Agenda - Council - 01/27/2004 - Laserfiche WebLink

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area ,has g~ven buses an added.benefit of snorter travel t!mes. The convenience · of reduced commuting time coupled with the mixed-use transit station develop- ment plan nas struck a positive cord with passengers. As part of the overall analysis, MVTA conducted a passenger survey to further test the hypothesis Of a mixed-use/tran- sit development- As anticipated, passen- gers were very interested in the develop- merit of a transit facility which offered opportunities for such conveniences as fast fooa, car fuel and maintenance, gro- cery markets, child care facilities, hous- ing/rental units, movie theaters, video rental, hair care, and other daily retail reauirements. Through understanding of passenger needs and analysis of the problems of the subu~an transit system, an opportunity was presented to the MVTA to create a facility that attained the following obje~ives: · aEract new ridership; · provide conveniences for passengers such as child care facilities, conve- nience retail (cleaners, video shops, beauty/hair care, fast. food/coffee), movie theaters, restaurants and auto serwce center; · promote amixed-uSe site develop- ment concedt with a 250 to 200 unit housing project; · generate revenues to cover all operations and maintenance costs for the s~te; · reduce s~ngle occupant vehicle trips and traffic congestion. The integration of commercial busi- nesses into the transit station requires a delicate biendinl[ of use and parking demands. Successful planning must account for peak parking demand analysis for each business so they do not conflict with the transit operations or Park and Ride. The businesses must have enough parking adjacent to their stores to allow for midday use, when commuter traffic is at its lowest demand and Park and Ride spaces are full. Additionally, the location of businesses should not promote people driving around on site using various businesses. Pedestrian circulation should allow for a controlled and comfortable access to all businesses. The housing portion of the site is strategically removed from active ~ransit/retail uses. However, primary vehicular circulation allows residents to enter the site moving past the retail oevelopment together with the opportuni- ty to use integrated paths throughout the site. Financing Situated on 26 acres of developable land, the station site selection process hinged on finding [he most suitable loca- tion for transit to be effective and attract The integration of commercial businesses irrto the transit station requires a delicate balance of use and parking demands PAS S E N~..~ E R TERMINAL 83 new ridership. Initially, the primary goals of the MVTA was first and foremost to meet the needs of the passenger. Additional convenient Park and Ride spaces with a maximum walking dis- tance of 250 to 40Oft, HOV access to the Interstate, highly visible site, quick and easy access off adjacent highways, future expansion opportunities, service- able from existing transit routes, and a safe and secure environment for passengers. In the development of these primary site selection goals, it became apparent'~hat land requirements for effective transit needs were very similar to requirements for commercial/housing development needs· Thus, the concept for blending commercial/retail conve- niences and housing with transit devel- oped and the formation of a true mixed- use community evolved. Upon completion of Phase I of the facility, land values made a sizable gain due to increased pedestrian traffic, large amounts of available off-peak parking (used for movie theatres, restaurants and other evening/weekend-type uses), integrated covered walkways for comfort and safety, and excellent levels of high- way visibility. The ability of the MVTA to capture and use these increases in valu- ation provides for the long-term viability of the. station. The MVTA received Phase I funding for land acquisition and construction through the Metropolitan Council; the regional' agency responsible for capital and operations funding for transit in the seven county Minneapolis/St. Paul met- ropolitan area. Funding for Phase II, which includes a parking structure and HOV access lane with direct access to the interstate, will be provided through the Inter-modal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA). A grant application completed for the MVT'A by LSA Design was given final authorization for funding in July !995. A second ISTEA Grant was awarded to the MVTA through the 'ISTEA Enhancement Projects Fund' for the purpose of constructing a six-mile bicy- cie and pedestrian connection from the transit facility site to adjacent multi- family housing, the local high school and population centers via state, local, and couoty trails. Through agreement, all revenue generated from the mixed- use development will be used for operations, maintenance and capital improvements.