Pace University Land Use and Sustainable Development Conference “Tensions and Opportunities in Urban Revitalization” Ken Schwartz, Principal, VHB

December 6, 1013

Pace University Land Use and Sustainable Development Conference

Partnership for Sustainable Communities

Create strong, sustainable communities by connecting housing to jobs, fostering local innovation, and helping to build a clean energy economy.

Pace University Land Use and Sustainable Development Conference

HUD’s Six Livability Principles

Provide More Transportation Choices

Promote Equitable, Affordable Housing

Enhance Economic Competitiveness

Support Existing Communities

Coordinate Policies and Leverage Investment

Value Communities and Neighborhoods

Pace University Land Use and Sustainable Development Conference

HUD’s Sustainable Communities Program: Case Studies in Urban Revitalization

Barnum Station, Bridgeport, CT

Parramore Neighborhood, Orlando, FL

Barnum Station Feasibility Study

New York-Connecticut SCI Consortium

CONSORTIUM 9 Cities 2 Counties 5 MPOs 1 Nonprofit

ADVISORY BOARD 6 State Agencies 6 Nonprofits 3 NJ members

Barnum Station Overview

Project funded under the NY-CT Sustainable Communities Program

One of 14 projects conducted by Consortium – first one to be adopted

Feasibility study for the construction of a second rail station in Bridgeport to serve as a catalyst for revitalizing the East Side and East End neighborhoods

Anchor mixed-use development on adjacent vacant parcels

A key element of the City’s BGreen 2020 Plan

City Context

Along New Haven Main Rail Line

Within East End and East Side neighborhoods

One mile east of downtown station

Along Seaview Avenue development corridor

Neighborhood Context

Station to be located on city-owned vacant 7-acre parcel on Barnum Avenue

Core Study Area (1/4-mile radius)— focus of station activities

Study Area (1/2-mile radius)—development and related activities

Project Goals

Determine whether a new station can be physically constructed

Determine whether a new station is operationally compatible with existing MNR and Amtrak service

Assess the redevelopment potential on adjacent properties

Background/Context

Bridgeport – largest City in CT; only one commuter rail station (equity)

Neighborhood demographics – primarily Hispanic, loss of population, low levels of home ownership, high poverty, high crime rate

Strong anchors - Hospital, new elementary school, existing industry, open spaces

Available land – 2/3 of land within ¼ mile of station is vacant/underutilized

Proximity to regional highway and downtown station—Impact on ridership and rail operations, real estate market

Transit ridership—Potential local- and hospital-related demand; N-S connections

Neighborhood stabilization—Opportunities to stabilize, reinvest, and build upon neighborhood character

Market opportunities—New residential, retail, flex/office

Relationship to other on-going development—Steel Point, Bridgeport Housing Authority, Bridgeport Hospital, Lake Success

Three Underlying Questions

1. Is a new rail station operationally feasible?

2. Which configuration provides the best opportunities?

3. With a strong rail station hub, what are the opportunities for redevelopment?

Three Underlying Questions

1. Is a new rail station operationally feasible?

2. Which configuration provides the best opportunities?

3. With a strong rail station hub, what are the opportunities for redevelopment?

It is feasible to construct and operate a second commuter rail station in Bridgeport

The station will serve as a catalyst for redevelopment and revitalization in East Bridgeport

Rail Ridership Analysis

New station will provide enhanced regional mobility (better access to employment)

Some of the new riders will come from Stratford, some from Bridgeport

New riders are primarily short trips between Stratford, Barnum, and Bridgeport

Shift from bus to rail and walking Strongest new ridership potential - Bridgeport –

New Haven hospital connection, nursing school and other housing opportunities

Rail Operations Analysis

Analysis based on capacity of the existing system and schedule

Methodology reviewed and approved by ConnDOT

Results: Existing rail infrastructure is capable of accommodating a new

Barnum station Potential for express and partial express trains to serve Barnum

station, in addition to local service

Full train simulation to follow

Station Area Plans— Assumptions and Variables

Assumptions

Station platform length of 1,050 feet

No development within 100- and 500-year floodplain

Bus access restricted to north side of station area

Pedestrian passage beneath viaduct

Variables

Location of Station

Roadway alignment

Location of pedestrian passage

Station Design

Street Level

MNR Design Guidelines

Two stories

5,400 sf level

Ticket office

Enclosed waiting room

Restrooms

Limited retail

Underpass

Bus bays

Platform Level

Total 1,680 sf

Platform length 1,050 ft.

Width 12 ft.

17 ft. island width

Canopies 9 ft. from platforms

Circulation outside of platforms

Option 1—Church St. Realignment Option 2—E. Washington Ave. Extension

Option 3—Waterview Ave. Extension Option 4—Helen St. Extension

Station Area Options

Station Area Plans—Pros and Cons

Option Pros Cons

Church Street

• Limited flood zone encroachment • Least amount of new road construction • Full block TOD potential • Large dwell space for buses

• Least integration with road network • No new vehicular/bus access through viaduct

E. Washington

Avenue

• Closer station location to Hospital • Improved connection to downtown • Potential for east/west bus route service • Noise/open space buffer

• Extensive floodplain encroachment • High infrastructure costs: new road construction full length of site • No new vehicular/bus access

Waterview Avenue

• Closer station location to Hospital • Better vehicular connections • Potential for north/south bus route service

• Extensive floodplain encroachment • High infrastructure costs • Two tunnels, higher infrastructure development costs

Helen Street

• Connection to US 1/Boston Ave • Full blocks available for future TOD • Largest greenway/open space allowances • No encroachment on floodplain zone • Station location near midpoint of platform • Improved pedestrian safety and visibility

• Higher infrastructure costs due to second vehicular tunnel

Cost Estimate

Element Cost Station Infrastructure $7.9 million Parking and Roadways $11 million Platforms $7.4 million Catenary $1.2 million Engineering Services $6.7 million Construction Contingency $13.8 million

TOTAL $48 million

What are the development opportunities?

What is the market?

Station area as gateway to East Bridgeport Development Corridor

Connections to Bridgeport Hospital

Mixed-use employment and residential center

Relationship to other development initiatives

What is the Market?

Evaluate current market variables and conditions

Review proposed and planned developments

Coordinate with: • Bridgeport Housing Authority • Bridgeport Hospital • Lake Success Eco Business Park/Vita Nuova

Determine short-term demand for residential, office/flex, and retail space

Evaluate similar projects nationwide

Apply long-term vision for East Bridgeport

Supportable Uses

Through 2020 2020+

Residential 950 units Additional 2,000 units

Office/Flex 100,000-175,000 sf Additional 340,000-580,000 sf

Retail 40,000 sf Additional 80,000 sf

Vacant/Underutilized Parcels

2/3 of the inner core area is vacant or underutilized

Most in public ownership

Large parcels in inner core

Significant opportunities for infill and TOD development

TOD Plan

Major land use goals

Consistent with:

Existing land use patterns

Infrastructure improvements

Projects in the pipeline

Next Steps

Plan was adopted by SCI Consortium

Coordination with Regional Pilot TOD Project, Hospital expansion, Bridgeport Housing Authority, and other regional planning and development efforts

Additional technical studies to advance the project Full train operations analysis Refined rail ridership model Detailed programming of station and station area Additional environmental analyses

Parramore Neighborhood Revitalization

Overview

Orlando, FL – partner in the East Central Florida Communities Consortium

Received a HUD grant to develop implementation plans around the SunRail commuter rail system

Goal: transform Parramore neighborhood into a vital, mixed use, sustainable community while preserving, restoring and enhancing valued community assets and characteristics

Demographics

Median household income - $13,613

73% of households living at or below poverty limit

47% of adults have no high school diploma

Zip code with highest reports of child abuse/neglect

Juvenile arrest rate is 2.5 times that of the City

Teen birth rate is 6 times the County rate

Survey Findings

86% of families run out of money

32% of children lost a loved one in the past year

87% say tutoring assistance is the most needed

78% of parents need more help with their children

41% of children have chronic health problems

Understanding the Community

The Neighborhood as the Basic Building Block

Understanding the Community

The Neighborhood as the Basic Building Block

Community Centers and Parks as active gathering places

Understanding the Community

The Neighborhood as the Basic Building Block

Community Centers and Parks as active gathering places

Accessibility and gaps to Community Centers

Understanding the Community

The Neighborhood as the Basic Building Block

Community Centers and Parks as active gathering places

Accessibility and gaps to Community Centers

Improved mobility options

Replication of Harlem Children’s Zone

Partnerships (institutions, businesses, non-profits)

Cradle-to-Career (pre-K through college)

Covers key aspects of children’s lives Academic performance Health/wellness Economic security

Goal is to “Move the Needle” on child well-being

Parramore Kidz Zone – Investing in Children

Collective Impact

Success in “Moving the Needle”

70% of youth were served by PKZ in 2012

To-date, 112 parents have attended parenting sessions (80 have graduated including 7 dads)

166 youth participated in programs that helped them go to college; a record number (27) went to college this year

Juvenile arrests have declined 88% since 2006

The neighborhood is safer (66% of parents now say the neighborhood is safe – up from 44% is 2006)

Success in “Moving the Needle” (continued)

College tour Baby Institute Graduation

Lessons Learned

Need a champion

Create partnerships

Understand local and regional objectives

Identify early wins and catalyst projects

Focus on building healthy communities

Be wary of the real or perceived threat of gentrification