St. Augustine Multimodal Transportation Center Study Expanding Mobility, Tourism, and Economic Development Public Workshop/Open House July 30 th, 2013
Tonight s Goals 1. Provide Project Overview & Deliverables 2. Review Site Selection Process (Suitability Analysis) 3. Review and Analyze Candidate Sites 4. Complete Open-Ended Feedback Survey regarding each site 5. Questions and Wrap Up
Contextual Framework Significant residential growth of County and region Previous Studies o o 2001 St. Augustine/St. Johns County Multi-Modal Transportation Center Study 2009-2010 Amtrak/FEC Corridor Project Possible restoration of Amtrak service on FEC line Commuter Rail Feasibility (~2022) All Aboard Florida (~2014) 450 th Commemoration Emphasis on collaborative regional efforts such as ULI Reality Check, RTSC, and North Florida Freight, Logistics & Intermodal Framework Plan
Study Area St. Augustine Urbanized Area (2010 Census) o Includes St. Augustine, St. Augustine Beach, Vilano Beach, Crescent Beach, St. Augustine Shores, St. Augustine South and associated centers and infrastructure o Consistent with previous studies (focused) o Greater regional multimodal opportunities
What are the Project Deliverables? Summary Report consisting of: o Best Practices/Case Studies o Objective analysis based on measurable criteria and community-based outcomes Data and analysis will validate suitable location o Optimal site(s) for new multimodal center/station triggered by new mode of travel (i.e. intercity/commuter rail transit) (Ideally suited location for when these modes come into St. Augustine area, not necessarily a build it and they will come) o Multimodal activities, facility requirements, conceptual layout and implementation strategies o Potential mixed use and joint development opportunities around center/station sites (TOD)
Stakeholder Working Group Range of backgrounds, expertise from government officials, economic development experts, community activists, rail historians, etc. Establish a reasonable framework for public decision-making (6 potential locations) Tasked with overseeing process to ensure highest caliber of objectivity, identifying and weighing site selection criteria, and parcel evaluations
What Is A Multimodal Center? A center/station that includes multiple modes of transportation into one location facilitating safe and convenient transfer among them
Why Build One? Foundation for greater integration of future regional transportation services/connectivity which reduce congestion and enhance quality of life (CONNECTIVITY) Leverage investment to support revitalization efforts and create synergies that lead to other future investments (ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT/TOURISM) The convergence of new locational/housing preferences, diverse household composition, declining automobile dependency (NEW MOBILITY CHOICES)
Economic and Tourism Development Every $1 spent on public transit projects generates on average $6 in local economic activity. (Source: American Public Transportation Association) Between 3,140 and 5,700 jobs are generally created for every $100 million invested in public transit. (Source: Cambridge Systematics, Inc.) Research shows that businesses realize a gain in sales of three times the public sector investment in transit; a $100 million transit investments results in a $300 million increase in business sales. (Source: Cambridge Systematics, Inc.)
Kenosha (WI) Trolley, 2 mile line; 69 acres Lake Michigan redevelopment Before: 2000 After: 2010 LYNX Charlotte: 9.6 miles; $1.87 billion in TOD along south corridor Before: 1998 After: 2010 Courtesy: MetroJacksonville.com
Decline in Driving Decline in driving and licensed drivers among Millenials Digital Revolution, Social Media, and Environmental Concerns
Millenials & Boomers Ideal Shift
Comments from 2010 FEC/Amtrak Study Station should reinforce The Nation s Oldest City & St Johns County as key tourist destination Ridership base also includes student population Year-round tourist activity warrants medium, staffed station Need to accommodate multi-modal activity (bus, trolley, car, bicycle/pedestrian, other) Station location should tie into future JTA commuter rail Location should allow riders to walk to some destinations Carrera site is closest point to historic downtown (King Street terminus) and may require lighted US1 interchange San Marco site is near northern end of historic district with existing FEC station Airport site is centrally located for County residents with plans for intermodal center Station should be as green as possible
Analysis Framework COMMUNITY o Population/Employment o Parcel Characteristics o Proximity to Destinations & Downtown (Tourism/Activity Centers) MOBILITY o Accessibility/Roadway Connectivity o Connectivity with other Existing Transportation (Rail, Transit & Air Service) o Bike/Pedestrian Access ENVIRONMENT o Environmental Constraints (Wetlands)
Criteria Weighting/Scoring Criteria (Community/Mobility/Environment) Quantitative/Spatial-Based Ranking of Candidate Zones Population/Employment Negative Neutral Positive Weighting Average Score 1,3,5 Zone is in remote location relative to population and employment Zone is proximate to Zone of dense population and employment Zone is within an dense Zone of population and employment 3.5 Comments -Tourism use brings in more money than local -Serve the greatest number of people -Consider future employment centers Ease of Access & Circulation Connectivity with other Existing Transportation Services (Bus/Air/Trolley) Bicycle/Pedestrian Accessibility Proximity to Destinations (Tourism/Activity Centers) Zone is in remote location that is distant from major roadway facilities and dense street network to promote adequate access and circulation Zone that is further than ½ mile from transit route and/or other modes of existing transportation Zone with no bicycle or pedestrian access Zone that is considerably distant (beyond 1 mile) from major tourism, shopping and commerce centers Parcel Size, Use and Availability Parcel(s) that are smaller than 35,000 square feet in total may be difficult to provide all of the multimodal facility requirements within the space. In addition, parcel(s) is currently in private ownership and generally residential in nature Zone is located either along major corridors or proximate to dense street network, but not both Zone that is between ½ mile and ¼ mile of transit route and/or other modes of existing transportation services Zone with pedestrian and bicycle access, but more than ½ mile to other activities Zone that is between 1 mile and ½ mile from major tourism, shopping and commerce centers Parcel(s) between 35,000 and 45,000 square feet could accommodate many of the multimodal facility requirements but may need more design to do so. In addition, parcel(s) is currently in private ownership, vacant and/or non-residential in nature Zone is located within major roadway facilities, dense street network and manageable parcel shapes to promote adequate access and circulation Zone within ¼ mile (the typical walking distance for transit) of transit route and/or other modes of existing transportation services Zone with good pedestrian and bicycle access and close (within ½ to ¼) to other activities Zone that is proximate to (within ½ mile of) major tourism, shopping and commerce centers Parcel(s) larger than 45,000 square feet can more easily fulfill the multimodal facility requirements and offer the potential for joint development agreements. In addition, parcel(s) is owned entirely by a public entity and generally vacant and/or non-residential in nature 4.8 -Look at future development that could occur around center -Should include funded projects -Parking is major consideration -Promotes ease of customer use 4.6 -Proximity to existing rail very important -Paramount -City vision=local interface; National/Airport Vision=Not so focused on local modes -Important but possible to create that connection -Rail access and consider connectivity to all lines, including Wilbur Wright Industrial Lead -Emphasis as a rail transit hub (esp with future commuter rail) 3.2 -Willing to trade walkable proximity for accessibility via trolley train, bus, car -Peds/Bikes important, but can be managed with other modal connectivity -Nice but not top priority -Less expensive to create this access -Easiest to improve in future 4.3 3.6 -Key to this transportation center; bringing money into community, as tourism is largest and fastest growing sector -A must to accomplish goal of being multimodal -Local transportation can get you to ultimate destination, more beneficial to not be in the heart of the center -Parcels should be public or private -Fewer parcels should rank higher than more parcels -Minimum and maximum limits and affordability -Single ownership to ease negotiations -Consider future expansion and TOD planning and private investment -Private business development; wholesale markets
Suitability Analysis CommunityViz Site Suitability Analysis o Process of determining which locations are best suited for certain uses Grid cells as suitability layer containing specific criteria Dynamically modify weighting of each and see results
Process Illustration
Process Illustration Suitability Scoring 0-100 Analysis Reveal ½ Mile Hot Spot Zones based on 75 or better scoring
Process Illustration Cluster Analysis of the Hot Spot Zones
Airport Zone Hot Spot Zones further broken down into ¼ mile grids and filtered with criteria to focus on parcels Fullerwood Zone Uptown Zone West Augustine Zone Downtown Zone
Parcel Evaluation Parcels within the resulting ¼ mile grid cells further evaluated against the following criteria: o Adjacent to existing rail infrastructure o Connectivity with existing roadway infrastructure o Size at least 1 acre o Vacant/Underutilized property o Single Ownership o Minimal environmental impacts (wetlands) o Minimum Rail station design considerations for St. Augustine Context
Size Station Guidelines Heated Sq Feet Platform Length Minimum Annual Ridership Design & Service Features <1 Acre <1,000 700 10,000 Platform/Canopy/Signage/E Ticket Booth 1-5 Acres 5-10 Acres 2,500-5,000 700-1000 50,000 Platform/Canopy/Vehicle Access and Wayfinding/Ticketing/Baggag e/passenger Information/Security ~10,000 1000 400,000 All the Above/Rental Cars/Major Parking Requirements For Intercity rail, assumes a medium staffed station, with minimum 50K in annual ridership (50-150 peak hour passengers) and $500K in annual revenue
Rail Platform Rail Station Bus Drop-off Adjacent Parcel Development Opportunities Patron Parking Development Site Components Rail Platform can extend beyond site boundaries (RR R/W) Patron and Employee Parking (On or Off-site) Multi-modal aspects include Bus, Bike/Ped, Kiss & Ride Complementary Uses on Adjacent Parcels
Florida Station Examples Ft. Lauderdale 56,913 Passengers (2012) Kissimmee 48,521 Passengers (2012) Hollywood 38,805 Passengers (2012)
Identified Parcels within Zones
4.9 ac of ROW Zoned OR Existing bus transit connectivity within vicinity No hotels/activity centers within ¼ mi Site previously examined in 2001 and 2010 Site 1: Northeast Florida Regional Airport
7.2 ac/fec owned site 4000 sf existing bldg Zoned Commercial Along existing bus transit and bike facility Several shopping/activity centers, neighborhoods within ¼ mile Site previously examined in 2010 Amtrak/FEC Project Site 2: US 1/San Marco FEC Parcel
1.5 ac vacant Fountain of Youth parcel Zoned Commercial Along existing bus transit and bike facility Several shopping/activity centers, neighborhoods within ¼ mile Approx 520 hotel rooms within ¼ mile Site 3: US 1/Old Mission Avenue Parcel
2 acres of vacant FEC owned property Zoned Open Land Along existing bus transit and bike facility, walkable to historic district Several shopping/activity centers, neighborhoods within ¼ mile Site previously examined in 2010 Amtrak/FEC Corridor Project Site 4: Downtown US 1/Carrera St. Parcel
Site 5: West Augustine Depot Street Parcel 3.1 acre vacant site owned by Broudy s Zoned I/W Along existing bus transit and bike facility, walkable to historic district (7 hotel rooms) Access via Depot St. Several vacant / underutilized parcels West Augustine CRA
Site 6: West Augustine Spur Parcel 3.1 acre vacant Countyowned site Zoned Res No existing bus transit service/bicycle facilities Several vacant / underutilized parcels West Augustine CRA Goals
Be Bold, Think BIG
Next Steps Synthesize comments and develop final recommendations and conceptual plan Final Stakeholder Working Group Meeting and Final Feasibility Report The desire to go to through a place must be balanced with the desire to go to a place.