The $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) appropriated $350 billion to state, local, territorial, and tribal governments.

After the bill was signed, the U.S. Department of Treasury released a Compliance and Reporting Guidance document that outlines provisions related to the funding. Public officials have until December 31, 2024, to use the money, and many already have launched large projects. In an initial look at how public officials say they will spend the ARPA funding, there are some common initiatives.

The city of Cleveland, with its allocation of $511 million, ranks in the top 10 cities receiving the ARPA funding. This allocation is larger than those of other cities such as Phoenix and San Antonio because funding allocations are not based on population. Other factors such as the number of residents in poverty, the number of overcrowded or pre-1940 housing units located in a region, and the population lag since 1960 all were considered. Cleveland’s mayor has announced a $20 million broadband expansion project and an estimated $27.6 million affordable housing project. Other projects include $15 million for demolition work, $26 million for public safety initiatives and equipment purchases, and $108 million for critical needs such as cybersecurity, virtual resident services, and maintenance.

California – Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a $15 billion climate package on September 23 that includes investments for building wildfire and forest resilience, supporting immediate drought response and long-term water resilience, and protecting communities from climate risks such as extreme heat and sea level rise.

The $5.2 Billion Water and Drought Resilience Package invests $5.2 billion over three years to support immediate drought response and long-term water resilience, including funding for emergency drought relief projects to secure and expand water supplies. In addition, it will support drinking water and wastewater infrastructure, with a focus on small and disadvantaged communities, and promote Sustainable Groundwater Management Act implementation.

Supporting California’s nation-leading climate agenda with a $3.9 billion investment, the California Comeback Plan prioritizes the state’s Zero-Emission Vehicle (ZEV) goals and leads the transition to ZEVs on a global scale. The package includes funding to put 1,000 zero-emission drayage trucks, 1,000 zero-emission school buses and 1,000 transit buses, and the necessary infrastructure, on California roads – supporting projects that benefit disadvantaged communities.

Focusing on vulnerable front-line communities, the $3.7 Billion Climate Resilience Package includes $3.7 billion over three years to build resilience against the state’s multi-faceted climate risks, including extreme heat and sea level rise. Investments to address the impacts of extreme heat include urban greening projects, grants to support community resilience centers, and projects that reduce the urban heat island effect, and funding to advance the Extreme Heat Framework as part of the state’s Climate Adaptation Strategy.

A $1.5 billion package supporting a comprehensive forest and wildfire resilience strategy statewide is the largest such investment in California history. Building on a $536 million early action package in April ahead of peak fire season, an additional $988 million in 2021-22 will fund projects to reduce wildfire risk and improve the health of forests and wildlands. This includes investments for community hardening in fire-vulnerable areas, strategic fuel breaks and fuel reduction projects, approaches to restore landscapes and create resilient wildlands and a framework to expand the wood products market, supporting sustainable local economies.

Amid climate-driven drought and extreme heat challenges, California is committing $1.1 billion over two years to support sustainable agriculture practices and create a resilient and equitable food system. These efforts include investments to promote healthy soil management, support for livestock methane reduction efforts, funding for the replacement of agricultural equipment to reduce emissions and technical assistance and incentives for the development of farm conservation management plans.

The package also includes $270 million to support a circular economy that advances sustainability and helps reduce short-lived climate pollutants from the waste sector, and $150 million that will support urban waterfront parks, with a focus on underserved communities.

Colorado – The city of Denver is laying the groundwork for a seventh runway at Denver International Airport (DEN) with the approval of design and environmental review contracts on September 27.

To maintain competitiveness and accommodate forecasted passenger growth, the Denver airport is embarking on an aggressive master plan.

Estimated at $1.2 billion for final design and construction, the seventh runway would equal the number of runways at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport and be one less than at Chicago O’Hare International Airport.

The current DEN airport air traffic forecast projects 821,000 annual aircraft operations in 2030 with 94 million annual passengers. By 2040, annual aircraft operations are expected to be at 977,000 with 122 million passengers. With additional airfield capacity, Denver airport will be able to grow at a level that would place it among the busiest and most efficient airfields in the world.

DEN’s current configuration includes four north-south and two east-west runways. Contemplated as a relief valve for the National Airspace System, the airport has a masterplan for 12 runways spread over 53 square miles.

Due to standard Federal Aviation Administration environmental review, clearance process and the multi-year design and construction timeframe, completion of the seventh runway project will take approximately eight to 10 years.

Ohio – The Greater Cincinnati Water Works (GCWW) released a request for information (RFI) as it begins the process to replace its current 811 locate software.

Integrated mapping is a key component and requirement for inspectors to make accurate locates. Mapping must include facility mapping of assets and feature hyperlink support for supporting underground as-built documents. It also must have identify and zoom capabilities to show details where feature assets are concentrated.

Additional functional requirements include:

GCWW is interested in learning about any other features or functionality of vendor solutions that may be applicable to support 811 locate, that may not be listed above.

The deadline for RFI submissions is noon EDT October 21.

Kentucky – Now that the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has completed its environmental review of the Interstate 69 Ohio River Crossing, Kentucky and Indiana will advance plans for detailed designs, the procurement process, and construction for the estimated $1.21 billion project.

The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) have each completed more than 100 miles of parkways and interstates to prepare for work on the crossing project.

Both agencies have partnered to construct a toll crossing between Evansville and Henderson to complete the I-69 connection between the states, improve long-term cross-river mobility for the area, reduce congestion and delay, and improve safety.

The environmental review identifies a selected alternative that includes a new four-lane I-69 bridge and retains one U.S. Highway 41 bridge for local traffic. It includes 11.2 miles of new interstate, with the construction of 8.4 miles of I-69 on new terrain and upgrades to 2.8 miles of existing U.S. 41 to meet interstate standards.

New interchanges would be added at:

Construction has been separated into Sections 1 and 2. The total estimated construction costs are $237 million for Section 1 and focus on improvements in Henderson and extend from KY 425 to US 60. The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is overseeing the Section 1 project with construction expected to begin in early 2022 and continue through 2025.

Section 2 is a $975 million bistate project between Indiana and Kentucky that will complete the I-69 connection from US 60 in Henderson to I-69 in Evansville. It includes the new river crossing.

Design is expected to begin in 2025 with construction anticipated to begin in 2027 and continue through 2031. Both states continue to look for opportunities to accelerate that timeline. When complete, I-69 will serve as a new north-south interstate connection from Canada to Mexico.

Strategic Partnerships Inc. (SPI) Consultant Tim Hults is a municipal services adviser with more than 35 years of experience in government and as a consultant.

During his tenures as a city manager, assistant city manager, community development director, and public works director, Tim provided services to nine southern California local governments and special districts ranging in size from 47,000 to over 450,000 in population.

Tim built a skillset that includes policy and budget development, organizational assessment, leadership, and team building. He is a subject matter expert in community development, planning, building, code enforcement, public works, water and sewer enterprise operations, and affordable housing.

As an executive-level professional, Tim led several major initiatives and projects including regional transportation corridors, regional drainage facilities, regional water and sewer systems, municipal buildings including a new city hall complex, corporate facilities, fire stations, police stations, and several parks and recreation facilities.

Major initiatives include the procurement of a comprehensive records management and workflow system and enhanced information technology networks such as upgrades to hardware, software, and maintenance capabilities.

Tim earned a Master of Public Administration from California Baptist University. He also obtained International City/County Management Association credentials.

Mike Miller has joined the Strategic Partnerships Inc. Consulting Team as a specialist in government relations, economic development, public engagement, branding, marketing, and media relations.

Following a career in radio and television broadcasting, Mike joined the city of Jacksonville’s Economic Development Commission (JEDC) where he developed a new Neighborhood Resources and Community Development Division and provided services to Jacksonville neighborhood groups.

Mike was then asked to join Mayor John Delaney’s senior staff as City Council liaison. In that capacity, he worked with the 19-member City Council and represented the mayor’s office at committee meetings and more than 40 mayoral appointed boards and commissions.

Later Mike joined the Jacksonville Transportation Authority as the director of external affairs and rose to director of business development and business development manager.

Outside of his public service he has been an active member of numerous organizations including the Urban Land Institute, the Transportation Committee of the Regional Community Institute of Northeast Florida, and the Innovate Northeast Florida Steering Committee.

Mike currently serves on the University of Northern Florida’s Department of Communications Professional Media Advisory Board and is president of the Jacksonville Broadcasters Association. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from Columbia College in Chicago.

Georgia – City of Augusta and Richmond County voters will determine the future of a new James Brown Arena in a $240 million bond election on November 2.

The Augusta-Richmond County Coliseum Authority has begun the design of and planning for a new James Brown Arena and renovations to the Bell Auditorium, collectively the New James Brown Arena Project.

In March, voters approved $25 million in proceeds for the project. If the voters approve the November bond referendum to issue the $240 million in bonds, this will provide the balance of the funding for the project.

The authority proposes to demolish the existing arena, construct a new arena, and create an addition to the existing Bell Auditorium and connecter to establish an overall entertainment complex.

According to a request for proposals for cost consulting services, the proposed James Brown Arena would have 8,000 to 11,000 seats, a dozen luxury suites, 30,000 square feet of exhibit/tradeshow and meeting room space, administrative offices, and parking for 1,300 vehicles.

Decommissioning and demolition of the existing James Brown Arena and construction activity will begin in early 2022 with a project completion date of September 1, 2024.

Washington, D.C. – The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (Metro) will build its first all-electric bus garage with infrastructure and equipment necessary to run 100 percent electric vehicles at the Northern Bus Garage in Northwest Washington, D.C.

Construction of the operations and maintenance facility is expected to take four years once all approvals are received and will open with a mix of the current Metrobus fleet and new battery-electric vehicles, transitioning to 100 percent electric as Metrobus’ electric bus fleet expands.

The Northern Bus Garage Reconstruction Project will completely reconstruct the current building into a modern bus facility while preserving the historic 14th Street facade. Built in 1906 as a streetcar storage facility, the garage is now out of service due to its deteriorating condition. The newly built garage will house 150 buses and include infrastructure needed to support an electric bus fleet in the future, as envisioned under Metro’s zero-emission bus plan.

In addition to building an environmentally friendly facility, the reconstruction plan includes retail space, streetscape improvements, and a community room for local meetings.

When the facility reopens, it will feature modern air filtration systems, solar panels, and additional green building characteristics, providing an environmentally responsible building for employees and community.

Virginia – The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) provided up to $1.66 billion in financial assistance for the New Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel (HRBT) project, the largest highway construction project in Virginia’s history.

This transformative undertaking, scheduled for completion in November 2025, will widen the current four-lane segments along nearly 10 miles of the I-64 corridor in Norfolk and Hampton, with new twin tunnels across the harbor. The expanded facility will include two new high-occupancy toll (HOT) lanes and two new drivable shoulders to be used as HOT lanes during certain times of the day.

It is anticipated that the HOT lanes will be incorporated into the Hampton Roads Express Lane Network. The project will include the construction of two new two-lane tunnels, expansion of the existing portal islands, and full replacement of the existing trestle bridges at the HRBT.

The expansion will increase capacity, ease major congestion, and enhance travel time reliability. Including the construction contract and owner’s costs, the project’s total budget is over $3.8 billion, making it one of the largest infrastructure projects in the country.

USDOT provides Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act and other surface transportation infrastructure financing through its Build America Bureau to reduce the costs of infrastructure projects.

New Mexico – The city of Albuquerque Metropolitan Development Agency will host a pre-proposal conference on October 6 for potential public-private partnerships (P3s) to develop two downtown revitalization initiatives. The virtual pre-proposal conference is scheduled for 9 a.m.

City officials are looking for innovative housing developments to help fill a residential gap downtown, and grants are being made available to qualified small businesses that activate and occupy storefront space downtown.

Albuquerque has up to $2.2 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant funds available to provide “gap financing” to support a residential project that meets the goals and objectives of either the Downtown or Railroad Redevelopment Areas.

Applicants are encouraged to propose innovative projects, such as those that repurpose existing buildings including office or hotel space or incorporate sustainable design elements. Priority will be given to projects that are naturally affordable to median income households.

The city also has $500,000 in ARPA funding to use toward grants of up to $30,000 each for small businesses that occupy vacant street-level property or that expand a current downtown storefront footprint by at least 50 percent. Additional funding may also be available for applicants that demonstrate their business will attract visitors to the downtown area between 5 and 10 p.m. at least four days per week. The downtown area is generally defined as the area between Lomas, Coal, and Broadway avenues, and 11th Street.

Michigan – The Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) for the state of Michigan issued a request for information (RFI) for vendor feedback on unemployment benefit systems in the marketplace.

LEO is undertaking a revamp of its unemployment insurance system and is looking for new, innovative, and agile solutions to better serve its citizens.

A full-service solution is desired that will provide support for employer liability and registration, employer tax rate, tax collection, fraud detection/prevention, benefit payments, and an accounting mechanism.

Key objectives include a focus on:

The information gathered through this RFI, is non-evaluative and is intended to assist the state in understanding industry trends, capabilities, and innovative solutions. Michigan will use this information to build and refine its business requirements for the next generation system, including developing a budget and timeline for implementation.

RFI submissions are due by noon EDT October 18.

Connecticut – New Haven’s board of alders approved a 43-year lease with the Tweed-New Haven Airport Authority that will allow for future expansions including a proposed $70 million terminal.

Opened in 1931, the airport’s existing terminal was extensively renovated in 1995 and again in 2005. It is aging and undersized for existing and forecast future passenger enplanements. Expanding the runway will allow carriers to offer nonstop service to more destinations, connecting New Haven to more of the country.

The recommended alternative in the airport’s master plan features building a new four-gate 74,000-square-foot terminal east of runway 2-20 and extending that runway from 5,600 feet to 6,635 feet, in addition to constructing hangars and providing space for future general aviation development. The existing terminal building and airport administration building are proposed to be demolished.

New York – The transformation of the Hudson Square Business Improvement District into a community featuring mobility and open space continued with the unveiling of the New Connections redesign plan on September 28.

Through streetscape improvements and a new pedestrian bridge, district planners aim to create an inviting, active, and connected public realm for Hudson Square, while promoting economic recovery and public life.

Running along the West Side of Manhattan from Hudson Yards to the World Trade Center, Hudson Square is at the center of an emerging innovation corridor with large concentrations of tech firms and start-ups.

In addition, Hudson Square could eventually be a critical link in an east-west greenway connection that would connect Hudson River Park all the way to East River Park along Houston Street.

The redesigned plan focuses on three corridors:

The plan’s estimated $22 million in capital costs will be funded through a public-private partnership to be implemented as funds become available. The $40 million bridge is considered a separate, longer-term cost.

Delaware – The Delaware River Port Authority selected Obra Kernodle IV as deputy chief executive officer, effective November 1. Kernodle served as executive deputy chief of staff for Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf. Previously, he had played a vital role on the Wolf campaign as both deputy campaign manager and political director.

Ohio – The Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority (TARTA) appointed Laura Koprowski as chief executive officer (CEO), effective November 4. She will take over from current CEO Kimberly Dunham who will transition to a new transportation leadership role in another city. Koprowski had been serving as TARTA’s deputy CEO. Before that, she was executive director of the Ohio Public Transit Association.

Georgia – The Georgia Technology Authority named Dmitry Kagansky as chief cloud officer. Kagansky most recently served as senior solutions architect and senior technical delivery manager for the cloud services subsidiary of a U.S. multinational conglomerate.

Iowa – Gov. Kim Reynolds appointed Kraig Paulsen to serve as interim director of the Iowa Department of Management, effective October 1. He will succeed Interim Director Joel Andersen who filled the position after Michael Bousselot resigned to run for a state house seat. Paulsen is currently the director of the Iowa Department of Revenue. He has previously served as commissioner at the Iowa Department of Transportation and in the Iowa legislature as Speaker of the House.

Illinois – The Evanston City Council approved Kelley Gandurski as interim city manager, effective October 9. She will succeed current City Manager Erika Storlie who resigned effective October 8. Gandurski, who is Evanston’s deputy city manager, previously served as its corporation counsel and city attorney.

California – The city of Livermore named Sean Moran as airport manager of the Livermore Municipal Airport. Previously, Moran was the Airport Operations Supervisor, Manager-On-Duty for the Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport. Before that, he worked for Hayward Executive Airport and Ventura County Department of Airports.

Mary Scott Nabers, Publisher

Devin Monk, Editor

Government Contracting Pipeline, a publication of Strategic Partnerships, Inc., is a free, weekly newsletter detailing important happenings nationwide and the premier source for federal, state, and local government news and contracting opportunities.