City Council Agenda and Packet 2009 03 10 Joint Meeting

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TO: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL FROM: MALCOLM FLEMING CITY MANAGER DATE: March 10, 2009 SUBJECT: Louisville Station Design Options -Discussion/Direction/Action ORIGINATING DEPARTMENT: City Manager's Office and Planning Department SUMMARY: RTD has developed 4 design options for the Louisville rail station at South Street along the tracks. Louisville staff has prepared the attached analysis of the pros and cons associated with each of the proposed station design options. A map of the ball fields east of Highway 42 is included for context. The parking lot at the ball fields can currently accommodate 190 spaces. If the lot were improved as originally designed with curb and gutter, asphalt and striping, it could accommodate up to 254 spaces. From RTD's perspective, the ultimate goal for this review is to determine which option would create the optimum environmental footprint for RTD's EE: Option 1 shows the largest footprint (12.5 acre) acquiring 3 parcels; while Option 2a provides the smallest environmental footprint and only requires the acquisition of 1 parcel. Although each option provides certain design elements that are better than the next, RTD is only asking for the City of Louisville to create a footprint that delineates the potential environmental impact that will result from the proposed Fastracks Station and parking lot. Using the Louisville Sports Complex site as remote parking for FasTracks would minimize the expanse of parking in highly desirable land in the middle of the Revitalization Area. While options that do this provide the lowest impact on developable land in the Revitalization Area, they also require the greatest parking management solution and require the expenditure of the associated capital costs for pedestrian connection across Highway 42. FISCAL IMPACT: Unknown at this time, but the City will most likely incur some cost in the future if structured parking is desired. RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that City Council consider approving Option 2a. This would maximize the land available for redevelopment, minimize the visual impact of parking, and allow the savings from land acquisition to be used for pedestrian improvements to the Highway 42 crossing and other amenities in the redevelopment area. However, this option may not provide sufficient convenient parking to satisfy demand and will require effective parking management as well as cooperation with Lafayette and Boulder County to provide parking for uses other than that associated with the ballfields. ATTACHMENT(S): 4 station designs, a pro and con sheet, and a map of the ball fields. SUBJECT Louisville Station Design Options - Discussion/Directions/Action AGENDA ITEM