City of Lawrence

Public Transit

TO:	Dave Corliss, City Manager
FROM:	Robert A. Nugent, Public Transit Administrator
CC:	Diane Stoddard, Assistant City Manager Cynthia Wagner, Assistant City Manager
Date:	November 19, 2012
RE:	Agenda Item: Proposed Temporary Bus Transfer Location on Vermont

Please place the following item on the agenda for the November 27, City Commission meeting:

Approve and/or direct staff as to Proposed Temporary Bus Transit Location on Vermont.

Background:

From the start of operation in 2000 Lawrence Transit has focused the majority of its service on Downtown Lawrence. In doing so it has been necessary to utilize approximately 300 feet of curb space in order to maintain efficient and effective service. These locations were centrally located in the 9^th Street corridor at the northwest and southeast corners of 9^th and Massachusetts.

In August 2010 Lawrence Transit moved these two locations in order to accommodate the construction of a multi-story building at 901 New Hampshire. This move was deemed necessary due construction right-of-way, safety concerns, and the subsequent inconveniences passengers would have to encounter in order to continue to use Lawrence Transit. These stops were relocated at the northeast and southeast corners of 9^th and New Hampshire for the duration of the construction. These locations were intended to be temporary until the construction was complete. At that time, the stops would be returned to the original location at 9^th and Massachusetts. 

The construction of 901 New Hampshire was completed in early 2012. However the return to 9^th and Massachusetts was delayed due to active discussions and evaluation about the possibility of moving our downtown transfer location to the Santa Fe Depot located on 7^th Street. In June 2012 staff decided to withdraw from future considerations of the Santa Fe Depot due to limitations of space.

Over the last year there has been considerable discussion about new developments at 900 New Hampshire and 100 East 9^th Street. These two sites are currently the locations that Lawrence Transit has been utilizing since August 2010 as our temporary transfer location. With the imminent development at these two locations staff began preparing to return to our historic location at 9^th and Massachusetts. However due to concerns of property owners in the general area there has been a decision not to return to this location.

In October Lawrence Transit issued a Request for Proposals for a “Transit Center Location Analysis” in an attempt to find location, somewhere within our community, for transfer activities. The goal of this study will be to evaluate and propose potential sites that can be used as a permanent location for transit service. The final report should be completed in the middle of 2013. With expected property development and restructuring of service we are anticipating August 2014 as the earliest date that we would be able to utilize a new location.

Proposed Temporary Location:

In order to continue to provide service during this period of time, without extensive disruptions and inconveniences to our passengers, staff is proposing a temporary location for our transfer activities. This location (see attachment) would be on the east side of Vermont between 8^th and 9^th Streets. More specifically our transfer activities would take place immediately between the two entrances to the City parking lot on the northeast corner of 9^th and Vermont. In order to accommodate this activity approximately 16 parking spaces would have to be removed.

A notice of this proposal was mailed on November 9, 2012 to the occupants and owners of the properties within 200 feet of the proposed location. Comments pertaining to this proposed location are attached.

Recommended and Action Requested: 

Staff seeks approval and/or guidance for the relocation of the current transfer location at 9^th and New Hampshire to a temporary location on Vermont between 8^th and 9^th Streets.