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
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Great Townhomes
Townhomes
Apartments Great Rental Apartments
Parks and Open Space
Fundamentals – Ideal TOD Station Neighborhood Station Hub
45
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
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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
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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
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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