City Council Agenda and Packet 2009 03 10 Joint Meeting

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City of Louisville FasTracks Station Design Discussion Items March 10, 2009 City Council Study Session Based on discussions between RTD and City staff, RTD prepared 4 station design options. RTD's primary interest in developing these design options is being able to `clear' a footprint that can be used by RTD in its Environmental Evaluation (EE). While the purpose of this station design exercise is not necessarily to delineate the final layout of the station area, staff also evaluated the impact of each option on the redevelopment potential of the Highway 42 Revitalization Area. Staff's evaluation is summarized below (please refer to the attached option plans): Option 1: Provides 460 to 510 parking spaces (the upper end of projected parking demand in 2015) in a layout extending from South Street to Lafayette Street (north); Cannon Street (east); rail tracks (west). This option extends Cannon Street (Spine Road) from north to south, and constructs South Street to Highway 42. Bus drop off would be located one block from the transit station. This option would require acquisition of approximately 12.5 acres owned by two different property owners. Pros • Allows for one block long of retail development on the west side of Cannon Street (at intersection of South Street and Cannon Street), as well as a full block of retail space on the block to the east (between South and Short Streets • Provides opportunities for private/public partnership to construct a parking structure • Allows best opportunity for shared parking lot/structure • Bus drop-off on Cannon Street permits transit users to use retail space on their way to and from train • Extension of Cannon Street would be completed as part of the construction Cons • Uses about 12.5 acres for parking instead of more desirable retail, commercial and residential uses • Devoting so much area north of Short Street solely to parking lot and detention pond would create a visual (and physical) barrier between any development North of Caledonia and the transit station • Requires the acquisition of three parcels totaling 12.5 acres (about $2.7 million if priced at $5.00/SF) from two different property owners • Requires RTD to acquire the westerly 1/3 of Tebo property for extension of Cannon Street south (to South Street) • Bus parking removes retail parking in front of retail space • Increases upfront infrastructure costs • Fails to take advantage of opportunities for shared parking available at the ball field complex for remote parking for commuter rail patrons