TUCSON URBAN CORRIDOR COMMUNITY LIAISON GROUP MEETING #7
June 27, 2007,
5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
UA University Services Annex Building, 220 West 6th Street
Meeting Summary
1. Welcome and Introductions
Shellie Ginn, Tucson Department of Transportation Project Manager, welcomed everyone to the meeting. She introduced Freda Johnson the meeting facilitator, who asked the CLG, project team members and observers to introduce themselves. Next Freda reviewed the CLG meeting ground rules and mentioned that in the observers meeting material packages there was a green comment form they could use to address any questions or concerns that may not have been brought up at the meeting.
2. Downtown Development Update
Don Durband, Executive Director of the Tucson Downtown Alliance, made a presentation on Downtown public and private sector development. He provided updates on the Rio Nuevo projects and the Tax increment Financing (TIF) that was extended to 2025. He also explained the recent Mayor and Council approval of TIF appropriations for the Arena, Science Center, Arizona Museum, downtown infrastructure, and parking. Don next spoke about City of Tucson projects and ended presenting the list of Pima County projects.
3. Review of Conceptual Engineering Plans
Matthew Taunton from HDR noted that at the last CLG meeting in February, the team had presented a revised Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) which was then approved by the Mayor and Council on April 4, 2007.
A packet of 11" x 17" color conceptual engineering plans was provided to each attendee. Matthew started his power point presentation referring to page 6 of the package.
West End of Alignment Page 6
Matthew discussed the west end-of-line station at Avenida del Convento and Congress. The drawing showed room for one vehicle to be stored at the station platform. He noted that modern streetcar operation prefers back in parking along street so the parking will changed in the future to reflect this.
Rio Nuevo Cultural Plaza Page 7
This drawing shows the station off the street at the north end of the Plaza. Matthew noted that the red box on some of the drawings represent traction power substations. This substation would be located in the basement of the parking structure. He also said that the project team was working with TDOT on the bridge construction because it will be completed before the modern streetcar is constructed.
Cushing Street Page 8
The drawing shows the new underpass and a signal at the intersection of Cushing and Granada. The modern streetcar will go from operating in mixed traffic to side running on the east side of Granada. This was designed to accommodate streetcar operation to the north through the Granada and Congress intersection. It will also benefit the El Tour de Tucson because the tracks will be located outside the street right-of-way.
Granada Page 9
This drawing has the modern streetcar on the east side of Granada. Matthew pointed out that the intersection of Granada and Congress is complicated and that an in street station will not work at this location. In addition, the Federal building blast zone code prohibits a station in front of the Federal Courthouse. Therefore, the station is located off street on the east side of Granada and will be incorporated in the hotel redevelopment design.
Congress St./Broadway Blvd. Page 10
Modern streetcar will operate in the left inside lanes which allows the 2006 on-street parking improvements to remain. There is a traction power substation located west of Church. Sidewalks are needed to connect to the station platforms west of Church. The eastbound streetcar station is adjacent to the left turn lane; therefore a queue jump will be used to facilitate the thru streetcar movement at this location.
East Side of Downtown Page 11
This drawing shows the 4th Avenue underpass project which will install tracks for Old Pueblo Trolley's use prior to the modern streetcar construction. These tracks will be considered a pre-existing condition for the modern streetcar project. There will be two turnarounds on 5th Ave (one from each direction). The turnaround using the west side of 5th Ave will be constructed as part of the 4th Ave underpass project. The one on the east side will be built as part of the modern streetcar project. The turnarounds offer operational flexibility during special events, such as the 4th Avenue Street Fair. The parking requirements of that area are being considered with the turnaround operations.
Dick Basye an observer, asked why there are no transit stops in front of the Congress Hotel and or the Campbell project. Matthew responded that the tracks in this section were designed by the 4th Ave underpass project and that because of grade issues stations were not feasible at these locations.
Matt Brown of Williams and Dame Development asked why parking on the north side of Broadway east of Arizona Ave has been eliminated and what can be done to preserve that parking? Matthew stated that this was designed as part of the 4th Ave underpass project. Michael Barton of HDR pointed out that there is no room for parking at this location because the track needs to be as far north as possible to accommodate two-way special event traffic on Broadway.
Don noted he was also concerned with the loss of parking. Matt commented that he is concerned that the 4th Avenue underpass is under construction so there is little probability to change things to improve the parking issue. Shellie confirmed this but added that she would look into why 4th Avenue was designed this way.
Ellen Adelstein representing Catalina Vista Neighborhood Association asked how do the signals work with the modern streetcar. Matthew replied that for the most part this the streetcar operates the same as general purpose traffic. There are a couple exceptions; one being the eastbound queue jump at Broadway and Church.
Joy Herr-Cardillo asked if stations could be staggered and moved the Congress station further east but leave the Broadway station as is, close to Ronstadt Center. Matthew answered that in the future, plans are to make 6th Ave two way so there will be a need to have the station close to 6th Ave on Congress and Broadway.
Gene Caywood noted that it would be logical to have a stop on 5th Street but that currently OPT operations do not have defined stops.
Dick Basye asked if the stops infringe on the flow of traffic. Matthew said there are minor impacts because the streetcar will operate just like a bus (when the streetcar stops t traffic behind it stops too). He said that the stop would be about 10 seconds long and to add more stops means inhibiting traffic flow more.
Joseph La Mantia representing the Grant Rd. Neighborhood and Iron Horse Neighborhood Associations, asked if the Ronstadt Transit Center was going to remain in the current location as there has been talk of it moving. Matthew responded that current direction from TDOT indicates it will remain where it is. Overall, it is important to have a bus connection close to the streetcar to allow for an integrated transit system.
4th Avenue Page 12
The modern streetcar maintenance facility and storage yard will be located on 8th Street adjacent to the Downtown Links project. There will be three stations along 4th Avenue. This drawing shows the first station.
Kurt Tallis representing the Fourth Avenue Merchants Association stated that they do an event almost every month where they close down a portion of 4th Avenue. Matthew said that the team understands the need to close 4th Avenue during the bi-annual Street Fairs. If other events require closure then the streetcar could operate two way on the southbound track on the west side of the street and use a switch to allow use for both directions. Kurt requested that the switch be moved back towards the bridge. Terry said this would most likely be possible, but it will need to remain north of 9th St.
David asked if it would be a safety problem to use the switch to do contra flow on the tracks. Matthew responded that the switch would not be a frequent occurrence and would be done using a flag person.
4th Avenue Page 13
The stations at 4th Ave and 6th St will be staggered on either side of 6th St. This station will be a high transfer location between streetcar and Sun Tran.
4th Avenue and University Boulevard Page 14
Terry and Matthew discussed potential Street Fair operation scenarios. Terry noted that during the Street Fair, to stop a train at these stations they would use the west station only. This is possible because during the Street Fair vehicle traffic is prohibited in this area. Today OPT has a tail track switch as an option. Matthew stated that the team had looked at a temporary stop on University but had concerns with ADA accessibility.
Pat Dunford representing OPT asked why not use a tail track on University similar to OPT today? Matthew said that is possible but requires additional track construction and cost.
Kurt said he was concerned with safety of using a station on 4th Avenue during the Street Fair.
Ellen asked for clarification that the modern streetcar would not go down 4th Avenue during the Street Fair. Matthew told her that the streetcar would not use 4th Avenue during the Street Fair. Ellen then asked how a UA student that lives on the West side supposed to get to the University when the Street Fair is in progress? Matthew said streetcar would operate similar to OPT today and serve the alignment east of 4th Ave. There would need to be a bus bridge to connect to streetcar in downtown..
University Boulevard Page 15
There will be center platform stations along University Boulevard because if the large number of bicyclists.
University Boulevard and Park Avenue Page 16
There will be a median station on University at Tyndall. The University and Park intersection is congested so a new signal is proposed at this location that could potentially have an all walk phase.
Kurt asked if University to Main Gate to 4th Avenue had two stops. Matthew said yes.
North Campus Entry Page 17
Matthew discussed streetcar operation on 2nd St. UA would like to close 2nd St between Park and Mountain to vehicles. There is a need to retain loading access. Similar to University Blvd, there will be median stations on 2nd St because of bicyclists. There will be a station east of Park and east of the parking garage.
Cherry and 2nd Page 18
Cherry and 2nd will change from a stop sign to a signalized intersection. There will be a center platform station on Cherry at this location. This will also be a key transfer location with Sun Tran.
Jane asked if there would only be two stations on Cherry. Matthew answered yes.
Joyce Schuman an observer asked if alley access will be maintained off of Cherry? Matthew said yes.
Helen Street Page 19
Matthew discussed the east end-of-line location on Helen and the connection with the Arizona Health Sciences Center.
General Questions
Don asked if funding was still on track. Matthew said yes. The team is preparing the Environmental Assessment which will be completed in the fall. The team plans on making the Small Starts submittal in December and is still pursuing the 50 percent Federal funding with the other 50 percent coming from the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA).
Ellen asked why the alignment was now ending at Warren and not Campbell? Matthew responded that it was considered to be a difficult area for pedestrians to cross Campbell and Warren seemed safer and a more logical point especially since most riders will board at Warren.
Shellie noted that the TAC had requested the team go back and look again at ending on Campbell.
Ellen noted that she thought it would be a big mistake to not end at Campbell as there are a lot of students living in the neighborhood that will pick up the streetcar at the Campbell stop versus Warren.
Jeff Barr an observer asked if the team was confident that the Environmental Assessment (EA) is good enough to meet the Federal process and an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) would not be required. Marc Soronson from HDR answered that because there are not significant impacts that cannot be mitigated, the team is confident an EA is applicable.
Jeff asked when the team would know an EA is enough. Marc answered, once the draft EA is circulated. Jeff noted that the EA will require a public comment period and if there was substantial controversy it could derail the EA. Marc responded yes but because negative public outcry has been minimal, the team is confident the EA will be enough.
Kurt asked if Herbert will still be open to Stevens when the streetcar maintenance facility is built. Terry said yes it will not be affected by the facility. Kurt noted that they need that access during Street Fair operations especially for emergency vehicles.
4. Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Workshop Update
Matthew gave a brief update on the two TOD workshops held for the 4th Avenue and University areas. He said that these were the first in a series of workshops to help provide information to the City and property owners on TOD opportunities and whether the market will accommodate various types of TOD.
5. Discussion
Freda asked if anyone had further questions or concerns. There were none.
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