Minutes - Public Works Committee - 01/20/2004

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Susta!nabi.e trans ,t facilities Transit facifities, passenger'service centers and mass transit waiting areas in the suburban market have historically been composed of small bus shelters, undesirable remnant land for Park and Ride sites with a general lack of identity, safety and security. The Burnsviile Transit Station (Minnesota, USA) has changed this stereotype and brought vitality, passenger comfort and convenience, and an economic stability to the suburban mass transit markeZplace The Minnesota Valley Transit Authority (MVTA), a suburban transit authority providing express commuter and local transit service for six Minneapolis/ St. Paul suburban communities, has recently opened the Burnsville Transit Station as a state~f-the~art transit facility 15 miles south of the city of The recently opened Burnsvllle Transit station (above) interior and exterior Minneapolis, Minnesota. Some two years in the master planning and design process, the Burnsville Transit Station seeks to create a strong and stable image for bus transit, something that has been sorely lacking with this old and cumbersome vehicle. Planning The MVTA commissioned LSA Design Inc., as landscape architecture, architec- ture, and planning consultant in 1993 to provide planning and design services for a fully integrated mixed-use transit facility; the first of its kind in the state. By utiliz- lng the land surrounding the station for transit-compatible private development, revenues from retail/commercial/hous- ing land sales as well as shared parking leases can be used to operate and main- rain the transit facility. This revenue stream will then allow the already short operations funds to be used to increase transit service instead of maintaining public facilities. LSA Design developed the conceptual site plan and designed the transit facility building to exemplify the US Federal Transi( Administration's 'Livable Communities' concept by: · enhancing community linkages through transit and pedestrian projects; · blending compatible land uses with transit to reduce dependence on automobile and generate revenues to sustain the facility; · developing mixed-use neighborhoods; · enhancing safety and security at. transit facilities; · managing parking to conserve space requirements; · promoting full community participa- tion in the development and deci- sion-making processes. The MVTA has been experiencing 10 to 15 per cent growth in its yearly transit ridership. The ridership profile is generally office/professional-based with employ- merit in city center areas. Suburban commuter transit is a viable alternative to driving due primarily to congested freeways and high costs of parking in the downtown area. The construction of High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lanes and bus by-pass lanes throughout this metro PASS. ENGER TERMINAL '95 82 -25-