DART s Role in Transit - Oriented Development Jack Wierzenski,, Director Economic Development & Planning Dallas Area Rapid Transit
The DART System Established in 1983 13 Member Cities Local Funding: $.01 sales tax $333.3 m (FY 04) Current Population Approx. 3.1 million
The Road to Success 1983-1996: 1996: Perceptions No one would use it Too hot, too cold, too rainy Too far to walk; can t get Texans out of their cars Only used by those People Nobody will build at a station NIMBY
The DART System
Bus/Paratransit Services Serves 700 square miles 130 Bus Routes Flexible Local Express Crosstown Feeder Innovative On Call E Shuttle Site Shuttle Paratransit Carries 38.4 million passengers annually
High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) Travel time savings to carpools, buses, van pools 31 freeway miles Average travel savings time: 12-17 17 minutes Commuter trips: 35 million miles
Light Rail Provides service within busiest corridors 45 miles Approximately 49 additional miles by 2012 Benefits Service reliability Time savings Economic Development 16.5 million passenger trips annually
Commuter Rail Longer distance commuter trips 35 miles Serves areas between Dallas and Fort Worth 2.2 million passenger trips
General Mobility ITS (Intelligent Transportation Systems) TSM (Transportation System Management) TDM (Transportation Demand Management) LAP (Local Assistance Program)
On the Horizon Streetcars McKinney Avenue Trolley Authority Portland-style Streetcar DART s Role??
Why DART Is Involved In Economic Development Mission Statement: To build and operate a safe, efficient and effective transportation system that, within the DART Service Area, provides mobility, improves the quality of life and stimulates economic development.
Development Tools
The Players The Transit Authority The City The Developer Developer City DART
DART s Role Lead the way in early stages of LRT Incorporate TOD objectives into Planning Transit Land Use Transportation: Auto/Pedestrian Identify a Funding Source for Added Amenities Sponsor Grant proposals Proposed TOD Implementation Program Other Opportunities
DART s Philosophy Each station is unique development is specific to site Any unsolicited interaction with developers is critical & encouraged Think outside the box - different approaches to integrating development Station Area Development is not a function of Real Estate
Internal Processes Support from Board of Directors & President/Executive Director One point of contact for Development Issues Minimizes confusion Ensures continuity Internal Department Roles
Internal Challenges Working against how things are always done Perceptions of sacrificing operations for development Integrating new ideas into tried and true design features Priority
External Coordination & Interagency Education Communication with Developer
The City Objectives Attract economic development Plan for Transit Oriented Development Transit Authority/City Relationship Establish development process Establish & maintain communication City, DART, Developer Coordinate land use goals with transportation goals Zoning/development approvals Funding TIF Districts PID Grant Sources-NCTCOG
Objectives Make profit Minimize risk Long term value The Developer Transit Authority - Developer Relationship Refine the development vision/educate Coordinate transit objectives with investment goals
Developers Learned Start land planning early: Easier to influence design & engineering decisions Destinations attract choice riders Interchange between stations Rents are higher
Initial Lessons People really WILL ride it Texans can and WILL walk; you can get them out of their pick-ups Rail is convenient, dependable & safe Rail is entertainment We are These People
1997 Galatyn Park Mockingbird Station Downtown Plano
2000 Urban Infill The Phoenix Apartments Adam s Mark Hotel
2001 Urban Infill Mockingbird Station South Side on Lamar
2002 Suburban Development Galatyn Park Downtown Plano
Bush Turnpike
Commuter Rail Downtown Irving Station Area Plan
Commuter Rail-Fort Worth Intermodal Transportation Center Texas & Pacific Station
Commuter Rail-Dallas
Next Extension-2008 2008-20122012 NW Dallas/FB/Carrollton 18 miles 14 stations SE Dallas 12 miles 8 stations Irving 12 miles 6+ stations Rowlett 4.5 miles 1 station Land Use Planning: 2001 Irving 1999 Farmers Branch 2002 Carrollton
Measures Of Success
Question: Measures of Success In your opinion, is DART worth the 1 percent sales tax you pay? Total Riders Non-Riders Yes 81% 92% 77% No 16% 3% 21% Don t Know 3% 3% 2%
System Growth 70 60 50 Riders Miles Stations 40 30 Note: Riders In Thousands 20 10 0 1996 1997 2001 2003
Impact of Development Many felt that Dallas area residents would not ride light rail After Starter System opened: Development around stations began to appear Currently at an investment of $1.1 billion Rail cited for specific developments
Economic Studies Two Studies 1999: Initial Impacts of LRT 2003: LRT Effects on Taxable Property 1999: Found a 25% increase in values 2003: Residential included Office: 24.5% Residential: 32.1% Retail: 28.3%
Summary Get organized to cultivate TOD relationships Internally Cities Developers Look for Development Opportunities System Plan level Project Development level After the fact All Plays have different objectives Sometimes objectives can be complementary Maximize the potential for win-win win solutions
For More Information www.dart.org/developmentdocs.asp for access to this Powerpoint presentation Jack Wierzenski,, Director Economic Development & Planning Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) 1401 Pacific Avenue Dallas, TX 75266 214-749 749-2881 Wierzens@DART.org