Minutes - Public Works Committee - 01/20/2004

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-26- area has given buses an addedbenefit of s,horter travel times. The convenience of reduced commuting time coupled with the mixed-use transit station develop- ment plan has struck a positive cord with passengers. As part of the overall analysis, ~vIV-I'A 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- ment of a transit facility which offered opportunities for such conveniences as fast food, car fuel and maintenance, gro- cery markets, child care facilities, hous- ing/rental units, movie theaters, video rental, hair care, and other daily retail requirements. Through understanding of passenger needs and analysis of the problems of the suburban transit system, an opportunity was presented to the MVT'A to create a facility that attained the following objectives: · attract 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 service center; · promote a·mixed-use site develop- ment concept with a 150 to 200 unit housing project; · generate revenues to cover all operations and maintenance costs for the site; · reduce single occupant vehicle trips and traffic congestion. The integration of commercial busi- nesses into the transit station requires a delicate blending 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 transit/retail uses. However, primary vehicular circulation allows residents to enter the site moving past the retail development together with the opportunF ty to use integrated paths throughout the sfte. Financing Situated on &6 acres of developable land, the station site selection process hinged on finding the most suitable loca- tion for transit to be effective and attract The integration of commercial businesses into the transit station requires a delicate balance of use and parking demands PASSENOER TER;v~INAL ,c).~ 8~ 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'that 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/wgekend-~ype uses), integrated covered walkways for comfort and safety, and excellent levels of high- way visibility. The ability of the MV'rA 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 ~vletropolitan 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 MVTA by LSA 0esign was given final authorization for fUnding in July 1995. 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 county trails, Through agreement, all revenue generated from the mixed- use development will be used for operations, maintenance and capital improvements,