Elmhurst Metra Station Public Hearing Wednesday - November 30, 2016
Agenda Introduction to Hearing Format - Presentation (20 Minutes) - Exhibits/Workstations - Record (Comment Cards, Court Reporter) Review of Project Need Review of Development Process - Public Meetings/Agency Meetings - Alternatives Review of Preferred Alternative - Site Plan, Station Plan - Parking IDOT/FHWA, Environmental Review Status - Right of Way (Union Pacific/City Agreement) - Categorical Exclusion (CE), ESR, PDR Development Tentative Schedule/Next Steps
Review Of Project Need
Review of Project Need Safety Pedestrian and Vehicular Serve Commuters Additional Ridership Demands (30%) and Amenities Supporting Smart Growth/TOD Strategies Livability Site Access (ADA) Congestion Mitigation (Traffic) Comprehensive Site Planning Maintainability (Built in 1960 s, Updated in 1990 s)
Existing Site Plan INBOUND OUTBOUND
Existing Site Plan - Reference Congested Intersections/Conflict Points in Parking Typical No Crosswalks No Crosswalks No Car/Bus Drop Off Shelter is not enclosed or conditioned No ADA Sidewalk Access No ADA Sidewalk Access Drop Off/Station Tunnel is not ADA Accessible No ADA Sidewalk Access No Enclosed Waiting Area No Crosswalk
Existing Station Conditions Customer experience: drop off, bus, retail amenities, air conditioning, parking, tunnel improvements Reduce car, bus, pedestrian conflicts Community development Landmark station/site design Massing: view corridors Materiality: stone, brick, metal Amenities: clock tower, fountain, etc. Sustainable design: stormwater, pavers, energy efficient systems, etc.
Existing Station MEP
View West from York Street North
View East from Addison/1 st Street- North Main Station Drop Off/Drive Lane
View East from Platform - North
View from York Street - North York/ Park Intersection Approx. 10am
View East from Outbound Drop-Off South
View East from York Street South At Grade Crossing at York Street Interrupts Platform.
View North of Addison Intersection
View West from Main Station
Review Of Development Process
Developmental Design Process Public Workshop July 27, 2016 Online Survey July through August 2016 Meetings with Agencies -IDOT/FHWA (Multiple) -Union Pacific (Multiple) -Metra (Multiple) City of Elmhurst Staff Workshops Public Affairs and Safety Committee Meetings City Council Meeting
Public Involvement Media Release Survey and Workshop Handouts Metra Station Platforms, City Hall, Cycling Classic Posting in Station
Public Workshop #1 Thursday July 27 th, 2016 City Hall Workstation 1 Destination Mapping/Mode of Transportation Workstation 3 Station Amenities/Appearance Workstation 2 Station Site Plan/Site Amenities
Online Survey July through August The Elmhurst Metra station plays many roles within your community. Weighted Score Please rate each from most to least important. 1.00 1.50 2.00 2.50 3.00 3.50 4.00 4.50 5.00 Items Described Provides a transit connection Provides a safe place to cross Serves as a focal point/landmark Serves as a welcome center for Number of Related Comments More protection from weather, including A/C, heated shelters, more indoor space, and more rain coverage. 73 Improved pedestrian safety and access (ADA) 29 More, improved seating 25 Keep and expand Pete's Coffee Shop and/or add more food venders 20 Better vehicle access, traffic management 19 More info (such as announcements, elec. display with updates, maps) 19 Larger, cleaner, nicer bathroom 17 Keep station building open more hours 8 Automated Ticket Machine or more ticket office hours 7 Tunnel ventilation/climate control 6 Wi-Fi and/or electrical outlets 5 More PACE service and/or a shuttle bus 5 Better aesthetics 5 Dedicated Taxi/Uber/Lyft area 5 Better lighting 4
Station Location Preliminary Analysis RELOCATE TO EAST Opportunities ADA access to new ramps using Robert Palmer underpass No platform conflicts at crossings Dedicated bus & vehicle drop-off New platform on straight track geometry Challenges Bridge structure widening required Limited for bus, drop-off, & bypass East of commuter parking garages Increased traffic near police station Increased distance to museum and college Limited view corridors to new station
Station Location Preliminary Analysis MAINTAIN EXISTING LOCATION Opportunities Minimal site impacts/construction ADA access to improved tunnel Dedicated bus and vehicular drop-off zone Challenges Limited site depth to expand existing station Continued use of boarding/alighting platforms crossing York Rd. Limited bus and drop-off area Construction staging
Station Location Preliminary Analysis RELOCATE TO WEST Opportunities Removes mid-platform at-grade crossing, increasing safety Larger/deeper site available Increased views of new station Simplified construction staging Increased redevelopment opportunities Challenges Close Addison Ave. and reroute traffic UP/Metra approval to relocate platform further on to the curve Utility relocations Community input Concurrence with IDOT/FHWA timeline
Alternative 1 New Station and Upgraded Existing Tunnel Pedestrian and Traffic Separation Existing Tunnel Location New Accessible Ramp Primary Focal Element Maintain Platform Location Outbound Station
Alternative 1 New Station and Upgraded Existing Tunnel Exterior Bike Parking Parallel Parking Additional Area for Landscaping Exterior Bike Parking Outbound Station
Alternative 2 New Pedestrian Underpass Pedestrian and Traffic Separation Primary Focal Element New Accessible Ramp New Pedestrian Underpass Maintain Platform Location Outbound Station
Alternative 2 New Pedestrian Underpass Exterior Bike Parking Parallel Parking Accessible Pedestrian Underpass at York Street Station and Pedestrian Use Outbound Station Exterior Bike Parking
Alternative 2 New Pedestrian Underpass New Underpass vs. Existing Underpass dimensions Partially Covered Knee Wall and Guardrail 3 Way Ramp (Station Level, Street Level, Underpass Level (Snowmelt) York Street Entrance
Alternative 2 New Pedestrian Underpass - Example Natural Light at Both Ends Stair and Ramp Wider, Lighting Integration
Committee Requested Study of Tunnel Locations Stairs or stairs/elevator would be most likely option for access. Note existing tunnel Impacts Size of Station. Station cannot move further east without removing ramp and going to elevators.
Review Of Preferred Alternative
Preferred Alternative Enlarged Site Plan - East
Preferred Alternative Enlarged Site Plan - West
Parking for Metra Users (Permit Only and Pay by Space) Parking Garage 2 115 spaces Parking Garage 3 226 spaces Parking Garage 1 252 spaces Off-Site Permit Only & Pay by Space Lots 370 spaces On-Site Parking (Robert Palmer to Maple) 183 existing total spaces 112 proposed total space Parking Garage 4 256 spaces Permit Only and Pay by Space Parking 1,402 existing spaces 1,331 proposed spaces Difference of 71 spaces (5.1% reduction) Per Metra utilization calculations, 8.3% of spaces available
Total Parking (All Types) Parking Garage 2 673 spaces Parking Garage 3 308 spaces Parking Garage 1 252 spaces On-Site Parking (Robert Palmer to Maple) 302 existing total spaces 191 proposed total space Off-Site Permit Only & Pay by Space Lots 370 spaces Parking Garage 4 315 spaces Total Parking Combined On-Site, Nearby Garage, and Off-Site Permit Lots 2,220 existing spaces 2,109 proposed spaces Difference of 111 spaces (5.0% reduction)
Preferred Alternative Station Elevations - Concept
Preferred Alternative Station Plans
IDOT/FHWA Environmental Review Process
IDOT/FHWA Environmental Review Process Right of Way (Union Pacific/City Agreement) No Right of Way is needed to be acquired for the Preferred Alternative All area is owned by the Union Pacific Railroad and City of Elmhurst City of Elmhurst would develop new lease agreement for station boundaries Categorical Exclusion (CE), ESR, PDR Development Per meetings with IDOT/FHWA, and due to potential funding sources, a federal approved Categorical Exclusion is being pursued. No Right of Way Acquisition, No Wetland Impact, No Endangered Species, No Change in Land Use (Existing Station), Environmental Justice, Hazardous Waste, Water Quality, Floodplain, etc. Preliminary Results of Environmental Survey Request (ESR) Cultural (Historic Photo Log) Special Waste Environmental (Trees, Species)
IDOT/FHWA Environmental Review Process
Tentative Schedule/Next Steps Tentative Schedule CMAQ Application January 2017 Phase I Approval Estimated Summer 2017 Identify Additional Funding Sources 2017-2018 Phase II Design 2018* Construction Summer 2019* *Dependent on Securing Grant Funding