Key Themes and Responses May 2016

Transcription

1 King and Victoria Transit Hub and Waterloo Street Pedestrian Access Key Themes and Responses May 2016 The following summarizes what Regional staff heard about the King Victoria Transit Hub and Waterloo Street Pedestrian Access. Public input was obtained through an Open House on May 19, 2016 as well as the feedback received online through Engage Region of Waterloo. Concept Images The questions are not very helpful when all the options are represented by sketches that have no connection to what is eventually built. The Open House boards provided new concept images to explore ideas provided by residents and other stakeholders. This exercise showed that there are challenges with some ideas, but it also helped people explore their ideas and priorities with imaginative images. The Transit Hub developer will create the final design based on the Region s and Metrolinx s requirements. While concept drawings are only concepts, they give people a sense of the project s vision during a time when the final designs are unknown. This process helps us explore and identify potential challenges and opportunities as a community. Transit Hub Height/Density/Quality of Design The height, overall size and the quality of the transit hub facilities are very important. It should be tall enough to be seen so it can be easily located from all directions. The high or medium density concepts make the most sense. The developer chosen to build the Transit Hub will determine the final size and shape of the development based on market conditions. The site-specific zoning permits up to 1.29 million square feet of mixed-use office, residential and commercial. Regional Council s vision for the Transit Hub is that it be a high-quality and landmark development along the ION rapid transit corridor. The models developed for the public meeting were concepts and were provided as examples of what different densities look like.

2 Waterloo Street The top five priorities for this access for the public were identified as: 1. Attractive design 2. Safety/security 3. Protection from rain/snow/sun 4. Easy stroller/wheelchair access 5. As much green landscaping as possible The Region continues to work with a number of stakeholders with different priorities for Waterloo Street. As noted on the display materials and in Engage, the Region must maintain truck access to neighbouring properties, and the Project Team continues to explore pedestrian access options with Metrolinx. Parking/Mode Share We should be planning for as few cars as possible. The City of Kitchener has approved a reduced parking rate for the Transit Hub, which recognizes the high level of transit access offered in the area. Metrolinx has also announced a new GO Station in Breslau, which will provide a good park and ride alternative on the Kitchener line for GO riders. Construction timing and phasing This project should move faster so people are immediately impressed by ION. I am concerned that it will take four years to build the transit hub. We also heard if the building can be designed at lower density with the ability to expand, then we should use this option. While population growth is steady in Waterloo Region, it takes time to sell space in new buildings. Having a single developer for the whole site will help to make sure there is an integrated design, but it will still take many years to complete the design and construction of the Transit Hub. The Transit Hub will likely be built in phases, with the transit station components being built first. This means that the site could be designed to increase in density over time. The funding announced by the Province will help the Region achieve timing certainty for the transit infrastructure.

3 Rumpel Felt Building/Heritage The Rumpel Felt building should be preserved and a community use located inside, such as a community centre, restaurant, museum or art gallery. A Heritage Impact Assessment Report has been completed for the Transit Hub and it specifically identifies the value of the Rumpel Felt building, the sections of the building that should be preserved and reused, as well as the cultural importance of the surrounding industrial landscape. The Urban Design Brief, which is one of the planning documents for the Transit Hub, used the Heritage Impact Assessment Report and for specific guidance on designing the Hub so it complements surrounding heritage buildings. It also speaks directly to minimizing any potential shadowing of 51 Breithaupt St. and 283 Duke St. (north and east of the site). Once the Region has selected a developer to build the Transit Hub, they will be required to submit a new Heritage Impact Assessment for the final design as well as a Conservation Plan for the Rumpel Felt building. Regional Council would like the Rumpel Felt Building to include public uses, such as a retail store or gallery. However, the final use will be determined by the developer. Green Features This building should be the highest LEED certified we can make it. The Region s minimum green standard for its facilities is LEED Silver. However, because the Transit Hub will be a landmark building along the ION corridor, the Region is considering a higher LEED Gold standard for the site. Charles Street Transit Terminal If the long term plan is to replace the Charles St terminal, then the number of bus bays shown in the concepts seem inadequate. To provide faster and better service, GRT is moving away from a hub and spoke model of transit delivery to a grid pattern of high frequency service. ION will function as the spine of the system, while GRT s ixpress network will connect passengers from suburban neighbourhoods to the Central Transit Corridor and beyond. The Transit Hub supports this change by allowing buses to

4 stay on-street rather than going into a terminal, so they can move through downtown quickly. Passengers travelling to suburban destinations can do so without delay, while passengers connecting with ION will be able to do so in a convenient location with access to both northbound and south-bound platforms. Since GRT will be staying on street in Downtown Kitchener, the Transit Hub does not require as many bus bays as the Charles Street Terminal. The six bus bays provided will be scheduled to efficiently use the space provided. GRT plans to reconfigure its bus network around ION and phase out the Charles Street Terminal by Public Plazas Make sure the plazas include green nooks and places to sit in a green area while waiting for buses or trains. One of the requirements for the Transit Hub development is that it includes two public plazas. The open house comments were clear that seating, landscaping and trees should be a priority. Accessibility It needs to be user friendly for pedestrians, people with baby strollers and people with mobility devices. The Region and new buildings are required by the Province to comply with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). This ensures all residents can access the services and amenities available at the Transit Hub. Mobility Plus will have access to the Transit Hub at either the Passenger Pick-up and Drop-off area, or in the bus loop. One of the biggest benefits of the Transit Hub is that connections between transit types are brought closer together. This helps people of all ages and abilities access the transportation services and amenities they need. Affordable Housing I would support any level of density to ensure that affordable housing is included in the development.

5 Subject to available funding, the Region is also interested in working with the master developer to integrate affordable housing with any residential component of the mixed-use development. Cycling Connections Glad to see bike parking/storage. Where does Spur Line and bike infrastructure (lanes, sharing) fit into the plan? I would like to see how multi-modal paths to universities are possible e.g. take bike on ION, get on bike at hub and bike to work to complete commute. The Region completed an Access Plan with the City of Kitchener to plan walking and cycling routes to the station. A combination of cycling facilities will be available on King Street, connecting cyclists from the Transit Hub to Downtown Kitchener and mid-town (Grand River Hospital). Multi-use paths will be provided under the new GO Bridge. Shared lanes will connect from the King-Victoria intersection south to Francis Street. A multi-use trail connection over King Street is also under consideration, which would help cyclists bypass Victoria Street to the southwest and eventually connect to the Iron Horse Trail. Duke Street and Breithaupt Street also provide local neighbourhood street cycling options that connect to the Spur Line Trail. Noise and Vibration If housing is built on the Transit Hub site, not only will the building have to be vibration-proof, but sound-proof as well. Otherwise, you will have a lot of complaints from tenants about noise. A Noise and Vibration compatibility Feasibility Assessment has been completed for the Transit Hub and a Noise and Vibration Study must be completed for the final design. The Feasibility Assessment provides recommendations for reducing the impact of road and rail noise on people living and working in the proposed development. Covered Platforms Covered platforms would be a really important part of the transit hub experience. Metrolinx will be constructing the rail platform(s) and any shelters will be built to their standards. A comfortable place for waiting passengers is also a priority for the Region.

6 Funding Where is the money coming from for this massive project? Does the region, with 550,000 people really need a 30-storey building? It is good to be creative and ambitious, but not if you re spending taxpayer money. The construction of office, commercial and residential spaces in the Transit Hub will be funded by the private sector only, and amount of space provided will be based on market demand. In June 2016, the Province of Ontario committed $43 million to construct the transit portion of the Transit Hub. The sale of development rights to the developer is also expected to help fund project. Importance of Transit Public transit is a necessity, but it will never be profitable for the city, so why do we sink so much money into it. Transit is an important piece of infrastructure that provides several benefits to the community. It provides transportation choice to everyone regardless of age, income or ability. It facilitates higher density development and a greater variety of land uses close together, which encourages more people to walk. Transit also helps to manage congestion and the need for new large roads. It also reduces transportation greenhouse gas emissions and, by supporting high density development, helps to protect farmland. Communities that invest in transit are in general healthier and more sustainable. Ticketing kiosks I think that having a "transit hall" in which all transit options for directions, tickets, information is available in one spot would be helpful, particularly for those travelling into the region. General response: There is potential to have GRT and GO Transit self-help kiosks in the same location, as both agencies are moving towards smart card systems.