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CR 08-013 Adopt Resolutions Supporting Southwest Transitway ProjectProposed Action. Overview. Supporting information. Steven J. Stadler, Public Works Director G\TY OF H OPKINS January 31, 2008 Council Report 2008 -013 Adopt Resolutions Supporting Southwest Transitway Project Staff recommends adoption of the following motion: Move that Council adopt Resolutions 2008 -009, 2008 -010, 2008 -011, 2008 -012 supporting: federal and state funding requests, a higher priority for the project in the Metropolitan Council's Transportation Policy Plan and the implementation of a stable, dedicated State funding source for transit. The two -year study of transitway alternatives has been completed with the selection of three potential LRT routes. Now, the HCRRA will begin work with the project partners to initiate the next study phases, the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement and then Preliminary Engineering. The proposed resolutions are needed to help: 1) obtain funding assistance from State and Federal sources; 2) gain Metropolitan Council support to move up the regional priority of the project; and 3) obtain State legislation that secures a stable transit funding source which would improve our competitiveness for federal funding. Similar resolutions have been adopted by the Southwest Transitway Policy Advisory Committee, comprised, in part, of elected officials from each affected city. • Resolutions 2008 -009, 010, 011, 012 • Latest Southwest Transitway newsletter Financial Impact: $ 0 Budgeted: Y/N _nla Related Documents (CIP, ERP, etc.): Notes: Source: n/a CITY OF HOPKINS HENNEPIN COUNTY, MINNESOTA RESOLUTION 2008 -009 A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE REQUEST FOR $1 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDS TO ASSIST IN FUNDING THE SOUTHWEST TRANSITWAY ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT (EIS) WHEREAS, transportation infrastructure forms the backbone of the State's economy as well as its quality of life, and has a direct impact on economic development; and WHEREAS, a well designed and functional transportation system with multiple mode choices is essential to maintaining long -term mobility throughout the metropolitan region; and WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Council's long -range transportation plan identifies a future fixed transitway corridor in the Southwest Metro Area through the cities of Minneapolis, St. Louis Park, Hopkins, Minnetonka, and Eden Prairie; and WHEREAS, the Southwest Metro Area has experienced unprecedented population and employment growth over the last 20 years resulting in increasing congestion; and, WHEREAS, the Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority in partnership with the affected cities of Minneapolis, St. Louis Park, Hopkins, Edina, Minnetonka, and Eden Prairie and the Metropolitan Council has conducted two major studies over the past five years that demonstrate a strong need for improved transit service in this Area, and WHEREAS, studies completed over the past five years have shown that light rail would fit the needs of this area well and is the Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority's and the Southwest Policy Advisory Committee's preferred transit mode, and WHEREAS, a Light Rail Transit (LRT) line servicing the cities of Minneapolis, St. Louis Park, Hopkins, Minnetonka, and Eden Prairie will improve mobility and will help maintain a competitive business environment and high quality of life for the entire Southwest Metro Area; and WHEREAS, the Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority plans to conduct an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to identify possible environmental issues and to determine a locally preferred alternative (LPA) to address the current and future travel needs of the Southwest Metro Area; and, WHEREAS, United States Congressman Keith Ellison, House of Representatives, has submitted a request for $1 million in FY'09 federal transportation funds for the Southwest Transitway Environmental Impact Statement (EIS); and, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City of Hopkins supports the request by U.S. Congressman Ellison for $1 million in FY'09 federal transportation funds for the Southwest Transitway Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Hopkins, Minnesota, this 4th Day of February, 2008. ATTEST: Terry Obermaier, City Clerk Eugene J. Maxwell, Mayor CITY OF HOPKINS HENNEPIN COUNTY, MINNESOTA RESOLUTION NO. 2008 -010 A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE HENNEPIN COUNTY REGIONAL RAILROAD AUTHORITY (HCRRA) REQUEST FOR $10 MILLION IN 2008 STATE BONDING TO ASSIST IN FUNDING THE SOUTHWEST TRANSITWAY ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT (EIS) AND PRELIMINARY ENGINEERING (PE) WHEREAS, transportation infrastructure forms the backbone of the State's economy as well as its quality of life, and has a direct impact on economic development; and WHEREAS, a well designed and functional transportation system with multiple mode choices is essential to maintaining long -term mobility throughout the metropolitan region; and WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Council's long -range transportation plan identifies a future fixed transitway corridor in the Southwest Metro Area through the cities of Minneapolis, St. Louis Park, Hopkins, Minnetonka, and Eden Prairie; and WHEREAS, the Southwest Metro Area has experienced unprecedented population and employment growth over the last 20 years resulting in increasing congestion: and, WHEREAS, a Light Rail Transit (LRT) line servicing the cities of Minneapolis, St. Louis Park, Hopkins, Minnetonka, and Eden Prairie will improve mobility and will help maintain a competitive business environment and high quality of life for the entire Southwest Metro Area; and WHEREAS, the Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority in partnership with the affected cities of Minneapolis, St. Louis Park, Hopkins. Edina, Minnetonka, and Eden Prairie and the Metropolitan Council plans to conduct an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to determine a locally preferred alternative (LPA) to address the current and future travel needs of the Southwest Metro; and, WHEREAS, once the locally preferred alternative (LPA) is selected and approved by the Metropolitan Council, preliminary engineering (PE) will be conducted for that single alternative: and, WHEREAS, the Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority (HCRRA) has requested that Governor Pawlenty include $10 million in 2008 State Bonding for the Southwest Corridor Environmental Impact Statement (Draft and Final EIS) and Preliminary Engineering; and, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Hopkins City Council supports the request by the Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority (HCRRA) for $10 million in 2008 State Bonding for the Southwest Corridor Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and Preliminary Engineering (PE); and, ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Hopkins, Minnesota, this 4th Day of February, 2008. ATTEST: Terry Obermaier, City Clerk Eugene J. Maxwell, Mayor CITY OF HOPKINS HENNEPIN COUNTY, MINNESOTA RESOLUTION NO. 2008 -011 A RESOLUTION REQUESTING THAT THE SOUTHWEST TRANSITWAY BE GIVEN HIGH PRIORITY IN THE METROPOLITAN COUNCIL UPDATED 2030 TRANSPORTATION MASTER PLAN WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Council is the region's designated metropolitan planning organization (MPO) and is therefore responsible for preparing the region's Tong -range plan for transportation, the Transportation Policy Plan (TPP); and WHEREAS, the current TPP includes a goal of doubling transit ridership by 2030 through improvements to the bus system and implementation of a system of transitways; and WHEREAS, the current TPP identifies the Northstar, Cedar, I -35W, Bottineau, and Central Transitways as Tier I for implementation by 2020 and the Southwest, Red Rock, and Rush Line Transitways as Tier II for implementation between 2020 and 2030; and WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Council is currently updating the long -range plan for transportation for adoption by December of 2008 and the updated plan will be called the 2030 Transportation Master Plan; and WHEREAS, transitways intending to compete for Federal New Starts funding must be identified in the region's long -range transportation plan; and WHEREAS, the Southwest Transitway is expected to serve nearly 30,000 trips per day, assist in managing congestion in the fastest growth area of the region, provide access to jobs and support economic development, provide a competitive travel choice, and is a cost - effective transportation option; and WHEREAS, the Southwest Transitway is expected to be a candidate for Federal New Starts funding; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Hopkins City Council respectfully requests that the Metropolitan Council identify the Southwest Transitway in the updated 2030 Transportation Master Plan as the next LRT line for implementation after the Central Corridor LRT line, and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Hopkins City Council requests that the updated 2030 Transportation Master Plan reflect that the Southwest Transitway is planned to be operational no later than 2015. ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Hopkins, Minnesota, this 4th Day of February, 2008. ATTEST: Terry Obermaier, City Clerk Eugene J. Maxwell, Mayor CITY OF HOPKINS HENNEPIN COUNTY, MINNESOTA RESOLUTION NO. 2008 -012 A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING A STABLE, DEDICATED FUNDING SOURCE FOR TRANSIT CAPITAL AND OPERATIONS INCLUDING THE SOUTHWEST TRANSITWAY WHEREAS, transportation infrastructure forms the backbone of the State's economy as well as its quality of life, and has a direct impact on economic development; and WHEREAS, a well designed and functional transportation system with multiple mode choices is essential to maintaining long -term mobility throughout the metropolitan region; and WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Council's long -range transportation plan identifies a future fixed transitway corridor in the Southwest Metro Area through the cities of Minneapolis, St. Louis Park, Hopkins, Minnetonka, and Eden Prairie; and WHEREAS, the Southwest Metro Area has experienced unprecedented population and employment growth over the last 20 years resulting in increasing congestion; and, WHEREAS, a Light Rail Transit (LRT) line serving the cities of Minneapolis, St. Louis Park, Hopkins, Minnetonka, and Eden Prairie will improve mobility and will help maintain a competitive business environment and high quality of life for the entire Southwest Metro Area; and WHEREAS, a stable and dedicated source of funding for transit capital and operations improves a project's competitiveness in the Federal Transit Administration's New Starts program; and, WHEREAS, the Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority intends to compete for Federal Transit Administration New Starts funding, which should account for at least fifty percent of the capital costs, for the Southwest LRT line; and, WHEREAS, the Twin Cities region does not have a stable and dedicated funding source for transit capital and operations including for the Southwest LRT line; and, NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Hopkins City Council supports the creation of a stable and dedicated funding source for transit capital and operations including the Southwest LRT line. ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Hopkins, Minnesota, this 4th Day of February, 2008. ATTEST: Terry Obermaier, City Clerk Eugene J. Maxwell, Mayor INSIDE Three Light Rail Routes to Proceed to Next Study Phase Southwest Transitway The proposed Southwest Transit - way is a high frequency transit line connecting Eden Prairie, Min- netonka, Hopkins, St. Louis Park, and downtown Minneapolis. An alternatives analysis was complet- ed in December 2006, resulting in a decision to take three light rail al- ternatives to the next study phase — a comprehensive environmental study called an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). Southwest Transitway PAC - he Southwest Transitway Policy Advisory Committee (PAC) is composed of elected officials from Hennepin County, the five directly affected cities (Eden Prairie, Minnetonka, St. Louis Park, Hopkins, and Minneapolis), Edina, the Metropolitan Council, Metro Transit, Southwest Metro Transit, the Three Rivers Park District, the Midtown Community Works Partnership, and local chambers of commerce. The committee was charged with overseeing the evaluation of tran- sitway alternatives and recom- mending a preferred alternative for a Southwest Transitway. plume 4 April 2007 Moving Ahead with LRT! It's fast, it carries a lot of people, and it at- tracts development. Those are just three reasons the Southwest Transitway Policy Advi- sory Committee (PAC) recommended that a Light Rail Transit line for the southwest metro area be pursued. On February 13, 2007, the Hennepin County Regional Railroad Author- ity (HCRRA) voted unanimously to accept the Southwest Transitway PAC recommenda- tion to proceed with the next study phase, an environmental study, called an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) . After a two -year study of transitway alterna- tives, called an Alternatives Analysis (AA) , the Southwest Transitway PAC recommended further evaluation of three LRT routes to determine which one best serves southwest metro residents and workers. The three LRT alternatives (LRT 1A, LRT 3A, and LRT 3C) were recommended because study findings showed that they were superior at addressing the Southwest Transitway goals of improv- ing mobility, providing a cost - effective and efficient travel option, protecting the envi- ronment, preserving the quality of life, and supporting economic development. (see map inside) The three LRT alternatives also rate well on the cost - effectiveness criteria used to compete for federal funding - which could cover as much as 50% of project costs. BUSINESS ALLIANCE FORMED Four local chambers of commerce recently formed a business collaboration called the Southwest Transitway Alliance to promote the development of a Southwest LRT line. The Twin West Chamber of Commerce, the Eden Prairie Chamber, the Minneapolis Regional Chamber, and the Edina Cham- ber have joined together to provide a unified business voice for the project. One of the Alliance's first tasks is supporting a legislative funding request to pay for a portion of the next study phase, the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The Alliance will also work to educate the business community and public about this important project and to build support over time. For more information about the Southwest Transitway Alliance, or to add your business to a list of supporters, contact Jason Flohrs, Twin West's director of government affairs, at 763 - 450 -2225, or jasonf @twinwest.com. Before finalizing their recommendations, the Southwest Transitway PAC and the HCRRA sought input from the public. Residents and workers in the southwest metro area were encouraged to share their opinions of moving forward with light rail transit (LRT) . Com- munity meetings and open houses were held from October to December 2006 to provide opportunities for the public to hear more about the proposed routes, what makes Light Rail Transit a good fit for the community, and to comment. In addition, the HCRRA held a public hearing on January 23, 2007. Over the next few months the HCRRA will work with its partners to initiate the next study phase, preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) . The purpose of the EIS is to provide a full and open evaluation of environmental issues and alternatives, and to inform decision - makers and the public of reasonable alternatives that could avoid or minimize adverse impacts and enhance the quality of the environment. Public input is a major part of the EIS process and there- fore, multiple opportunities for input will be provided. Interested citizens should watch for notices of meetings and hearings - public involvement will continue to be essential for the development of a successful LRT line to serve the southwest metro area. Alternatives Tier 1 Goals Supporia goal an Ian, than 3 of Irneaturra Tier 2 Goals Recommendation Carry forward as Baseline Alternative Goal 1: Improve Mobility Goal 2- Provide a Cost Effective. Efficient Travel Option as Baseline Results alternative (Required) Goal 3: Protect the Enviroment Carry forward Goal 4; Preserve and Protect the Quality of Life In the Study Area and Region as Baseline alternative Goal S Support Economic Development (Required► Enhanced Bus SBasNlrte I Carry forward BRT 1 - Eden Praino to Minneapolis. HCRRA • II Dces not meet Tier 1 Goals, Do not carry forward BRT 2' - Ellen Prairie to MinneaPol,s C. Triang,e!01?;s, iH .69rHCRRA • • Doers not meet Tier 1 Goals, Do no' carry forward LRT IA - Eden Prairie to Minneapolis I iCRRAi`KenilworthRoyalston Ol 4 Meets Tier 1 Goals; Carry Forward to Tier 2 31 3 al Carry forward for further analysis LRT 2A • Eden Prairie lo Mrnnoap is I- 494)HCRRA i Ken.i',korth■R9'tlal5t9n 3 CIO C Meets t$ T 1 Goals; C arry Forward to Tier 2 3 //�� V 3 Other alternatives better meet Tier 2 Goals. Do not carry forward LRT 3A Eden Prairie 10 Minneapolis, Golden Tnangle,OpussI HCRRAXen,twor1ht Rgyatston 3 4 Meets Tier 1 Goals. Carry Forward to Tier 2 4 3 O Cwry forward for further analysis LRT 4A - Hopkins to Minneapolis. , CRR.A'KenilworthrRoyalstcn • a Part of fun alte•nat ve Do ^:1 c.t• r'y tOrw,I'd LRT IC - Eden Prairie to Minneapolis IiCRRAlvlio:ownrNlcollrt ff'�� V 4 Dces not meet Tier 1 Goals; Do not carry forward LRT 2C - Eden Prairie to fkeneapoI s, t 4A4:HCRRA i1.1+dtown.`N +cotl.1 CO • Does not meet Tier 1 Goals; Do not carry forward LRT 3C - Eden Prairie to Minneapolis Golden TrlangtelOpvs! HCRRA/Midtown. Nicaue! CP 3 hleets Tier 1 Goals: Carry Forward to Tier 2 V 3 O Carry forward for further analysis LRT 4C' . Hopkins to Minneapolis, HCRRAIrlienownv"Nlcoltet • • Part of full alternative DO not Carry forward Supports seal cn 'twat than a or ti ma.W. - Supports goal on tract Man T of 1 D maasurw• Supporia goal an Ian, than 3 of Irneaturra Suptnnts goal on 4+Supports of I) mtatutao goat on 7 of 10 meant nt Supyacs goat on I of 1 troatures Suptxxtt goal cn all meas+oos Suppcfre goal c. all nu.as.trl Supporla goal on all measures Stuy Reconnonation The Analysis The Southwest Transitway Alternatives Analysis (AA) is a federally required study whose purpose was to compare the benefits, costs and impacts of a broad range of transitway alternatives in order to determine which best meets the travel needs of the southwest metro area communities and downtown Minneapolis. Tr ansitway alternatives ranging from streetcars to monorail where considered and narrowed down to enhancing the regular bus system, bus rapid transit (BRT) , and light rail transit (LRT) for detailed evaluation in the Southwest Transitway AA. One enhanced regular bus, two BRT, and eight LRT alternatives were thoroughly evaluated Southwest Transitway Goals Tier ONE Tier TWO • Improve mobility • Provide a cost - effective & efficient option • Protect the environment • Preserve the quality of life • Support economic development The Southwest Transitway goals are seg- mented into two tiers. Tier one goals are those that must be met for a project to exist. Tier two goals are those that should be achieved assuming a project exists. E NIA tea tion Breakpoints • Q S.K , 1s ?'.1 O 5:.-cnir g to determine which were most likely to meet the Southwest Transitway goals of (1) improving mobility, (2) providing a cost- effective and efficient travel option, (3) protecting the environment, (4) preserving quality of life, and (5) support- ing economic development. After thoroughly evaluating the transitway alternatives, three LRT alternatives were recommended for further evaluation during an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) , the next study phase. Southwest Transitway Alternatives Evaluation Matrix, Revised following September 27. 2006 PAC Meeting 121 Southwest Transitway Alternatives Analysis i Preliminary Study Recommendation Southwest Technical Advisory Committee s.oe.. b., 2 .... • •wi• LRT 1ARoute LRT 3A Route LRT 3C Route • Station 0 Park & Ride Station © 0 MILES Hennepin County I' Regional Railroad Authority ALTERNATIVES LRT 1A 23,500 LRT 3A 27,000 LRT 3C 28,100 2030 Ridership 2030 New Riders 4,500 7,500 6,800 2015 Capital Cost $865 million $1.2 billion $1.4 billion 2015 Operating Cost $12 million $16 million $17 million Cost - Effectiveness Index (CEI)' $30 $26 $30 The Results: Light Rail Routes Advancing to Next Study Phase After comparing the benefits, costs and impacts of eight light rail transit (LRT) and two bus rapid transit (BRT) alterna- tives, three of the eight LRT alternatives were recommended for further study. The remaining five LRT alternatives and the two BRT alternatives were not recommended because they did not meet study goals. Three LRT alternatives (LRT 1A, LRT 3A, and LRT 3C) were recommended for retention because they are superior at addressing the Southwest Transitway goals of improving urvVISTON u I / l Highway 5 Mitchell Southwest Station ¢y c, HOPXIA', ` „A O Shady Oak 1; '8 EAF..4 PRAIP.IS • Opus City West - k . Highway 62 11 Golden Triangle 4 5** * • h ` f • Eden Prairie Town Center mobility, providing a cost - effective and efficient travel op- tion, protecting the environment, preserving the quality of life, and supporting economic development. The three LRT alternatives are expected to carry more riders, attract more new riders to the transit system, be more cost - effective, more operationally efficient, provide transit service to those most in need, provide connections -to workplaces, medical facilities, shopping centers and other activities centers in the southwest metro area, and create opportunities for further economic development in southwest metro area communities. Penn 21st Street • Franklin -. � % 1) Lyndale • - West Lake / .•......... . p • �1:� • Uptown Intermodal Station C] Royalston VanWhite i s1 8th Street,.- 12th Street 28th Street a 6It Final Design/ Construction 2011 -2015 6Jo'AeM1isueJ1lsaMulnos'MMM :qam 09Z6'8b£'Z L9 :auogd 1Ob99 NW 'silodeauuiW OZ£# laaJTS 1 -119 u1JON L Lb AeMlisueJl lsaMylnos :p jj lelsod sn @JopJJOJMs :liew3 •spioaai i pnls aul to lied awoaaq pue sleiaylo papal° 'no' Jna yT M pangs we paA930J slu9wwO3 IIV 'AeM11sueJl lsaMylnos a lnoge mum no/ Rum Mou)l sn lal aseald inoA WONH HV3H 01 1NYM 3M nexi steps The next study phase for the Southwest Transitway is an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) , which is likely to take two to three years to complete. Rail Feasibility Study (completed) 2002 -2004 During the EIS, the three light rail alternatives will be analyzed in more depth and narrowed down to one which will then pursue federal funding. Alternatives Analysis (completed) Assuming consensus is reached on which light rail alternative to pursue, the earliest this line would be operational is the year 2015. Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) 2005 -2006 2007 -2009 2009 -2011 LOVSS NVV 'sHodeauuiw OZE# laaJ S y1c LfJoN L LB ICengsueJ] isann