CITY COMMISSION AGENDA ITEM

Department:	Public Transit		Commission Meeting Date:  March 21, 2017
Staff Contact:	Robert Nugent
Recommendations/Options/Action Requested:
Authorize staff to initiate a new consultant-led transit transfer hub location study
Executive Summary:		A transit transfer center location analysis was conducted in 2012 but it has not led to a decision about the location for the transfer hub. On July 21, 2015, city staff recommended that the City Commission approve proceeding with locating the transfer hub and constructing a transfer center at 2021 Stewart Ave. The Commission instead directed staff to make efforts to site the transfer hub in the KU Central District development or near the intersection of 9^th and Iowa streets. A number of locations were evaluated since the July 21, 2015 Commission meeting and a summary of staff’s work since that meeting is attached to this memorandum. Despite the effort, no location evaluated by staff has greater merit than 2021 Stewart Ave in terms of the ability to efficiently and economically support the functionality of a transfer hub while minimizing the impact on adjacent properties and neighborhoods. The 2014 transit transfer hub location study was premised on the primary purpose of the transfer hub, its function as a point of transfer between routes. Multiple locations were identified in the previous study that would support the transfer function of the transit center. The recommended locations were appropriate from an operational and value basis. Subsequent to the study though, each of the locations was determined to conflict with neighborhood preferences or future plans by the property owners.  With the exception of one location, 2021 Stewart Ave, all sites recommended in the previous location study have been eliminated from consideration. The previous study is essentially obsolete to inform a decision about the transfer hub location. A decision is needed though and staff recommends initiating a new study to inform the decision. The Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) programs the Consolidated Planning Grant (CPG) that funds the MPO’s work. The currently approved UPWP (as of February 23, 2017) includes grant funding for a new transit transfer center location analysis. The study would provide a new objective analysis and set of recommendations regarding suitable locations for a transit transfer center. The Commission is asked to authorize staff to initiate the study. If authorized, staff will solicit bids and award a contract to the winning bidder as appropriate. The bids are expected to be $50,000 or less, so the winning bid will be approved administratively pursuant to the city’s purchasing policy. The prospective consultant will engage the Commission and community stakeholders to develop criteria to guide the analysis. The study will be complete by year-end.
Strategic Plan Critical Success Factor		Effective Governance/Professional Administration Core Services Sound Fiscal Stewardship
Fiscal Impact (Amount/Source):		The fiscal impact to the City is $50,000 of which $40,000 will be paid by the MPO Consolidated Planning Grant and $10,000 will be paid out of the 2017 Transit Division operating budget.
Attachments:		Summary of staff work since July 21, 2015 2014 Transit Transfer Hub Location Analysis 2014 Traffic Impact Study for 21^st and Iowa and 9^th and Rockledge sites 2014 21^st St Corridor Traffic Calming and Public Engagement Report 2017 Transit Comprehensive Operations Analysis

Reviewed By: (for CMO use only)

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