Gold Line BRTOD Phase 1 helmo station opps & cons nbhd mtg 20171003 web

METRO

Gold Line BRTOD Plans

Helmo Station Constraints and Opportunities

Neighborhood Meeting October 03, 2017

Agenda Presentation

 Project Overview  Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and Bus Rapid Transit Oriented Development (BRTOD) Fundamentals  Helmo Station Area – Background & Constraints/Opportunities

Helmo Station Area – Response Sheet & Table Discussion Next Steps

BRT 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

BRT Alignment and Stations—Preliminary Engineering

Gold Line BRT— Draft Environmental Assessment Plan (2016)

5

Gold Line BRT– Neighborhood Meetings (2016)

6

Helmo Station Community Objectives (Draft)        

Maintain and enhance open space and trails Preserve existing neighborhoods and quality of life Reduce parking impacts to residents Manage traffic and congestion Create a safe station environment Ensure safe walking and biking Promote compatible development Minimize vehicle noise and pollution impacts 7

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

8

Bus Rapid Transit Project Engineering (Guideway and Station design) led by:

Metro Transit

I-494

I-94

METRO Gold Line BRT Project

Bus Rapid Transit Project Engineering (Guideway and Station design) led by:

Metro Transit

I-494

I-94

Bus Rapid Transit Oriented Development Plans (1/2 mile of the stations)

Partner Cities, & Washington/Ramsey Counties

METRO Gold Line BRT Project

BRTOD Project Overview

BRTOD Project Funding Gateway Corridor Commission  TOD planning grant from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA)

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ST PAUL (5 Stations)

RAMSEY COUNTY

I-494

Downtown St Paul

McKnight Rd. N

I-94

Gateway Corridor – 10 Stations, 5 Cities, 2 Counties

MAPLEWOOD (1 Station)

I-494

Century Ave. N

McKnight Rd. N

I-94

RAMSEY COUNTY

Gateway Corridor – 10 Stations, 5 Cities, 2 Counties

I-694

LANDFALL & OAKDALE (2 Stations)

I-494

Century Ave. N

I-94

WASHINGTON COUNTY

Gateway Corridor – 10 Stations, 5 Cities, 2 Counties

I-494

Bielenberg Dr.

I-94

WOODBURY (2 Stations)

WASHINGTON COUNTY

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)

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Helmo Station Area Planning

I-494

I-94

Gateway Corridor – Helmo Station Area Planning

I-694.

Oak Marsh Golf Course

4th St.

3rd St.

I-94.

Station Neighborhood ¼ Mile Radius

Helmo Station Area

Station Planning Area ½ Mile Radius

Oak Marsh Golf Course

4th St.

3rd St.

I-94.

Helmo Station Area

Interim Moratorium Properties

City Council establishes a moratorium on all development (no new building construction or expansion) until completion of a study to address the types of development and land uses that are appropriate near the proposed Helmo Station.

Study competition date is June 2018

Helmo Station

 Orenco Station—Hillsboro, Oregon Helmo Station Area

– Interim Moratorium Properties

Oaks Business Park Current PUD: Office and Warehouse Uses Moratorium Boundary

Class A Office75,000 SF

Build to Suit 34,000 SF

Flex Office135,000 SF

Multi-Story Office290,000 SF

Crossroads Properties Preliminary Office Concept

Helmo BRT Station –Land Use

Moratorium Boundary

Class A Office75,000 SF

Build to Suit 34,000 SF

Flex Office135,000 SF

Multi-Story Office290,000 SF

Helmo BRT Station –Land Use

Helmo Station Planning Process 14 months Stakeholder Engagement

Phase

1

2

3

4

p la ns a d o p tio n

June 2018

Purpose

Identify Opportunities Issues, & Concerns

Goal

Establish Specific Station Area Goals

Review Preliminary Land Use and Circulation Alternatives

Identify Alternatives for Further Refinement

Review Preferred Alternative

Identify Preferred Alternative Refinements

Review Draft BRTOD Plans

Finalize BRTOD Plans & Implementation Strategies

BRTOD/ Small Area Plans Adoption

Helmo Station Area Planning

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 Mixed Traffic

Higher TOD Potential Exclusive Guideway

BRT Characteristics—TOD Potential

Lower TOD Potential Mixed Traffic

Higher TOD Potential Exclusive Guideway

Helmo Station Area Planning

BRTOD 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

41

Great Townhomes

Townhomes

Apartments Great Rental Apartments

Parks and Open Space

Fundamentals – Ideal TOD  Station Neighborhood  Station Hub

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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

Helmo Station Area Planning

Beyond BRTOD

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

Helmo Station Area Planning

Constraints & Opportunities

Low Development Potential

Planned park and ride lot, BRT bus route, and existing ponds offer little development potential at the station

Helmo Station— Constraints

Single Use Office/Warehouse

Limited market for current & planned uses, generates few transit riders & provides no ‘daily needs’ goods or services within walking or biking Distance to residents

Helmo Station— Constraints

Limited Market for Additional Office/Warehouse

Existing Single Use Office/Warehouse

58

Development & Circulation Barrier

Helmo bridge limits access between adjacent parcels and does not allow Hudson Road to continue east to Ideal Ave.

Helmo Station— Constraints

I-94/MN 694 Barrier

Limited access to station from south and west of freeway

Helmo Station— Constraints

Poor Station Access

Freeway barrier and no sidewalks or safe bicycling on existing streets

Poor Station Access

No sidewalks or safe bicycling on surrounding streets

Helmo Station— Constraints

Existing Hudson Road

4th Street Bridge

Poor Station Access

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Sensitive Areas and Utilities Numerous wetlands, ponds and major utilities

Helmo Station— Constraints

Poor Station Access

Freeway barrier and no sidewalks or safe bicycling on existing streets

Low Development Potential

Planned park and ride lot, BRT bus route, and existing ponds offer little development potential at the station

Sensitive Areas and Utilities Numerous wetlands, ponds and major utilities

Single Use Office/Warehouse

Limited market for current & planned uses, generates few transit riders & provides no ‘daily needs’ goods or services within walking or biking Distance to residents

Poor Station Access

No sidewalks or safe bicycling on surrounding streets

I-94/MN 694 Barrier

Limited access to station from south and west of freeway

Development & Circulation Barrier

Helmo bridge limits access between adjacent parcels and does not allow Hudson Road to continue east to Ideal Ave.

Helmo Station— Constraints

Helmo Station— Opportunities

Relocate Station

Greater potential for future development surrounding the station

Helmo Station— Opportunities

Better Walk/Bike Connections

Improved access to station and area destinations

Helmo Station— Opportunities

Safe, Direct, and Convenient

Pedestrian Routes Example

Off-Street Trail

Bicycle Routes—Busy Streets Example

69

Buffered Bike Lane

Bicycle Routes—Lower Traffic Volume Streets Example

70

Mixed Traffic Lanes

Bicycle Routes—Low Traffic Volume Streets Example

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Opportunity Sites

Potential future housing, commercial and employment uses

Helmo Station— Opportunities

Gold Line Corridor Trail

Potential options for shared walking/biking trail, connected to current/planned walking and bicycle routes

Helmo Station— Opportunities

12’ Minimum Trail

Gold Line Trail Example

74

Separate Bicycle and Pedestrian Facility (option)

Gold Line Trail Example

75

Potential “Signature” Streets

Consider wide sidewalks, landscaping and lighting provides an attractive pedestrian-friendly setting for future development

Helmo Station— Opportunities

Potential Signature Street

Wide Sidewalks Landscaping and Lighting

Potential Signature Street

Enhanced Crossing Pedestrian and bike improvements to 4th Street bridge

Helmo Station— Opportunities

Potential Bicycle and Pedestrian Crossing

4th Street Bridge Crossing

80

Enhanced Crossing

Relocate Station

Pedestrian and bike improvements to 4th Street bridge

Greater potential for future development surrounding the station

Potential “Signature� Streets Wide sidewalks, landscaping and lighting provides an attractive pedestrian-friendly setting for future development

Gold Line Corridor Trail

Better Walk/Bike Connections

Potential options for shared walking/biking trail, connected to current/planned walking and bicycle routes

Opportunity Sites

Potential future housing, commercial and employment uses

Helmo Station— Opportunities

Improved access to station and area destinations

Helmo Station Area Planning

Station Location Refinements

Station Location A

Station Platform

Moratorium Boundary

Base Case (Environmental Assessment) Station Platform Park & Ride

Helmo BRT Station Location Options

Station Location A

Station Location B 4th St. N Dev. Site

Station Platform

Moratorium Boundary

Base Case (Environmental Assessment)

Moratorium Boundary

Rerouted Guideway + Relocated Station

Station Platform Park & Ride

Helmo BRT Station Location Options

Station Location A

Station Location B

Station Location C 4th St. N

4th St. N Dev. Site

Dev. Site

Station Platform

Moratorium Boundary

Base Case (Environmental Assessment)

Moratorium Boundary

Moratorium Boundary

Rerouted Guideway + Relocated Station

Rerouted Guideway + Relocated Station

Station Platform Park & Ride

Helmo BRT Station Location Options

Helmo Station Response Sheet

Response Sheet– Response Sheet Preferred Development Scenario

Station – Constraints Preferred Helmo Development Scenario – Response Sheet

Helmo StationScenario – Opportunities Preferred Development – Response Sheet

Helmo Station Next Steps

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BRTOD Plans Schedule Helmo Station- 14 Month Process October (2017) October 23 (2017)

Phase 1-

Issues/Concerns Identification

Phase 2-

Preliminary Station Area Land Use & Circulation Alternatives

Phase 3-

Identify Preferred Station Area Land Use & Circulation Alternatives

January (2018)

Phase 4-

Review Draft BRTOD/Small Area Plan

April (2018)

PLAN ADOPTION

June (2018)

For Project Information: www.TheGatewayCorridor.com www.ci.oakdale.mn.us/459/Gateway-Corridor-Gold-Line-BRT

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METRO

Gold Line BRTOD Plans

Helmo Station Constraints and Opportunities

Neighborhood Meeting October 03, 2017