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HomeMy WebLinkAbout25 Venessa Garza 16.. . . ' ' School Inventory Bryan/ College Station Metropolitan Planning Organization Safe Routes to School . Inventory of Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities surrounding Elementary and Secondary Schools in the urbanized areas In cooperation with: The Texas Department of Transportation Brazos County The City of Bry an The City of Co ll ege Station Texas A & M Univers ity The District 2006 ' < ' Safe Routes lo School In the not so distant past, the main mode of transportation for children to get to school was by foot. Today, that is a growing minority in many areas. More and more parents are driving their children to school, fearing for their children's safety , amid concerns of the dangers of traffic and the perceived crime in the area. Yet, according to the 2001 Summary of Safe Routes to School Programs in the United States- March 2001, a new movement is emerging that is focusing on getting kids back on their feet and back on their bikes. Neighborhood groups, traffic engineers and local officials are working together to make streets safer for pedestrians and bicyclists along school routes, while encouraging both parents and their kids to take advantage of the many benefits of getting around on foot or by bike . Ori2inal Goals. The Bryan/ College Station Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), the transportation planning organization for Brazos County, has initiated a Safe Routes to School inventory in order to help facilitate communication of school needs to the various entities in Brazos County and to make recommendations on needed improvements in the areas of mobility and safety for school aged children. Phase I of this project includes inventorying the availability and characteristics of existing sidewalks, bike lanes, roadway striping, and safety features , such as crosswalks and signage, or special accommodations provided to encourage alternative modes of transportation within 1/4 mile of each elementary and secondary public school in Brazos County. Phase II will include narrowing our study area down to a school in each district. We will then do a more detailed study within 2 miles of that school. This information will then be used to apply for funding grants in order to make improvements to school facilities . Milam/ Jones Elementary Brazos County has many stakeholders in this planning endeavor. They include the cities of Bryan and College Station, Brazos County, Texas A & M University, The District, Bryan ISD, College Station ISD, and the parents and students of Brazos County . All have an interest in providing safe environments for students to travel to and from their schools. According to the US Census Bureau , in the year 2000 , Brazos County had a population of 152,415 with approximately 73,264 children over 3 years enrolled in school. 2 ,626 students were enrolled in nursery school/preschool, 1,817 enrolled in Kindergarten, 14,610 enrolled in Elementary school (grades 1-8), 7 , 172 enrolled in High school (grades 9-12) and 4 7,039 enrolled in College or graduate school. The population projection for 2004 estimates a total of 156,275 people in the county . The Bryan/ College Station area has a total of thirty-five public schools and six private schools . Of these public schools, twenty-three are located in Bryan and twelve are located in College Station. Our scope of study involves only the sixteen elementary and three middle schools in Bryan and the six elementary, two intermediate and two middle schools in College Station. 2 Safe Routes to Sch ool BCSMPO SCHOOL INVEN'TORY PROJECT Bryan & College Station Independent School Districts Elementa Intermediate & Middle Schools N -B<yan 5ql- -Cclege Sllition Schools D t""ml•buJfu O 0 .05 0 .1 0 .2 Miles No vember 9, 2005 3 Sa e Routes to School History of Brvan ISDJ The fust Bryan High School was built in 1880 following voter approval of a "graded school." The land in the southeast part of town was donated by Major Cavitt, Gen. H.B . Stoddard, Major L.J. McQueen, Col. Harvey Mitchell, Capt. E.L. Ward , T.P . Boyett and R.L. Weddington. Only seven grades comprised the student body that first year. By 1884, l 0 grades occupied the school , and the first graduating class of Bryan High School in that year was composed of three girls . In 1915 , the first Bryan High School yearbook was published for the student body , which now numbered more than 200 students in all grades. Though records are not as plentiful , a parallel history of black student education exists. In 1885, the City of Bryan purchased land for and established the "Bryan Public School for Colored ," thus providing "separate but equal and impartial instruction for black children" as prescribed by the Texas State Constitution of 1876 . The first building , a two-story frame structure, burned in 1914. It was replaced with a brick building at the corner of W. 19th and Houston Streets. Voters gave their approval in 1917 for a new building, which was projected to cost $100 ,000. Ground was broken in August 1918 at a location on Baker Street, the site of present-day Fannin Elementary and it contained 40 rooms. It included an auditorium with a seating capacity of l 000 and was at that time the largest assembling place in the city. The 35 members of the Class of 1920 became the first to graduate from the "new" Bryan High School. From 1921-1928, there was no yearbook to record the history of the schools. It was the seniors of 1929 who revived the tradition . Also in that year, the City Commissioner L.L. Mclnnis announced that Bryan Schools would have their names changed to honor heroes of Texas history . Bryan High School became Stephen F. Austin High School at that time . The school's enrollment recorded in February 1929 was 361 students . In less than IO years, the student population of Stephen F. Austin grew so quickly that another school was built. In the fall of 1939, students entered a brand new building at 801 S. Ennis. A gymnasium was added in 1956. The black student population continued to grow as well , and in 1930, Kemp Junior-Senior High School was constructed on W. 19th Street. In 1961 , a new high school for black students was built. E .A . Kemp High School 's modern campus was located at 1601 W. 19th Street. This marked the first time these high school students had a campus of their own, having shared the previous Kemp building with the younger grades . As schools across the country began to desegregate , carver! Kemp Elementary Bryan schools followed suit. The plan called for a one- grade per year desegregation. That plan changed in 1971 , however, when a district court ordered the immediate desegregation of all Bryan schools. A new identity was formed for the students of Bryan that fall , when Kemp students joined those of SF A and became the Vikings of Bryan High School. The last 30 years has seen growth both in student enrollment and in campus facilities . A two-year construction and renovation project costing some $33 million was completed in the summer of 1999, bringing together all four grades on one campus for the first time . Bryan Hig h School history was re searched and made a vailable lo th e public by Mrs . Sandra Farris of BHS and th e Staff of th e 2000 Saga. 4 .. Safe Routes to School istorv of College Station ISD:i In March 1909 , the Texas Legislature created the A & M College Independent School District. The Districts borders were the same as the borders of the Texas A&M College and included 3500 ·acres of building_s and land. In 1917, the Enactment of the Smith/ Hughes Act gave A&M funds for education of prospective Ag teachers. The act stipulated that these students were to gain practical teaching experience in public schools. In order to meet this requirement and to provide education for campus children , it was decided to establish a school on campus. The Rural districts of Rock Prairie, Union Hall, Shiloh and Wellborn consolidated in September 1920 with A&M College Independent School District. The school opened in Guion Hall with 160 students in attendance and graduated six students in May 1922. Then in 1928, the four school districts consolidated and elected a board of seven trustees . Because of over crowding, in November 1938 , a community committee conferred with college officials to investigate the possibility of obtaining a new school site. College officials replied that they could not provide assistance, implying that eventually they would have to vacate the campus. Representatives of Bryan City Commissioners and the Bryan School Board then met with College Station representatives to consider a merger of the two districts. In February 1939, College Station voters approved a bond issue of $75 ,000 to finance the construction of a new school. 116 patrons of College Station organized a drive to raise funds for the purchase of a land site . $5,500 .58 was raised and a 15 acre tract of land was purchased along Holick Street. The Board, in 1940, accepted the new construction consisting of 4 elementary units containing 14 classrooms and office space , a high school with 8 classrooms, and a building to house the industrial arts and music departments. In 1941, the bus garage and the football stadium on Holick Street was completed. And then in 1942, the Gymnasium/ Auditorium (referred to as the Old White Alamo by students) was completed on Holick Street Property as well. The new High School was completed in 1948 at 1300 Jersey Street, which is now the College Station Conference Center. In 1949, Peach Creek and Minter Springs Common School Districts were added to the A&M Consolidated !SD under the provisions of the Gilmer-Aiken Act. Between 1951-1972 , the first grade wing and cafeteria at the comer of Timber and Jersey was added and then three years later a new High School opened at 200 Anderson. (A&M Consolidated Middle School now occupies this site.) Also , an addition to the High School was made and College Hills Elementary School was completed. In 1967, South Knoll Elementary School was completed and then five years later a new High School south of town on FM 2818 West By-Pass was opened. Between 1978-1980, Oakwood Middle School at 106 Ho lick was opened, a vocation wing was added at the High School, and kindergarten and multi-purpose buildings at College Hills Elementary and South Knoll were also added . The city and the school district exchanged properties in 1980, the school district relinquishing title to 1300 Jersey (now the College Station Conference Center) and the city providing 21.82 acres of land on Welsh Street and FM 2818 (now the athletic facilities). The school district then changed its name from A&M Consolidated ISD to College Station ISD. 5 Safe R outes to S chool In 1983 , construction of Southwood Valley Elementary School at the corner of Brothers and Deacon Streets was completed , and the science and music wings, gymnasium, cafetorium and classrooms were added at the high school. The Timber Street buildin gs were remodeled and the Adaptive Vocational Center on Timber Street was built. The Administrat ion moved to its current location on Welsh in 1987, and in 1989 the new Athletic Complex and Rock Prairie E lementary were opened. Between 1990 and 1994 many chan ges occurred . The new Junior High opened and parts of the old Junior Hi gh were closed . 3 portables moved from the old Junior High School to Oakwood. A portable was added to Rock Prairie Elementary, 2 portables were leased and add ed to Oakwood, a portable was moved to Southwood Valley , a new addition was added at Oakwood and consequently three portables were mo ved from Oakwood to the High School. Willow Branch Intermediate School was opened in 1994, and the Oakwood Gym, a Band Hall, and Auditorium were transferred from Oakwood to Willow Branch. Three wooden frame buildings at Oakwood were razed and tw o leased portables a t Oakwood were returned to their owner. In 1995 , 3 additional portables were added to the High School, one portable to the Junior High and the A/C was renovated at s ome Coll ege Hill s buildin gs and a t Southwood Va ll ey . Three additi ona l po rta bl es were added to the Hi gh School , Pebbl e Cree k Elementary School w as opened, old po rtables were eliminated a t Coll e ge Hills and light s w ere added to the Junior Hi gh footb a ll field in 1996. Durin g 1997 and 1999 many portables chan ged hands , older buildings were disposed of and remod e ling/ ne w additions were accomplished at the Hi gh Scho o l, South Knoll , College Hill s , Rock Prairie, Southwood Valley and Pe bbl e Creek. Willow Branch changed its name in the ye ar 2000 to A&M Middle School and the remod e lin g A&M Consolidated Middle School on its building and new football field was complete. A greenhouse was added to the Hi gh Schoo l, and A&M Middle School gained a concession stand as well in 2000 . Co llege S tation JS D Schoo l h is tory wa s researched and made a va ila ble lo th e public by Mr. Art Brighi ofCSISD. 6 ' Safe Routes to School istorv of Safe Routes to Schoo According to the Texas Department of Transportation, Safe Routes to School (SR2S) is an initiative that began in 2001 by the enactment of House Bill 2204, 77th Legislature, in order to improve safety in and around school areas in Texas. The Texas Department of Transportation adopted this initiative, as directed by the Transportation Code §201.614 in HB 2204. Twenty- seven projects totaling over $5 million were funded. Since the initial program in 2003, there has been no funding availab le for the program. The followi ng guidelines detennine what projects can be submitted for the Texas Safe Routes to School initiative: • Projects may be located on or off the state highway system, but must be located on public property • Must be located within a two mile radius ofa school • Federa l fund s requested will be limited to $500,000 • Projects can cover multiple school sites if similar work is perfonned at each site • Loca l project funding match of 20% is required unless the project is located on the state highway system in whic h case TxDOT will provide the match • A project on the state highway system wi ll not be e li gible if the district finds that the project interferes or disrupts any planned improvements or exis ting infrastructure There are six categories of work eligible for funding: • Sid e wa lk improvements • Ped e strian/Bicycle crossing improvements • On-Street bicycle faci liti es • Traffic divers ion improvements • Off-Street b icycle and pedes trian facilities • Traffic calming measures for off-system roads Fannin Elementary On August 10, 2005, the President signed into law the · Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU). SAFETEA-LU Section(s): 1101(a)(17), 1404 provides for a federally funded Safe Routes to School Program. The Federal program is very similar to the Texas SRS Program with three notable differences: • T he new program is l 00% federally funded which means there will be no required match from the lo cal government. • The new program is limited to schools serving grades K -8. Un der the federal program , high school level schools will no longer be eligible for funding . • A mini mum of l 0% and a maximum of 30% of the states allocation must be used for non-infrastructure related activities such as education and enforcement. 'ADA requirements for sidewalks and street crossing~ -·---- 7 Safe Routes to School According to Accessible Rights~of-Way : A Design Guide, November 1999 , walkway width recommendations in current transportation industry guidelines, generally exceed the 36-inch (915- mm) minimum needed for accessible travel. The Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE), in its 1998 recommended practice publication, "Design and Safety of Pedestrian Facilities," recommends planning sidewalks that are a minimum of 5 feet wide (1525 mm) with a planting ... ·. ·._ . \ strip of2 feet (610 mm) on local streets and in residential and commercial areas. Sidewalks in central business districts should be wide enough to meet level-of- service criteria. AASHTO's "Green Book" recommends a minimum paved width of 3 meters-approximately 10 feet-for shared-use paths. The accessible widths in UF AS and ADAAG are minimums for passage, not sidewalk width recommendations (SEE FIGURE I). Because wheelchairs, like other wheeled vehicles, do not track within the same path when turnin g, additional length and width are necessary at turns . And because the length of a wheelchair space-48 inches (1 220 mm)-exceeds its width of 30 inches (760 mm), extra walkway width is necessary to Figure J tum and operate an entrance door , to approach and activate a pedestrian crossing signal button , or to enter or leave a curb ramp (SEE FIGURE 1). Passing space for two wheelchairs can be provided in a space that is 60 inches (1525 mm) wide, which is usually available at a comer, a driveway, or a building entrance (ADAAG requires passing spaces to be located at reasonable intervals , not to exceed 200 feet/61m, along accessible routes). A circle 60 inches (1525 mm) in diameter will minimally accommodate a full reverse in d irectio n. Reconstruction of an existing intersection or roadway may make it possible to reapportion the right-of-way width between street, sidewalk , and landscaping elements or even to modify the street elevation or curbface height to improve access (SEE FIGURE 2). Where sidewalk width is inadequate or sidewalk cross slope is excessive, the adjacent street may have sufficient width to borrow for sidewalk expansion. Some traffic-calming measures (bulbouts and curb extensions, for example) can also produce extra sidewalk width. Increased walkway width can better accommodate curb ramps and landings at pedestrian crossings. Where the full width of a sidewalk cannot be altered to meet cross slope requirements, it may be possible to blend in a complying passageway within it. Sidewalks and shared-use paths should also meet the " ... stable, firm, and slip-resistant..." criteria established in accessibility standards . 8 Safe Routes to School The passage along or within a sidewalk or shared-use path should be clear of obstructions underfoot , overhead, or in between. Objects that protrude over a circulation route above a height of 27 inches (685 mm) are not detectable by cane. The curb ramp is the basic unit of accessibility in a pedestrian circulation network. Even on steep sites, pedestrians using motorized wheelchairs or being assisted in traveling can u se curb ramps, and a connection to the street crossing should be available if there is a pedestrian walkway. Figure 2 Curb ramps are the only item of right-of-way construction specifically required in the DOJ title II re gulatio n (see 35 CFR §35.l50(c)(2) for existing facilities and §35.l5l(e) for new construction and alterations). Where new sidewalks or streets are constructed or existing pedestrian or ve hicular ways are altered, curb ramps or other sloped areas must be provided at intersections with curbs or other barriers to use. 9 Safe Routes to School Sidewalks that ramp gradually down to a street crossing give little notice of the change from pedestrian to vehicular way for pedestrians who are blind. a tactile feature underfoot-such as the truncated domes of the ADAAG detectable warning specification. Raised traffic islands should be cut through level with the street (a slight crowning of no more than 1 :20 [5%) is permissible if necessary for positive drainage) if it is not possible to provide complying ramps at each curb and a 48-inch-long (1220-mm) level landing between them (SEE FIGURE 37). Crossing guards -are used to provide for the safe movement of children to and from school when crossing public roadways and intersections, by observing gaps in the traffic, and leading children across the roadway or intersection . Crockett Elementary Bryan Bonham, Crockett & Johnson have two crossing guards each. Milam, Bowan, Branch, Fannin , Sam Houston, ' Jones, Kemp, Navarro, Neal & Sul Ross all have one crossing guard. College Station IO Safe Routes to School rvan Independent School Distric BCSMPO SCHOOL INVENTORY PROJECT Bryan ISD Elementary & Middle Schools o 0.05 0.1 D.2 Miles November 9, 2005 11 Safe Routes to School School Name A dd ress Grades & #of Year Main School Students Bldg. Built Bonham Elementary 2801 Wilkes Dr. Grades : K-5 1961 Brvan, Tx 77803 Enro I lment: 4 83 B owan E lementary 3870 Coppe rfi e ld Grades: K-5 1994 Dr. Bryan, T x Enro llm ent: 445 77802 Branch Elementary 2040 W . Vill a Grades : K-5 1990 Maria Rd . Bryan, Enrollmen t: 546 Tx 77807 Carver Earl y 1401 W. Martin Grades : Pre K3 , Pre K and 1949 Chi ldh ood L uthe r King Bryan, Kindergart en Tx 77803 Enrollmen t: 305 Crockett E lementary 40 I Elm St. Bryan, Grades: K-5 1949 Tx 77801 Enrollment: 482 Fannin Eleme ntary 1200 B a k er St. Grades: K-5 1990 Bryan, Tx 77803 Enrollment: 447 H e nd erson E lementary 801 Mato us Brya n, Gra de s: K-5 1966 Tx 77802 Enrollment: 374 Jane Lo ng Midd le 1106 N. Harvey Grades : 6-8 1989 Mitchell Bryan, Tx Enrollme nt: 916 7780 3 Johnson E lementary 3800 Oak Hill Grades: K-5 1974 Brvan, Tx 77802 Enr ollme nt: 412 Jon es Elementary l 400 Pecan St. Grades : 3-5 1956 Bryan, Tx 77803 Enrollment: 503 Kemp Elementary 1601 W. Martin Grades : K-5 1961 Luther King Enrollm ent: 324 Brvan, Tx 77803 - Milam Elementary 1201 Ridgedale Grades: K-2 1953 Bryan, Tx 77803 Enrollme nt: 558 Mitchell Elementary 2500 Austin's Grades: K-5 1999 Colony Bryan, Tx Enrollme nt: 570 77808 Navarro E lem entary 4619 Northwood Grades: K-5 198 8 Brvan, Tx 77803 Enro llm ent: 422 Neal Elementary 801 W . Martin Grades : K-5 1997 Luther Kin g Enrollme nt: 484 Bryan, Tx 77803 Ro ss Elementary 3300 Parkway Grades: K-5 1961 Terrace Bryan, Tx Enroll men t: 385 77803 Sam Houston 4501 Canterbury Grades : K-5 1986 Elementary Dr. Bryan, Tx Enrollment: 408 77802 Sam Rayburn Middle 1048 N. Earl Grades: 6-8 1989 Rudd er Freeway Enrollme nt: 1,22 8 Bryan, Tx 77802 Stephen F. Austin 801 S. E nni s St. Grades: 6-8 1938 Middle Brvan, Tx 77803 Enrollment: 12 Safe Rout es to School Fast Facts Size Enrollment Expenditure per student Total expenditures Property value per student 2004 tax rate Revenue sources Staff Statistics 453 square miles ~14,377 $6 ,939 $98,261,831 $189,039 $1.68 per $100 assessed valuation State, 50% Local, 49% Federal, 1% More than 21% of the 1,015 teachers in the district hold advanced degrees. Professional staff members in Bryan ISD have an average of 11 years of experience, 7 of them in Bryan schools. Employee Classification Classification Professional: Paraprofessional: Auxiliary: Total: Student Statistics Grade Level Elementary (PK-5): Middle School (6-8): High School (9-12): Total: Number of Employees 1,104 375 470 1,949 Number 6,667 3,102 3,632 13,401 Percent 49.5% 23.4% 27 .1% 100% 13 Safe R outes to S choo l Ethnicity Demographics American Asian Black, Not or or Campus Alaskan Pacific Native Islander (%) (%) SFA 0.1 0.4 Jan e Long 0.0 0.5 Sam Rayburn 0.0 0.3 Kemp 0.0 0.3 Bonh am 0.0 0.8 Crockett 0.0 0.4 Farmin 0.0 0.4 Hender son 0.0 0.3 Johnson 0.0 1.7 Milam 0.0 0 .0 Sul Ross 0.3 1.5 Sam Houston 0 .0 0 .3 Navarro 0.0 0.6 Mary Branch 0.2 1.4 Jones 0 .0 0.0 Carver 0.2 0.7 Bowen 0.0 1.8 Neal 0.0 0 .0 Mitchell 0.0 0.6 Harvey Mitclrell Elementary of H' . Caucasian/White, H' . 1spamc N f H' . 1spamc (o/c ) ot o 1spamc Origin ° Origin (%) (%) 21.8 45 .5 29.0 52.0 27.2 23.0 40.9 53.8 14.6 28.3 30.4 55 .8 30 .9 51.8 23 .5 47.2 6.8 36 .7 20.6 74 .0 22.7 22.4 11.1 8.6 25.6 49 .0 33 .7 24 .0 21.0 76.6 29.9 55 .9 16 .0 15 .3 36 .9 61.3 27.5 15 .8 Student to Teacher Ratio Grade Level Elementary (K -4): Elementary (5): Middle School : High School : Transportation 32.1 18.6 49.5 5 .0 56.3 23.5 16.9 29 .l 54.7 5.5 53 .2 80 .0 24 .9 40.7 2.4 13.3 66.8 1.8 56.1 Ratio 22 to 1 25 to 1 13 to 1 13 to 1 With a fleet of 125 buse s covering 453 square miles , BISD's Transportation Department travels more than 5000 miles daily and 1.5 million miles annually. Free service is provided to all students li ving more than two miles from school. 14 Safe R out es lo School BCSMPO SCHOOL INVENTORY PROJECT Bonham E_Iementary I N o 0 .05 0 .1 0 .2 Mile s No vember 8, 2005 15 .. ' Safe Routes to Scho ol BCSMPO SCHOOL INVENTORY PROJECT -&y...School• c:J 01so.1 1•.n ~ ....... Bowan Elementary J O 0.05 0.1 0 .2 Miles November 8, 2005 16 .. ~. Safe Routes to School BCSMPO SCHOOL INVENTORY PROJECT Branch Elementary I N O 0.05 0 .1 0 .2 Miles Novemb er 8, 2005 17 Safe Routes Jo School N O 0.05 0.1 0 .2 Mil es November 8 , 2005 18 Safe Ro utes to School BCSMPO : SCHOOL INVENTORY PROJECT I Crockett Elementary -= O 0.05 0 .1 0 .2 Miles November 9, 2005 19 Safe RouJes to School O 0.05 0.1 0.2 Mile s November 8, 2005 20 , Safe Routes to Sch ool o 0.05 0.1 0.2 Miles 1 November B, 2005 21 Safe Routes to School BCSMPO SCHOOL INVENTORY PROJECT O 0.05 0.1 0.2 Miles November 9, 2005 22 Safe Routes to S ch ool BCSMPO SCHOOL INVENliORY PROJECT Jane Long Middle School I N 1 O 0.05 0.1 0 .2 Miles November 8, 2005 23 Safe Routes to School O 0 .05 0.1 0.2 Miles November 9, 2005 24 Safe Routes to School BCSMPO SCHOOL INVENTORY PROJECT .&y..,Schoo/s D 0150:11• "' .. buffer Jones Elementary I N O 0.05 0.1 0.2 Miles Novem ber 8, 2005 25 • Safe Routes to School BCSMPO SCHOOL lNVENTORY PROJECT -l!lryanSchool9 D et~ 11• m11e: butter Kemp Elementary O 0.05 0.1 0.2 Miles November 8, 2005 26 Safe Routes to School BCSMPO SCHOOL INVENTORY PROJE.CT -er,.. Sd>ools O aise>-11•,,...bu11et Milam Elementary I N i 0 0.05 0 .1 0.2 Miles November 8, 2005 27 Safe Rou tes to Schoof BCSMPO SCHOOL INVENTORY PROJECT Mitchell Elementary I o 0.05 0.1 0.2 Miles November 8, 2005 28 Safe Routes to S choo l BCSMPO SCHOOL INVENTORY P ROJECT -B<yonSdloob 0 e1s0-11<1 m• butm Navarro Elementa~ I N O 0.05 0 .1 0.2 Mil es November 8, 2005 29 . ~&-•~ BCSMPO SCHOOL INVENTORY PROJECT I Neal Elementary 0 0.05 0 .1 0.2 Miles November 8, 2005 30 Safe Routes to Scho ol - BCSMPO SCHOOL INVENTORY PROJECT Ross Elementary J o 0.05 0.1 0.2 Miles November 30, 2005 31 Safe Routes to School BCSMPO SCHOOL INVENTORY PROJECT -B<ya>Sd>ools D BISO-1/4 rriMi buftet Sam Houston Elementary J O 0.05 0.1 0.2 Miles N i November 8, 2005 32 Safe Routes to School BCSMPO SC HOOL INVENT ORY P R OJECT Sam Rayburn Middle School I 0 0.05 0.1 0.2 Miles November 8, 2005 33 Safe Routes to School BCSMPO SCHC>OL INVENTORY PROJECT Stephen F. Austin Middle School I ....... -- ' D BISO-1/4 mllo bufl11 0 0.05 0.1 0.2 Miles November 8, 2005 34 Safe Routes to School College Station Independent School District BCSMPO SCHOOL INVENTORY PROJECT -College Station ISD Intermediate & Middle Schools 0 0 .05 0.1 0.2 Miles November 30, 2005 35 Safe Routes to School School Name Address Grades & #of Year Main School Students Bldg. Built A & M Consolidated I 05 Holik CS , Tx Grades: 7-8 1994-renovated in 2000 Middle 77840 Enrollment: 64 0 College Hills 1101 Williams Grades : k-4 1961 original-renovated Elementary CS , Tx 77840 Enrollment: 653 1999 College Station 900 Rock Prairie Grades : 7-8 1990 Middle Rd . CS, Tx 77845 Enrollment: 688 Cypress Grove 900 Graham Rd . Grades: 5-6 1999 1ntermediate CS , Tx 77845 Enrollment: 698 Forest Ridge 1950 Greens Prairie Grades: k-4 2005 Elementary Rd . CS , TX 77845 Enrollment: 61 4 Oakwood Interm ed ia te l 06 Holik CS, Tx Grades : 5-6 1978 original-renovated in 77840 Enrollment: 60 4 1994 & 1999 Pebble Creek 200 Parkview CS , Grades : k-4 1996 Elementary Tx 77845 Enrollment: 52 8 Rock Prairie 3400 Wel sh CS , Grades : k-4 1989 Elementary Tx 77845 Enrollment: 561 South Knoll 12 2 0 Boswell CS , Grades: k-4 1967 original-renovated in Elementary Tx 77840 Enrollment: 6 1 1 1998 -Southwood Valley 2700 Brothers Grades: k-4 1983 Eleme ntary Blvd. CS, Tx Enrollment: 61 5 77845 College Station ISD CSISD facilitie s include six elementary schools (HeadStart/PreK -4); two intermediate schools (grades 5 and 6); two middle schools (grade s 7 and 8); one high school (grades 9 -12); and one alternative school for students 17 years or olde r who have dropped out of the regular school track. ~E-t_h_n1-·c_D_is-tr_i _b _u _ti-on--~ jAnglo 167.35% jHispanic 112.06% ,_,A-tl-ri_c_an_Am_e_r_ic_a_n __ l ll. 77% jAsian jB.70% South K110U Elementary 36 Safe Routes to S chool BCSMPO SCHOOL INVENTORY PROJECT A&M Consolodated Middle I 0 0.05 0.1 0.2 Miles November B, 2005 37 Safe Routes to School BCSMPO SCHOOL INVENTORY PROJECT College Hills Elementary I N 0 0.05 0.1 0.2 Miles November 30, 2005 38 c ool Safe R ou tes to S h 39 Safe Routes to School BCSMPO SCHOOL INVENTORY PROJECT Cypress_ Grove Inter'!lediate J O 0 .05 0 .1 0 .2 Miles November 30 , 2005 40 Safe R outes to School - BCSMPO SC HOOL I NVENTORY P R OJEC T Forest Ridge Elementary I N t o 0.05 0.1 0.2 Miles No vember 8, 2005 41 Safe Routes to Sch ool BCSMPO SCHOOL INVENTORY PROJECT Oakwood Intermediate I O 0.05 0.1 0 .2 Miles November 8, 2005 42 Safe Routes to Scho ol BCSMPO SCHOOL INVENTORY PROJECT -Colege S!Non Sd>ools c:J CSISQ-ti' mi&it buler Pebble Creek Elementary I O 0.05 0.1 0.2 Mi les Nov ember 8, 2005 N l 43 Safe Routes to S choo l BCSMPO SCHOOL INVENTORY PROJ ECT Rock Prairie Elementary I 0 0.05 0 .1 0 .2 Miles Nove mber 8, 2005 44 Safe Routes to School BCSMPO SCHOOL INVENTORY PROJECT [ South Knoll Elementary I O 0.05 0.1 0.2 Miles November 30, 2005 45 ·. Safe Routes to School - BCSMPO SCHOOL INVENTORY PROJECT I - Southwood Valley Elementary O 0.05 0.1 0.2 Mi les November 30, 2005 46 . ' Safe Routes to Sch oo l hase I-narrowig the playin2 field In order to continue into Phase II of the school inventory, schools must be ranked and evaluated to determine which campuses need closer attention. By determining the Traffic Analysis Zones (TAZ) that surrounds each area school, a smaller area can be studied . A T AZ is the basic geographical entity or portion of a study area delineated for transportation analysis. As part of the MPO 's Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) update , approved December 15 , 2004, low-income, minority, and zero -auto TAZs in Brazos County were used to determine the areas where Environmental Justice (EJ) concerns may arise. According to the consultants used in the MTP update , someone is considered as low-income if they are identified as having less than 80 percent of the median income for the county . They also meet the USDOT's EJ definition of Minority if they meet these definitions: • Black-a person having origins in any Black racial groups of Africa; • Hispanic-a person of Mexican, Puerto Rican , Cuban, Central or South American, or other Spanish culture or origin , regardless of race; • Asian American-a person having ori gi ns in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, the Indian subcontinent, or the Pacific Islands; and • Other/ American Indian and Alaskan Native-a person havin g origins in any of the original people of North America and who maintains cultural identification throu gh tribal affiliation or community recognition. Zero-auto T AZs were identified as "No Vehicl e Availab le " or a hi gher percentage of "No Vehicle Available" than the county average. After field work and review, a few schools in each distri ct came to the forefront. Evaluation criteria used during this ranking process involved : the TAZ population surrounding the schools, and the functional classification of the roadway s . The overall walkability of the surrounding neighborhood s will be the deciding factor when determining which schools will be chosen for continued study. 47 Safe Routes to School BCSMPO SCHOOL INVENTORY PROJECT Bryan ISD Schools with the 2000 TAZ Ponulation of 770-1653 0 0.05 0 .1 0.2 Miles December 7, 2005 48 ·. Safe Routes to S chool BCSMPO SCHOOL INVENTORY PROJECT CoUege Station ISD Schools with the 2000 TAZ Ponulation of 770-5101 -loVoDrcoa.rMM --Mit'IOIM.rial -MlforColi.aot" _......,,"".~ O 0.05 0 .1 0 .2 Miles December 7, 2005 49 •, , Safe Routes to School Bryan ISD problem areas Bonham Elementary -no sidewalk along east side of Old Hearne Road -40 mph along Old Hearne Road Carver Early Childhood -faint markings on roadway for crosswalk -dirt/ broken asphalt road -broken sidewalks, not ADA Crockett Elementary -no sidewalks along back side of school -faint markings on roadway for crosswalk Fannin Elementary -sidewalks not ADA along 29tn Street Henderson Elementary -sidewalks not ADA Jane Long Middle -school is along major roadway Johnson Elementary -sidewalks not ADA Jones Elementary -no sidewalks along major roadways Kemp Elementary -faint markings on road -dirt/ broken asphalt road -broken sidewalks, not ADA Milam Elementary -no sidewalks along major roadway s -cars stack up on road both ways to pick up kids Navarro Elementary -no sidewalks along route -discontinuous sidewalks along route Neal Elementary -no sidewalks into neighborhoods Ross Elementary -sidewalks not ADA -some pavement markings faint Sam Rayburn Middle -school is along major roadw~ _ Stephen F. Austin -sidewalks not ADA and in need of repair Middle College Station ISD problem areas A & M Consolidated -some areas do not have sidewalks Middle -some ADA issues College Hills -overall good sidewalks and signage Elementary -no sidewalks in neighborhoods Forrest Ridge -new school-no sidewalks yet Elementary Oakwood Intermediate -school zone starts after the entrance to the school -some areas do not have sidewalks South Knoll Elementary -sidewalks around school but not many into neighborhood -some ADA is_sues Southwood Valley -bike lane doesn't extend to in front of school Elementary 50 t. Safe Routes to School Phase II-Detailed Study Phase II will include narrowing our study area down to a coup le of schoo ls in each district. We will then do a more detailed study within 2 miles of that schoo l. This information will then be used to apply for funding grants in order to make improvements to school facilities. Each elementary and secondary school in the Bryan Independent School District (BISD) and College Station Independent School District (CSISD) was first mapped out in Arc View GIS. In order to choose one school in each district for continued study into Phase II, the field had to be narrowed. By applying the T AZs, the Functional Classification of the roadways, looking at the age of the school buildings and overall walk-ability of the surrounding school areas, one school from each district can be chosen. First, the 2000 EJ Population T AZs was applied to all schools to get the surrounding populations. That narrowed the list down to three schoo l s in College Station and eight schools in Bryan. Next, the Functional Classification of the roadways was applied to the maps. This narrowed down the list of schools in College Station to the one school that will be recommended for further study in Phase II-Southwood Valley Elementary. To further narrow the field in Bryan, the functional classification , as well as the age of the schools, was then considered. This brought to the forefront the one school in Bryan that will be recommended for further study in Phase II-Jones Elementary. In order to study the two schools in further detail , the MPO went out within a two mile radius looking more closely at the sidewalks and signage in that area. A student survey, as well as a parent survey was distributed and completed. At Jones Elementary in the City of Bryan, the survey s were also provided in Spanish. The results of the surveys contained various comments concerning safety from parents. 51 ·. Safe Routes to School Future Recommendation What we can do on a short term basis: To promote safety and to better encourage accessibility to the various school buildings, there are a few things that can be done on a short term basis . Fresh cross walk markings at some points will greatly affect the visibility to pedestrians. By completing a school inventory of all markings, signage and problem areas, school districts will get a feel for what needs to • be accomplished. And by coordinating with other school districts , government agencies, and planning entities in the County , each school district will help facilitate communication to others concerning their various needs. What we can do on a long term basis : Step/ten F. Austin Middle School Long term goals concerning the Safe Routes to School initiative could possibly be to apply for transp ortation and school education grants in order to gather funds for improvements, make plans for engineering changes to areas of concern, such as sidewalks, or working with the Texas Department of Transportation to upgrade the roadway facilities surrounding the schools. With th e greates t danger for many children walking or biking to school coming from traffic on neighborhood roads and streets, making improvements, better enforcement of traffic laws and pushing education of pedestrians and drivers is vital. By looking to improve safety of streets along route s to school , through traffic calming and traditional safety engineering changes, hopefully more people will start to walk to school. 52