Minutes - Public Works Committee - 01/20/2004

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CASE STUDY -34- Hubbard Marketplace final site plan Hubbard Marketplace boarding area with Metro Transit bus then developed that allowed LSA Design to consolidate and pnonuze common objectives, and determine size and compo- nents of the transit station. The next step was to locate a site that would best accommodate the goals of the stakeholders. One critical component was that the transit station had to be located adjacent to a rail tine that is designated as a future busway. The transit station ,ail Initially be used for local bus se,wices and ;viil then se.we as a transit stop for the future busway. This requirement posi- tioned the transk station somewhere between Hubbard Avenue and the rail line. The area of land between the rail line and Hubbard Avenue ,,vas also prime rede- velopment property. All this meant that there was good potential for a site that met transit and redevelopment criteria. A previous plan for a transit station in Robbmsdale had proposed realigning Hubbard Avenue into an 5' curve with separate bus shelters along the street. This plan met Se requirements of Metro Transit but removed any redevelopment potential from the project. In fact it resulted in the- demolition of Robbinsdale's original fire station. I_SA Design chose to ignore this plan and create a new design that would meet both the City and Metro Transit's goals. Ironically, saving the fire station and transforming it into the transit station with buses circling around the building was the ideal solution. Instead of the transit stops being spread out along a realigned road, resulting in the loss of valuable retail/commercial areas, the tran- sit station and tranat serxqce were com- bined into a central facility. In addition to presemng valuable land and an important building, this design allowed additional retail/commercial deveiopment w~thin the renovated building. Siting the project adjacent to the rail- road tqght-of-way allowed excess right-of- way to be improved as part of the project. Since the improvements to the railroad fight-of-way were transit related and will support fucare transit improvements, the governing entity (Hennepin County Raikoad Authority) came forward with substantial funds for the project. Combin- ing objectives from several stakeholders opened the door to funding opportunities. Including transit, redevelopment and right-of-way improvements in the final product allowed fun{lng from the City of Robbmsdale, ivletropolitan Council Livable Communities, Metro Transit and Hermepin County, Railroad Authority. Without these mulnple sources of funding the project would not have been possible. Hubbard Marketplace is a project that Hubbard Marketplace primary entrance Robbinsdate's mayor fondly calls "The best project I ever voted against." Although originally opposed to the plan, the mayor is now extremely proud of the Hubbard Marketplace project and he believes that it will lead to additional redevelopment along Hubbard Avenue. Metro Transit is very happy ,ruth the convenience of hav- ing all the stops at one location and a cli- mate controlled waiting space vath avail- able retail sermces. The project not only meets the current transportation needs but has also'been designed to accommodate the future busway. When this service is implemented there will be no effect on the existing infrastructure and investments. Local businesses and residents first objected to what they saw as a potential disruption to business and an unsafe area. Instead Hubbard Marketplace is support- PASSENGER TERM1NAL WORLD March 2002 1 1 3