due to the staggering price tag and a desire to spend the money on other investments. A 2009 study indicated a lower -tech path for bikers, joggers and horseback riders would cost $38 million. The newest version of the plan likely will carry a larger price tag, but with a key difference -- electric vehicle access — for the specific goal of securing money that's been set aside for improving the re- gion's air quality. The idea — a brainchild of Riverside County Supenisor John Benoit and Coachella Valley Association of Govern- ments Executive Director Tom Kirk — was shared with the valley's mayors and city managers on Monday. if the trail is finally re- alized, supporters think it would be welcomed by lo- Benoit cal residents and provide another draw for tourists. "This is alternative transportation to Highway {{ 111, which is our most r I crowded corridor and one i we've never been able to .1 fix," Kirk said. Kirk "It could be a spine to the valley." The Whitewater wash path idea is get- ting a new look because of $53 million that was set aside by the developers of the Sentinel Power Plant near Desert Hot Springs. Assembly Bill 1318, legislation from Assemblyman V. Manuel Perez, required the money to offset any environmental impacts from the project. The money is in the hands of the South Coast Air Quality Management District, Please see TRAIL, A2 Cadledral ci ty Indian • Bermuda Wells Dunes Lai Quinta . S ..... +., SC` ALA lac��ccSt oo?�/y adheila a Plotting the trail A proposed paved trail along the Whitewater River wash would span from Desert Hot Springs to Coachella. Officials envision an expanded version of a traditional path, with 14-foot-wide paved lanes where electric vehicles, bikes and pedestrians could travel, with plug-in stations, rest areas and connections to the valley's existing grail systems. In order to avoid golf courses that stretch across parts of the wash, segments of the path could piggy -back on existing roadways. WHAT DO YOU THINK? Would you use the proposed paved trail for electric vehicles, golf carts and bikes along the Whitewater River wash? Vote at mydesert.com TRAIL Continued from Al and is now tied up in litiga- tion. It should be available to distribute to qualifying pro- jects early next year. This summer, Benoit —al- so an air quality district board member — encour- aged valley leaders to brain- storm ideas on what pro- jects would qualify for the money. A normal trail wouldn't qualify. But one with neighborhood electric vehicles does. The concept is in its earli- est stages. But officials envi- sion an expanded version of a traditional path,, iN ith 14-foot- wide paved lanes designat- ing where vehicles, bikes and pedestrians could travel. The four -wheeled vehicles are designed for short trips, and usually top out at 20-25 mph. Early estimates show the trail would take 10 years to build. Certain segments, us- ing existing citypaths, could be available in the next few years. Benoit called the plan "something dramatic, something iconic" that would be used for years to come. And he said it's get- ting warm reception from leaders across the region. "There's all kinds of poten- tial," Benoit said. But big dreams often come with big hurdles: ■ Local officials still have to convince the regional air district to set aside all of the money for the desert. ■ Even if they secure all that money, they'll need to tap into other grants and funding sources to cover the rest of the cost. v And should all the funding Two men ride bicycles on the Butler -Abrams Trail, which runs along the Whitewater wash behind Michael S. Wolfson Park at DaVall and Frank Sinatra drives in Rancho Mirage. CRYSTAL CHATHAM(THE DESERT SUN come together, building the path would require an un- known number of property o,Amers to give up right-of-way for public access. Officials also will need to figure out how to route the path around the handful of golf courses that stretch across parts of the wash. So- lutions could include seg- ments of the path that are part of the roadways. "That was probably one of the largest hurdles in the past," Benoit said of accom- modating existing golf courses. Palm Springs resident Don- na Chabin knows the chal- lenges of safely driving neigh- borhood electric vehicles. She owned a GEM vehicle from 2002 until2006, using it for small trips around the valley. But the vehicle's slower speed required her to creatively map out her route to avoid faster streets. "They can't go down Palm Canyon (Drive) and get from Palm Springs to Indio. They could do it if they had side streets," said Chabin, a member of the valley's elec- tric vehicle association. "A lot of people philosoph- ically like the idea of electric vehicles. Butthey hesitate be- cause if they're out and about and need to plug in, they don't know where to plug in." In the first litmus test for the project's feasibility, the Coachella Valley Associa- tion of Governments' exec- utive committee agreed to spend up to 5100,000 to fur- ther study the Neighbor- hood Electric Vehicle/Bicy- cle Parkway project. While unanimously sup- ported, several members asked about the other pro- jects that could benefit from the $53 million that will soon be available. The approved budget in- cludes $40,000 to be used as the local match if CVAG se- cures a related grant from the California Energy Com- mission. "This is a lasting legacy," Riverside County Supervi- sor Marion Ashley said. "Countless generations will benefit from this." Zrhe ,L`'f"esert Sun 141':Ii\Ic�it i1. itT':i'ItirlfiEk ",:''i•,' WWW-X1YDESFRT.CO\t - - tilatVING THE COACHEI.ira �ai.l.t;Y SIN,t rail for oIf ,� carts and cyclists a. visionary "Wouldn't it l.e g're•ait if the Coachella Valley Wert. known not only few golf (•0111-sc8 Mild world -class resorts, but -dso -is a place where people can get aground Wit hout fi!-rhting traffic and fouling the" aatillos})here? Thanks to the leadership of the Coachella ►aachellaa X<allesy- Association elf Gox--?rniln',nis H:XVCU.tiVU Director 71-oni Kirk and Riverside County Supervisor .()hn Benoit, cve'rc one step closer to that possibility. 'I'lle two presented a plan on. Monday to OIC valley's 111aY01' ; grid rill y nutnaat;ers it) ereattt- al 5U-mile, 1-14)ot-wide. trail roughly ailcltl r ttu, Whitewater River for electric vehicles, golf carts, hikers, horseback riders, joggers and hikers. The cotic•ept has been debated for ycal` but aaI«VayS hit the dead end of a. I ris c• toat„ VStitllatted at S1 million as guile. 1 €mvevor, the rle%,C1opers of the Sentirle=l I'owe>r I'laant near Desert Hot SI-wings Nvere required 10 set aside $53 ntillintl tr, offset environment. .in-ij),ac-t :. 'I -I ie .trai l pro jest could f.,,o at long; way toxvard reaching that. goal. Ni­,�(•attasc- of the e'llipha-tsis oll electric ve�hielc�s - --- i'll(IUdiilg charf.;inx; stations a110119 t}le wary -- the traail. could qualify for the fimclintr. WIlich will lie in the hands of the Sc)ulh Air Quality Niaanagrentent: Distric:l. Benoit tilt~ oyi the board. `FlIL' ikVsc•rt ;Mall INUS, leant; aac}vc►cated fe.r (. List s i bike lanes. de dic-altect for e_y'c•li;:t;, altl(l ills• use of j?e>lI rar-ts for Short Trips. ��'E "`( sul.)porte'd I'atllli l ac =c'i t pia`h to allow -olf caa.rts on city I.,a ulic-ht-d h%, A seital)ly Bill 1 '2"?s) na 199:;, it i�z sliniaatt_d that the Pal l.nl I_)e'wc*t: t t;c iI1 c-<t.i t l at: <>L� t arl t i salt c 16 it.ilt t c;1 c:ai2'})+..11 111,i1+rXWO at N'eaar. Rancho ELECTRIC CAR SHOWCASE What: Electric vehicles, including a Tesla Roadster, Leaf, Volt, a converted PT Cruiser and solar conversion cars, will be on display. When: 11 a.m.-2 P.M. Saturday Where: Camelot Theatres. 2300 E. Baristo Road, Palm Springs. Film: "Revenge of the Electric Car" will be shown starting at 12:15 p.m. More information: Call (760) 325-6565 ur visit www.ca me lottheatres.com A'Iirage, La Quinta and Indio also have golf cart programs. Ilut at paath just for golf carts and ()then pollution -free modes of tr.ansportaticln is safer and should be nlore attractive to -a residcsnts and tratil is intended for vehicles that usually tor, out at 20-25 Iilj)h. There is growing interest in electric vehicles in the valley Last week, Assemblyman V. Manuel Perez test drove a plug-in Toyota Prius at Poterc tir)latr in Rancho Mirage. Perc>z chairs the California Select: Cc)nitllitt.ee on Renewable Electric Energy Hcotlonly ill Rural California. His legislation created the power plant's etl.,-ironnzellttal fuIld. On Saturday, electric cars will be on display at Can-ielot Theatres in Palin '-'j.)i-iilgS, 1%1,7hic.•h will show "Rew-mge of tll.e Electric Car." The Ilewiv. foraged Grealer Palm Slarinf.;s Area Llectric Auto As ociattioll will be there, to(.). The Neighborhood Electric Vehicle/Bicycle Parkway project could take a de ezid(: tO eornplete:. Benoit c-aillc-d It "se)i et11ir)g dralinttic, tifllraC`1lliI1 iconic." I lis collc:aa)411(!. Supervise 1r 14.a.arioll sI levy; c atllc d it at "lasting The L)es(lrt ~lug alga c'Cs aitici e't1C otirzigt-s thc: ,fir %1tt<'t11t1' fundil 1pc . Parkway lell As of March 28, 2012 CVAG Index of Support letters Newspaper Editorial The Desert Sun Business and Tourism Building Industry Association of So. California Coachella Valley Economic Partnership Desert Contractor's Association Desert Security Systems Desert Valleys Builders Association Granite Construction Hospitality Industry & Business Council Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce Palm Springs Desert Resort Communities CVA Palm Springs Hospitality Association Palm Springs Restaurant Association Community Organization Coachella Valley Community Trails Alliance La Quinta Cove Neighborhood Association Education Cal State Univ. Palm Desert Campus Coachella Valley Unified School District College of the Desert Desert Sands Unified School District Palm Springs Unified School District So.Cal. Research Initiative for Solar Energy/UCR UCR Office of Sustainability UCR Palm Desert Graduate Center Electric Vehicle American Golf Cart Services Coachella Valley Electric Vehicle Collaborative Renova Powerstride Golf Cars & Battery Co. R&R Golf Cars Environmental Organization Friends of the Desert Mountains Sierra Club USGBC Inland Empire Chapter, Inc. Health Desert Regional Medical Center Eisenhower Medical Center JFK Memorial Hospital Kaiser Permanente RivCo Community Health Agency/Public Health UCR School of Medicine Other Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Recreation Desert Recreation District RivCo Regional Park & Open -Space District Regional & Transportation Planning Agency Riverside County Transportation Agency Southern California Association of Governments utility Coachella Valley Water District Southern California Edison Cities and County (Specifically to Support Application for Sustainability Grant from CA) City of Blythe City of Cathedral City City of Coachella City of Desert Hot Springs City of Indian Wells City of Indio City of La Quinta City of Palm Desert City of Palm Springs City of Rancho Mirage County of Riverside ,._ Parkway lei 1 ,. r� ECONOW PA VALLEY , ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP V CLIMATE FOR SUCCESS t6 Executive Summary - The Economic Impact of The Parkway lell study prepared by John E. Husing, Ph.D. For years, the Coachella Valley's leaders have recognized the need for an alternative to the SR-111 to allow residents and visitors to move between their homes or hotels and the valley's wide range of retail, recreation and entertainment venues. As designed, the proposed Parkway lell would fill this need in a unique and powerful way. Parkway lell would be an aesthetically pleasing, very high quality, automobile -free corridor running 46 miles from Palm Springs to beyond the City of Coachella, parallel to the SR-111. In May of 2012, Inland Empire economist Dr. John Husing completed a study on Parkway lell, determining that the proposed corridor would have a profound impact on the region. The cost -benefit study, based on a wide field of research, found that the Parkway lell will be a game -changer for the valley's residents and the local economy. Because the pathway would be grade -separated from the intersecting streets, but would allow entrance and egress to them, Parkway lell would provide walkers, joggers, cyclists and owners of Neighborhood Electric Vehicles (NEVs) with a beautiful, safe and environmentally friendly way to improve air quality while traveling from point-to- point. Similar corridors in other resort areas have dramatically raised tourist visits and economic activity, despite not being grade separated. The Parkway lell is designed for events drawing runners, cyclists, in -line skaters, NEV owners and solar -powered vehicle enthusiasts. Health advocates see the Overpass at Fred Waring Drive Parkway tell as an environment to counter inactivity and obesity, inspiring local residents and retirees to lead far more active lifestyles. Home and business owners would see their property values rise. Those who worry about safety recognize that over 80 percent of the valley's auto accidents involving cyclists, as well as pedestrian fatalities have occurred within two miles of what would be a safe pathway. INVESTMENT COSTS Investment costs would total $80,414,600. $70 million is projected to be spent over a ten year period on construction. Routine grooming and maintenance costs are projected at $9.4 million over 20 years (approximately $500,000 a year upon trail completion). Facility, trail and pavement refurbishment is also assumed; $1,030,000 in total would be spent refreshing the facility over the 14 years from 2022 — 2035 at $73,600 per year. The facility will thus be continuously restored to its high level of quality. JOB BENEFITS The Parkway tell would create 743 worker years of construction and related jobs over the course of development. As well an additional 690 permanent jobs would be added, associated with the increased visitor and tourist -related spending. Importantly, over 90 percent of the jobs are likely to be filled by modestly educated workers, aged 25-64, who live in the Coachella Valley and are predominately Hispanic. Parkway M I Impact,Construction Impact Type Employment Labor Income Value Added Output Direct Effect 482 $29,311,826 $33,338,956 $70,000,000 Secondary Effect 261 $11,927,503 $20,009,493 $32,396,452 Total Effect (2035) 743 $41,239,330 $53,348,449 $102,396,452 Ten Year Effect 74 $4,123,233 $5,334,845 $10,239,645 ECONOMIC BENEFITS The impact study found that overall economic benefits for the Parkway 1e11 would total $1.47 billion. Substantial potential benefits are documented in the study regarding economic and job impact numbers that would be delivered to the Coachella Valley economy by the construction and use of the Parkway 1e11. Contributing to the $1.47 in economic benefits includes: • Health - Reduce medical costs from reduced obesity $152,250,985 • Events - Tourists coming for five types of annual events $137,357,016 • Safety - Reduce impact of pedestrian and cycling accidents $136,920,280 • Tourism - Increase in cyclists drawn to stay in area hotels $487,376,407 • Secondary Impact - Indirect & induced impact of events & tourism $300,111,945 • Residential Valuation - Impact on homes valuation within Y2 mile $103,409,166 • Business Valuation - Impact on business valuation within % mile $21,735,260 • Gasoline Saving - Budget savings from avoiding gasoline purchases $28,830,409 • Construction - Money flowing to local firms & secondary impact $102,396,452 COST -BENEFIT SUMMARY To judge whether the Parkway 1e11 makes economic sense, the costs and benefits of the project were compared against economic activity through the year 2035. The analysis found that for every $1 in public money spent toward the cost of the $80.4 million project, $18.29 would be returned in benefits to the Coachella Valley economy. That represents a ratio of $1.00 v. $14.04 in discounted present value terms. Once the first phase of the Parkway 1e11 is completed (23 miles) the $70 million required to build the full 46 mile facility will already be matched by the first 1.52 years of economic activity stimulated from the project. That will occur despite counting none of the economic benefits from the local construction activity set-off in building the facility. Parkway 1e11- Costs versus Economic Benefit (in millions) $1.47 Billion $1,400 - $1, 200 $1, 000 $800 - $600 $400 $200 80 Million $0 Cost Economic Benefits (including construction, maintenance & reconditioning) 2 Parkway M 1 PROJECT BENEFITS The Parkway tell would realize numerous benefits over time, based on conservative but "cautiously optimistic" assumptions, for these reasons: Public Health — Reduced medical costs from reduced obesity - $152.2 million The Desert Health Care District views Parkway lell as central to their efforts to increase physical activity in the Coachella Valley, a region with a growing base of retirees and school -aged youth who are overweight and have a high degree of obesity. Health care researchers are unanimous in the view that increased exercise and activity can decrease the incidents of disease and lower health care costs. Research conducted on 45,520 Medicare retirees in 2005 found that moderately active retirees had $1,456 lower health care costs than their more sedentary counterparts. Another study found physically active people aged 15 and older spent $330 less on healthcare annually, $1,019, than those who reported being inactive, $1,349. The cost -benefit study, assuming three levels of success from the public health initiative aimed at the obese population, noted that medical cost savings in the valley at a 10% success rate — or 9,670 people — would be achieved in the third year with $4.9 million in health care costs saved each year. After 2025, with the Parkwaylell .;acksoii rack, mu:(. v. r Gr; 4, i;; oa.: Y-.ground achieving a 20% rate of success, the medical cost savings for 19,339 people would hit $9.8 million, and hold at that level through 2035. Adjusting those figures, the full public health benefit measured as a reduction in medical costs would total $152.2 million through 2035. Major Events — Tourists visiting for five types of annual events - $137.3 million As a tourist mecca, the Coachella Valley claims a wide variety of nationally recognized tourist events -- from golf and tennis tournaments to film festivals and music concerts. The region's list of major events already includes the Tour de Palm Springs cycling event and the Palm Springs Half Marathon, Half Marathon Relay and 5K Run. The Parkway lell would allow these events to be connected to local hotels by a pathway. It would enable the Coachella Valley to expand its menu of events and athletic competitions, all of which would fill hotel beds and pump spending on resort amenities, entertainment, shopping, groceries, casino gaming, and dining. The cost -benefit study assumed Parkway lell would attract one additional half marathon with attendance equal to 75% of the Big Sur race with 4,000 runners; one bicycle race with a slightly larger roster than the 2012 Tour de Palm Springs, which attracted 9,136 cyclists; one In -Line Skating event with 300 participants; one NEV/Cart race and one solar car event for California colleges, each attracting 30 to 50 teams. By the third year, the five added events would reach its estimated impact from hotel stays and visitor spending of $7.6 million, and remain at that level. Through 2035, that would inject $137.3 million in direct new spending into the Coachella Valley economy. Parkway W 1 3 Tourism — Increase in cyclists drawn to stay in area hotels - $487.4 million The spark that has driven the Coachella Valley's economy through its history has been tourism. It has also struggled to bridge a misconception as a spot offering only retirement and golf. Today's tourists are sophisticated and seek a wide range of activities across Greater Palm Springs while on vacation, or while attending conferences or conventions. The Parkway 1e11 would put a fresh amenity on their plate, offering unique and attractive access to world class hotels, Indian gaming, headliner shows, luxury shopping, golf courses and tennis facilities, while connecting them via electric carts or their own foot power to jog, walk, skate or cycle. As such, the Greater Palm Springs CVB and the Palm Springs Hospitality Association, along with managers of the valley's major tourist venues, strongly support the Parkway 1e11 as a magnet for tourists and a new marketing platform. To study its impact, sites were set on a technical report on North Carolina's investment in the Northern Outer Banks bicycle facility, a high -quality bicycle path along the ocean. The corridor was researched for its impact on tourism. Applying calculations from the North Carolina cycling study to the proposed Parkway 1e11 experience, the cost -analysis found that the Coachella Valley could expect the average historical hotel occupancy rate of 57.1% to increase 0.75% to 1.50% by 2019 to occupancy levels of 57.9% to 58.6%. Under that scenario, the Parkway 1e11 would increase the number of hotel room nights sold for overnight stays by cyclists by 22,164 to 44,328 annually, netting $2.7 million to $5.4 million in added hotel revenue. Calculations were based on a room night average of $121.49. Total Annual Increase In Visitor Spending From Parkway lell Pessimistic Cautious 0.75% 1.00% Cautious Optimism 1.50% Assumed Potential Increase in Room Occupancy Average Non -Hotel Spending Per Trip $588.00 $588.00 $588.00 Added Trips 22,164 29,552 44,328 Increase in Non -Hotel Spending $13,032,556 $17,376,742 $26,065,113 Increase in Hotel Revenue $2,692,645 $3,590,193 $5,385,290 Total Impact of Added Cycling $15,725,201 $20,966,93S $31,450,403 Non -hotel spending, at $588 per trip, would rise anywhere from $13 million to $26 million. Taken together, the total annual increase in visitor spending from cycling alone would be $15.7 million to $31.4 million annually. Assuming it would take three to nine years to increase the overnight visitor stays from 0.75% to 1.5%, the total direct impact from added tourism would be $487.4 million. Secondary Spending — Indirect & induced impact of events and tourism - $300.1 million Once an economy receives a direct injection of fresh external money, in this case, through new events and increased tourism, that money is re -spent by the firms and workers receiving it. The major "direct" spending impacts would be from hotels, $7.8 million; food, beverage and dining, $8 million; entertainment and gaming, $5 million; shopping, $3.8 million; and gasoline, $3.7 million. This creates a second tier of economic impact. Entering that data into the IMPLSN Model allows secondary impact to be calculated. From 2017 through 2035, the Coachella Valley would realize $300.1 million in secondary spending. The Parkway 1e11 would create 408 to 501 4 Parkway M 1 permanent jobs, as part of that spin-off effect. Payroll would be $13.6 million to $22.9 million annually. Average pay in the new jobs would range from $33,305 to $33,474. Property Values — Impact on homes valuation within %: mile - $103.4 million Property values can be impacted by a metropolitan trail. An economic study of a segment along the Miami Scenic Trail in Ohio found that homes located within 1.7 miles of the corridor — worth $263,517 on Rancho Mirage Library Charging Station average -- had a 3.4% premium of $9,000 on the average home price. To see how an urban trail would affect property value in the Coachella Valley, GIS work was undertaken by the Coachella Valley Association of Governments to identify 956 residential properties or parcels within 2,640 feet of the proposed Parkway 1e11. It applied the 3.4% premium, and determined that assessed values on property would rise by $37.6 million. At a tax rate of 1% the valuation increase would generate $376,635 more in local property tax revenue annually from 2017 to 2019. At Parkway 1e11 build -out, 2020, the valuation premium on residential property would be $58.4 million, generating $584,487 in additional property taxes. Another important study on a 67-mile trail system in Omaha found that 65% of residents living nearby felt their homes would be easier to sell; and 42% felt it had a positive impact on the listing price. Further, the Omaha trail was found to be a factor in purchasing decisions in 63.8% of all sales. For business properties, the full impact of Parkway 1e11 from 2021 going forward could realize assessed valuation increases of $12.9 million to $21.7 million, generating $129,231 to $217,353 in added local tax revenue annually. Fuel Cost Savings — Budget savings from avoiding gasoline purchases - $28.8 million An important goal in the valley is to provide pollution -free alternatives to driving on the congested roadways. The Parkway 1e11 achieves that goal, as it offers ingress and egress to a corridor along which its users could easily walk, cycle or use their NEVs to move from their homes to numerous retail, recreation, business and entertainment venues just outside the path. To determine the gasoline savings, Alta Planning + Design estimated that the number of vehicle miles that would be saved by walkers, runners, cyclists and NEVS from 2017-2035 would reduce vehicle miles traveled (VMT) by 144.5 million miles (VMT). Consumer gasoline savings would total $28.8 million in 2012 dollars. Air quality would improve, as well. The 144.5 mile VMT reduction would eliminate airborne emissions ranging from 70,734 pounds of PM10 and 16,250 PM2.5 to 117.6 million pounds (58,786 tons) of carbon dioxide (CO2). Translating the (CO2), hydrocarbon and nitrous oxides into metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO2) indicates the project would eliminate 48,527 MtCO2. This would increase the health of people living in the region, and contribute to a desired reduction in greenhouse gases in the Coachella Valley. Parkway lel 1 141 Safety — Reduce impact of pedestrian and cycling accidents - $136.9 million The Coachella Valley Economic Blueprint called for facilities like Parkway lell to be developed, giving residents the opportunity to walk, jog, cycle or use their NEVs in a safe, vehicular traffic free environment. It was estimated that with the corridor fully completed, an annual average of $8.2 million in annual losses due to the accidents that would be avoided in the Coachella Valley if the Parkway tell us used as an alternative to State Route 111. The projection was based on a conservative estimate from the Coachella Valley Association of Governments of 94 fewer incidents involving walkers, joggers, and cyclists. Construction — Money flowing to local firms and secondary impact - $102.4 million Coming off a period from June 2006 to March 2012 when the construction sector laid off 77,600 workers, the $70 million Parkway tell project would create 482 direct construction jobs. Those jobs alone, would net $29.3 million in payroll, an increase of 12.2% over $241.1 million in 2010 payroll in construction. As construction workers and firms buy local goods, another 261 secondary jobs would be created elsewhere in the economy with payroll totaling $11.9 million. The total impact from the $70 million construction project and the $32.4 million in secondary output would cause total output in the valley to increase by $102.4 million. Impact,Exhibit 28. -Construction Impact Type Employment Labor Income Value Added Output Direct Effect 482 $29,311,826 $33,338,956 $70,000,000 Secondary Effect 261 $11,927,503 $20,009,493 $32,396,452 Total Effect 743 $41,239,330 $53,348,449 $102,396,452 Ten Year Effect 74 $4,123,233 $5,334,845 $10,239,645 An issue of extraordinary importance is the need to expand the valley's economic base to lift the standard of living for a large portion of working residents who are modestly educated and are significantly unemployed or under- employed. Additionally, the need for job creation in this group has important social justice implications since a disproportionate share of the residents are Hispanic. Underscoring the economic challenge is the Coachella Valley's high rate of unemployment. The Coachella Valley unemployment rate in 2010 was 17.5%, with 21.5% of the area residents living below the poverty level. For these reasons, an expansion of the valley's economy is vital to the economic well-being and health of its residents and their families. In Summation The Coachella Valley Economic Blueprint included a strategy calling for a better connection to valley communities through the development of a non -motorized infrastructure and way finding program. This includes the development of bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure for the benefit of connecting regional communities. Parkway lell represents a multi -faceted valley -wide approach that would improve the Coachella Valley's quality of life now and for generations to come. CVEP has prepared this Executive Summary based on the information included in The Economic Impact of The Parkway lell study prepared by John E. Husing, Ph.D. s Parkway M 1