METRO
Gold Line BRTOD Plans
Sun Ray Station Constraints and Opportunities District 1‐ Community Council Land Use Committee Work Session October 02, 2017
Agenda 1. Project Overview 2. Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and Bus Rapid Transit Oriented Development (BRTOD) Fundamentals 3. Sun Ray Station Areas – Background & Constraints/Opportunities 4. Discussion 5. Next Steps
BRTÂ Project Overview
BRT Project Process Completed
Current
Transit needs analysis
Analysis to identify routes
Finalize route, general station locations, and transit type (bus rapid transit)
2010
2012
2016
BRTOD planning (18 Months) Project Engineering (42 Months)
Gold Line construction
Gold Line opening day 2024
Public Engagement
4
Locally Preferred Alternative Route and Station Locations
Gold Line BRT— Draft Environmental Assessment Plan (2016)
5
St Paul Station Area Plans (2016)
6
BRT Project Process Completed
Current
Transit needs analysis
Analysis to identify routes
Finalize route, general station locations, and transit type (bus rapid transit)
2010
2012
2016
BRTOD planning (18 Months) Project Engineering (42 Months)
Gold Line construction
Gold Line opening day 2024
Public Engagement
7
Project Engineering (Guideway and Station design) led by Metro Transit and a separate project
I-494
I-94
Metro Transit BRT Engineering Project – Guideway and Station Design
I-494
I-94
Bus Rapid Transit Oriented Development Plans (1/2 mile of the stations) Led by partner cities and Washington/Ramsey Counties
Partner Cities and Counties BRTOD Project – Station Area Development
BRTODÂ Project Overview
BRTOD Project Funding Gateway Corridor Commission TOD planning grant from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA)
11
ST PAUL (5 Stations)
RAMSEY COUNTY
I-494
Downtown St Paul
McKnight Rd. N
I-94
Gateway Corridor – 10 Stations, 5 Cities, 2 Counties
BRTOD Project Objectives: 1. Establish a multi‐modal corridor (walking, biking, transit & auto) 2. Increase potential ridership (transit access & new development) 3. Enable station areas to achieve their development potential (capture latent market demand & improve quality of life) 4. Identify infrastructure investments and policy changes (ensure funding priorities and policies encourage development)
13
BRTOD Planning Process 18 months Stakeholder Engagement
Phase
1
2
3
4
plans adoption
Purpose
Identify Opportunities Issues, & Concerns
Review Preliminary Land Use and Circulation Alternatives
Review Preferred Alternative
Review Draft BRTOD Plans
BRTOD/ Small Area Plans Adoption
Goal
Establish Specific Station Area Goals
Identify Alternatives for Further Refinement
Identify Preferred Alternative Refinements
Finalize BRTOD Plans & Implementation Strategies 14
What is BRT?
BRT Characteristics—Bus‐Only Lanes
Special roadways or lanes dedicated to the exclusive use of buses. Often considered most like light rail transit.
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BRT Characteristics —Frequent Service
Fewer stops (1/2 mile apart)
Transit priority signal
Bus‐only lanes
BRT Characteristics—Train‐Like Features
Level boarding to vehicle
Fare payment at the station
BRT Characteristics—Enhanced Stations High Quality Amenties‐
Shelters Seating Paving Landscaping Electronic Reader Boards
BRT Characteristics— Specialized Vehicle
Streetcar‐like comfort
More passengers per bus
BRT Characteristics—TOD Potential
Lower TOD Potential Business Access Transit (BAT) Lanes Bus and car share ‘turn lane’
Higher TOD Potential Exclusive Guideway
BRTODÂ Fundamentals
Fundamentals – Ideal TOD Grid of Streets Complete Streets
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Grid of Streets
Appropriate ‐ Fine‐Grained Grid
Inappropriate ‐ Large Sized Blocks
Complete Streets
Pedestrians
Autos
Bicycles
Transit
HIGH
LOW
INCOMPLETE STREETS
COMPLETE STREETS
Complete Streets – Design Priorities
Complete Streets – Accommodate Essential Functions
Complete Streets – Designed for the Most Vulnerable
Fundamentals – Ideal TOD Station Neighborhood Station Hub
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Great Townhomes
Townhomes
Apartments Great Rental Apartments
Parks and Open Space
Fundamentals – Ideal TOD Station Neighborhood Station Hub
33
Station Hub: Mix of Uses Residential and Office Use over Retail/Commercial Storefronts
18 Hour Activity
Station Hub: Retail & Commercial
Neighborhood Serving — Dining and Entertainment
Station Hub: Retail & Commercial
Neighborhood Serving — Sale of Goods
Station Hub: Residential
Apartments and Condominiums
Station Hub: Plaza
Beyond TOD
5 Minute Trips
Potential Bicycle Facilities
Protected Bikeways (Cycle Track)
Bike Lanes
Mixed Traffic Lanes (Bike Boulevards)
Pedestrian‐friendly Wide Sidewalks
Curbside Parking
Travel Lanes Protected Bikeway
Protected Bikeway — Lincoln, Nebraska
Sun Ray Station Area
Station Planning Area ½ Mile Radius
Station Neighborhood ¼ Mile Radius
Sun Ray Station – Planning Area
Sun Ray Station
Constraints
Separated Bus Facilities Proximity of Sun Ray Transit Center to Sun Ray Station impacts timely access to transit and bus to BRT transfers
Sun Ray Station – Constraints
Conway Intersection Narrow sidewalks only w/ heavy traffic and conflicts with turning vehicles at Conway St. intersection
Wilson Intersection Narrow sidewalks only with no traffic signal or pedestrian crossing at Wilson Ave.
Hostile Intersections Narrow sidewalks only w/ heavy traffic congestion and freeway noise on each side of I‐94
Sun Ray Station – Constraints
I‐94 Barrier
Limited access to station from south of freeway
Sun Ray Station – Constraints
Underutilized Sites Large parking lots, and some vacant storefronts
Sun Ray Station – Constraints
Freeway Ramps
Walking and biking is difficult with traffic entering and exiting the Freeway
Poor Pedestrian and Bicycle Crossings
Poor quality materials, lack of pedestrian lighting, minimal sidewalks and heavy traffic discourage walking & biking
Sun Ray Station – Constraints
Separated Bus Facilities Proximity of Sun Ray Transit Center to Sun Ray Station impacts timely access to transit and bus to BRT transfers
Conway Intersection Narrow sidewalks only w/ heavy traffic and conflicts with turning vehicles at Conway St. intersection
Freeway Ramps
Walking and biking is difficult with traffic entering and exiting the Freeway
Wilson Intersection Narrow sidewalks only with no traffic signal or pedestrian crossing at Wilson Ave.
Poor Pedestrian and Bicycle Crossings
Poor quality materials, lack of pedestrian lighting, minimal sidewalks and heavy traffic discourage walking & biking
Underutilized Sites
Hostile Intersections
Large parking lots, and some vacant storefronts
I‐94 Barrier
Limited access to station from south of freeway
Sun Ray Station – Constraints
Narrow sidewalks only w/ heavy traffic congestion and freeway noise on each side of I‐94
Sun Ray Station
Opportunities
Existing Station Area Plan
Sun Ray Station Area Plan Boundary
Advance adopted plan concepts
Sun Ray Station – Opportunities
White Bear Ave.
Suburban Ave.
Ruth St. N
McKnight Rd
White Bear Ave.
Wilson Ave.
Wilson Ave. Ruth St. N
TOD Zoning
Connections & Lighting Priorities
Wilson Ave.
Suburban Ave.
Advance Sun Ray Station Area Plan – Opportunity
Ruth St. N
Primary TOD Area
Opportunity Sites Potential future development or redevelopment
Sun Ray Station – Opportunities
Potential “Signature” Streets Wide sidewalks, landscaping and lighting provides an attractive pedestrian‐friendly setting for future development
Sun Ray Station – Opportunities
BRT & Bus Transfer Center
Consider consolidating the Sun Ray Transit Center and Sun Ray Station to improve transit access and visibility
Sun Ray Station – Opportunities
Employment Center Attract Potential 3M Customers and Residents
Sun Ray Station – Opportunities
Gold Line Corridor Trail Potential shared walking and biking trail
Sun Ray Station – Opportunities
Better Walk/Bike Connections Improved access to station and key destinations
Sun Ray Station – Opportunities
Opportunity Sites Potential future development or redevelopment
Employment Center Attract Potential 3M Customers and Residents
Better Walk/Bike Connections Improved access to station and key destinations
Gold Line Corridor Trail Potential shared walking and biking trail
BRT & Bus Transfer Center Potential “Signature” Streets Wide sidewalks, landscaping and lighting provides an attractive pedestrian‐friendly setting for future development
Consider consolidating the Sun Ray Transit Center and Sun Ray Station to improve transit access and visibility
Sun Ray Station – Opportunities
Next Steps
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BRTOD Plans Schedule St Paul Stations‐ 18 Month Process Phase 1‐
Issues/Concerns Identification
October (2017)
Phase 2‐
Preliminary Station Area Land Use & Circulation Alternatives
January (2018)
Phase 3‐
Identify Preferred Station Area Land Use & Circulation Alternatives
April (2018)
Phase 4‐
Review Draft BRTOD/Small Area Plan
June (2018)
PLAN ADOPTION
September (2018)
METRO
Gold Line BRTOD Plans
Sun Ray Station Constraints and Opportunities District 1‐ Community Council Land Use Committee Work Session October 02, 2017