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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 02/13/2007 - MASON CORRIDOR PROJECT UPDATE DATE: February 13, 2007 STAFF: Darin Atteberry WORK SESSION ITEM Mark Jackson FORT COLLINS CITY COUNCIL Kathleen Bracke SUBJECT FOR DISCUSSION Mason Corridor Project Update. GENERAL DIRECTION SOUGHT AND SPECIFIC QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED Staff will provide an update of the Mason Corridor progress, including financial information regarding capital and operating/maintenance costs and potential funding strategies. This project overview will also include the role of the Mason Corridor as a catalyst for helping to achieve the City's economic development goals as well as land-use and transportation objectives. Staff is seeking comments and questions from Council members. In particular, feedback on the updated financial information would be helpful. BACKGROUND Imagine a modern, world class community that channels growth into positive community development. Centered along the Mason Corridor, multiple modes of travel conveniently link vibrant activity centers and pedestrian friendly urban villages within Fort Collins. At the heart of this vision is the Mason Express, or "MAX", Fort Collins'first Bus Rapid Transit System. The Mason Corridor project,including a new bicycle and pedestrian trail and MAX, is much more than a tool to improve transportation— it is about building on existing investments to make Fort Collins an exceptional community that can succeed and thrive in this new century. The Mason Corridor provides a unique framework for future economic development opportunities and is the foundation to build community partnerships, attract private investment, as well as encourage active lifestyles and attractive, urban villages. The economic development opportunities generated by the Mason Corridor will encourage sustainable growth patterns in the core area of our community. The Mason Corridor will link major destinations and activity centers along the corridor including the Downtown commercial,cultural,and business centers;Colorado State University;Foothills Mall, and South College retail and residential areas. February 13, 2007 Page 2 The Mason Corridor is an extraordinary opportunity to differentiate Fort Collins from other cities along the North Front Range and keep the rating as the #1 Place to Live in America, as noted by Money Magazine in 2006. Mason's MAX is making great strides to move ahead from being a"cool concept" to becoming a real project. This transformation from long-term planning and visioning process to an actual real-life project has been tremendously successful over the last year. In 2006, the Colorado Department of Transportation approved a combined total of$8.5 million in funding from the State's Senate Bill 97-1 program for the Mason Corridor improvements, specifically for the Downtown to CSU MAX service and for the development of the City's South Transit Center. This new state funding is targeted for the 2007/08 funding cycle. Based on this funding time frame,the City will be entering into the funding contracts with CDOT in mid-to late- 2007 so that the engineering and construction phase will begin in 2008. The goal is to have MAX service operational in 2010. Recently, more good news arrived for the Mason Corridor project - the Fort Collins Downtown Development Authority(DDA)Board of Directors has approved partnering with the City to fund the local matching dollars needed to secure the state funding for the Downtown to CSU MAX service (up to $600,000). Due to these significant DDA and State funding commitments,the Mason Corridor project is gaining the necessary financial progress to strongly support the City's funding application to the Federal Transit Administration's (FTA) "Small Starts" program. The City is requesting that 80% of the MAX project capital costs be covered by this national transit funding program. The City will be submitting an updated report to the FTA by August 2007. Using this collaborative partnership approach to fund this major community investment is a strategic method to best leverage local,state, and federal funding resources to build the Mason Corridor improvements. Staff has also updated the anticipated operational and maintenance (O&M) costs for the MAX system. The attached worksheet summarizes the capital and operation/maintenance costs for the Mason Corridor project. Traditional resources are anticipated to cover O&M costs, such as fare revenue, advertising sales, CSU student fees, FTA operation subsidies, and local/City funding contributions. Additional O&M funding sources could include future regional transportation initiatives. In addition to this financial progress,great steps forward are being made on the design development work. MAX system improvements from Downtown,through Colorado State University(CSU),to the new South Transit Center site are moving ahead. These improvements include unique, high- quality designs for MAX stations, vehicles, and travel ways. The Transportation Planning Department is currently providing Mason Corridor project updates to various community organizations,including recent presentations to the Chamber's Leadership Fort Collins program, UniverCity Connections meeting, Downtown Development Authority Board of Directors, and other community organizations upon request. Future outreach efforts will focus on the design development activities including upcoming public open house events in March 2007. February 13, 2007 Page 3 ATTACHMENTS 1. Mason Corridor brochure 2. Mason Corridor power point presentation 3. Mason Corridor Financial Summary T T r.. Y l( rL i THEVIS � C� n IMAGINE . . . a modern, ��orld-class community, continuing to transform from a small city to a progressive metropolitan center, successfully channeling "growth " into positive "community development". Centered along the Mason IDOR linking community, Res Ylo- , an' t, Ss Or"R,6rk-l" Corridor, multiple modes of travel conveniently ' link vibrant activity centers within Fort Collins and the North Front Range region. c�cvore THE At p l R"' 4_'.I,I tJ.," Y°- k ' . W •t„'.�T , u ( . 1� � : Ili hl } f � ( � L 4 - + It + '? j . g,,y?.p,.l, O T :RATIt ) � I. IT �, I s 4T Y �.- ° y't .t{ v .... w .�' rt JrTT E L.r rt! ♦fit x .t. _ «. 4 .w� .i_ ! ( ,, ,fig . _ 'r � It. ttJ . �Mlr � It [[ 7 ` tFit pQy� M � i / , � 61 It .. n MAP (ABOVE) ILLUSTRATES cherry street south to drake road co MAP (BELOW) ILLUSTRATES THE CONTINUATION SOUTH FROM drake road to harmony road Jf • ��'.C. IF it Iite ° C1I: 1I t 'k 'spry I • rr., 1' � rz, 7,v. . L1� ♦ .� �� :: .�` yry�.'.� . p+yW} ` �3lit 1 ` ^ �L . `:� �— — L z n -St _ ,Y .., 1 o _ 'ra" , r . III, 'FiF J � I 1 IT 64 r.. ..... .... .. 6 v.' L � v-- I c LM l III w yl VaSS _ tis I, it I. sG �.1y t Jr, I w�� ° r� `, k_ �.1 '�It r .. Itt 3, ■ WHAT IS THE mason corridor p . conce t PLAN The Mason Corridor is College Avenue, as well as provide high This Mason Corridor plan is a five-mile, north-south frequency service every 10 minutes. Sta- much more than a transporta- byway within the City of tions will incorporate new high-quality tion initiative — it is about build- Fort Collins which ex- amenities that are similar to light rail, ing on our existing investments tends from Cherry Street with low floor boarding platforms, sleek to make Fort Collins a commu- on the north to south of new buses , next bus arrival information, nity that can succeed and thrive Harmony Road. The corridor is centered and pre-pay fare machines. in this new century. It's more along the Burlington Northern Santa Fe The Mason Corridor will link major than simply a tool for improv- Railway property, located a few hundred destinations and activity centers along the ing transportation. This plan is feet west of College Avenue (US 287). corridor including the Downtown com- a framework for future economic The Mason Corridor includes a new mercial, cultural, and development along the corridor. bicycle and pedestrian trail as well as fu- business centers, Col- The Mason Corridor conceptual ture Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system in orado State Univer- plan is the foundation to encour- a fixed guideway for the majority of the sity, Foothills Mall, age community partnerships , corridor. The BRIT service will operate and South College private investment, active living, nearly twice as fast as auto travel along Avenue retail areas. and attractive, urban lifestyles. CREATING community centers _ Envision the Mason Corridor station architecture and placement of ame- areas , including active entertain- nities and art, these inviting com- ment centers , housing, workplaces , munity centers will be designed for retail, dining and parks . This type the people that live, work, shop, play, of development around station ar- and bring life to our community. eas is often termed Transit Oriented Development or TOD. TOD's foster attrac- tive and sustainable com- munities that appeal to a , variety of lifestyles. The underlying theme to creating successful and ' thriving TODs is — PEOPLE. From the arrangement of the buildings to well-designed Future Penny Flats development, Mason and Cherry streets THE a c is 1 . Vehicle friendly. The Mason Corridor will q . Easy access. Park-and-rides , east/west continue to allow auto traffic on Mason transit routes, bicycle and pedestrian trail- and McClelland streets just as it does to- heads will provide people with easy ac- !day. Converting Mason and Howes streets cess to the Mason Corridor. downtown back to two-way traffic will make it easier to drive the corridor. 5 . Shared Commitment. By pursuing many diffon 2. Economic Stimulation. Mason enhances Corsi dor, including rent grants and pub sources for the lic and opportunities for existing property owners, private options, the costs will be spread businesses. and developers. over many different sources. No one group 3 . Everyone shares the benefits of a better will bear the project's full cost. transit system. 60% of jobs in Fort Collins 6. Cost-effective technology. BRT is the most are located within one mile of the Mason cost-effective technology for the Mason f Corridor, along with many neighborhoods Corridor, based on Fort Collins ' current and commercial shopping centers. population and ridership estimates. i information: 970-224-6058 -0 www.tc„ov,com/ir,insi)ortation/mason , phi) l I i 7 9 as RIDOR I ► 1 ! 11111 . 1 business I W I I* festvle hooll" �y..� CityOl FOA Collins Linking Community , mason Lifestyle & Business • Connects Major Community Centers Downtown, CSU, & Mall Area Economic Development . 11 11 - Opportunities Residential, Commercial, Employment & Educational — Supports Sustainability Keeps Fort Collins # 1 , + aV Best Place to Live & + Competitive Advantage 11Vlll ,; Fits Fort Collins , Active Urban & Outdoor Lifestyles • Offers Convenience & Choice mason Economic Development Opportunities Community Partnerships • Targeted Land-Use Planning for Mason Corridor Enhanced Development Areas @ Stations Public & Private Investment _� - • ' - Opportunities j ° i ► E , .- Supports UniverCity Connections Visionary Legacy Project r • - _ Enhance Quality of Life for Fort Collins & .:• s 3of: r North Front Range - Now and for Future �; �� ' mex • - g��i � : ;� Generations 2 � Cow mason Mason Express Bus Rapid Transmit Flexibility & Convenience — "Rubber Tired Light Rail" Speed & Comfort High Frequency Service • MAX estimated boardings : — 6 , 500 avg weekday, rA 1 . 8 Million/year ko wit BRT best for Fort Collins : Most flexible & cost effective Attractive to Choice Customers Can mature into other transit technologies in the future 2= o� MI X I mason P 1, Mason Express a �` y '� y Connections 1 Downtown �- -- • Downtown ri r -1 • CSU (Main & South campus Y . yin • South College Retail CSU Sou • Foothills Mall • Park & Rides F° "'"s ` • Local East/West Transit • North Front Range & Denver Metro - Cityot Fod coin A SERVICE OF TRANSPORT North91E3 M 2 so in Regional Connections CDOT EISPackages of DEIS Package A : -� r,ma �2 � DEIS Package B : NORiH W GP + CR + CB85 h� �` �Nmwa, � v'm�rttr TEL + BRT � m� p' :, ,ne� r>•m LEGEND ( - L sm� LEGEND 1 flew General Purpose (GP) Lane mommis T Buffer-Separated Tolled Express in Each Direction _ Lane (TEL) in Each Direction l flew General Purpose (GP) Lane ea. a. 2garrierv5eparated Tolled Express • Auxiliary Lane in Each Direction . Lanes (TEL) in Each Direction Commuter Rail ICE) Buz Rappid Transit (BRT) Route Fort C Ilies Commuter Bus Pert Ili^ (Uses TELs an 1.25)) G _ General Purposea Lanes Service in and Due — • '.lumps Feeder Buz Service _ Feeder Bus Service Interchange Upgrades Love • nd (lumber of Lanes: General N Level ^d o Interchange Upgrades F reele file! Purpese�Telled Express Lanes © flumber of Lanes i_) Bus Rapid Transit Station Q Commuter Buz Station Step 14 FazTraeks Rail Line Q Commuter Rail Station . ..... FasTracks Transit Staten FasTracks Rail Line O potential Commuter Bus Ari Operational Maintenance Facility _ Q FasTracks Transit Station 0..... V ) ❑ Potential Commuter Rail Operational Lerrgrrront liongment L Maintenance Facility 0 Potential Commuter Bus Operational p•� _ A Maintenance Facility •••yCongestion Management •M' u Measures include - Enhanced carporol lot parking capacity and minorities Ider Congestion Managementry OYIdM from 511 rival �rxkhnnt management) 9 Measures include Enhanced carpool lot parking capacity i.A and amenities q - Automated Vehicle Locators on all troniulf firl slot 7 - Limits to local bile and pomestrain systems �l -Automated Vehicle LONWess on all lrms:A� M•• - Support for mavelopment of Transportation r.x. � GTb u.. whicles - 'rest tows' technologyJ - Uffiluk to local bike and pedestrian systems at Station areas SupportManagement Orgailution (Till P ^ NOTE: DoN�er - A order bamer and express lanes "OSS sector NOTE. lary is included between SH 80 and Harmony Road. - Select and A or of Iddr wend rough l adxiin lanes antl f this a - additional through lane In - BRT Stations am located within an expanded additim to this 31are cross section. median area - Where wrdenino Is needed between SH BB and - between SH widening is reeded betw SH BB and SH 1. the median woud be used. SH 7. the mec a- .v- Aid be Used _ ® NOTTOSCALE TYPICAL H1Y "OSS SECTION - 6G"ME PLRPOst IANn NOT TO SCALE TYPICAL 1.15 CROSS SECTION - RTFESED STPARATED TOtrrn EXPRESS LINES Downtown Enhancements mason Supports UniverCity Connections Vision • Downtown to CSU — Visually Appealing I rT- : v Supports Urban Living — 03 Encourage Development Opportunities pp — Convert Mason/Howes to 2 -way streets �� '` Specially Designed BRT ` ' vehicles & stations P — Enhance Streetscape4 - m•x - �= • $ 4 . 5 M Funding from CDOT Approved in 2006 Const. Schedule : 200 &2010 MAX . . mason Financial Opportunities Leverage Local , State , & Federal Funding • Total project cost est : $ 68 M • Fed Transit Admin ( 80 %) : $ 54 . 5 M -VA IL � ;. • 'y Local & State (20%) : $ 13 . 5 M 1 6 ` °1 `V 0 ,44 -�� ism s — • CDOT SB - 1 State Funds : . ' MAX Downtown to CSU : $4 . 5 M South Transit Center: $4 M • Local Matching Funds : City - STC land value $ 1 M " MAX Downtown to CSU : $ 1 . 2 MISO MAX CSU to STC : $2 . 8 M ,► • ' ' _ L.it • Request for DDA Partnership : — Funding for 1/2 of local match for . �- ,�� MAX Downtown to CSU : , $6009000 2= o� t i it.41 Blip rake & Masit:o . , � ' 'r'► �I � � 1 r � � �P �l s it: ollins ry a s i tt tt It Jim Laurel & Mason 0 oil NOtIc sy�j�cc - ` +- • 7 ,y. 4� ,7�� _ • .�� .bit � ,� � `� � � — — — �� • v . .{ on Ap so e.im4� IIS 19 16 13 won l Laurel • Mason- •'{ � ems?. ¢ •: r7 � . �� 1. ��� :._. • . i �f `ti . - 4 Mulberry25 Mason c4�var �n coin -------------- UIL a. 40 isIF IL Mulberry M . • c�.r �n coin Mason Corridor Financial Summary Mason Corridor Capital Costs TOTAL Non-Federal Capital Sources CDOT SB- 1 Transit Funds (State) MAX Phase 1 (Downtown to CSU) $ 4156000 MAX South Transit Center $ 41000,000 Sub-Total CDOT SB-I Transit Funds (State) $ 8,560,000 City of Fort Collins Land Value of South Transit Center (Purchased in 2003) $ 1 ,0301000 MAX Downtown to CSU S 600,000 CSU to South Transit Center $ 21865,600 Sub-Total City of Fort Collins S 4,495 ,600 Local Sources Downtown Development Authority ( MAX Downtown to CSU) $ 600,000 Sub-Total Local Sources $ 600,000 Total Non-Federal Sources (20%) $ I ) .655 ,600 Federal Capital Sources Section 5309 Proposed Small Starts $ 54,622,400 Total Federal Sources (80%) S 54,622,400 TOTAL CAPITAL SOURCES S 68,278,000 Highlighted Cells indicate committed funds. Mason Corridor Operating and Maintenance Option l : Basic Existing Service + MAX @ 10-20 minute frequency: net O&M cost/yr = $300,000 - $400,000 Option 2 : Transfort Strategic Plan, Phase 2 Basic MAX + FoxTrot & Harmony extension to Downtown @ 10-20 minute frequency: net O&M cost/yr: $700,000 - $800,000 Option 3 : Enhanced Phase 2 Enhanced MAX + Foxtrot & Harmony ext to Downtown @ 5 -7 minute frequency: net O&M cost/yr: $ 1 ,300,000 - $ 1 ,400,000 The City is Exploring a Wide-Variety of Future Capital and O&M Sources