Go SoNo! Equitable Transit Oriented Development for South Norwalk, CT A Presentation to the Norwalk Common Council by Vision Setters, Inc. on behalf of the Go SoNo! Community Coalition December 11th, 2008
The Go SoNo! Community Coalition
Mission
Advocate for the betterment of South Norwalk
Membership
Community Leaders and Representatives NEON (Norwalk Economic Opportunity Now, Inc.) SoNo Alliance Coalition of Norwalk Neighborhoods Association South Norwalk Library Columbus Magnet School Side by Side Community School St. Joseph’s Church Canaan Baptist Church
South Norwalk’s Transformation
Past Major Investments
Washington Street Weed & Seed Maritime Aquarium Police Station
Current Focus
Intermmodal Facility Transit Oriented Development
The Transformation Isn’t Over New Focus Past Focus - Crime Prevention - Regional Attraction
- Community development not place development - Amenities for residents not tourists - Sustainable growth not status quo - Cohesive neighborhoods not arbitrary boundaries
The SoNo Rail Study
Stated Goal: Establish the station as a fully integrated intermodal transportation facility Purpose:
Safety Capacity Multi-modal accessibility
Recommended Actions:
Segregation of services for better circulation and safety Integration of physical and schedule service connections between providers New shuttle services Additional parking structure Station amenities (retail, restrooms)
The SoNo TOD Market Study
Stated Goals: Create a compact walkable community centered around a high quality intermodal system Purpose
Critical mass , 24/7 activity SoNo Revitalization (Washington Street as nexus) Increased Transit Ridership Revenue Subsidization for the City
Recommended Actions
Phase 1
200 affordable and market-rate multifamily units targeted at empty nesters and young processionals 43,000 sq’ retail targeted at transit riders, and local residents and workers Limited office, tourism gateway, green space
Phase 2
Additional 200 units of housing 20-30,000 sq’ retail on Monroe and South Main Green park space and community space
SoNo Residents:
Bus - 6.63% Rail - 2.70% Walk/Bike - 5.92%
Norwalk Residents:
Bus - 3.05% Rail - 4.81% Walk/Bike - 2.94%
Data Source: CTPP 2000, map created by Leah Flax
Data Source: CTPP 2000, map created by Leah Flax
Existing Residents are Part of the Transportation Solution Town of Norwalk, CT pop: 82,951
South Norwalk, Station Area Alone (1/2mile R) pop: 9,683 (11.7%)
Zero Vehicle Households
8.7%
20.7%
Commute via Public Transportation
8.5%
11.6%
Drove Alone to Work
74.2%
59.5%
Carpooled to Work
10.9%
19.4%
Single Detached Homes
49.4%
15.6%
Data Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, 2000 Census of Population and Housing.
Residents are at Risk of Displacement Town of Norwalk, CT pop: 82,951
South Norwalk, Station Area Alone (1/2mile R) pop: 9,683 (11.7%)
In Poverty
6.7%
12.8%
Non-white
26.1%
51.1%
Hispanic
15.6%
33.6%
Non-citizen
11.5%
21.9%
Attained Bachelors Degree or Higher
57.7%
40.3%
Renter Occupied
36.8%
66.4%
Data Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, 2000 Census of Population and Housing.
Making SoNo an Equitable TOD Principles Ensure community benefit Maintain affordability Provide for all modes Improve environmental equality
Actions Take preservation actions quickly before markets respond to planned developments Create a state model for equitable TOD Incorporate Equitable TOD in Norwalk’s master plan and in long-range transportation planning Use available funding sources to increase the number of affordable units
(HOME Investment Partnership Program, Gap financing, Community Development Block Grants, Urban Act Program, Connecticut Main Street)
Sources Susan Olivier - The Williams Group, telephone interview, December 2008 Louis Schulman - Norwalk Transit District, in-person and telephone interviews, November and December 2008 Susan Sherwood - Wendel Duchscherer, telephone interview, November 2008 “Somerville Equitable Transit-Oriented Development Strategy,” Reconnecting America, May 2008 David Aimen - The Louis Berger Group, in person interview, November and December 2008 “Preserving and Promoting Diverse Transit-Oriented Neighborhoods,” Center for Transit Oriented Development, October 2006 “Building the Line to Equity: Six Steps for Achieving Equitable Transit Oriented Development in Massachusetts,” Policy Link, August 2006 “Fruitvale Transit Village Project,” Environmental Justice Case Studies, Federal Highway Administration, 2001 “Equitable Development Toolkit,” “Mobility Partner: Transit-Oriented Communities,”
Taking the Next Step Turn Transit Oriented Development into Community Oriented Development
Reflect the diversity of Norwalk Affordable-mixed-income housing Develop a community with staying power Add services for residents
Improve safety Place value on community organizations Connect more people to more places Secondary bus hub Better bicycle, pedestrian, and transit facilities Additional parking Traffic improvements
Major grocery store Day care & after school facilities
Potential for Transformation: - Need for Revitalization - Market Leakage - Spatial Mismatch
Existing Assets: - Frequent Train Service - Walkable Street Grid - Relative Affordability - Regional Attractions *Existing Residents*