Ensuring Equity, Inclusion, and Community Benefits around Denver’s Commuter Rail Stations

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Ensuring Equity, Inclusion, and Community Benefits around Denver’s Commuter Rail Stations Introduction

Case Studies

Methodology

Summary of Methods utilized

Collect data to create station area profiles using the U.S. Census, Longitudinal Employer-Household Dynamics, and city planning

In 2004, Denver area voters approved a sales tax increase to fund a series of transportation projects, commonly known as “FasTracks.” Most FasTracks funded projects are currently under construction. The first FasTracks funded project opened in May 2013.

Identify case studies using the National Transit 2013 Database. Results: Los Angeles, Phoenix, Seattle, and Minneapolis. Research to find relevant documents, organizations, and agencies related to the equitable implementation of each case study city’s rail line(s). Conduct interviews with key contributors and stakeholders to gather additional and in-depth informaton. Using the neighborhood profiles, case study documents and interviews, and cross-case analysis, make recommendations to ensure equity and inclusiveness for existing communities that will soon be transit-adjacent or transit-oriented.

Three commuter rail lines will open in 2016. One additional commuter rail line will open in 2018 Station area residents and businesses are generally excited about the new rail tranit. But there is concern around some station areas about if/how the current community fits into the new station area plans and related development.

Station Area Overview 1) Each station area is very unique, from income and racial composition to land use and urban form. 2) Generally, stations with the lowest incomes and highest concentration of people of color are those 1-2 stops away from downtown. 3) The Central Park Station is very different from its immediate neighbors, bringin previous redevelopment strategies into question. 4) Few station areas are walkable or accessible without a vehicle. First/Last Mile Connection strategies are needed.

northwest Line 6 miles

East Line 23 miles

gold Line 11 miles

Federal Bl.

Olde Town Arvada

NWSS

Phoenix

Trusted Advocate Model

Preservation of Affordable Housing

First/Last Mile Connections

Community-led Steering Committee

TOD Office within Transit Agency

Community Development Block Grant

Equity as main goal of Transit Agency Relationship with Community

Seattle

Los Angeles

Living Wages

Participatory Planning

Equitable TOD Amendments

Preservation of Affordable Housing

Community Empowerment

Community Empowerment

Jobs - Construction and General

Youth Outreach and Empowerment

Common Themes Community is Key - Find Innovative Ways of Outreach and Engagement

Station Area Findings

north Line 13 miles

Minneapolis

124th Ave.

40th & Colorado

Central Park

First/Last Mile Connections - More than transit, also public realm Preservation of Affordable Housing - Improve Quality of Life Jobs - Construction, Operation, and Related Development

Next Steps Cross Case Analysis - Explore common themes and trends more closely. Identify unique strategies. Further research case study methods. Have any municipalities in the Denver region utilized a Community Block Grant? Are there examples of first right of return? Unique and effective outreach? Identify best practices in the context of Denver FasTracks Commuter Rail station areas.

Gold and Northwest Lines 100%

100%

$140,000.00

90%

90% $120,000.00

80%

70%

$80,000.00 50%

$60,000.00

30% $40,000.00

Commute by Transit, Walking or Bicycling Low Vehicle Households

70%

$80,000.00 50%

40%

Renters

$40,000.00

Adults with Low Education Levels Median Income

$80,000.00 50%

40%

$60,000.00

30% $40,000.00

Commute by Transit, Walking or Bicycling Low Vehicle Households Renters Adults with Low Education Levels Median Income

20% $20,000.00

$20,000.00 $-

People of Color

60%

20%

10%

0%

Commute by Transit, Walking or Bicycling Low Vehicle Households

$60,000.00

30%

20% $20,000.00

$100,000.00

People of Color

60%

Renters Adults with Low Education Levels Median Income

Make Reccomendations

$120,000.00

$100,000.00

People of Color

60%

80%

$120,000.00

70%

$100,000.00

40%

$140,000.00

$140,000.00

90%

80%

East Line

North Line

100%

10%

10% 0%

0%

$-

$NWSS

72nd

88th

104th

112th

124th

th

40

&

Note for all Data: People of Color = Total Population minus those identifying as “White Alone” Low Vehicle Households = 1 or Less Vehicles per Household Adults with Low Education Levels = High School (or equivalent) or Less for population 25+

Zackary Wallace

Advisor: Evelyn Blumenberg Client: FRESC: Good Jobs, Strong Communities This research is partially funded through the generous support of the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs’ Dean’s Innovation Fund


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