central midlands regional transit authority intermodal ad...

3613 LUCIUS ROAD. • COLUMBIA, SC • 29201 WWW.CATCHTHECOMET.ORG • (O) 803.255.7133 • (F) 803.255.7113

Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority INTERMODAL AD-HOC COMMITTEE AGENDA

Wednesday, November 13, 2019 1:30 p.m. (immediately after the Service Committee meeting)

3613 Lucius Road, Columbia, SC, 29201 Conference Room A (Large) – 2nd Floor

OFFICERS

Derrick Huggins, Chair (City of Columbia) Lill Mood (Lexington County) Jacqueline Boulware (Richland County) Joyce Dickerson (Richland County)

William (B.J.) Unthank (Lexington County Legislative Delegation)

1. CALL TO ORDER AND DETERMINATION OF QUORUM

2. ADOPTION OF AGENDA

3. ADOPT MINUTES FROM JULY 10, 2019 MEETING (Paige Jernigan) PAGE 3-9

4. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS (John Andoh) A. Discussion Regarding Intermodal Transit Center and Bus Transfer Facilities PAGES 10-19

i. Amtrak Stationii. Replacement to Laurel & Sumter

5. LEGAL/CONTRACTUAL/PERSONNEL (may require executive session)

6. ADJOURN

All items on this agenda are subject to action being taken by the Committee. Agenda order is subject to change.

GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT BOARD COMMITTEE MEETINGS: The COMET will make all reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities to participate in this meeting. Upon request to the Administrative & Customer Service Specialist. The COMET will provide agenda materials in appropriate alternative formats, or disability-related modification or accommodation, including auxiliary aids or services, to enable individuals with disabilities to participate in public

Prior to entering the meeting, please turn all electronic devices (cell phones, pagers, etc.) to a silent, vibrate or off position.

meetings. Requests should be sent to The COMET by mail at 3613 Lucius Road, Columbia, SC 29201, by fax at (803) 255-7113, or by e-mail to [email protected]. For language assistance, interpreter services, please contact (803) 255-7133, 711 through the Relay Service. Para información en Español, por favor llame al (803) 255-7133.

Take The COMET to the Meeting! Route 6 and DART serve the facility. Visit www.catchthecomet.org or call (803) 255-7100 for more details.

Upcoming Meeting Dates:

Board of Directors Meeting Wednesday, November 20, 2019, 12:00 p.m. Lowell C. Spires, Jr. Regional Transit Facility – 3613 Lucius Road, Columbia, Conference Room A.

of 7 July 10, 2019 Intermodal Committee Meeting

The COMET Intermodal Committee Meeting minutes are prepared and presented in summary form, audio recordings of the meetings are on file at The COMET and are part of the approved minutes. If you would like to hear the recording from the meeting, please contact Paige Jernigan @ [email protected].

Per SC Code of Laws, Title 30, Chapter 4, Section 30-4-80 - All public bodies shall notify persons or organizations, local news media, or such other news media as may request notification of the times, dates, places, and agenda of all public meetings, whether scheduled, rescheduled, or called, and the efforts made to comply with this requirement must be noted in the minutes of the meetings. The COMET complied with the notification of this meeting on July 5, 2019 at 3:30 p.m.

Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority Intermodal Committee Wednesday, July 10, 2019 -2:00 P.M.

3613 Lucius Road, Columbia, SC 29201 – Conference Room A

Members Present: Guests Present: Derrick Huggins, Chair Doug Frate, South Carolina Depart of Transportation Jacqueline Boulware*(joined call at 2:05) John Fellows, City of Columbia BJ Unthank Charles Hamilton, Davis & Floyd

Aaron Marshall, Davis & Floyd Reginald Simmons, CMCOG Kenneth Whitted, Sr. Architect Director, Brownstone

Absent Committee Members: Joyce Dickerson Lil Mood

*Indicates participation by phone.

COMET Staff Present John Andoh, Executive Director/CEO Paige Jernigan, Interim Administrative & Customer Service Specialist

1. CALL TO ORDERMr. Huggins called the meeting to order at 2:02 p.m.

mailto:[email protected]


DETERMINATION OF QUORUM A quorum was not present at the opening of the meeting, so it was determined that the meeting will continue with informational/non-voting items.

Ms. Boulware joined the call at 2:05 p.m. to result in a quorum.

2. ADOPTION OF AGENDA Motion:

None Approve: Absent:

3. MINUTES

Motion: None Approve: Absent: Motion passed.

4. OLD BUSINESS (John Andoh)

Mr. Andoh introduced the Brownstone Group to review an Intermodal Facility on the site of the Amtrak station. The Amtrak station in Columbia is a steel structure, built in 1991. Amtrak moved the station to the current Pulaski Street location when the City of Columbia removed the rails and the Seaboard Air Line Railway trestle along Lincoln Street. The former Seaboard Air Line and Amtrak station, built of red brick in 1903, still stands at Gervais Street. It was abandoned and then restored and made into a restaurant, the Blue Marlin.

Greyhound and Southeastern Stages are located at 710 Buckner Rd, Columbia, SC 29203 and Megabus is located at Lucius Road @ Marlboro Street in Columbia. The nearest Blue Bike is at Lincoln Street @ Gervais Street. Transportation options are scattered throughout Columbia.

Bus/Rail Intermodal facilities in the Southeast exist in North Charleston, SC, Durham, NC and Raleigh, NC are examples. Charlotte Gateway Station is under construction. Bus only


intermodal facilities exist in Sumter, SC, Greenville, SC, Charlotte, NC, Augusta, GA and Spartanburg, SC. The COMET system is going to be studied and changes could occur and as a result, a hub and spoke transit system in Downtown may no longer not be needed. A large majority of the riders riding The COMET do not end in Downtown Columbia, they travel through, which means a centralized bus transfer facility is not needed, but a network of crosstown routes and/or satellite transit centers. In September of 2016, the Central Midlands Council of Governments (CMCOG) initiated a study to examine the opportunities that a Regional Intermodal Transportation Center (ITC) located in or around downtown Columbia would bring to the Central Midlands area. The study identified 22 potential sites for a new ITC in the City of Columbia. These 22 locations were examined by the Study Steering Committee and using a pre-defined set of site evaluation criteria, the sites were analyzed, and the highest-ranking site was identified. An environmental analysis was performed for the top four ranking potential sites. No “fatal flaws” from an environmental perspective were found at any of the sites. Mr. Andoh reviewed a map that was requested from the Committee at the last meeting showing how far a passenger can travel from Columbia. He then introduced Brownstone and Davis & Floyd to present the proposed Columbia Station and added that they were involved in the North Charleston. Mr. Whitted, Mr. Hamilton and Mr. Marshall introduced themselves. Mr. Whitted began by reviewing the proposal. Lease to The COMET and construct a small intermodal transportation center to bring together the following modes:

Amtrak Silver Greyhound MegaBus Southeastern States The COMET Taxi Lyft and Uber Blue Bike bikeshare station

Property Amenities: Two Story Building

Community Room Vista Guild Office Space


The COMET Customer Service Office Amtrak Office break room and baggage room Greyhound/Southeastern Stages Office break room and baggage room Police Substation Office Security Office Cafe Space Restroom Single Bus Operator Restroom The COMET Breakroom with small kitchenette Shared waiting room for all modes Vending Machine Elevator and Stairs Also Including: Parking for 50 or less people ADA Compliant Railroad Platform Mailbox Passenger Drop off Area Taxi and Rideshare Staging Area Intercity and The COMET Bus Bays in a bus loop fashion to hold up to 10 buses Public Art Bike racks Sidewalk Infrastructure along College Street and Pulaski Street

Proposed Operating Hours: 24 hours with 24-hour security

Mr. Whitted reviewed the renderings, the Master Plans and explained each page in detail. He added that there is potential future development piece, office rentals, room rentals, etc. for additional income. Ms. Boulware left the call at 3:00 p.m. Mr. Whitted and Mr. Huggins opened the floor up for discussion. CD change occurred Mr. Fellows inquired about what where we are in the process. Mr. Andoh stated the conceptual stage. He added that the zoning be problematic. Introducing coffee shops, businesses etc. needs to be visible from the street. He mentioned that the building looks to be on the Credit Union property which makes the parking lot appear far from the building. He also mentioned that the Credit Union property has had an offer to purchase but they would not sell.


Discussion ensued regarding the apartment complex and the possibility of using their parking facility. Mr. Fellows mentioned the Denver airport and how it is aesthetically pleasing even though the distance is far, plants, landscaping etc. He also mentioned that the entire transit facility is white, and people identify white with transit. Mr. Whitted mentioned that there are several issues for that location, parking at the ball park being one. Discussion occurred regarding the exterior design and how it will blend in with the Columbia area. Mr. Fellows added that the front of the building should be shops and retail and the operations portions should be out of sight. He added this will be more inviting and drive more traffic. Mr. Andoh reminded that this will not be a replacement for Laurel and Sumter. One remedy is to reduce the number of buses. He added that traffic is always a concern, but good circulation could remedy this issue. Homelessness and the intercity bus crowd is also a concern. Mr. Huggins suggested we address once we get the right people to help us address these certain issues.

5. NEW BUSINESS A. Presentation from SCDOT Regarding Public Transit and Rail

Mr. Frate introduced himself and presented a packet for the Committee to review. He explained the State Mass Transit Funds breakdown. The State Mass Transit Fund of $6.0M is broken out Rural 46% - $2,739,196, Urban 44% - $2,660,804, Admin/Other 10% - $600,000. The COMET does receive funding from the State Mass Transit Fund. Mr. Andoh asked if only $6.0M is appropriated to all public transit. Mr. Frate explained the SMTF may fluctuate due to state gas taxes but only budget $6.0M. Mr. Andoh then asked about the Transit Trends and what are the specific trends that go into that formula. Mr. Frate stated ridership and vehicle miles traveled. Mr. Andoh questioned how we equitably split the federal and state funds for the rural and urbanized areas. He added, if we increase ridership on both rural and urbanized areas, proportionately our SMT funding could increase as well? Mr. Frate said it could, but the pot is (limited) fixed funding, so if an agency increases ridership, or other variables you must take into all other transit centers across the nation. Mr. Frate explained the FY 2020 Public Transit Funding Plan: Federally $57.949M / $6M state. The Federal Fiscal Year is October 1 – September 30 and the State Fiscal Year is July 1 – June 30. Federal funds are allocated annually via Federal Register and the funds within one FY are


distributed during the following state FY: FFY 2019 – (October 1, 2018 – September 30, 2019) SFY 2020 – (July 1, 2019 – June 30, 2020). SCDOT Multimodal Planning

Plan/ Statewide Transit and Statewide Rail Plan Corridor Management Plans–I-85, I-26, Carolina Crossroads, enhanced

commuter opportunities, Mobility Management/High-Capacity Transit Options. Southeast Rail Coalition/Southeast Rail Plan Atlanta to Charlotte Passenger Rail Corridor Investment Plan. Mr. Frate gave a brief overview of Lowcountry Go: a regional partnership of the

Berkely– Charleston–Dorchester Council of Governments, SCDOT, The federal Highway Administration and local employers and stakeholders.

Mr. Huggins asked when Carolina Crossroads is to begin constructions. Mr. Frate explained the targeted construction is 2020/2021-time frame but of course this date may change. Mr.Frate summarized the High Capacity Transit slide: Charlotte LYNX Blue Line- Mr. Frate noted the considerable cost increase from the original line opening in 2007 with 9.6miles, project cost of $462.7M to the extension opening in 2018, 9.3 miles, project cost of $1.2B. Lowcountry Rapid Transit-Proposed 23-mile bus rapid transit system under development between Charleston and Summerville. This will include 18 stations, with four (4) of those being park and ride and two (2) transit hubs with anticipated project completion date in 2025. Estimated cost of project $360M. Mr. Frate reviewed the Project Development Timeline. Southeast Rail Coalition Southeast Rail Plane-Mr. Frate reviewed the SE Rail Coalition and the Regional approach to planning construction and operation of the rail network. He then touched on the Atlanta to Charlotte Passenger Rail, the investment plan and Tier 1 Environmental Impact Statement. Mr. Frate discussed the planning process, the long term and short-term time frame. Mr. Simmons reiterated the importance of a strategic plan to ensure everyone is all on the same page. He gave an example of Richland County and Columbia being on the same page. Mr. Huggins asked Mr. Fellows who our Richland County contact would be. Mr. Fellows suggested Ashley Page.


Mr. Huggins offered a standing invitation for Mr. Frate to attend the Intermodal Committee meetings in the future and thanked him for presenting.

6. LEGAL/CONTRACTUAL/PERSONNEL (may require executive session)None.

7. ADJOURNMr. Huggins adjourned the meeting without motion.Meeting adjourned at 3:44 p.m.

CENTRAL MIDLANDS REGIONAL TRANSIT AUTHORITY

Adopted this _______________________, 2019, Agenda Item ______

Prepared by:

_____________________________________________ Paige Jernigan, Interim Administrative & Customer Service Specialist

Approved by:

_____________________________________________ Andy Smith, Secretary

Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority 3613 Lucius Road, Columbia, SC 29201

John Andoh, CCTM, CPM Executive Director/CEO Ron Anderson, Chair, John V. Furgess, Sr, Vice Chair Andy Smith, Secretary, Dr. Robert Morris, Treasurer Board Members: Jacqueline Boulware, Lill Mood, Carolyn Gleaton Leon Howard, Derrick Huggins, COL (R) Roger Leaks, Jr. Joyce Dickerson, Skip Jenkins, Debbie Summers, Bobby Horton, Kevin Reeley, Geraldine Robinson, William (B.J.) Unthank

P 803 255 7133 F 803 255 7113 CATCHTHECOMETSC.GOV [email protected]

November 7, 2019

Agenda Item # 4A

To: Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority Board of Directors Intermodal Ad-hoc Committee Members From: John Andoh, Executive Director/CEO Subject: Discussion Regarding Intermodal Transit Center and Bus Transfer Facilities

_

Requested Action: Staff recommends that the Intermodal Ad-hoc Committee to continue the discussion of an ideal intermodal facility and a replacement facility for Laurel and Sumter Streets and provide direction regarding an intermodal transit center development.

Background and Summary: At the last Intermodal Committee meeting in May 2019 and July 2019, The Committee recommended to the Board of Directors to start the process to replace Laurel and Sumter Transit Center. There are several options on how The COMET could implement such a facility. Since the last Intermodal Committee meeting, staff presented the concept of a “union station” type facility at the site of the current Amtrak Station, which is located at 850 Pulaski Street, Columbia. This facility is owned by the City of Columbia and the parcel in front of the Amtrak Station is owned by SC State Credit Union as well the need for a bus transfer facility. Each of these projects is consistent with the Vision 2020 and the ballot measure in the 2012 Richland County Transportation Penny referendum related to the funding of The COMET.

Intermodal Intercity Bus and Rail Facility The Committee agreed that this is a “two project” effort and that there is a desire to have a station with intercity rail and intercity bus at one location and a desire to have local bus at another location. While the current site at 850 Pulaski Street for Amtrak could potentially work and an environmental assessment may be required, per FTA requirements, staff also believes alternative locations along the CSX Transportation rail line should be identified between the City of Cayce (Charleston Highway) and Clemson Road @ Two Notch Road to keep a station within the service area of The COMET, as well as the urbanized area. Any relocation would be subject to Amtrak and CSX approval. The lease between the City of Columbia and Amtrak expires in January of 2022 and can go up to January 2025. The lease can be terminated with 30 days’ notice or if Amtrak stops providing service to the facility.

The current Amtrak station in Columbia is a steel structure, built in 1991. Amtrak moved the station to the current Pulaski Street location when the City of Columbia removed the rails and the Seaboard Air Line Railway trestle along Lincoln Street. The former Seaboard Air Line and Amtrak station, built of red brick in 1903, still stands at Gervais Street. It was abandoned and then restored and made into a restaurant, the Blue Marlin.

In order to pursue this site as an intermodal facility, approval from the City of Columbia is required. The City has also requested that the Vista Guild and the Vista Neighborhood Association to be involved in the process. While these associations are supportive of the concept, concerns exist about homeless, vehicle traffic and






traffic from local and intercity buses, which many are perception driven related issues. Should federal funds be used and for the facility to score well for competitive Federal grants, intercity and local buses would need to serve the facility. Should public opposition occur, it may be in the best interest to move the facility, provided that Amtrak concurs, if the desire is to keep the station on the rail line. The Amtrak and CSX routes is below (within The COMET service area) and can show the potential of alternative locations where an Amtrak station could be constructed should the Pulaski Street site not be sustainable.





Intercity bus has had negative perceptions in Columbia, SC as evidence in the media and through concerns expressed to The COMET by various parties. Greyhound was forced to relocate to Buckner Road as they were not able to find a reasonable location. Megabus has been rejected by the City of Columbia to use Laurel and Sumter Streets due to the fear of safety and homelessness. An article example is shown here: https://www.thestate.com/news/local/article13953212.html. As evidence by review of the current bus stop locations in Columbia, the perceptions that have been feared has not existed or occurred, however, public education will be required, as well as a public safety component would be needed in order for an intermodal facility to work in a market like Columbia.

Greyhound and Southeastern Stages are located at 710 Buckner Rd, Columbia, SC 29203 and Megabus is located at Lucius Road @ Marlboro Street in Columbia. As we understand from Greyhound and Southeastern Stages, they have a 15 year lease as of March 13, 2015, however, they have the option to terminate, provided that an intermodal facility can be identified. Megabus has a lease with The COMET to use its facility and the lease is month to month, with the option to terminate with a 30-day notice. Both Greyhound and Megabus support an intermodal facility and would like to be co-located in one to provide better amenities and security to their passengers. The nearest Blue Bike is at Lincoln Street @ Gervais Street and the nearest The COMET bus stop is on Gervais @ Pulaski. As evident, all transportation options are scattered throughout Columbia.


https://www.thestate.com/news/local/article13953212.html

https://www.thestate.com/news/local/article13953212.html




Bus/Rail Intermodal facilities in the Southeast exist in North Charleston, SC, Durham, NC and Raleigh, NC. Charlotte Gateway Station is under construction and will consolidate all their public transportation options in one facility (https://charlottenc.gov/cats/transit-planning/charlotte-gateway-station/Pages/gateway-station.aspx). Bus only intermodal facilities exist in Sumter, SC, Greenville, SC, Charlotte, NC, Augusta, GA and Spartanburg, SC. Charleston, SC has a Bus Shed in downtown Columbia that is off-street, as well as a Bus Mall where buses use for layover and passenger pick/up drop offs.

Laurel and Sumter

The COMET has a 30 year lease with the City of Columbia to use Laurel and Sumter. In addition, The COMET has an encroachment permit from 2005 to use Sumter Street and Laurel Streets as a bus stop. The bus stop as shown below is in a unique arrangement where it surrounds two parking lots, with two driveways on Sumter Street and two driveways on Laurel Street. Conflicts between buses, pedestrian and cars are increasing as The COMET has expanded service to Laurel and Sumter from when it opened in 1996 to today.

Complaints from the City, Main Street Partnership and area businesses has occurred over the last 10 years about Laurel and Sumter Streets and even with the efforts to provide additional security, beautify the area and reduce the crime, homelessness and loitering that has occurred at this facility, there is a perception that Laurel and Sumter is dangerous. In August 2018, The Board adopted a Transit Center Road Map with a plan to be finalized within five years to address transit service at this intersection, including a relocation.


https://charlottenc.gov/cats/transit-planning/charlotte-gateway-station/Pages/gateway-station.aspx







Since The COMET system is going to be studied, changes could occur and as a result, a hub and spoke transit system in Downtown may no longer not be needed. A large majority of the riders riding The COMET do not end in Downtown Columbia, they travel through, which means a centralized bus transfer facility is not needed, but a network of crosstown routes and/or satellite transit centers.

Below is a list of all of the locations where multiple The COMET routes meet at various areas in the service area: Transit Center

COMET Central

1745 Sumter St, Columbia, SC 29201

3, 4, 6, 7, 11, 12, 21, 26, 28, 42, 53X, 61, 74, 84, 92X, 93X, 101, 301, 401, 501, 701, 801, SWRTA Camden, Sumter Rte

SuperStop

Koon Rd & Cody St

6012 N Main St #A, Columbia, SC 29203

31, 32, 101, 301

SuperStop

Columbia Place Mall

7201 Two Notch Rd, Columbia, SC 29223

53X, 55, 75, 501

SuperStop

Colony Apartments

3545 W Beltline Blvd, Columbia, SC 29203

12, 22, 88

SuperStop

Sam’s Club

5426 Forest Dr, Columbia, SC 29206, 75, 76, 77, 701

SuperStop

Village at Sandhill

481 Town Center Pl, Columbia, SC 29229

55, 57L

SuperStop

Killian Walmart

331 Killian Rd, Columbia, SC 29203, 53X, 57L

SuperStop

Harbison Walmart

360 Harbison Blvd, Columbia, SC 29212, 83L, 93X, 801

SuperStop

Alvin S Glenn Detention Center

201 John Mark Dial Dr, Columbia, SC 29209

47, 61, 62

SuperStop

Crowson

715 Crowson Rd, Columbia, SC 29205 21, 42, 45, 46, 47, 62, 88, 401

SuperStop Harden & Taylor 2018 Taylor St, Columbia, SC 29204 2, 12, 22, 42, 501, 701

SuperStop

Dutch Square Center

1729 Broad River Rd, Columbia, SC 29210

83L, 84, 88, 801

SuperStop

Garners Ferry Walmart

7520 Garners Ferry Rd, Columbia, SC 29209

45, 46, 47, 62, 88

SuperStop

West Columbia Kmart

1500 Charleston Hwy, West Columbia, SC 29169

91 , 96L





In September of 2016, the Central Midlands Council of Governments (CMCOG) initiated a study to examine the opportunities that a Regional Intermodal Transportation Center (ITC) located in or around downtown Columbia would bring to the Central Midlands area. The study identified 22 potential sites for a new ITC in the City of Columbia. These 22 locations were examined by the Study Steering Committee and using a pre-defined set of site evaluation criteria, the sites were analyzed, and the highest ranking site was identified. An environmental analysis was performed for the top four ranking potential sites. No “fatal flaws” from an environmental perspective were found at any of the sites. These sites include:

• Existing Site – 1745 Sumter Street (Site 4 – Laurel & Sumter) • Alternative Site 1 – 2805 N. Main Street (Site 21 – Main & Anthony) • Alternative Site 2 – 2222 Main Street (Site 22 – Main & Scott) • Alternative Site 3 – 2001 Taylor Street (Site 14 – Taylor & Harden)

The study recommended Laurel and Sumter as the best location, however, that is based on the current transit system design and the study did not take into consideration if passengers were actually deboarding or alighting the bus or simply riding through. The recent Short Range Transit Plan effort will better study this and determine a recommended course of action related a hub & spoke system or a modified route network that using satellite facilities instead of a central hub. The COMET presently owns property on Lucius Road between River Drive and Marlboro Street, which is zoned M-1, light industrial. This is 12 acres that is meant for public transit use. Staff would like to discuss with the Committee about the interest in developing this site as a potential off-site local bus SuperStop to relocate from Laurel & Sumter particularly at the corner of Lucius @ River.






At the minimum, a real estate agent is needed to find property. Staff will be releasing a request for proposals for a real estate agent to help search for property to construct an intermodal transportation center and a bus transit center. In addition, FTA requires that any development of a transit station or center go through the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA). The principle component of this rule is as follows:





Class of Action Determination (23 C.F.R 771.115): Applicants intending to apply for Federal transit funding should notify FTA at the time a project concept is identified. Once the applicant has furnished sufficient information and documentation, FTA will advise the applicant of the probable class of action and the related level of documentation required in the NEPA process. There are three classes of action: 1. Categorical Exclusions (23 C.F.R 771.117): Categorical Exclusions (CEs) are granted for actions that do not individually or cumulatively involve significant social, economic or environmental impacts. The projects listed in 23 C.F.R 771.117 require little or no construction and involve minimal or no effects off-site. The regulation gives a list of the types of projects that are categorically excluded. Once FTA has determined that a CE applies, it may act on the application for financial assistance. 2. Environmental Assessments (23 C.F.R 771.119): FTA may require an applicant for financial assistance to prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA) when the significance of the environmental impact is not clearly established. An EA can result in either a Finding of No Significant Impact (23 C.F.R. 771.121) requiring no further environmental evaluation, or identification of potentially significant impacts requiring the applicant to conduct an Environmental Impact Statement. 3. Environmental Impact Statements (23 C.F.R 771.123 et seq.): Depending on the nature of the proposed project, FTA may immediately require applicants to develop an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), or request an EIS based on the outcome of an EA. In either case, an EIS requires that a substantial technical analysis and public review process be conducted to evaluate project alternatives, identify potential social, economic and environmental impacts of the project, and designate methods to avoid or mitigate these impacts. Successful completion of an EIS results in FTA signing a Record of Decision (ROD). Once FTA has signed a ROD, the applicant can proceed with the project having complied with NEPA and FTA may act on the application for federal assistance. Staff will need to better assess the conditions of the construction of an Intermodal Facility and a Bus Transfer Center to determine which category this would fall under. Fiscal Impacts: An intermodal facility could cost between $5 million and $15 million depending on size, design, engineering, land acquisition and construction costs. This project would be funded with FTA and local funds and owned by The COMET. Potential FTA funding options include FTA Sections 5307, 5339 (formula & discretionary) and BUILD. In addition, this project will need to be included in the CMCOG’s Transportation Improvement Program, as well as the Metropolitan Transportation Plan, if this is the direction that the Intermodal Committee wishes to move forward with. Legal Counsel Review: None.

Recommended Motion: TBD.

Attachments: None.

For information regarding this staff report, please contact John Andoh, Executive Director/CEO at (803) 255-7087 or email [email protected].







Approved for Submission,

John Andoh, Executive Director/CEO


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