Restoration of Historic Streetcar Service in Downtown Los Angeles Environmental Scoping Meeting January 23, 2013
Agenda 1. Welcome 2. Purpose of Scoping Meeting 3. Project Background and Description 4. EIR/EA Process 5. Public Comment
Organizational Chart City of Los Angeles Department of Public Works Bureau of Engineering Department of Transportation Federal Transit Administration CEQA Local Lead Agency NEPA Co-Lead Agency NEPA Co-Lead Agency Los Angeles Streetcar, Inc. Metro City Consultant for Financing and Operations Contractor to City Consultant Team Contractor to Metro
Purpose of Scoping Meeting Provide notice on preparation of EIR/EA (Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Assessment) Request public comment on the scope and content of the EIR/EA
Planning Process Alternatives Analysis Locally Preferred Alternative Environmental Documentation (EIR/EA) Advanced Conceptual Engineering We are here Preliminary Engineering and Final Design
Project Background June 2006 Red Car Trolley Feasibility Study Community Redevelopment Agency [CRA]) 2008-09 Community Workshops & Stakeholder Meetings (CRA, Bringing Back Broadway, LA Streetcar Inc.) Jan 2012 Feb 2012 July 2012 Dec 2012 Alternatives Analysis Completed (Metro) Locally Preferred Alternative Adopted (LA City Council) Community Facilities District Formed and Election Date Set (LA City Council) CFD Special Tax Approved (Voters)
What is a Streetcar? Fixed-guideway rail system with overhead wires Operates in mixed traffic (does not require dedicated lane) Can be articulated for tight turns Compatible with on-street parking Shares stops with buses Can be low floor with multiple doors Bicycles accommodated on board Capacity of approximately 100 passengers per vehicle
Objectives Enhance Mobility and Transit Circulation in Downtown Connect major districts, destinations, and activity centers Improve transit coverage & circulation Provide simple, localized, high frequency service Alleviate traffic & reduce parking demand Serve transit-dependent populations Improve transit accessibility Support the Growth and Revitalization of Downtown Revitalize geographically isolated, economically depressed areas Support smart, sustainable growth Foster a more livable Downtown Encourage historic restoration and transit-oriented development Strengthen Downtown s economic competitiveness
EIR/EA Analysis of 2 Build Characteristics of both Build Alternatives to be analyzed in EIR/EA 3.8 miles round trip, single-track Alternatives 1. Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) 2. 9th Street Alternative Stops are similar to bus stops, 70 to 120 feet long, generally every block northsouth, every other block east-west 3 vehicle maintenance and storage facility locations considered;1 location ultimately selected 6 to 8 traction power substation locations along route considered; 5 or 6 ultimately selected
Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA)
th 9 Street Alternative
EIR/EA Process CEQA Lead Agency City of LA DPW Bureau of Engineering NEPA Co-Lead Agency Federal Transit Administration NEPA Co-Lead Agency City of LA Department of Transportation Notice of Preparation (30 days) Prepare Draft EIR/EA Circulate Draft EIR/EA (45 days) Prepare Final EIR/EA Distribute Final EIR/EA City Council and FTA Decision Jan 3-Feb 1, 2013 Summer 2013 Winter 2013 Spring 2014 Public Input Public Input
Notice of Preparation (NOP) and Initial Study (IS) Preliminary assessment of environmental impacts to be studied in EIR/EA Can be viewed at: Little Tokyo Branch Library, 203 S. Los Angeles Street Central Library, 630 W. 5 th Street http://eng.lacity.org/techdocs/emg/projects.htm metro.net/streetcar
Potential Impacts to be Studied in EIR/EA Aesthetics Transportation/Traffic Air Quality Land Acquisitions, Displacement, Cultural and Historic Resources and Relocation Energy Community and Neighborhoods Geology and Soils Parks and Recreation Areas Greenhouse Gas Emissions Safety and Security Hazards and Hazardous Materials Environmental Justice Land Use and Planning Section 4(f) Resources Noise and Vibration Construction Impacts Cumulative Impacts
Public Comment In writing today, comment forms and pencils are available By mail City of Los Angeles, Department of Public Works Bureau of Engineering, EMG Attention: Jim Doty 1149 S. Broadway, Suite 600 Los Angeles, CA 90015-2213 By email, to jim.doty@lacity.org Comments are due February 1, 2013
Verbal Comment Please fill out a speaker card and turn it in prior to speaking Focus your comments on what should be included in the environmental document To provide everyone an opportunity, comments will be timed and limited by the moderator
Next Steps Prepare technical studies Prepare Draft EIR/EA Circulate Draft EIR/EA for public review