Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Public Transit

TO:	Diane Stoddard , Interim City Manager
FROM:	Robert Nugent, Transit Administrator
CC:	Casey Toomay, Assistant City Manager
DATE:	March 1, 2015
RE:	Transit Center Update

Background

Over the last year Lawrence Transit and University of Kansas has been attempting to incorporate a transit center within the University’s Central District development. Due to issues pertaining to traffic control and limits of useable land, an alternative site just outside of the development was settled upon. This location known as Lot 90 is bounded by 18^th Street on the south, Schwegler Drive on the north, Naismith Drive on the west, and Ambler Student Recreation Fitness Center on the east.

Under KU’s Master Plan, Lot 90 was slated as a location for the future construction for additional parking in the form of a parking garage. In order to take advantage of the future use and the immediate needs for a transit center, staff has been working with KU toward a possible development of a joint multimodal facility which would incorporate transit, parking and alternate modes. Operating out of a multimodal facility would greatly improve the ability of transit to serve our entire community more efficiently and effectively. It would also allow for better coordination between intracity services such as the K-10 Connector service operated by KCATA.

Approximately 25-30% of Lot 90 would be needed to accommodate the multimodal facility.   The facility would be a multistory building, of which the lower floor would act as a transit transfer center. The upper floors would be designated for both general public and student parking. As being proposed, the multimodal center will include bus bays, indoor waiting area, small employee break area/storage area, public bathrooms, employee bathroom, mechanical room, automobile parking, passenger pickup/drop-off area, outdoor waiting area, and bicycle storage area. Other possibilities include administrative offices and retail space. There would be 10-12 bus bays at the facility. The facility will not be used as garage storage space for buses or as a service location for vehicles. Those functions, as well as washing and fueling, will remain at the maintenance facility located on Timberedge Road.

Funding Opportunity

On February 23, 2016 Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx announced $500 million will be made available for transportation projects across the country under an eighth round of the highly successful Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) competitive grant program. As described, this program provides a perfect opportunity to apply for a Federal grant, which if awarded, would provide eighty percent (80%) toward the construction of a multimodal facility.

Staff Comments

In order to submit a grant proposal and continue to evaluate Lot 90 as the site for a multimodal facility, several elements will be required. Under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) elements such as environmental, historical, and environmental justice must be evaluated in order to be eligible for Federal funds. Locally there is an immediate need to perform a traffic impact analysis associated with operating a multimodal facility at the proposed site. This information will be critically important to understand during the public outreach/involvement process the continued analysis if the Lot 90 location. Additionally, renderings and preliminary plans and budgets will need to be developed for submittal in the grant proposal. All of these efforts will require expertise that exceeds the immediate talents of staff and may require outside resources to perform.

Requested Action

Authorize City staff to secure professional outside services (not to exceed $50,000), as needed, to support the analysis, public involvement  and preparation of, a joint City of Lawrence/University of Kansas TIGER Grant application for an multimodal facility to be located in Lot 90.