Comment COMMENT SUMMARY REPORT Zip Code Best in my opinion, in order, (best) 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 (still good). 4 looks elegant because it goes straight and perhaps easiest to build, except for the bridge. 8 looks nice to bring a less connected neighborhood to Ghent. Safer roads should be a priority for goals. Light rail only please. I am completely in support of the expansion of the transit system! Currently, my public transportation commute is 2 hours from Bayside VA Beach to ODU. I look forward to future public meetings and demonstrations/presentations as I want more detailed information regarding the planning, implementation and funding of this project. I sincerely hope the future of Hampton Roads the near future is built around public transportation as it provides better access and more options to schools, jobs and exploring! Big thank you to Chad Chandler for the conversation tonight! 23502 23455 1- yes. 2- yes. 3- Damages the look and feel of Ghent. 4- Damages the look and feel of Ghent. 5- Ncon alt district yes. 5- Ncon alt yes. 7- Monticello no. 9- Doesn t go near my house. 23508 It would be best to use the least expensive option (exclude the light rail option). 23502 Link with new shopping center Railyard at Lambert s Point. # 1- BRT on Hampton N of 21 st Street. #2- Good crossing over railroad. #3 and #4 - Colley s too narrow. #5, #6, #7, #8, 13 (maybe #2) Can link with Railyard and Bold Mariner Beer. #10, #11, #12, #14 Nice transfer options at Ward s corner. #13 Nice for Waterside. 23508 June 19, 2017 Page 1 of 6
Any alternative that doesn t go thru or near ODU doesn t seem to me to be effective. COMMENT SUMMARY REPORT Convenience of access for people travelling to ODU is essential. Routes 3 and 1 are the most convenient for my purposes, but both routes could substantially increase ridership and ease traffic congestion. 23517 My personal favorite alternatives are #1 and #4 and using Light Rail Technology. A connection to ODU is essential and I believe ridership (especially with ODU students) would be higher if riders did not have to transfer to another type of technology. I m curious about station locations as well as elevation. If it connects to ODU at all, I ll be happy. If it is the way I prefer I d be ecstatic. Megan Gribble Transportation Planner at ODU 23453 (home) 23529 (work at ODU) I would prefer the light rail option in order to create continuity with the system. Also try to work with a potential bike share. 23507 I think convenient Base and ODU access would potentially ease traffic congestion on Hampton Blvd. Ideally some complimentary on base transportation scheme could be worked out. 23517 I think the most important areas to hit are Ghent, Larchmont, and ODU. I think any routes west of Llewellyn won t get as much Ghent ridership. And I think Hampton Blvd. is important to get ODU and Larchmont riders. I m concerned about safety at stops on Killam. 23517 June 19, 2017 Page 2 of 6
Have you considered other cities comparable to Norfolk (are there any?) who have added light rail? Is there success with mixing technologies (i.e. bus and light rail)? Mixing technologies would seem to add other levels of cost for maintenance, etc. Very much in support in adding light rail to Naval Base and ultimately another line to the airport. What a concept! (1) Adding another type of vehicle (in addition to the Tide) will increase operating cost (maintenance, parts supply, maintenance training, etc.) (2) Servicing ODU, Navy/Military Commands located on NOB Annex (off Terminal), and NOB (NSN) needs to be priority for this phase. (3) Cost per mile and service to primary location (see #2 above). Cost is not an independent variable! (4) Alternate #3 appears to have best ratio of miles/primary objectives serviced. It also provides least conflict with current traffic flow. Majority personnel work near piers. (5) Intra Base transportation make Alternatives 10 and 12. Do not optimize access to piers and activities directly supporting ships. (6) Any vehicle that will share roads/infrastructure with traffic will be unacceptable! Light Rail!!!! Changing vehicles is not optimal I likely would rather drive. One ticket for both vehicles (if split) is another deal breaker/deal winner to decide if I ride or drive. I think the tide will cut down on drunk driving! Should be a minor goal. Should go to 1 AM. Should operate during flood conditions to get people to work or health services. Try MADD as a funding source? Or supporter? 23502 (on the Tide) Going down Hampton Blvd. seems the shortest and most usable options. I m not sure how to deal with the 21 st Street Bridge - #s of traffic users on Hampton and Granby with amount of trucks not connecting the line to the EVMS stop seems pretty stupid. 23508 Consider relocating EVMS station to north side of Brambleton and route alignment up Colley to PA Rd. Go east on PA Rd. and then intersect Alt.5 23455 I know ODU is in package (but) I like alternatives #14 23505 June 19, 2017 Page 3 of 6
Go up Colley Ave. reduce to one way auto traffic. Change name of Killam St. if you take that route. Bike/car share on Base solves on base issue. Just stop at Gates. I highly prefer Alternative 7 and only support the LRT option. Don t change modes. Monticello has the most redevelopment potential, even acknowledging the historic districts therein. It also captures a very diverse populace/labor force/racial representation within ½ mile. The ODU connection is key. Llewellen land uses are extremely low dense and the Granby/Wards Corner routes miss a huge opportunity by missing ODU. Hampton Blvd. (*referring to Hampton route between EVMC and 26 th /27 th ) routes too far west to capture enough people; Ports and Eliz. River Crossing will also oppose Hampton route*. Colley Ave. R.O.W. is too fragile/narrow for LRT. Monticello is very best choice! I prefer the Granby Street alignments 9 12, 14. I like alternatives that don t just consider the modes/amenities that are popular today but ones that consider connecting those popular sites to areas of future growth. I also like options that serve poor neighborhoods with high numbers of transit dependent riders. (Church St. alignments #8 and 12) 23507 23509 #1 priority: stop at ODU! Parking fees, traffic commute, Hampton Blvd. traffic = bad! Prefer #1, 2, 4 Alt. 7 th. Hampton Blvd. main classroom space, new stadium look @ classes/stadium. The Ted concerts, students go downtown. Light rail visibility would make people use it. Former student don t want to take Hampton Blvd ever. Navy personnel living above West Little Creek. Craft Breweries on 27 th St. Not having to shop at local CVS. Integrate light rail with bike lanes. 27 th and Hampton development of Railyard at Hampton Stone Craft Beer #8. St. Paul s quadrant pass through public housing. Downtown transit center - will there be a station there. Buses that get you everywhere. ODU students need a way to get places get to a real grocery store. Likes Church St., but has bad stigma historically. Cemetery concerns. Parking lots, and blocks are barriers to people walking. How do you walk from other areas. 27 th St. ease of ROW, going in opposite way of where he needed to go. Psychological barriers Ellwood cemetery. Surface street/parking, railroad tracks. Fort Norfolk go straight up. General Disservice if it doesn t reflect the diversity of population. Monticello not only through privileged neighborhoods, more diverse income bracket, labor force. Doesn t want to get multiple segments of labor force. Doesn t touch some of our historically black neighborhoods. June 19, 2017 Page 4 of 6
General what are the economic impacts. Old Dominion University employee, goes to Brambleton and Hampton Blvd. traffic (30 mins.) Parking fees are high. Freshman can t have cars. Don t want to ride a bus light rail, or street car. Wouldn t ride a bus. Bus associates being in my way. Impacts on Colley are negative aesthetically. Colley has destinations. Light rail/streetcard shows commitment, infrastructure. Bus today is long and time consuming. Would like to go to airport, grab tourist. Issue parking fees revenue generator, issue for city. Where are the mass parking? Places where you can park aren t available during school day. Barriers on Hampton truck traffic, want to bypass, can t take a lane on Hampton because of ports. Colley where are you going to have people park if you take it all the way. ODU and Norfolk State connection students go back and forth. Monticello too many conflicts on Colley; Hampton (most direct). It was disappointing to hear that alternatives other than light rail are under consideration, since we already made investment in the Tide. People aren t going to want to transfer. Are CBF, Lynnhaven River Project or Elizabeth River Project being considered stakeholders? 23502 I think a goal of the study should be to serve low-income and underserved populations and neighborhoods. When transit dependent populations have access to frequent reliable affordable transit the whole community benefits. 23509 Looks good! As always preferred to have it happen faster and cheaper 23453 (home) 23529 (work) Alternative #4 would serve that commercial corridor of Colley. I think it would be great for ridership. People would have a great way to access entertainment and food. Alignment #7 would provide great access to future development planned near the Scope Arena. June 19, 2017 Page 5 of 6
I favor Alternative One. This would be the most handicapped accessible. It would be a direct route. Better traffic management than currently exists would be required. Better lights. Speed enforcement. That is needed. Bus riders now can t use the bus at peak tunnels times. Also, Colley Avenue routes have been eliminated. Please put the train where the people are moving! 23507 June 19, 2017 Page 6 of 6