20190215 Gold Line Phase 4 Etna Street Overview

Overview: Phase 4 Bus Rapid Transit-Oriented Development Plan, Etna Street Station This overview explains how to get more involved and provides information on the Phase 4 BRTOD Plan that addresses: •

• •

Connectivity: Improve walk and bike access to the station for transit-dependent residents, neighborhoods south of I-94, and to destinations such as Harding High School Safety: Improve visibility and activity at the Etna Street BRT station Jobs: Opportunities for new employment and community services

Etna Street Station BRTOD Plan The BRTOD Plan: • Provides policy, regulatory, and implementation guidance for the City of Saint Paul’s Station Area Plans and Dayton’s Bluff District 4 Plan • Clarifies and provides additional detail for the vision, circulation, and development plans identified in the City’s adopted Station Area Plans and Dayton’s Bluff District 4 Plan

Get Involved Learn more about the issues and questions for this station and provide your feedback! Go to www.thegatewaycorridor.com/station-area-planning/, select this station, and then the online engagement link. The survey is open now through February 25, 2019.

Learn more: • Gold Line BRTOD information: www.TheGatewayCorridor.com or GoldLinePartners@gmail.com • Questions? The City of Saint Paul will be the main point of contact for Saint Paul residents and businesses for all Saint Paul Gold Line stations. Contact City Planner Bill Dermody, 651-266-6617, bill.dermody@ci.stpaul.mn.us.

Website: TheGatewayCorridor.com  Email: GoldLinePartners@gmail.com

Page 1

Etna Street “Employment” Station Station “typologies” reflect the complementary role between stations along the corridor and inform the type and intensity of transit-oriented development that should be emphasized in each station’s development plan.

Station typologies respond to station-specific conditions, community desires, and adopted policies and plans while being consistent with best practices for transit-oriented development. Assigning a station typology to each station area considers site conditions, market conditions, and demographics.

Based on these factors, the 10 stations along the corridor were assigned one of four types: • • • •

Neighborhood: Established residential areas with fewer opportunities for transit-oriented infill or development Mixed-use neighborhood: Established residential areas with fewer opportunities for transit-oriented infill or development Employment: Established employment centers that provide family-wage jobs and high transit ridership opportunities Commerce: Established commercial centers that serve both the corridor and region

Etna Street is an “employment” station, and provides the following: • • •

Jobs: A concentration of employment, workforce training, and services takes advantage of strong regional access at the crossroads of the Gold Line BRT, I-94, and Highway 61 to establish an employment hub serving the station area community and the region.

Connectivity: Station access routes serve higher-density residential and transit-dependent neighborhoods west of the station, and connect the station to the Corridor Trail and neighborhoods south of I-94 and to destinations north of the station such as Harding High School.

Safety: An active station environment is provided with redevelopment of excess MnDOT right-of-way to include a station plaza and park amenity for a mix of employment, education, services, and street-oriented commercial uses.

Website: TheGatewayCorridor.com  Email: GoldLinePartners@gmail.com

Page 2

Station Location and Guideway Design Refinements (September 2018) At the Etna Street Station, the proposed BRT bus route is to be located between Wilson Avenue and I-94 and will include BRT-only bridges over Johnson Parkway and Etna Street/Highway 61.

The station platforms are located south of Wilson Avenue between the Clarence Street cul-de-sac and Etna Street. The BRT project will construct station access improvements including the following: • • • •

Filling gaps in sidewalks along Etna Street and Wilson Avenue Adding a 10-foot trail along the east and west sides of Highway 61 between Wilson Avenue and Burns Avenue (south of I-94) Providing crosswalks at the Etna Street and Wilson Avenue intersection Ensuring universal access to the station with a ramp from Etna Street to the station

Website: TheGatewayCorridor.com  Email: GoldLinePartners@gmail.com

Page 3

Phase 4 Circulation Plan The circulation plan includes the following: •

Within 1/4 mile of the station, walk and bike improvements ensure safe and direct access between the station and the adjacent neighborhood

•

Within 1/2 mile of the station, walk and bike improvements connect the station to Harding High School and neighborhoods south of I-94

Corridor walk and bike trail (Highway 61 and Burns Avenue)

B

B B

Station Access Route Collector Trail City-designated existing and planned walk and bike routes

A

A North

Website: TheGatewayCorridor.com  Email: GoldLinePartners@gmail.com

Page 4

Corridor Trail – Burns Avenue (A on the map on page 4): An off-street shared walk and bike trail on the south side of the street links the Johnson Parkway Regional Trail, the Etna Street Station Corridor Trail loop along Highway 61, and shopping destinations along Suburban Avenue.

Corridor Trail – Highway 61 (A on the map on page 4): The Gold Line BRT project includes a 10-foot trail and a 6-foot landscaped boulevard along the east and west sides of Highway 61 (Etna Street) from the Wilson Avenue/Etna Street intersection to Burns Avenue. The route will incorporate a 10-foot trail bridge over the eastbound I-94 exit ramp. These trail improvements connect the station to the Corridor Trail on Burns Avenue.

Website: TheGatewayCorridor.com  Email: GoldLinePartners@gmail.com

Page 5

Station Access Route – Etna Street (B on the map on page 4): Two-way protected bike lanes on the west side of the street link Third Street to the Highway 61 Corridor Trail loop and the Wilson Avenue station access route. Wide roadway travel lanes should be narrowed to accommodate bike lanes, plus a curb buffer and filled-in sidewalk gaps from Third Street to Wilson Avenue.

Station Access Route – Third Street (B on the map on page 4): Two-way protected bike lanes on the north side of the street extend from the Johnson Parkway Regional Trail to Harding High School, St. Pascal School, Nokomis Magnet School, the McKnight Road trail, and the Conway Park and Recreation Center. Wide roadway travel lanes should be narrowed to accommodate bike lanes and a curb buffer. No changes are made to the existing sidewalks and landscaped boulevard except in areas requiring repairs or infill of gaps in sidewalks. Driveway access is maintained for all residences.

Website: TheGatewayCorridor.com  Email: GoldLinePartners@gmail.com

Page 6

Existing and planned walk and bike routes: The City’s Bicycle Plan identifies planned improvements on Margaret Street, Hazelwood Street, Wilson Avenue, Old Hudson Road, and the Johnson Parkway trail (planned Grand Round project to include new trail and sidewalks).

North

Website: TheGatewayCorridor.com ď ľ Email: GoldLinePartners@gmail.com

Page 7

Phase 4 Development Plan The Etna Street Station development concept provides a snapshot of short-term development on excess MnDOT land adjacent to the station area and a long-term employment site plan for the Metro 94 Business Park site based on the adopted station area zoning.

Near-term: • New multi-story employment, job training, and services center. Ground-floor retail can be integrated on the Etna Street side and plaza side of the of the building, with an office lobby, café, or other active use.

A station park serves as an amenity for new development, a focus for activity at the station, and an opportunity for a below-grade stormwater detention vault.

•

North

Long-term: • An employment district with multi-story employment buildings surrounding a central park •

A new street grid (Clarence Street extension and new street) with enhanced opportunities to walk and bike to neighborhood uses, and safe and direct access to the Etna station.

•

Street-oriented commercial including retail and services within the ground floor of the buildings is supported by employees, drive-by traffic on Etna Street, and adjacent residents.

Website: TheGatewayCorridor.com  Email: GoldLinePartners@gmail.com

Page 8