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01-06-1998 - CBD Transportation System Feasibility StudyMemorandum TO: City , AGENDA Council City Manager ITEM NO. g-7 d FROM: Planning Department DATE 1-6=99 ® PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER SUBJECT: CBD TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM FEASIBILITY STUDY SUMMARY: On December 2, 1997, the City Council discussed the possibility of pursuing a monorail system or other transportation system to move pedestrians within the Central Business District (CBD) area. As the first step �in pursuing this possibility, a draft Request for Qualifications (RFQ) has now been prepared to solicit consultants with the necessary credentials to prepare a feasibility study. BACKGROUND On December 2, 1997, the City Council considered a report (see_ attached) requested? by. Councilmember He' rfert discussing a possible monorail system for the Central Business District (CBD) area. Following the Council's discussion of the matter, it was concluded that the study of options for moving pedestrians within the CBD area should `, be broadened to include other possibilities such as a people mover, elevated walkways, shuttle system, etc 1 Direction was also given to prepare a Request for Proposals (RFP) for preparation of aI more detailed feasibility study. Upon further consideration of this matter, star is proposing to first circulate a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) among transportation planning consultants prior to proceeding with an RFP. } DISCUSSION As proposed, a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) will be circulated among consultants with expertise in the area of transportation planning. While the RFQ will be circulated to a number of transportation consulting firms, knowledge in the cost and design of transportation systems such as monorail and people mover systems will be emphasized.. In the December 2, 1997 staff report, a number of factors were listed that need to be considered in eval i ating the feasibility of any type of transportation system for the CBD area. These are: • the residential density/population and work population along the corridor to be served and at destinations served • the size and amount of commercial gross floor area within the CBD • the strength of the regional economy • connectivity to other modes of transit • availability' of right-of-way ' • potential impacts on residents and businesses • the cost of construction, operations and maintenance Given that there are such a number of factors involved in determining the feasibility of any pedestrian transsportation system, and that much is still not known about these factors, the task of defining the appropriate scope and parameters of a feasibility study is made more difficult. By first circulating a Request for Qualifications, it will allow staff to determine what transportation consultants are available with the necessary expertise in this somewhat specialized field, and to gain a better understanding of what these consultants can deliver in terms of a feasibility study. The information gained from the RFQ process will then allow staff to prepare a more detailed and better focussed Request for Proposals that would be circulated only among those consultants that appear to possess the best qualifications to prepare the desired CBD TRANSPORATION SYSTEM FEASIBILrrY STUDY Paae 2 — January 6, 1998 feasibility study. While this additional step will lengthen the overall process by approximately 4 to 5 weeks, it should result in the preparation of a better defined and possibly a less costly feasibility study. Assuming authorization is received from the City Council, staff will begin circulation of the RFQ within several days and is proposing to allow approximately three weeks for firms to respond. Upon receiving the RFQ responses on January 30, staff will then review the responses and prepare an RFP for Council action at the Council's February 17 meeting. The RFP responses should be received in early March for review by the Council at the March 17 meeting. RECOMMENDATION It is recommended that the City Council authorize circulation of the attached Request for Qualifications to transportation planning consultants for preparation of a Central Business District (CBD) transportation system feasibility study. RofChoi t/ Tr soorta n Planner Douglas N. McIsaac Principal Planner REVIEWED AND APPROVED BY: W. Collier 2 Director l,!/ Attachments: Draft Request for Qualifications Staff Report dated December 2, 1997 Z:cc/sfrtpdm/mohmi1.02 Y ANNING DEPARTMENT ­4 West Garvey Avenue Office Box 1440 Covina, CA 91793 to (626) 814-8422 r,`U6) 813-8667 Dear Prospective Consultant: Subject: REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS January 7, 1998 The City of West Covina ("City") is inviting interested consultants to submit - qualifications for preparation of a feasibility study for development of a system ° to transport pedestrians within the Central Business District (CBD) of West Covina. Such a transportation system may include a monorail system, a people mover system, a shuttle system, a system of elevated and/or moving walkways, and/or other feasible options. There is one main area that will serve as the focus of this study: • Central Business District: This area encompasses The Plaza at West Covina (regional shopping center), the Civic Center complex adjacent to the west, and the office/retail/theater complex known as the Lakes , at West Covina adjacent to the east. The area is bounded by Pacific Avenue/West Covina Parkway to the west, the I=10 Freeway to. the north, Glendora Avenue to the east, and West Covina Parkway to "the south. The areas surrounding the site include a mixture of land -uses including: single family residential, medium and high density multiple -family residential, neighborhood and regional commercial; public buildings; and office professional. The primary objective of the proposed project is to identify and evaluate the feasibility,',, of various options and alternatives to provide more convenient and efficient methods of transporting pedestrians within and between the CBD and Eastland Center, and promote multi -modal transportation alternatives through these areas. 11 The proposed project includes concepts of an elevated moving sidewalk system, monorail, or other forms of people mover systems, that would provide a direct linkage, to the Civic Center with The Plaza and The Lakes. A monorail/people mover system has also been conceptualized, linking the CBD with Eastland Center. This mohorail/people mover system .was envisioned to be constructed along the I-10 freeway, with a loop at each end of the system for a return trip (attached). Pedestrian bridges have been conceptualized also, which would provide an interconnected pedestrian walkway system throughout the entire CBD. 01 CBD TRANSPORATION SYSTEM FEASIBILITY STUDY Page 2 — January 6, 1998 feasibility study. While this additional step will lengthen the overall process by approximately 4 to 5 weeks, it should result in the preparation of a better defined and possibly a less costly feasibility study. Assuming authorization is received from the City.Council, staff will begin circulation of the RFQ within several days and is proposing to allow approximately three weeks for firms to respond. Upon receiving the RFQ responses on January 30, staff will then review the responses and prepare an RFP for Council action at the Council's February 17 meeting. The RFP responses should be received in early March for review by the Council at the March 17 meeting. RECOMMENDATION It is recommended that the City Council authorize circulation of the attached Request for Qualifications to transportation planning consultants for preparation of a Central Business District (CBD) transportation system feasibility study. Douglas N. McIsaac Principal Planner REVIEWED AND APPROVED BY: k1frey W. Collier 1 nning Director Attachments: Draft Request for Qualifications Staff Report dated December 2, 1997 Z:cclsf tpdm/monoraii.62 Request for Qualifications II January 7, 1998 - Page 3 i Questions regarding the proposed project or the consultant selection process may be directed to Roy Choi, Transportation Planner,'or Doug McIsaac, Principal Planner at (626) 814-8422. II I'I Sincerely,. ;. III Jeffrey W. Collier j Planning Director d Enclosures II rc u p i it CARoy's Documents\West Covina\RFQ for Monorail Project.doc �I� Request for Qualifications January 7, 1998 — Page 4 • REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS SUBMITTAL CONTENTS It is requested that each perspective consultant submit three (3) copies of the following information. Please note that this is 2nly a Request for Qualifications. No proposals will be accepted or reviewed at this time. Additional information may be requested following review of the submittals. 1. Name of Consultant Firm Address and ZIP Code Phone and Fax numbers 2. Consultant Entity Identification of the consulting entity including all joint venture limited partners with whom the Planning Department would contract for consultation. Is the consultant firm a subsidiary of, or affiliated with, any other corporation(s) or firms? If yes, list each such corporation or firm by name and address, specify its relationship to the consultant firm, and identify the officers and ' directors or trustees common to the consultant firm and such other corporation and firm. 3. Consultant Team Organizational and management approach, and role of, each consultant partner and major consultant in the implementation of the project. Identify and describe roles of key individuals in the development team (architects, engineers, planners, project managers, and others) who would be involved in the implementation, including their relevant experience., Also identify party who will be responsible, and has the authority to make decisions for consultant team. 4. Consultant's Experience The consultant's previous relevant project experience for projects of this type and size: A description of three similar projects (date, location, land -uses, size, architectural features, design of off -site improvements, construction, costs, land acquisition cost, role of consultant entity in the project, etc.) and photographs. The City reserves the right to reject any and all consultant teams and may elect to make a decision without further, discussion. This solicitation is not to be construed as a contract of any kind. The City is not responsible and shall not be liable for costs of whatever kind or nature incurred in the preparation of a response. PROPOSED CIRCULATION c WORKMAN Dild oN -.7C7C1�� ■EE tlil©�t1� © mulmm I W-W-W I ELEVATED CORRIDOR SYSTEM (MONORAIL) ELEVATED PEOPLE -MOVER PROPOSED CIRCULATION 0 IN W E IELEVATED CORRIDOR SYSTEM (MONORAIL) ' 'ELEVATED PEOPLE -MOVER Memorandum TO: City Council AGENDA, City Manager ITEM NO. N-1 FROM: Planning Department DATE 12-2-97 ® PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER SUBJECT: CBD MONORAIL SYSTEM REPORT SUMMARY:' Dunng the last City Council meeting, Council member Herfert requested that a discussion be agendized regarding the potential development' of a monorail system for the CBD area. BACKGROUND During the November 18 City Council meeting, Councilmember Herfert requested that a discussion of a monorail system be agendized for Council discussion. To help guide the Council's discussion, staff has done some preliminary research on this and related topics via a search of the Internet, contacts with MTA staff as well as a review of previous City transit planning efforts. DISCUSSION The idea of a monorail within West Covina is not a new idea but has been raised in the past. The following sections address past efforts at transit system planning and some issues that need t 10 be considered in addressing a potential monorail or people mover system. TRANSIT CONCEPTS The concept of a monorail, or other form of people mover system, has been discussed at various times over, the past 15 years in West Covina. Ideas have included an elevated moving sidewalk system that would connect the Civic Center with The Plaza and .The Lakes, an elevated monorail system linking the CBD with Eastland, and pedestrian bridges linking an interconnected pedestrian walkway system throughout the entire CBD. Attached is a copy of conceptual plans that are included within the 1986 Gateway Corridor Study, prepared by The Arroyo Group. These plans show a monorail system linking the CBD with Eastland and Restaurant Row. The monorail was envisioned to be constructed along the San Bernardino Freeway and loop at each end of the system for a return trip. The plan also depicts a people mover system providing access within the CBD area, between The Lakes site and the Civic Center. MONORAIL Some of the factors/prerequisites that need to be considered for a monorail/people mover system include: • the residential density/population and work population along the corridor to be served and at destinations served • the size aO amount of commercial gross floor area within the CBD • the strength of the regional economy • connectivity to other modes of transit • availability of right-of-way • potential impacts on residents and businesses • the cost of construction, operations and maintenance Most monorail populated areas. Detroit, Miami, these examples, and people mover systems are proposed within relatively densely Some of the examples found in staffs research included Las Vegas, Tokyo, Seattle, Las Colinas (Dallas/Fort Worth), and Jacksonville. Of all are located within relatively high density population centers or CBD MONORAIL REPORT Page 2 — December 2, 1997 • • provide linkage to high demand locations such as stadiums, colleges, and major commercial centers. COSTS OF TRANSIT SYSTEMS Generally, the cost for monorails and similar transit systems is quite high though the cost of monorail systems are relatively low in comparison with other forms of rail transit. The following is a relative cost comparison of various transit improvements: TRANSIT COST COMPARISION SYSTEM COST/MILE(millions) Freewa $25-$100 Monorail $40460 Light Rail $55+ Magnet levitation $50-$70 Subway (Metro Red Line) $300 In addition to the cost of construction, the cost of operation and maintenance needs)to be factored for on -going system operation. The actual cost will vary depending upon the level of fare charged, if any, for riders. Currently, West Covina receives two primary forms of funding for transit projects; Proposition A and Proposition C funds. For the 1997/98 Fiscal Year, the City will receive $1,246,070 in Proposition A funds and $1,049,720 in Proposition C funds. These funds currently have been allocated for a number of transportation services and capital projects as shown below. TRANSPORTATION PROGRAMS FY 97198 PROPOSITION A PROPOSITION C $1,246,070 $1,049,720 West Covina Transit Dial A Park and Ride - The Plaza Ride($480,770) ($202,000) Senior Handicapped Bus Pass Park and Ride - Eastland Subsidy and Metro Link Subsidy ($22,000) ($69,320) WC Shuttle $602,140) Metro Link Shuttle ($49,000) SGVCOG ($10,000) Bus Shelter Maintenance $40,000) Recreation Transit ($83,840) Transportation Planning ($53,720) Capital Improvement Projects ($683,000) Currently, West Covina has a balance of $1,178,889 in Proposition A funds that is not allocated to any particular project and $16,606 in Proposition C funds. Another potential source of funding for a monorail project would be competitive grant funds available through the MTA Call for Projects process. However, there are currently funding shortfalls that would likely delay the potential for funding a West Covina monorail project for many years. Likewise, it is difficult to know if a monorail project in West Covina would even be competitive as compared to other regionally significant transportation projects. ALTERNATIVES Given the significant cost of a monorail system, the Council may wish to con., ider alternatives aimed at providing for improved pedestrian movement through the CBD. This may include an interconnected pedestrian walkway system with pedestrian bridges over major roadways (i.e. Vincent, Sunset, etc.). The expansion to The Plaza included interconnecting walkways to provide access from Vincent, West Covina Parkway and Sunset Avenue into the mall. This was done in part Zxc/sfit&/monorail.01 CBD MONORAIL REPOR Page 3 —December 2, �19_ a to provide -for improved pedestrian circulation and safety through the parking lots areas. The pedestrian walkway system is not fully integrated as of yet due to the lack of an enhanced walkway linkage between The Plaza and The Lakes/Edwards Entertainment Center. The development (or redevelopment) of the Wicke's site in the future will need to incorporate an enhanced walkway system to provide linkages to The Lakes, Edwards and Glendora Avenue commercial area. Further, any development of the Kmart site and surrounding properties on the south side of West Covina Parkway should also incorporate similar pedestrian improvements to provide connection with the balance of the CBD. One of the weak links in the CBD's pedestrian walkways is the barrier created by streets. The relatively high volume of traffic on streets such as Vincent Avenue and Sunset Avenue makes it an "unfriendly" environment for pedestrians. Persons using the crosswalk also delay vehicle turning movements, contributing to the level of congestion at intersections. One option would be to consider pedestrian bridges at certain locations. Not only would a pedestrian bridge possibly reduce congestion at peak times, but could also contribute to the streetscape. To consider these and any other appropriate alternatives for enhancing pedestrian movement, the Co unci! should consider retaining a consultant to look at alternatives to providing connections through the CBD and connections to Eastland, Woodside Village, and other destinations within and surrounding the community. Such a study by a consultant could idientify feasible options for such a system and how it can link with other existing systems (MIetrolink, bus systems, etc.). It is recommended Ithat the City Council review this report and attached materials. If the Council wishes to proceed with the concept of a monorail or other pedestrian improvements, staff recommends that the Council direct staff to prepare an RFP for consultant services Ito study the feasibility, design, and cost of such a system. However, if the ( staff recommends y W. Collier ine Director V. cil does not wish to consider a monorail or other improvements, the Council receive and file this report. Corridor Transit Plan monorail articles Z:cclsfrtpjchnonorai1.0I