Memorandum
City of Lawrence
City Manager’s Office
|
TO: |
David L. Corliss, City Manager
|
|
FROM: |
Diane Stoddard, Assistant City Manager Robert Nugent, Public Transit Administrator
|
|
CC: |
Cynthia Wagner, Assistant City Manager
|
|
Date:
|
February 27, 2012 |
|
RE: |
Possible Transit Use for Santa Fe Station |
Please place the following item on a future City Commission agenda:
Receive staff report on possible secondary use of the Santa Fe Station for transit. Provide direction to staff, if appropriate.
Background:
In November 2011, the City Commission was updated on the status of the Santa Fe Station project. As part of the discussion, the City Commission raised the possibility of a secondary usage of the Station as a transit hub. As a result, the City Commission requested staff to further investigate this possible option by doing a more detailed analysis of the physical requirements of transit operations at the site, as well as, hold discussions with stakeholders, neighbors, and general public. The results of these efforts would be reported back to the City Commission.
There are two major issues related to the proposed secondary use. The first is the technical feasibility of the concept. The second is the public acceptability of the concept.
Transit Hub:
Since the beginning of operation in 2000 Lawrence Transit has focused service on Downtown Lawrence. This intentional focus made it necessary to utilize two blocks of curb space in order to accommodate multiple buses and transfers between routes. These locations were centralized in the 9th Street corridor at the northwest and southeast corners of 9th and Massachusetts. These two locations have adequately provided passengers with ease in transfers, as well as, easy access to all points along Massachusetts and the downtown.
In August 2010 Lawrence Transit opted to temporarily move these two primary downtown transfer locations as the result of an eminent construction of a seven-story multi-use building at 901 New Hampshire. Moving these stops was deemed necessary due to requirements for construction right-of-way and the subsequent inconveniences passengers would have to encounter in order to continue to use Lawrence Transit. These stops were relocated to the northeast and southeast corners of 9th and New Hampshire for the duration of the construction.
In order to accommodate this temporary construction period, staff worked with several of the area businesses (including the Arts Center) concerning the 9th & New Hampshire location. At that time, staff indicated to these businesses that this location would be temporary. At neither the temporary location at 9th and New Hampshire, nor at the long held location at 9th and Massachusetts are the amenities adequate. In order to fully accommodate public transit patrons, staff has identified desirable amenities, which include an indoor waiting area where riders can take refuge from inclement weather access to public restrooms and a drinking fountain.
Over the last few years staff has performed cursory reviews of several city-owned properties for transit hub opportunities. Most recently the Library site was evaluated as part of the Library expansion project. However, with the expansion and parking garage there was not adequate space for incorporating a transit hub within the available space. Staff has also performed cursory evaluations of several other downtown sites. All of these locations would require construction of the amenities previously noted, in a rather confined area. Considering the City Commission’s questions about secondary use, staff thought it was important to evaluate the Santa Fe Station since it already provided the amenities, without additional construction.
Technical Feasibility of the Santa Fe Station Site:
Related to the technical feasibility, staff has reviewed the station. Staff developed the attached concept drawing, which is meant to depict the most intensive use of the depot for transit. This scenario shows seven 40-foot buses lined up simultaneously in front of the station. The more likely regular scenario, based upon the current transit system, would be seven buses, including one 40-foot, two 31-foot, and four 25-foot buses. Staff believes that the station site could accommodate both the current and future requirements of this usage. However, some modifications would need to be made to E. 7th Street. These modifications may include traffic control improvements at 7th & Connecticut Street and modifications to address traffic speed near the “transition turn” of 7th Street onto New Jersey Street.
Staff has reviewed the interior of the station as a possible location for the administrative offices for public transit. Currently, the transit offices are located at 933 New Hampshire Street, in the parking garage facility across from the Lawrence Arts Center. Transit’s administrative office currently includes two full-time staff and one part-time staff person. It is believed that the Santa Fe Station could accommodate the three transit staff people within the ticket office and the agent’s office space. See attached floor plan. Negotiations to date with BNSF have resulted in agreement by BNSF to move out of the agent’s office and make that space available. Another key consideration has been meeting space. Currently, the transit offices have a small area that is available for storage, staff meetings and meetings of the Public Transit Advisory Committee (PTAC). Staff discussed the possibility of sharing the Freight Office area, which is currently occupied by BNSF. The room could be set up as a conference room, with some file storage and could be available to both groups to utilize. BNSF was not agreeable to this impact on its operations. BNSF has previously indicated a willingness to completely vacate the building, should the city assume ownership of the building, and should the city provide BNSF comparable office space at no cost to BNSF.
Although staff has not actively pursued funding, it is anticipated that further analysis would have to be performed prior to any funding commitments. In specific, it is a regulatory requirement to perform both a feasibility analysis and environmental study for any funding under the Federal Transit Administration. Local transit funding support could be spent without these additional analytical requirements, should it be a facility designated for secondary use for transit.
Public Feedback regarding Santa Fe Station Site:
Staff discussed the possible use of the Santa Fe Station as a transit hub with the Public Transit Advisory Committee (PTAC) at its December 13, 2011 meeting. The PTAC did not have any specific recommendation on the topic, but encouraged an open house meeting to seek public input.
A public meeting was held on February 1, 2012 in an open house format from 5-7 pm at the Santa Fe Station. The meeting was widely publicized through news releases and a sizeable mailing was sent to neighboring businesses and residents. The invitations asked for attendance at the open house and welcomed other feedback from people that were unable to attend. Members of the PTAC were also invited to attend. Attendees were asked to sign an attendance log. Staff developed a questionnaire that was distributed at the meeting. Attached is a compilation of all of the completed questionnaires and other information provided by interested citizens. There are a number of people favorable to the idea of the transit hub at the Station. However, there are a number of people against this idea and suggest that other possible locations for this use be utilized. Several neighboring residents cited concerns about traffic congestion and other issues.
Alternatives:
It should be stressed that the City does not own the Santa Fe Station. Another issue to consider is the immediate need to finalize site construction drawing as part of the FRA/KDOT grant. If the City wishes to incorporate a transit hub at the Santa Fe Station this element would either have to be incorporated into these final drawings or developed as to ease incorporation at a later date.
It appears that the City Commission has three different alternatives to consider.
Requested Action:
Provide direction to staff.