Capital Metro MetroRail – Red Line

ImprovementsProject Connect Gateway

Downtown Multimodal Station

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Agenda• Challenges & Opportunities • How we got here• What we heard so far– Issues– Priorities

• Early Concepts • Next Steps

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CHALLENGES & OPPORTUNITIES

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Residents

Jobs

Events

Visitors

Challenges & Opportunities

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Challenges & Opportunities

• Convention Center• Park & Museums• Fire/EMS Facility• Hotels & Homes• Transit Hub• Events

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Challenges & Opportunities

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Challenges & Opportunities

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Challenges & Opportunities • $50M awarded to Capital Metro by TxDOT – $28M – 4 additional vehicles to increase frequency– $22M – permanent downtown station

• Earlier $11M TIGER Grant for related Red Line upgrades

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Challenges & Opportunities

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~260’

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Have we missed any challenges & opportunities?

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How we got here

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How we got here

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How we got here

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Any questions/concerns about the process so far?

WHAT WE HEARD SO FAR

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What we heard so far

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What we heard so far - Issues1. Relocate AFD/EMS Function

2. Presence of multimodal hub and consider future expansion

3. 4th, 5th, Neches, Red River traffic circulation

4. LAB alignment & pedestrian connectivity to nearby areas (i.e. Waller Creek)

5. Hilton and Convention Center operations, access, and plans

6. Historical significance of Brush Square

7. Trees & green space

8. Public space operations & maintenance

9. Limited space for events, functions, and increasing activity

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What we heard so far - Priorities1. Gateway for downtown Austin

2. Pedestrian/bicycle circulation & connectivity

3. Front yard for Convention Center/Hilton/flexible diverse use public space

4. Public services (restroom, water, etc.)

5. Vehicular circulation & connectivity

6. Repose/shade/shelter

7. Safety & security

8. Active supportive edge/adjacent uses

9. Convention space

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Gateway

• Confluence of regional transportation• Primary downtown access point • “First impression”• Supports diverse activities and uses• Iconic & memorable

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Gateway: Pioneer Square, Portland

• Former parking garage• National design

competition• Planned with MAX light

rail• Friends of Pioneer Square• Opened 1984, Tri-Met

hub in 1986• Portland Streetcar in

2001

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Gateway: Denver Union Station – 16th St. Mall

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2 Tracks/1 Platform 2 Tracks/1 Platform

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CriteriaHow well does the

solution meet criteria?

Capital Metro Operational Needs - 3 platform positions, 2 bus bays

Capital Metro User Experience - ease of transfers, accessibility

Top Constraints (from 5/23 workshop)

Relocate AFD/EMS Function

Presence of multimodal hub and consider future expansion

4th, 5th, Neches, Red River traffic circulation

LAB alignment & pedestrian connectivity to nearby areas (such as Waller Creek)

Hilton and Convention Center operations, access, and plans

Top Functions (from 5/23 workshop)

Gateway for downtown Austin

Pedestrian circulation & connectivity

Front yard for CC/Hilton/flexible diverse use public space

Public services (restroom, water, etc.)

Vehicular circulation & connectivity

Other Stakeholder Needs

Consider connector bridge concepts

Allow for valet/parking circulation

Maintain pedestrian crossings of 4th Street

Maintain Red River service access and circulation

Maintain CC & Hilton ingress/egress

Maintain recently added event space along 4th Street

Noise/vibration between CC & Hilton

Consider ongoing operations & maintenance funding for park/plaza

Maintain Car2Go car sharing operations

Maintain B-Cycle bike sharing operations

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3 Tracks/2 Platforms

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JUST CONCEPTUAL, FOLKS!

Don’t get too excited/worried.

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Next Steps

Stak

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Fund

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2015

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Comments or Questions?

Who else should know about this?

Stay involved!

Thanks!

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