Overview: Phase 3 Draft Development and Circulation Plans, White Bear Station This overview explains how to get more involved and provides information on the Phase 3 draft circulation and development plans that address the following: Safety: A highly visible and active station Connectivity: Walking and biking routes into the neighborhood and to shopping destinations Housing: Opportunities to increase affordable and market rate housing Jobs: Long-term, mixed-use commercial development south of Interstate 94 White Bear Station Area Objectives From community input in October 2017, the following objectives were identified for this station area: Create a safe station environment Consider a safe and direct extension of Hazel Street south to Suburban Avenue (I-94 undercrossing) Ensure safe walking and biking within the station area Maintain affordable housing Promote additional housing and development opportunities Get Involved Learn more about the issues and questions for this station and provide your feedback! Go to www.thegatewaycorridor.com/station-area-planning/, select this station, and then the online engagement link. The survey is open now through November 19, 2018. Learn more: Gold Line BRTOD information: www.thegatewaycorridor.com or GoldLinePartners@gmail.com Questions? The City of Saint Paul will be the main point of contact for Saint Paul residents and businesses for all Saint Paul Gold Line stations. Contact City Planner Bill Dermody, 651-266-6617, bill.dermody@ci.stpaul.mn.us. Website: TheGatewayCorridor.com Email: GoldLinePartners@gmail.com Page 1
White Bear Neighborhood Station Station typologies reflect the complementary role between stations along the corridor and inform the type and intensity of transit-oriented development that should be emphasized in each station s development plan. Station typologies respond to station-specific conditions, community desires, and adopted policies and plans while being consistent with best practices for transit-oriented development. Assigning a station typology to each station area considers site conditions, market conditions, and demographics. Based on these factors, each of the 10 stations along the corridor was assigned one of four types as described below: Neighborhood: Established residential areas with fewer opportunities for transit-oriented infill or development Mixed-use Neighborhood: Established residential areas with fewer opportunities for transit-oriented in fill or development Employment: Established employment centers that provide family-wage jobs and high transit ridership opportunities Commerce: Established commercial centers that serve the corridor and region The White Bear Avenue station is a Neighborhood station, providing: Improved station access to existing transit-dependent neighborhood New infill housing at the station, both affordable and market-rate Long-term BRTOD uses south of I-94, including employment, commercial, and housing Website: TheGatewayCorridor.com Email: GoldLinePartners@gmail.com Page 2
Station Location and Guideway Design Refinements (September 2018) At the White Bear Station, the proposed BRT route would be located along the north side of Interstate 94 and south of Old Hudson Road. The station would be located at Hazel Street, between White Bear Avenue and Ruth Street. As shown in the graphics, there would be new sidewalks and trails to support station access, and the BRT guideway would run under White Bear Avenue and Ruth Streets. Website: TheGatewayCorridor.com Email: GoldLinePartners@gmail.com Page 3
Phase 3 Draft Circulation Plan Based on stakeholder feedback and technical issues, the refined circulation plan for the White Bear BRT station area includes the following: Within 1/4 mile of the station a loop of walk and bike improvements to ensure safe and direct access between the station and shopping destinations south of I-94 along Suburban Avenue Within 1/2 mile of the station, walk and bike improvements connect the station to the neighborhood on Hazel Street and link destinations such as recreation centers and schools along 3rd Street, and Ruth Street A B Station access routes: 3 rd Street and Old Hudson Road bike lanes, and White Bear Avenue Bridge trail Corridor walk and bike trail, including crossing at Ruth Street City-designated existing and planned walk and bike routes These are described further on the following pages. Website: TheGatewayCorridor.com Email: GoldLinePartners@gmail.com Page 4
Station access route, Old Hudson Road bike lanes (A on the map above) New bike lanes and sidewalks provide primary east and west access to the station between White Bear Avenue and Ruth Street Station access route, White Bear Avenue bridge (A on the map above) Connects the BRT station to the corridor trail running along Suburban Avenue and destinations such as Target Website: TheGatewayCorridor.com Email: GoldLinePartners@gmail.com Page 5
Station access route, 3 rd Street bike lanes (A on the map above) Connects the BRT station to residential areas, Harding High School, and the Conway Recreation Center and the Sun Ray library Corridor walk and bike trail (B on the map above) Improvements along the south side of Suburban Avenue to support connections to Target, Aldi, Ha Tien Market, and other destinations, and to I-94 crossings at White Bear Avenue and Ruth Street Website: TheGatewayCorridor.com Email: GoldLinePartners@gmail.com Page 6
Corridor trail, Ruth Street bridge segment (B on the map above) Potential Ruth Street Bridge improvements include the walk and bike trail on the east side of bridge, connecting the BRT station to destinations south of I- 94 such as grocery stores and continuing on the corridor trail along Burns Avenue Website: TheGatewayCorridor.com Email: GoldLinePartners@gmail.com Page 7
Phase 3 Draft Development Plan The draft Development Plan identifies the location of land uses that support a safe and active BRT station environment, enhance BRT ridership, and capitalize on the station area s proximity to I-94 and access to BRT. Land uses and density of development are consistent with the City s adopted station area zoning. North side of I-94 at White Bear station (Hazel Street) New park Station oriented toward the park Apartment buildings (325-450 units) provide housing close to the station, and support transit ridership and a safe station environment South side of I-94 along Suburban Avenue A future Suburban Avenue Master Plan should guide redevelopment of this aging auto-oriented commercial corridor, and should consider: A new street grid to encourage walking and biking and reduce the scale of development Park and an open space amenity for potential housing and/or commercial uses Apartment buildings and townhomes to provide housing options close to the station and support transit ridership Employment and commercial uses to support additional employment and neighborhood-supporting goods and services Website: TheGatewayCorridor.com Email: GoldLinePartners@gmail.com Page 8