Streetcar

[mcca7596]

There is $10 million allocated in Maps 3 for the Hub location, I assume it is for land aquisition. Obviously, that's not enough for the actual construction of a modern hub; where will that money come from? Is it almost guaranteed that we would get a federal grant after performing the Alternatives Analysis?

[Urban Pioneer]

There is $10 million allocated in Maps 3 for the Hub location, I assume it is for land acquisition. Obviously, that's not enough for the actual construction of a modern hub; where will that money come from? Is it almost guaranteed that we would get a federal grant after performing the Alternatives Analysis?

Great question. $10 million is for hub/commuter rail infrastructure. Based on where the hub committee seems to be headed, it is somewhat safe to assume that the funds might be used to re-acquire Santa Fe Station and the parking lots on the Bricktown side. Re-acquiring the old depot essentially would give us a Phase 1a hub that provides a direct interface between Amtrak and the streetcar. The parking lot acquisition around Zios and/or U-Haul ensures that there is room to expand via a future transit initiative and/or FTA funds.

I personally do not think that the entire $10 million will be spent on property acquisition alone. Hopefully, we will pay fair market value for the spaces and use what ever is left over to open the buried pedestrian tunnel from the station through the eastern retaining wall into Bricktown, make ADA improvements, and new platforms. If there is anything else available, starting the Adventure Line up certainly falls within the parameters of the funding.


Regarding where the funds come from for future phases and a full-fledged modern facility, that would come through the FTA or a local Regional Transit Authority. MAPS lays the foundation and provides the space for us to develop a serious hub facility for when we actually need it.

[mcca7596]

Thank you very much Urban. Hopefully, the streetcar's success will galvanize support for a MAPS for Transit type of vote that would include substantial hub funding as well.

[okclee]

Here is a link to a very interesting study released today. It's findings show the real estate development patterns (TOD) in 3 cities, Minneapolis, Denver, and Charlotte.

(I would Love to see Okc in this group 5 or 6 years from now!)

http://reconnectingamerica.org/
Rails to Real Estate:
Development Patterns along Three New Transit Lines

The Center for Transit-Oriented Development has released a report that examines real estate development patterns along three recently built light rail lines. The findings of Rails to Real Estate: Development Patterns along Three New Transit Lines should help local planners and others considering new transit lines to maximize the benefits of new transit investments and foster transit-oriented development.

The three transit lines are the Hiawatha Line in the Minneapolis-St. Paul region in Minnesota, the Southeast Corridor in the Denver region in Colorado, and the Blue Line in the Charlotte region in North Carolina.

The analysis considers development patterns with regard to a number of factors, including proximity to downtowns and major employment centers, the location and extent of vacant or “underutilized” property suitable for development or redevelopment, block patterns that influence “walkability,” transit connectivity and household incomes.

“Setting realistic expectations about the scale, timing and location of private investment along new transit lines is especially critical where new development is expected to help pay for needed transit improvements, neighborhood amenities, or other community benefits,” said Nadine Fogarty, principal with Strategic Economics and primary author of the report.

All three transit lines experienced a tremendous amount of new development. Charlotte’s Blue Line had the most development, with approximately 9.8 million square feet of new space between 2005 and 2009..................................read more..........http://reconnectingamerica.org/.

There is an 80 page PDF file, found at the bottom of the linked page, outlining the entire study.

[Doug Loudenback]

Well, the urban streetcar subcommittee met today, so where are some reports (pretty please)?

[Spartan]

It didn't seem like there was anything of high importance on the agenda. The bomb shell was dropped at the last meeting.

Unless the Oklahoman is printing today... just kidding Steve!

[Urban Pioneer]

Tuesday morning is probably the most important meeting since the intent language was approved. Phase 1A routing comes up for approval to accept from the committee to City Council.

Email me if your showing up and I'll give you an official streetcar button.

[workman45]

Tuesday morning is probably the most important meeting since the intent language was approved. Phase 1A routing comes up for approval to accept from the committee to City Council.

Email me if your showing up and I'll give you an official streetcar button.

Where and what time is the meeting?

[Spartan]

Could I get a bulletin even though I am obviously not going to the meeting?

[Urban Pioneer]

Where and what time is the meeting?

It looks to be towards the end of the City Council meeting on Tuesday. So probably 9:30ish is a safe time to be there for the presentation.

[Urban Pioneer]

Per Steve Lackmeyer's blog, an important question indeed...

http://blog.newsok.com/okccentral/20...icket-to-ride/

[Snowman]

Could I get a bulletin even though I am obviously not going to the meeting?

If it is city council meeting you should be able to access the adgenda, documents and usually a video from here

[Urban Pioneer]

On The Gwin Faulconer Show tonight about MAPS 3 streetcar and transit.
7:05PM on 1000 KTOK AM

[Larry OKC]

Hmmm, thought I posted it here (but possibly in another thread), if so, sorry about the duplicate...

Saw on the Cox City channel a short segment similar to the Mayor's Magazine (at least shot on the same set) with Councilman White and Bowman talking about Bowman's time on the Council and coming departure. Bowman mentioned one of his regrets was not pushing forth the idea of putting a 1 or 2 cent per/gallon City tax on GASOLINE to pay for Mass Transit (buses, "trolleys" etc). Thoughts?

[Doug Loudenback]

I like it, Larry. Good idea.

[BoulderSooner]

It looks to be towards the end of the City Council meeting on Tuesday. So probably 9:30ish is a safe time to be there for the presentation.

i don't see the street car 1a route as an agenda item .. is it going to be up for a vote or just be an informational item during the maps 3 report

[Urban Pioneer]

i don't see the street car 1a route as an agenda item .. is it going to be up for a vote or just be an informational item during the maps 3 report

It appears as though it will be "received" by council towards the end of the meeting as part of the MAPS presentation.

There is a presentation document that seems to be a place holder. We directly conveyed that we wanted this to go to council immediately if it received support from the oversight board, which it did.

So my guess is it will be presented after Mike Mize with ADG presents the overall recommended MAPS 3 programming schedule.

[Kerry]

Is this for the Alternative Analysis or the MAPS III street car committee?

[Urban Pioneer]

Is this for the Alternative Analysis or the MAPS III street car committee?

MAPS 3 Transit Streetcar Subcommittee

The recommendation cleared teh Oversight Board on Thursday.

The other important element to reinforce is that we agree with our positioning on the recommended ADG schedule.

[Kerry]

So what are they actually voting on?

[Urban Pioneer]

So what are they actually voting on?

They are formally "receiving" our recommendation. That "preps" it for design and formal evaluation by engineers. It actually doesn't become a vote until a design/contract is awarded, from what I understand. That is with all of the projects from what I understand.

It is an important moment however. Reassuring them on our beliefs about the proposed schedule is also important.

[Kerry]

Maybe you can answer this UP (or maybe not). In one of the other threads there is a picture of the Cincinnati Streetcar systems proposed route. Do you know what kind of process they went through to get that route?

[Urban Pioneer]

Maybe you can answer this UP (or maybe not). In one of the other threads there is a picture of the Cincinnati Streetcar systems proposed route. Do you know what kind of process they went through to get that route?

I don't know for sure, but I think they relied heavily on the consultants. If you have been to Cincinnati, the route they chose is quite intuitive. A great deal of the intuitiveness comes from a somewhat natural "spine" that is forced downtown by geography.

It has created something of a "travel path" in all regards.

Fort Worth is probably the closest process that I've seen to what were doing in terms of balance between public input and professional advice drawn from their AA.

[Kerry]

Thanks UP. I was looking thru a lot of the Cincinnati historical documents and it seemed like their route just appeared out of no where. I also read that 50% of the jobs within the city limits of Cincinnati were in downtown. That is amazing. Any idea what that number would be for OKC?

[Urban Pioneer]

I just found out from city staff that the actual route recommendation has been bumped to April 5th.

Tomorrow, while very important, only the proposed scheduling is to be addressed.

My apologies for encouraging people to come for streetcar routes. I will still give you a button if you show up. lol Speaking on behalf of the streetcar at any meeting is appreciated, particularly on why t should remain a priority at the front of the schedule.

Here is an informational quote however from MAPS Program Director Eric Wenger that may address some earlier questions, "The agenda item which is scheduled for next week includes staff's recommendation that Council receive the Partial Streetcar Route as recommended by the subcommittee and Advisory Board. The action typically taken by Council in receiving items is a motion followed by a vote."