Site Selection for the Intermodal Transportation CenterMCVM:jh
Attachment
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: Intermodal Transportation Center Site Selection
DATE: March 2, 2011
hael C.
Van an Milligen
Dubuque
City
2007
Economic Development Director Dave Heiar and the Intermodal Transportation Center
Site Selection Committee recommend the selection of the Historic Millwork District for
the Intermodal Transportation Facility. Some of the major factors weighing in favor of
the Historic Millwork District are:
1) Fills a need for parking in the Millwork District and will more likely create a
facility that can create revenue (parking fees) to make it more self- sufficient.
2) Can better provide a downtown transfer site for the Jule and will provide easier
and more reliable access for all buses including RTA and Burlington Trailways.
3) Is consistent with the Historic Millwork District with respect to sustainability,
complete streets, air quality and safety. The current momentum in this district
creates a greater opportunity for potential future funding for the construction of
the facility.
Should the City Council concur with the proposed site, the next step in this process is to
further investigate more of the site unknowns, and to begin the preliminary design for
this facility. A Request for Proposal has been prepared for Council consideration to
seek a consultant to assist the City in the next phase of this process.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
cc: Barry Lindahl, City Attorney
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
David J. Heiar, Economic Development Director
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: Michael Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: David J. Heiar, Economic Development Director
SUBJECT: Intermodal Transportation Center Site Selection
DATE: March 1, 2011
Dubuque
bfrd
AFAmdica Cny
11111 '
2007
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this memorandum is to seek City Council concurrence for a site for a
future Intermodal Transportation Center.
BACKGROUND
In July 2010, the City Council hired IIW Engineers partnered with Desman Associates to
complete a site selection study and environmental analysis for an Intermodal
Transportation Center (ITC). The vision for the ITC is that it will support transit
connections, rail connections, vehicular parking, electric vehicle charging, bicycle
parking, intercity bus, a passenger waiting area, taxicab stands, public restrooms
(including lockers and showers /changing areas), a ticketing office along with the
potential for retail space, a daycare facility, and possibly commercial office space.
The consultants initially considered 11 potential sites that were quickly narrowed down
to two sites (see attached map with potential sites). The final two sites were in the Port
of Dubuque and the Historic Millwork District. IIW met with the selection committee to
review the merits of each site. The committee consisted of the following individuals:
Dan McDonald, Greater Dubuque Development Corporation
Chandra Ravada, ECIA
David Solberg, Chair — Envision 2010 Rail Passenger Initiative
David Heiar, Economic Development Director
Barbara Morck, Transit Director
Steve Sampson Brown, Project Manager
Laura Carstens, Planning Services Manager
Aaron DeJong, Assistant Economic Development Director
Tim Horsfield, Parking System Supervisor
Both sites still have some unknowns that could possibly create future obstacles.
Nonetheless, there is a need to move forward quickly to take advantage of the current
funding sources. After weighing the pros and cons of each site, the selection committee
unanimously recommended the Historic Millwork District for the Intermodal
Transportation Facility. Some of the major factors weighing in favor of the Historic
Millwork District are as follows:
1) Fills a need for parking in the Millwork District and will more likely create a
facility that can create revenue (parking fees) to make it more self- sufficient.
2) Can better provide a downtown transfer site for the Jule and will provide easier
and more reliable access for all buses including RTA and Burlington Trailways.
3) Is consistent with the Historic Millwork District with respect to sustainability,
complete streets, air quality and safety. The current momentum in this district
creates a greater opportunity for potential future funding for the construction of
the facility.
The complete list of the pros and cons considered by the committee is attached.
Should the City Council concur with the proposed site, the next step in this process is to
further investigate more of the site unknowns, and to begin the preliminary design for
this facility. An RFP has been prepared for Council consideration to seek a consultant
to assist the City in the next phase of this process.
BUDGET IMPACT
The work completed in Phase I (site selection) and Phase II (design) is being funded by
two grants received by the City. The state of Iowa committed $300,000 from
transportation funds which will be matched by $236,000 of federal transit funding. No
local match will be required. These funds were committed at the federal and state
levels over the past three years and must be committed at the local level soon to avoid
the loss of funding.
RECOMMENDATION /ACTION STEP
For the City Council to concur with the recommendation to pursue the Historic Millwork
District for a future Intermodal Transit Facility.
Attachment
F: \USERS\Econ Dev \Intermodal Facility \Site Selection\20110302 Intermodal Transportation Site SelectionMemo.doc
Port Site (Site 1)
Intermodal Center Facility Location, Design and Functionality
Pros and Cons of Each Location
February 25, 2011
A. Pros
1. Less travel time from Chicago to DBQ to Waterloo using this site since don't
need to switch rail lines
2. Port is more of an attraction today
3. Property is already owned by City
4. Involves only one rail carrier (CN)
5. Surrounding area is successfully developed so passengers may be more
comfortable disembarking from train
6. Closer to river for boats
7. Could free up City (McGraw -Hill) parking lot for future development
B. Cons
1. Paid parking may be low
2. Since there are known hazardous materials the cost of mitigation will increase
the construction cost
3. FTA expressed a concern about pedestrians crossing at grade tracks to access
site (and no rail gates are present to block sidewalk)
4. As a transit transfer point this site is inconvenient
5. Due to only one grade separation into Port area, it is difficult to have a
predictable transit bus schedule
6. Less potential use by bicycles at this site
7. Shot Tower will not be visible from downtown or Port
C. Unknowns
1. SHPO response to FTA recommendation of No Adverse Impact
2. Written comments from the CN Railroad
3. Train signal protective requirements (related to total cost estimate)
4. Number of parking spaces which can be justified by demand, FTA recommends
500 as an upper limit
Historic Millwork Site (Site 8)
A. Pros
1 Fills a need for parking in the Historic Millwork District
2. More reliable schedule for bus
3. More demand for bicycles, pedestrians. From downtown would not need to cross
active railroad tracks
4. Walking distance from area where people do not have cars and who use intercity
carriers
5. Better location as a transit transfer facility
6 Site easy to access from US 61/151
7. Potential to provide a buffer between Historic Millwork District development and
hig hway
8. Frees up opportunity for green space / plaza in the Millwork District
9. Millwork property owners endorse this site
10. Greater potential for parking revenue to offset costs making this site more self
sufficient
11. Intermodal Facility is consistent with the Historic Millwork District with respect to
sustainability, complete streets, air quality, and safety
B. Cons
1. Not all property needed is owned by City
2. Historic Millwork District is not developed, so more of a risk as to how successful
it will be
3. Need to coordinate with two rail carriers to access site
4. Need to coordinate with the Iowa DOT since proposed use of their property
5. Requires Hwy ramp relocation and potentially Elm Street relocation
C. Unknowns
1. SHPO response to FTA recommendation of No Adverse Impact
2. Iowa DOT response to allowing the removal of the DOT frontage road
(northbound) between 9th Street and Elm Street
3. Iowa DOT response concerning the use of the property currently owned by the
DOT just west of US 61/151 and between 9 Street, 11 Street, & Elm Street
4. Iowa DOT concurrence of converting the existing one -way couplet of 9 Street
and 11 Street to two -way streets
5. DNR response with respect to Phase 11 Hazardous Material Assessment
6. Number of parking spaces which can be justified by demand, FTA recommends
500 as an upper limit, however there is most likely more demand at Site 8
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Description of ITC Site Evaluation Criteria:
Site Location:
Topography
Ranking was determined by the evaluation of the land with respect to adjacent rail and street network.
Site Size
Ranking was determined based on potential to accommodate the minimum footprint of the building and a 450 foot
Amtrak passenger platform. Minimum building footprint defined by need to provide 7 bus bays.
Site Configuration
Ranking was determined by the ease of construction of the building with a "normal" rectangular footprint, rather than
an irregular footprint to accommodate the shape of the site.
Site Availability /Ownership
Ranking was determined by City ownership (1), DOT ownership (0) or privately owned ( -1)
Land Use/Zoning
Compatibility for use as an intermodal center based on adjacent land uses and uses allowed by zoning.
Visual Presence
Considered the visibility of the structure to allow an automobile or pedestrian to locate the center. Considered
visibility for traffic and passengers entering the City of Dubuque. Considered if structure would detract from adjacent
structures or detract from a viewshed.
Transportation:
Proximity to Downtown
Based on the distance from the site to downtown, with the Port of Dubuque being part of the downtown.
Pedestrian access (sidewalk) to site
Ranking considered present sidewalk access to the site, planned pedestrian corridors, and if pedestrians would cross
an active rail line to access site.
Impact on Existing Traffic
Potential for capacity issues on existing or proposed street network due to additional traffic generated by Intermodal
facility.
Relationship to Parking Needs
Parking needs were determined to be generated by the Intermodal facility, the Port of Dubuque, the Millwork District,
and downtown businesses. Sites closest to the primary parking generators were scored higher than other sites that
were further away. Considered relationship of proposed site to existing parking facilities.
Railroad Serviceability
Considered if rail access was possible and ease of constructing rail access including an elevated passenger platform.
Vehicular Access to Site
Ranking was determined by the number of streets that provide access to the site, ease of getting to the site by auto
and whether an active rail line needed to be crossed for access.
Transit Route Viability
Considered ability to provide reliable transit service due to crossing of transit over an active rail line, and number of
existing or proposed roadways accessing site. Consideration was also given to transit generators and destinations
nearby the site compared to out of direction travel for transit riders to go to the facility.
Environmental:
Environmental Assessment Requirements
Ranking was determined by the number of issues with all other environmental considerations included in an
environmental document except those ranked separately as a part of this evaluation.
Wetlands / Floodolain constraints
Potential for site flooding or placing fill in a floodplain.
Historical/Archeological Importance
Considered known historical buildings or district adjacent to the site or any known archeological issues.
Hazardous Material
Ranking was determined by known hazardous material presence and/or if there is known environmental clearance.
Conservation Area/Land
Is the site a park or other conservation area.
SITE /B AREA OF POTENTIAL IMPACT
RAILROAD TRACKS
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THESE DOCUMENTS HAVE BEEN
PREPARED SPECIFICALLY FOR
THIS PROJECT ONLY. THEY ARE
NOT SUITABLE FOR USE ON OTHER
PROJECTS OR IN OTHER
LOCATIONS WITHOUT THE
EXPRESS WRITTEN CONSENT OF
IIW ENGINEERS & SURVEYORS, P.C.
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