Continued coordination and facilitation with City of Austin staff on documentation of processes to permit construction activities at the site.

Transcription

1 Project Manager Ed Collins LJA Engineering, Inc. Transportation Planning Manager 5316 Highway 290 West Austin Public Infrastructure Group Austin, TX (512) cell (512) office CARTS Urban Terminal, Phase 2 PHASE 2 FINAL REPORT March 2, 2017 Project Scope: Phase 2 coordination and facilitation with governmental entities in the development of a triangular site of approximately one (1) acre bounded by 5th Street, Shady Lane and Cesar Chavez Street in Austin, Texas for construction of a new location urban terminal. The site will assume passenger station operations currently performed at CARTS Austin headquarters located at 2010 E. 6th Street. General Work Description: Coordination and facilitation with Texas Department of Transportation s (TxDOT) Austin District and appropriate TxDOT headquarters staff to obtain final approvals for use of the site as a public transportation facility. Includes research of similar TxDOT arrangements with public transit providers for use of State of Texas rights-of-way. Continued coordination and facilitation with Capital Metro staff to obtain detailed information and documentation regarding joint use of the site (i.e., general requirements for Capital Metro buses to access site). Continued coordination and facilitation with City of Austin staff on documentation of processes to permit construction activities at the site. Provide facilitation services between CARTS and neighborhood leadership to discuss the project for compatibility with the neighborhood plan. Preparation of exhibits depicting conceptual layout of urban terminal for use in stakeholder meetings. Coordination/Facilitation Summary: Based on meetings (in-person and via telephone) and correspondence, the involved entities TxDOT, City of Austin and Capital Metro support CARTS conceptual site plan and TxDOT is in the process of finalizing a Multiple Use Agreement (MUA) for CARTS use of the site. Capital Metro s Planning & Development Department expressed interest to jointly use the proposed urban terminal for its passenger transfer operations and to interface with CARTS services as the urban terminal site is on routes outlined in Capital Metro s recently adopted Connections 2025 Service Plan. The City of Austin s Transportation Department provided guidance in the development of the conceptual site plan and continues to offer assistance as CARTS begins the City s project development process. City of Austin Planning staff also provided general direction for discussions with neighborhood leadership about the benefits of the proposed project. CARTS Urban Terminal Investigation Phase 2 Final Report

2 Recommended Next Steps: Continued coordination with TxDOT to ensure the Multiple Use Agreement is finalized in late March/early April 2017 Perform land/property survey of site Perform appropriate Federal environmental study (potential for Categorical Exclusion) As outlined in the Phase 1 report, file with the City of Austin s Development Services Department a Development Assessment Application (see Appendix D) for City staff to circulate to other departments for comment and guidance on City requirements for developing the site Formalize process and communications with City of Austin s Transportation and Planning Departments and Capital Metro regarding support for the urban terminal for use in the City development processes Begin robust outreach to appropriate City Council members, the Council s Transportation Committee, appropriate City commissions (Urban Transportation, Planning), neighborhood representatives and CAMPO for support of the project Research and develop appropriate solicitation mechanisms (Design-Bid-Build, Design-Build, Pre-development-Design-Build) leading to the construction of the urban terminal CARTS Urban Terminal Investigation Phase 2 Final Report 2

3 LJA Engineering Major Product Delivery: Conceptual Site Plan A draft conceptual site plan was developed by sub-consultant McCann Adams Studio for use in discussions with the TxDOT, City of Austin and Capital Metro. Please see the rendering below. The use of this visual provided a tool for gaining input from the entities. Considerations in Design of Draft Conceptual Site Plan Through consultation with CARTS General Manager sub-consultant McCann Adams Studio developed a rough draft site plan (see Figure 1 below) to include the following elements for the facility: Accommodate 7 to 8 buses Passenger station able to provide shelter for customers waiting for bus with restrooms and office space for CARTS personnel Accommodation of passenger dropoff/kiss-and-ride, Car-share space, bicycle racks and parking for CARTS personnel manning the passenger station Accommodate on-site water detention as required by City of Austin FIGURE 1: CARTS Urban Terminal Draft Conceptual Site Plan CARTS Urban Terminal Investigation Phase 2 Final Report 3

4 Refinements to Conceptual Site Plan Based on collaboration between the consult team and CARTS General Manager and CARTS staff and a subsequent meeting with City of Austin staff from the Transportation Department and Planning Department, the draft site plan was modified to remove the direct eastbound bus driveway to E. Cesar Chavez Street and a traffic signal was added at the intersection of E. Cesar Chavez and Shady Lane. Additionally, City of Austin s Transportation Department Assistant Director recommended a bus actuated traffic signal loop to permit buses to depart the site to enter E. Cesar Chavez. Based on the recommendations, the refined conceptual site plan was developed (see Figure 2). The conceptual site plan includes: Entrance to site s circular bus-only driveway from Shady Lane and exit to E. Cesar Chavez Street via new traffic signal Eight bus bays capable for 40 buses Passenger terminal (will include restrooms and offices) with extended porch for passengers to have cover from inclement weather Circular driveway to passenger terminal for drop-offs/kiss-and-ride, including four parking spaces Two locations for potential bio-filtration meadows Significant tree-scape throughout the site Reconfiguration of E. 5 th Street to close the existing eastbound ramp to E. Cesar Chavez Street New on-street parking on westbound E. 5 th Street from E. Cesar Chavez Street to Shady Lane CARTS Urban Terminal Investigation Phase 2 Final Report 4

5 LJA Engineering FIGURE 2: CARTS Urban Terminal Refined Conceptual Site Plan (Dave - I m having trouble in getting the image to copy from the PDF but I m working on it.) CARTS Urban Terminal Investigation Phase 2 Final Report 5

6 Coordination Highlights: Key City of Austin Communication/Coordination November 9, 2017 meeting with City of Austin Staff: LJA Engineering and McCann Adams Studio representatives met with Transportation Department s Assistant Director Gordon Derr, Area Engineer Anna Martin and Planning Department s Tonya Swartzenruber where the draft conceptual site plan was presented. Also presented was a two-page report which depicted TxDOT s 2010 and 2015 urban saturation traffic counts for roadways adjacent and in close proximity to the urban terminal site (see Exhibit A). City staff: recommended: o Recommended removing the direct eastbound bus driveway to E. Cesar Chavez Street o Recommended adding a traffic signal at the intersection of E. Cesar Chavez and Shady Lane to facilitate safe movement of buses leaving urban terminal site. City of Austin s Transportation Department Assistant Director recommended a bus actuated traffic signal loop to permit buses to depart the site to enter E. Cesar Chavez Street o Supportive of eliminating eastbound E. 5 th Street ramp to eastbound E. Cesar Chavez due to decreasing traffic movements and low traffic volume counts indicated through TxDOT 2010 and 2015 urban saturation traffic counts o o Supportive of adding parking on E. 5 th Street Supportive of overall site concept and will assist CARTS as the project moves through the City s development processes Key TxDOT Communications/Coordination September 14, 2016: Follow up discussion with Lori Wagner, TxDOT Austin District s Permits Coordinator on CARTS Board of Director Resolution authorizing entering into a Multiple Use Agreement (MUA) (see Exhibit B) with TxDOT. Ms. Wagner indicated that a site plan would be needed prior to drafting the MUA. December 23 December 28, 2016: exchange with TxDOT Area Engineer Michael McKissick providing CARTS Board resolution, site map, conceptual site plan and 2010 and 2015 urban saturation traffic counts. Mr. McKissick indicates he does not have any concerns with the conceptual site plan but requests a follow up with John Nevares, Austin District s Transportation Operations Assistant Director on the proposed traffic signal. January 9, 2017: Telephone discussion and from Mr. Nevares forwarding staff comments that there are no issues regarding the development of the site and that CARTS will need to coordinate with the City of Austin on the proposed traffic signal. January 25, 2017: Forward Mr. McKissick and Mr. Nevares s to Ms. Wagner for further coordination on the development of the MUA February 28, 2017: Phone call from Ms. Wagner indicating that she has all the information she needs to begin the MUA. She indicates it will take 30 days to finalize the MUA. CARTS Urban Terminal Investigation Phase 2 Final Report 6

7 Key Capital Metro Communications/Coordination January 18, 2017: Met with Todd Hemingson, Capital Metro s Vice President of Strategic Planning & Development to present conceptual site plan. Mr. Hemingson expressed interest to jointly use the proposed urban terminal for Capital Metro s passenger transfer operations and to interface with CARTS services as the urban terminal site is on routes outlined in Capital Metro s recently adopted Connections 2025 service plan. Mr. Hemingson indicates Capital Metro will support CARTS as the urban terminal project goes through the City of Austin s development processes. Mr. Hemingson also indicates that there is a potential for some limited cost participation in the project. Periodic Project Status Reports Appendix C provides copies of s that were sent to CARTS General Manager detailing progress of coordination activities throughout the duration of the Phase 2 effort. Appendices Appendix A Figures and Exhibits Figure 1 - CARTS Urban Terminal Draft Conceptual Site Plan Figure 2 - CARTS Urban Terminal Refined Conceptual Site Plan Exhibit A - Location of Proposed Site for Urban Terminal Exhibit B - Refined Conceptual Site Plan and Cross Sections Exhibit C - TxDOT 2010 and 2015 Urban Saturation Traffic Counts Exhibit D - CARTS Board of Directors MUA Resolution (adopted July 28, 2016) Appendix B Key Mails Regarding Discussions with TxDOT and City of Austin Appendix C s Containing Periodic Progress Reports Appendix D City of Austin Development Assessment & Alternative Equivalent Compliance Document CARTS Urban Terminal Investigation Phase 2 Final Report 7