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MEMORANDUM
March 29, 2004
TO:
The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM:
Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Transit Alternatives Analysis Recommendations
The City of Dubuque has experienced significant development in the Downtown and
Port of Dubuque areas over the last five years as a result of a sound commitment by the
City to strengthen the civic core. The City has invested in a variety of studies over the
last two years to find a transportation solution to better link the Port of Dubuque to the
Downtown area. In early 2002 the City of Dubuque received a grant from the Federal
Transit Administration to fund a study to examine the need for investing in a transit
alternative in the Port of Dubuque/Downtown area. A steering committee guided the
study process.
The Transit Alternatives Analysis Steering Committee recommends selection of the "no-
build" alternative that includes the implementation of the two diesel-powered American
Heritage Streetcars that have been procured by the City of Dubuque. The alignment
connects the Port of Dubuque via the 3rd Street Overpass, to Main Street and the
existing KeyLine Transit transfer location at 9th Street and Main Street. This alternative
establishes a base service that can be easily expanded with additional rubber-tired
trolley replicas as demand increases, without major capital investments in a steel-
wheel/rail infrastructure.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
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Michael C. Van Milligen
MCVM/jh
Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahl, Corporation Counsel
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
Mark Munson, Transit Division Manager
Bill Baum, Economic Development Director
KeyLine Transit
2401 Central Avenue
Dubuque, Iowa 52001-3302
(563) 589-4196 office
(563) 589-4340 fax
(563) 690-6678 TDD
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Memorandum
March 17,2004
TO:
FROM:
Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
Mark Munson, Transit Division Manager M ~
Subject:
Transit Alternatives Analysis Recommendations
Purpose
The purpose of this memo is to briefly summarize the findings of the Transit
Alternatives Analysis conducted by URS Corp, and to recommend a preferred
alternative for transit service in the Port and Downtown Dubuque area.
Background
The City of Dubuque has experienced significant development in the Downtown
and Port of Dubuque areas over the last five years, as a result of a sound
commitment by the City to strengthen the civic core. The City has invested in a
variety of studies over the last couple years to find a transportation solution to
better link the Port of Dubuque to the Downtown area. In early 2002 the City of
Dubuque received a grant from the Federal Transit Administration to fund a study
to examine the need for investing in a transit alternative in the Port of
Dubuque/Downtown area. A steering committee to guide the study process was
formed and consisted of the following members:
Mark Munson, Transit Division Manager
William Baum, Economic Development Director
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
Laura Carstens, Planning Services Manager
Bob Schiesl, Engineering Department
Bob Krayer, ECIA
In April of 2002 URS Corp from Minneapolis, Minnesota was selected through an
RFP to conduct the study. Early in the study, five statements were developed as
a framework to define the purpose and need for transportation improvements:
. Provide an attractive and viable transportation link between the Port and
Downtown
. Support sensible investments in transportation
. Enhance the development of the Downtown and Port Area
Secviœ
People
Integrity
Responsibility
Innovation
Teamwock
. Increase community livability
. Support regional tourism market
On February 4, 2003, URS Corp, the City of Dubuque and ECIA kicked off the
Dubuque Downtown Transit Alternatives. Concurrently, a separate Downtown
Master Planning study was also initiated incorporating the recommendations
from the transit alternatives analysis study. Nearly thirty community leaders
representing variety of public, non-profit and private interests in the City of
Dubuque participated in interviews with the consultant. Electronic newsletters
were distributed to interested groups and individuals every four to six weeks and
at key milestones of the study. A public work session with the Dubuque City
Council was conducted in August 11, 2003 at the Five Flags Orpheum Room ànd
another public input meeting was conducted January 14, 2004 at the Five Flags
Majestic Room.
The following documents have been produced as a result of the study:
. The Public Involvement Plan
. Purpose and Needs Statement
. Stakeholder Interview Summary
. Transit Technology Assessment
. City Council Work session Presentation
. Alignment and Technology Alternatives
. Alternative Alignment Report
. Financial Analysis Report
. Evaluation Screening Process
. Summary and Recommendations
The sentiment of the public input received from both the council work session
and the January 14th public meeting was to support "sensible" investment in
downtown transportation. As a result of the data collected and the public input
received over the course of the study, Dan Meyers from URS Corp
recommended a "phased-in" approach to Dubuque's transit improvement
process beginning with the less costly rubber-tired trolley replicas referred to as
the "No-build alternative" and enhancing the system over time. On February 9,
2004 URS Corp issued their Summary and Recommendations.
The Downtown Transit Alternatives Analysis Steering Committee reviewed the
summary and recommendations. The committee noted that the three steel-
wheeled alternatives failed the fatal flaw analysis under the cost and affordability
category. In lieu thereof it was the opinion of the steering committee that there
was insufficient support for steel-wheel alternatives to concur with the consultant
recommendations to preserving right of way for possible future steel-wheeled
service and that selection of the "No-build" alternative would allow the City to
implement low-cost steps of the other alternatives: purchase another trolley, plan
for transit services prior to and concurrent with downtown development, and track
future funding sources. Selection of the "No-build" alternative does not preclude
potential future opportunities such as expanded rubber tired trolley service. In
addition, should significant federal transportation funding be available to create
an opportunity to pursue a steel wheel alternative, this report does not preclude
this potential future expansion.
The City already plans to roll out a looped shuttle service using two trolley
replicas in May of 2004. An RFP to deliver the looped shuttle service using the
trolley replicas is currently being developed.
Recommendation
The Transit Alternatives Analysis Steering Committee recommends selection of
the "No-build" alternative that includes the implementation of the two diesel-
powered American Heritage Streetcars that have been procured by the City of
Dubuque. The alignment connects the Port ofthe Dubuque via the 3rd Street
Overpass, to Main Street and the existing KeyLine Transit transfer location at 9th
Street and Main Street. This alternative establishes a base service that can be
easily expanded with additional rubber-tired trolley replicas as demand increases
without major capital investments in a steel-wheellrail infrastructure.
Cc:
William Baum, Economic Development Director
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
Laura Carstens, Planning Services Manager
Bob Schiesl, Engineering Department
Bob Krayer, ECIA
"
4.0 SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS
The City of Dubuque has experienced significant development in the downtown and Port of
Dubuque areas over the last five years" as a result of a, sound commitment by the Dty to
strengthen the civic core. The Port area has become a desirable local and regional
destination, including the new Grand River Conference center, the Mississippi River
museums and educational centers, and other various tourism attractions. These
developments, called America's River Project, are projected to attract 500,000 new visitors
to the area annually, presenting both transportation access and parking capacity concems.
As the port and downtown continue to cultivate these attractions, there is an opportunity
to introduce a functional, comfortable, and convenient transportation attraction, such as a
vintage trolley, that augments the character of the community's core and provides superior
mobility and access. '
The city has invested in a variety of studies to develop a roadway solution to better link the
Port of Dubuque to the downtown area, as currently there are only, two roadway
connections. In response to c¡oncerns, the community initiated a Transit Alternatives
Analysis to evaluate a different mode of transportation to provide more, transportation
alternatives and capacity to downtown. This report describes in detail six alternatives
analyzed, including two transit technologies and six alignments.
Based on the analysis presented in this report, none of the steel wheel alternatives in the
study area were found to pass the "Cost Efficiency and Affordability" fatal flaw analysis.
However, future growth or fiscal options in the area may make fixed guideway transit a
viable solution in the future. Although some of the alternatives may not be financially
feasible in the city's current budget, a phased approach to implementing a rubber-tired or
steel-wheeled system may be desirable, dependent on future demand and success of
developments in downtown and in the Port of Dubuque. The following recommendations
have been made for downtown Dubuque as a result of this study:
Step 1:
Implement the "No-Build" alignment and operations in May 2004 with the two
American Heritage Streetcars that have been procured by the City of Dubuque.
Step 2:
Encourage transit supportive developments and densities of employment and
residences in the study area.
Step 3:
As development continues in the downtown and port areas and demand for parking
increases, consider expanding the transit service into the Transportation System
Management (TSM #1) Alternative and procuring an additiona! rubber-tired vintage
trolley vehicle.
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Step 4:
Take proactive steps in securing future capital and operations funding, including
private-public partnerships or federal and state opportunities, as detailed in the
project's Rnancial Plan.
Step 5:
As demand for the transit system and the tourism industry in Dubuque intensifies,
preserve the opportunities for a steel-wheel vintage trolley system so that it can be
implemented in the future without extensive takings. Utilize the existing rubber-
tired vintage trolleys for expanded route service into future growth areas.
2.1 Implement the No-Build Alternative
The No-Build Alternative, as described in Chapter 2, includes the implementation of the two
diesel-powered American Heritage Streetcars that have been procured by the City of
Dubuque. The alignment connects the Port of Dubuque, via the 3rt! Street Overpass, to
Main Street and the existing Keyline Transit transfer facility at 9th Street / Main Street. This
alternative maximizes the existing resources of Keyline Transit while providing a direct and
convenient service for the core of the downtown and port areas. This alternative
establishes a base service that can be easily expanded as demand increases without major
capital investments in a steel-wheel/rail transit infrastructure.
2.2 Encourage Transit Supportive Development
There is a mix of land uses in downtown Dubuque, including commercial, retail, and
residential uses. Research has shown that mixing these spaces in close proximity reduces
automobile dependency, and encourages transit use. The Downtown Master Plan was
completed concurrently with this study, and many of its development strategies encourage
mixed-use dense development and making downtown a vibrant place to live, work, and
play. The strategies included revitalizing many of the vacant and underutilized properties all
supportive of transit use. Transit oriented development zones could be drawn to focus
development around the transit alignment or future route expansion services.
In addition to encouraging the downtown and port areas to be more vibrant, transit
provides an opportunity to minimize the need for future development of parking structures,
especially in the port. The city should consider strategies to utilize this transit service for
maximizing the use of the existing parking facilities, especially for festival and special
events.
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2.3 Preserve Opportunities for Service Expansion
As demand for the system increases, the City of Dubuque should seek opportunities to
phasing the service into the TSM #1 Alternative. This service, as described in Chapter 2,
would require the procurement of an additional rubber-tired vintage trolley to maintain a
consistent and reliable service. This expanded service provides an opportunity to serve a
larger ridership base and has the potential for enhancing future planned development and
redevelopment locations, while maintaining the connectivity to the regional transit system.
This alignment should be identified in future planning documents to alert potential
developers about potential transit service adjacent to the property in question. This route
alternative would provide service to the developing Historic Old Main district and Cathedral
Square, which could leverage future development.
2.4.Identify Future Funding Opportunities
A feasible public transportation service depends upon the identification of secure funding
sources with sufficient revenue capacity to support its implementation and operation.
Opportunities for the city to involve the private sector in a major construction project and
use private-sector transit operators may offer both financial and administrative benefits. No
new funding sources are required for the No-Build Alternative over and above those local,
state, and federal sources that are currently available. The city needs to be proactive in
seeking new funding sources for future route expansions or a possible major capital
investment for construction of a Build Steel-Wheel Alternative.
2.5 Preserve for. Steel Wheel Implementation
The fifth recommendation for phased implementation of a vintage trolley system in
Dubuque is to preserve right-of-way and other opportunities for building a. steel-wheel
vintage trolley system. As documented in the fatal flaw analysis, it was found that the
implementation of one of the build steel-wheeled alternatives was currently not feasible
because of fiscal constraints. There is great potential for future demand of such a system
though, as ridership and potential funding options increase. It is believed that a rail system
would ultimately be feasible and could provide an opportunity for maximizing the capacity
of the transportation system in downtown Dubuque, while leveraging determined economic
development opportunities in the core of the community.
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