1996-037-RES WHEREAS, FEDERAL FUNDS FROM THE STATEWIDE TRANSPORTATION ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM

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RESOLUTION NO. 96-037 WHEREAS, federal funds from the Statewide Transportation Enhancement Program, provided for by the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 199 I, are available for facilities for pedestrian and bicycles, the acquisition of scenic easements and scenic or historic sites, historic preservation, rehabilitation and operation of historic transportation facilities; and, WHEREAS, the Texas Department of Transportation has the responsibility for selecting and funding eligible projects within the state, and $50 million worth of projects are expected to be funded in fiscal year 1996; and, WHEREAS, the Kiamichi Railroad has agreed to the rehabilitation and donation of the Paris Santa Fe - Frisco Railroad Depot to the City of Paris; and, WHEREAS, the Paris Santa Fe - Frisco Railroad Depot will be used as a branch of Paris' visitor information center with space dedicated to the building's and the railroad's history, a waiting area for an existing excursion train, as a rail-head or tie-in with the Chaparral Rails to Trails, and as a site for quaint public and private events; and, WHEREAS, the benefits of rehabilitating the Paris Santa Fe - Frisco Railroad Depot include this rehabilitation project taking place in a transitional neighborhood, returning a historically public transportation facility to public use, and, through the visibility of the building's prominent tower and its proximity to U.S. Highway 82, visitors will easily locate the visitor information center; and, WHEREAS, the City of Paris will place the building and grounds toward the twenty percent (20 %) necessary match; and, WHEREAS, a community fundraiser will be held to give residents and potential users the opportunity to participate in the building's rehabilitation; and, WHEREAS, the maintenance of the building will be provided through the depot's operating budget which will be subsidized by local hotel-motel occupancy tax collections in addition to the formation of a "Friends" group to develop a maintenance endowment managed by the Chamber of Commerce of Lamar County, Inc. through the Visitors and Convention Council; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PARIS: 1. That the City Council authorizes, as nominating entity, the application for the Statewide Transportation Enhancement Program entitled, "Paris Santa Fe - Frisco Railroad Depot", and requests funding for the same. 2. That the City Council recommends the Paris Santa Fe - Frisco Railroad Depot project be selected for funding through the Statewide Transportation Enhancement Program, and commits to the project's development, implementation, construction, maintenance, management and financing. 3. That Michael E. Malone, City Manager, be, and he is hereby authorized and directed __ _ _. _~ "....__.__~_-L_L:__