East St. Louis High Speed Rail Multimodal Station

Transcription

1 East St. Louis High Speed Rail Multimodal Station East St. Louis, Illinois TIGER Discretionary Planning Grant St. Clair County, Illinois Local Government Agency TIGER Planning Grant Requested: $2.4 Million

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 Executive Summary Project Description Project Location History Future Development Project Status Connections with Existing Transportation Infrastructure Proposed Improvements Project Partnerships Project Funding Primary Selection Criteria Long Term Outcomes State of Good Repair Economic Competitiveness Quality of Life Environmental Sustainability Safety Job Creation & Economic Stimulus Secondary Selection Criteria Innovation Partnership Jurisdictional & Stakeholder Collaboration Disciplinary Integration Benefit-Cost Analysis Project Schedule Federal Wage Rate Requirement National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Requirement Environmentally Related Federal, State & Local Actions Confidential Business Information Letters of Support & Supplemental Information EAST ST. LOUIS HSR MULTIMODAL STATION TIGER 2014 PAGE 1

3 1.0 Executive Summary St. Clair County respectfully submits this application for TIGER Discretionary Grant funding in the amount of $3 million for a Planning Grant for the East St. Louis High Speed Rail (HSR) Multimodal Station. The proposed station is located along the Chicago to St. Louis HSR (CHISL HSR) project currently in design and construction. The CHISL HSR project is being managed and developed by the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), Union Pacific Railroad (UP), Terminal Railroad Association (TRRA), and other supporting project team members and stakeholders. The CHISL HSR completion date is projected to be in early The CHISL HSR project will pass through East St. Louis to cross into Missouri via the MacArthur Bridge. The proposed East St. Louis HSR Multimodal Station site is conveniently located at the intersection of the HSR alignment and the MetroLink tracks in Downtown East St. Louis. MetroLink is the Metropolitan St. Louis region s light-rail passenger system that connects communities, employment centers, medical facilities, educational institutions, recreational and entertainment venues in St. Clair County, Illinois and St. Louis County, Missouri. MetroLink 2013 system ridership exceeds 17 million boardings. The East St. Louis HSR Multimodal Station will connect all modes of transportation passenger train, MetroLink, bus, air, passenger vehicle, pedestrians, and bicycles in one convenient location. East St. Louis HSR Multimodal Station TIGER Planning Grant $2.4 Million Requested Applicant St. Clair County Project Website Creates a truly multimodal station in Metropolitan St. Louis region Continues FHWA and IDOT $710 million investment in transportation investments in MetroEast region Creates new jobs in an economically distressed area Spurs economic redevelopment Reduces vehicle congestion, emissions, and dependence on oil Enhances IDOT s Chicago to St. Louis High Speed Rail Project The East St. Louis HSR Multimodal Station restores passenger train service to East St. Louis that enhances transportation choices and provides an affordable transportation connection to the Metropolitan St. Louis region to Chicago, Dallas, and Los Angeles via Amtrak for the residents of East St. Louis, St. Clair County, and Southwestern Illinois. This narrative shows that the proposed East St. Louis HSR Multimodal Station will satisfy the requirements for both the long term outcomes and the secondary selection criteria for the TIGER Discretionary Grant. EAST ST. LOUIS HSR MULTIMODAL STATION TIGER 2014 PAGE 2

4 2.0 Project Description As part of the CHISL HSR project, the East St. Louis HSR Multimodal passenger station links East St. Louis, St. Clair County and the greater metropolitan St. Louis region with the greater Chicago region. These valuable connections increase job opportunities, foster economic development, strengthen the East St. Louis community, and provide a new transportation alternative for the greater St. Louis metropolitan region. The proposed station enhances the intermodal connectivity of Downtown East St. Louis including the surrounding St. Clair County and St. Louis region. The station connects existing modes of transportation (passenger vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, MetroBuses, and MetroLink the St. Louis region light-rail system) to Amtrak HSR passenger service. The East St. Louis HSR Multimodal Station works in conjunction with existing infrastructure, including the Casino Queen development, the roadway network, MetroLink facilities, and the Eads Bridge. The addition of the HSR station strengthens existing partnerships between St. Clair Country, the City of East St. Louis, IDOT, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Metro, and private businesses. The East St. Louis HSR Multimodal Station will work with the City of East St. Louis and the Mid-America Medial District (MAMD) as well as private businesses and developers to redevelop vacant parcels of land in Downtown East St. Louis and surrounding the station to create a transit-orientated development (TOD). TOD is not in itself a type of development or real estate product. Rather, it is a method of creating neighborhoods or districts that are anchored by transit stations and are specifically designed to encourage transit accessibility and reduced automobile usage. TOD typically contains a mix of land uses and interconnected circulation systems to emphasize multiple modes of transportation and integrated within the community to enhance livability thus contributing to a sustainable urban land use and development pattern. East St. Louis has successfully been utilizing MetroLink for the past two decades and has a successful TOD at Parsons Place at the Emerson Park MetroLink station. The proposed station will enhance and expand the transportation options as well as the educational, retail, medical, tourist, and employment opportunities. 2.1 Project Location While the proposed East St. Louis HSR Multimodal Station is in the early conceptual planning stages, the IDOT CHISL HSR project prepared an Alternatives Screening draft report. This report evaluated six locations within the St. Clair County area that could be developed into a HSR passenger station. The screening criteria included an evaluation of each site for the following: Location within the Community, Accessibility and Parking, Site Assessment, and Railroad Characteristics. EAST ST. LOUIS HSR MULTIMODAL STATION TIGER 2014 PAGE 3

5 The site that ranked the highest in the screening criteria is located in the City of East St. Louis, west of Interstate 55/64, along Riverpark Drive. This site is located at the intersection of the CHISL HSR tracks and the MetroLink light-rail tracks. The East St. Louis HSR Multimodal Station is located at the nexus of roadway, rail, and river access. The site is conveniently accessible from Interstate 55/64, which has a current average daily traffic (ADT) volume of 57,400 vehicles per day (vpd), Illinois Route 15, which has a current ADT of 12,000 vpd, and Illinois Route 3, which has a current ADT of 27,300 vpd. The site also has direct access from the Eads Bridge, which accommodates vehicular, MetroLink, pedestrian, and bicycle traffic. The Eads Bridge currently carries over 11,400 vpd. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and IDOT have invested over $710 million for the construction of the Stan Musial Veterans Memorial Bridge and the relocation of Illinois Route 3. St. Clair County Transit District (SCCTD), IDOT, Distressed Communities Economic Opportunity (DCEO), Southwestern Illinois Development Authority (SWIDA), Bunge-SCF, and the Casino Queen Hotel and Casino have joined together to fund and construction roadway, sidewalk, and other transportation infrastructure projects in the River Bridge District in East St. Louis to improve access within the area. The public-private partnership project totals over $5.3 million. The site is located approximately 0.3 miles from the Casino Queen Hotel and Casino. The Casino Queen is a 40,000 square feet casino which features games such as slots, video poker, blackjack, craps, poker, and baccarat. In addition to being featured as one of the top five casinos in Casino Player s Magazine s annual list of the loosest slots for more than ten years. The Casino Queen development also offers four restaurants as well as over 150 hotel rooms and a 140- space RV park. EAST ST. LOUIS HSR MULTIMODAL STATION TIGER 2014 PAGE 4

6 The site is also located approximately 0.75 miles from the Malcom W. Martin Memorial Park. The 34.1 acre park completed the vision of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, home of the St. Louis Gateway Arch. The original layout of the Arch included parks on both sides of the Mississippi River. The Malcom W. Martin Memorial Park is home to the Gateway Geyser and the Mississippi River Overlook. The Gateway Geyser is a fountain that erupts three times a day during the spring and summer months. The geyser erupts to a height of 630 feet, the same height as the Gateway Arch. The lake surrounding the fountain includes four smaller fountains. The Mississippi River Overlook is a tiered structure that is 40 feet high and offers visitors views of the park, the Mississippi River, and the St. Louis City skyline. A location map of the proposed project site is included in Figure 2.1. EAST ST. LOUIS HSR MULTIMODAL STATION TIGER 2014 PAGE 5

7 Figure History The East St. Louis area has a well-developed infrastructure and transportation system due to its rich history in development, economic trade, and the Industrial Revolution. The settlement and development of the area took advantage of its prime location to connect residents and businesses to transportation facilities beginning with ferries crossing the Mississippi River. During the late 1800s, railroads supported industries like the meat packing plants and the stockyards as well as transporting Illinois coal to other parts of the nation. All of the major railroad companies had tracks that passed through East St. Louis. After World War I and the Industrial Revolution, additional industries in the East St. Louis region included steel mills which also relied upon the railroads for transportation of their products. EAST ST. LOUIS HSR MULTIMODAL STATION TIGER 2014 PAGE 6

8 In addition to the utilization of the railroad infrastructure for industrial and commercial use, the railroads were utilized extensively to connect East St. Louis to communities throughout Southwestern Illinois, the state of Illinois, and throughout the United States. Rail passenger service provided an economical transportation alternative option to connect people with employment opportunities, educational opportunities, and medical and well-being opportunities. East St. Louis was home to the East St. Louis Relay Station, located at the intersection of East Missouri Avenue and North 1 st Street which is approximately 0.25 miles north of the proposed East St. Louis HSR Multimodal Station. The Relay Station provided passenger services such as restaurants, newsstands, and a ticket office. Passenger rail service in East St. Louis dominated the transportation alternatives until the mid-1960s, when the interstate system and passenger vehicles provided new transportation alternatives. The East St. Louis community and economy has struggled since the 1950s due to corporate restructuring, diminishing employment opportunities, residential relocations, and decreasing municipal tax revenue. However, beginning in the 1990s, new developments such as the Casino Queen Hotel and Casino provided new employment opportunities and tax revenue for the City of East St. Louis. During the early 2000s, the City of East St. Louis successfully completed the design and construction of a new public library and a new city hall. Beginning in the early 2000s and continuing to the present, there have been several successful public-private partnerships for new retail developments and housing developments. The most notable successful public-private partnership was the development and expansion of the MetroLink light-rail system in East St. Louis and throughout St. Clair County to Scott Air Force Base. Beginning in 2010, partnerships between community associations, nonprofit groups, and universities have joined together to develop plots for urban farming to create community gardens and greenspace on vacant tracks of land to enhance the community and provide additional resources to the community. Another successful private-public partnership resulted in the TOD, anchored by MetroLink, in the Emerson Park neighborhood of East St. Louis. Before the St. Clair County extension of MetroLink, the residents of the Emerson Park neighborhood did not own private automobiles and had extreme difficulty in obtaining affordable transportation EAST ST. LOUIS HSR MULTIMODAL STATION TIGER 2014 PAGE 7

9 to secure jobs that provided decent wages for living in other parts of St. Clair County, Scott Air Force Base, Downtown St. Louis, and the St. Louis Metropolitan region. The extension of MetroLink service to Emerson Park resulted in the successful public-private partnership for the TOD development of Parsons Place. Parsons Place included the development of modern infrastructure, including highquality housing, cultural centers, and access to affordable transportation to connect residents to jobs. The partnership included the Emerson Park Development Corporation (EPDC), the Lessie Bates Davis Settlement Hours, the State Community College, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) School of Architecture, and the Carpenters and Joiners Union of the ALF-CIO and the project team secured a $1 million YouthBuild Grant from Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The grant trained long-term unemployed adults in the community in the construction trades on the Parsons Place construction site. Between 2000 and 2001, nearly 225 units of new, affordable housing were constructed in Emerson Park and achieved full occupancy in record time. The MetroLink extension was constructed during the same time and the extension included a passenger station in Emerson Park, which connected the Parsons Place and Emerson Park residents with both MetroLink and MetroBus. The surge in housing and transportation development in Emerson Park also resulted in a $13 million state-of-the-art youth recreational, educational, and cultural center on land adjacent to the Parson Place development. This facility was developed by the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Foundation. In 2002, the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, in cooperation with the EPDC, the City of East St. Louis, and the UICU, held their first regional conference on community-based planning and development at the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Youth Development Center. 2.3 Future Development The East St. Louis region has a history rich which successfully utilized transportation infrastructure, such as rail, river, and roadways, to connect people to well-paying jobs and to export raw materials and manufactured goods to other parts of the nation and world for consumption. East St. Louis is now transitioning from an industrial-based economy to a distribution-based economy. The East St. Louis River District is home to Bunge-North America and Cargill, which are high-speed grain transfer facilities. These facilities connect grain brought by trucks and freight trains to the barges along the Mississippi River for distribution and processing in other parts of the country and the world. A public-private partnership including SCCTD, IDOT, the Casino Queen Hotel and Casino, and Bungee-SCF resulted in $7 million of funding for roadway, bicycle trail, sidewalk, and other infrastructure improvements in the River Bridge District. Existing businesses in East St. Louis are not only investing in improvements internally for their EAST ST. LOUIS HSR MULTIMODAL STATION TIGER 2014 PAGE 8

10 businesses but in transportation infrastructure that directly benefits the businesses, residents, and visitors to the area. East St. Louis has a history rich in transportation and a well-developed urban infrastructure. East St. Louis grew and developed their community during the height of the railroad age and utilized the passenger rail station to connect people with jobs, retail and commercial services, and educational opportunities. By 2017, with the CHISL HSR project, passenger rail service along the corridor will revolutionize transportation between Chicago and St. Louis. East St. Louis has shown the successful operation of a passenger rail station and with the established partnerships for the project and the conceptual ideas for the proposed East St. Louis HSR Multimodal Station, St. Clair County envisions a passenger station that will provide passenger amenities including food and retail, and will enhance existing developments, such as the Casino Queen Casino and Hotel and Downtown St. Louis. A passenger station will spur additional developments surrounding the station, and will connect all transportation modes in one convenient location to create a true multimodal, transit-oriented development station in East St. Louis to serve East St. Louis, St. Clair County, the Metropolitan St. Louis area, and Southwestern Illinois region. The East St. Louis region has successfully proven that investments in transportation infrastructure leads to improvements in affordable transportation choices for its residents, which leads to well-paying employment opportunities, which leads to residential development and redevelopment, which leads to retail and cultural development, which brings visitors and tourists to the area. Existing businesses partner with government agencies to further implement projects that stimulate economic opportunities. With a TIGER Discretionary Grant investment in the East St. Louis HSR Multimodal Station, business retention and development continues, affordable transportation choices connect residents with jobs, educational, medical, and cultural opportunities, and provides a vital link between the CHISL HSR and Downtown St. Louis and Lambert International St. Louis Airport via MetroLink. 2.4 Project Status This request for TIGER Discretionary Grant funding is for a Planning Grant, so detailed design layouts, plans, environmental assessments, and construction bidding documents will be prepared with the award of this grant. However, St. Clair County has been assembling a project team and project partners for the East St. Louis HSR Multimodal EAST ST. LOUIS HSR MULTIMODAL STATION TIGER 2014 PAGE 9

11 Station. The County has already committed funds to the planning and design phase of the project and has been actively meeting with various project partners, including IDOT and their project management consultant for the CHISL HSR project, as well as local communities to show local support for a station in St. Clair County. Additionally, as part of the IDOT CHISL HSR project, various station site locations were selected for an evaluation against evaluation criteria for site location, accessibility, existing support services, potential for development, and railroad track geometry and characteristics. From this draft station location analysis report, the station site located along Riverpark Drive, east of the Casino Queen Hotel and Casino and Eads Bridge, was ranked the highest of the potential HSR station sites in the East St. Louis area. With a station site selected, St. Clair County has been meeting with the CHISL HSR team, including IDOT and their project management consultant. Public informational meetings have been held as well as briefings for local governmental agencies. The most recent CHISL HSR public information meeting, held at the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Center in East St. Louis, had the largest attendance of a CHISL HSR public informational meeting to date. Meeting attendees showed overwhelming positive support for a station in East St. Louis at this meeting. St. Clair County is committed to moving forward with the conceptual station and site layouts, environmental documents, construction plans and documents for the East St. Louis HSR Multimodal Station. St. Clair County will work jointly with the IDOT CHISL HSR team to design the station platform and facilities to accommodate the Amtrak CHISL HSR trains that will ultimately connect St. Louis to Chicago and will provide new opportunities for employment, education, and development for East St. Louis, the St. Clair County area, and the Southwestern Illinois region. 2.5 Connections with Existing Transportation Infrastructure The East St. Louis HSR Multimodal Station promotes and enhances local, regional, and international connections to the existing transportation infrastructure. The station s primary function is to serve as a passenger train station for Amtrak CHISL HSR passenger trains from East St. Louis to Chicago as well as to connect other modes of transportation together in one centralized location. Due to its connection with MetroLink, St. Louis residents will also access CHISL HSR at this station. EAST ST. LOUIS HSR MULTIMODAL STATION TIGER 2014 PAGE 10

12 Amtrak and CHISL HSR Passengers Connect East St. Louis, the Metropolitan St. Louis Region, and Southwestern Illinois with Chicago, Little Rock, Dallas, Tucson, and Los Angeles. MetroLink The multimodal station will be home to stations for both Amtrak CHISL HSR and MetroLink the St. Louis region s light-rail system which connects Lambert International Airport to Scott Air Force Base and communities, jobs, retail, and entertainment venues. MetroBus The multimodal station will include a MetroBus station and will connect residents and visitors to routes and stations throughout St. Clair County and the Metropolitan St. Louis region without the need for an automobile to enjoy the region. Downtown East St. Louis Enhanced walking and biking as well as MetroLink and MetroBus service will connect the station to retail, employment, health care, and human resource services. Air Travelers Direct connectivity via MetroLink to St. Louis Lambert International Airport. CHISL HSR service will provide a convenient link to Chicago and O Hare International Airport and Midway International Airport and expand air travel options. Interstate & Highway Access Direct access from Interstates 55/64 and from Illinois Route 3 and Illinois Route 15 make the station site conveniently located for residents of St. Clair County, Metropolitan St. Louis region, and Southwestern Illinois. Eads Bridge Pedestrian & Bicycle Facilities The station is conveniently located less than 0.3 miles from the Eads Bridge the only bridge in the St. Louis region that has pedestrian/bicycle facilities. River Bridge District The station is located in the River Bridge District development area that is also home to several successful and expanding private businesses. 2.6 Proposed Improvements This TIGER Discretionary Planning Grant will complete the funding package for the planning and design activities for the East St. Louis HSR Multimodal Station located in the economically disadvantaged East St. Louis community in St. Clair County, Illinois. The proposed station site location is located adjacent to Downtown East St. Louis, the River Bridge District, and the Casino EAST ST. LOUIS HSR MULTIMODAL STATION TIGER 2014 PAGE 11

13 Queen Hotel and Casino development. The proposed station connects all modes of transportation, including MetroLink, Amtrak CHISL HSR, buses, vehicular traffic, taxis, pedestrian, and bicycles, and creates a truly multimodal station to serve the East St. Louis community, the St. Clair County area, the surrounding Metropolitan St. Louis area, and the Southwestern Illinois region. The proposed East St. Louis HSR Multimodal Station connects residents of the East St. Louis and St. Clair County communities with Chicago by providing an economically feasible transportation alternative. Additionally, the proposed station promotes tourism to the Metropolitan St. Louis region and enhances the development opportunities in the East St. Louis area to support the station through public-private partnerships like the River Bridge District. 3.0 Project Partnerships The East St. Louis HSR Multimodal Station project brings together a diverse group of project partners for the successful development, construction, and operation of the station. St. Clair County, Illinois TIGER Planning Grant applicant. Financially committed $600,000 of engineering and design costs. Illinois Department of Transportation Project Partner Lead agency for the development of the CHISL HSR corridor project. St. Clair County Transit District Provides transportation services such as MetroBus, MetroLink, and MetroBikeLink. Illinois Department of Transportation Project partner Has jurisdictional agency responsible for interstates and state router highways. Federal Railroad Administration Federal-agency responsible for review and approval of improvements to railroad tracks for proposed station. Project partner for IDOT CHISL HSR project. City of East St. Louis Project Partner to help design and development of station, site services and access, and roadway improvements, as needed. Amtrak Project Partner Provides passenger rail services, including HSR, for the proposed station. Metro Project Partner Will provide MetroLink and MetroBus services to the proposed station. EAST ST. LOUIS HSR MULTIMODAL STATION TIGER 2014 PAGE 12

14 4.0 Project Funding Partnership for the development of the East St. Louis HSR Multimodal Station also includes cooperation in project funding, not only for construction of the improvements but for design of the station and required improvements. The capital for the construction of the station would be accomplished by a diverse funding package that includes local, state, and federal funding. St. Clair County has already committed funds to the design of the station and has the support of the IDOT CHISL HSR project as well. St. Clair County, on behalf of the East St. Louis HSR Multimodal Station project partners, respectfully requests $2.4 million in TIGER Discretionary Grant funding for the planning and design of the station and supporting infrastructure. The project partnership will provide the required matching funds for the planning and design of the project. St. Clair County has already committed $600,000 for the design and engineering costs for the project. The project design can begin immediately upon receipt of the TIGER Discretionary Grant funding and will easily be able to meet the September 2016 funding obligation deadline. Figure 4.1 includes a summary of the financial plan for the East St. Louis HSR Multimodal Station. Figure 4.1 EAST ST. LOUIS HSR MULTIMODAL STATION TIGER 2014 PAGE 13

15 5.0 Primary Selection Criteria 5.1 Long Term Outcomes This project will have a significant positive impact for the City of East St. Louis and the metropolitan St. Louis area as a whole. The success of the project can be established and measured by the following criteria State of Good Repair This project is part of the effort to enhance the regional passenger transportation network, increase rail capacity, and improve reliability for HSR service between Chicago and St. Louis. The facility would be located in Downtown East St. Louis, Illinois, along the existing Amtrak and MetroLink alignment that offers the potential to develop a station that services both HSR and MetroLink and be a true multimodal station. The East St. Louis HSR Multimodal Station will be a newly constructed facility and consequently does not need to be brought into a state of good repair. As identified above, the East St. Louis HSR Multimodal Station Project is supported by St. Clair County, St. Clair County Transit District, the City of East St. Louis, MetroLink, IDOT, the Casino Queen Hotel and Casino, and other private businesses, all of which have a vested interest in the long-term operation and maintenance of the facility. However, long-term operations and maintenance will be overseen and managed by St. Clair County working closely with Amtrak and MetroLink. The station design will incorporate the relative tenets of green building design and use the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Envision TM rating system as a guidance tool for sustainable infrastructure design. Studies by the United States Green Building Council conclude that an upfront investment of 2% in green building design, on average results in a life cycle savings of 20% of the total construction costs Economic Competitiveness The nation fully recognizes the need for an efficient and balanced transportation infrastructure. Implementation of HSR projects serve as a catalyst for growth in regional economic productivity and expansion by stimulating domestic manufacturing, promoting local tourism, and driving commercial and residential development. Implementation of HSR service in the Chicago to St. Louis corridor promotes economic vitality throughout the corridor. EAST ST. LOUIS HSR MULTIMODAL STATION TIGER 2014 PAGE 14

16 In addition to enhancing access to HSR, the East St. Louis HSR Multimodal Station enhances mobility by creating alternate choices for travelers, which reduces national dependence on oil and fosters livable communities. The East St. Louis HSR Multimodal Station benefits an Economically Distressed Area. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate in East St. Louis was approximately 17% in August 2013, as compared to nearly 7% for the nation as a whole. Per the US Census, 43% of residents with income below the poverty level from , as compared to the state as a whole during this period where the persons with income below the poverty level was reported as 14%. Lastly, East St. Louis has a low per capita income of $11,802, well below the national average of $42,693. The economic competitiveness and viability of East St. Louis is dependent upon its ability to connect with the surrounding region. To that end, primary economic benefits of the East St. Louis HSR Multimodal Station are as follows: The project will provide jobs and activities in close proximity to the station. As most of the underemployed and transit-dependent live in the urban core, the proposed location of the station will have a direct benefit for those who need it most. The project will provide regional rail service, supported by regional and local bus service, taxi, pedestrian, and bicycle facilities, enabling people to reach major employment and education centers. The project will facilitate employee mobility throughout the region, resulting in travel time savings and travel cost savings for train riders. The project will spur new economic development opportunities due to the increased flow of commuters and visitors through the station. The project will enhance and support future development of currently vacant and underutilized land as well as expansion of existing areas such as the Casino Queen Hotel and Casino, Downtown East St. Louis, and the Mid-America Medical District (MAMD). The East St. Louis Multimodal Passenger Station will facilitate access to the Malcolm W. Martin Memorial Park and Gateway Geyser, bringing additional visitors that will promote economic development. The project will reduce vehicle congestion and promote increased public transit usage, walking, and biking; making the area more attractive to businesses, employees, and residents. EAST ST. LOUIS HSR MULTIMODAL STATION TIGER 2014 PAGE 15

17 5.1.3 Quality of Life The East St. Louis HSR Multimodal Station will provide a variety of reasonably priced transportation options that will be available in a central location. Increased access to a variety of transportation choices helps to foster livable communities and will benefit a diverse group of people in the region including: Economically Disadvantaged Citizens According to the Bureau of Labor Statics new release in September 2013, transportation costs are the second most significant expenditure, outranked by housing costs, by the average US citizen. The project s proposed location will provide ample area for free parking so people can leave automobiles at the station and access their destinations via a variety of affordable transportation alternatives. Disabled Citizens Access to transportation that will enhance mobility and independence. Senior Citizens Transportation choices for the driving averse. Tourists Transportation choices for weekend trips to destinations in the region including the Casino Queen Hotel and Casino, Springfield, Chicago, and St. Louis. In addition, Lambert St. Louis International Airport and sporting events in the City of St. Louis can be accessed by the various modes of transportation available at the station. Students Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE), Southwestern Illinois College (SWIC), and Lindenwood University - Belleville have each established a satellite campus in East St. Louis. In addition, students attending the University of Missouri St. Louis (UMSL) can utilize the East St. Louis HSR Multimodal Station via MetroLink to gain access to various modes of transportation. Employees Access to employment centers in St. Clair County and destinations in the St. Louis Metropolitan area and supports several State and St. Clair County initiatives aimed at creating high-quality employment opportunities for the surrounding lower-income communities. Trail Enthusiasts St. Louis City, St. Louis County, and St. Clair Counties in Illinois have all developed extensive bicycle and pedestrian trail systems within their jurisdictions. Similar to the interstates and railroads, all of these trails are accessible from the project site. The multimodal station will provide facilities to accommodate trail enthusiasts and will enhance local economic prosperity. In addition to the quality of life benefits achieved through strengthening transportation interconnectivity, the East St. Louis HSR Multimodal Station will EAST ST. LOUIS HSR MULTIMODAL STATION TIGER 2014 PAGE 16

18 contribute to the surrounding resident s quality of life as the station will serve as a catalyst for creation of TOD. TOD is about creating sustainable communities that include a mixture of housing, office, retail, and other amenities integrated into a walkable neighborhood proximate to high quality public transportation. TOD can have significant benefits to individuals, communities, regions, states, the economy, and the natural environment. The current East St. Louis TOD, Emerson Park, has had a tremendous impact on the quality of life of its residents and the entire community Environmental Sustainability Decisions that support environmental sustainability will be incorporated into design, construction, and operation of the East St. Louis HSR Multimodal Station. The significant long-term benefits in sustainability provided by the project include: The project design incorporates reduced reliance of both commuters and residents of the City of East St. Louis on single-occupancy vehicle transportation by providing enhanced transportation mode choices, ease of use, and connectivity to other modes of transportation in a convenient location. Appropriate green street design and Low Impact Development best management practices are intended to be standard components of the station s building and surrounding parking and streetscape design. This will yield significant benefits of reducing environmental impacts through more permeable surfaces, context-sensitive stormwater capture, retention and distribution methods, and enhanced landscaping elements. While difficult to quantify and monetize these potential benefits at the planning stage of the proposed project, the fact that such benefits will be ultimately realized must be considered as part of the benefit-cost analysis. The project will be designed to be LEED certified and will incorporate the ASCE Envision TM rating system as a guidance tool for sustainable infrastructure design. The project design improves utilization of public transit by reducing the number of modes of transportation necessary to access regional and local transit thereby helping to reduce the region s reliance on the automobile and crude oil and reduce fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions. Streetscaping and connectivity improvements throughout the project encourages bike and pedestrian usage through enhanced accessibility while promoting new business opportunities. The project design encourages the redevelopment and reuse of deteriorated and underutilized land parcels, rather than the development of open land. EAST ST. LOUIS HSR MULTIMODAL STATION TIGER 2014 PAGE 17

19 The project is located in an area that can be served by the existing infrastructure (roads, utilities, rail tracks); therefore, major construction would not be required since additional road or transit infrastructure is not necessary Safety A fundamental objective of the East St. Louis HSR Multimodal Station is to enhance safety for all modes of transportation. This entails removing barriers for certain modes to achieve access, such as creating sidewalks where none exist and providing bicycle infrastructure to highlight the presence of bicycles in the roadway. Additionally, this includes separating modes reducing congestion conflicts and potentially saving lives. Project design criteria includes separate facilities for bicycles and grade-separated crossings to enhance non-motorized connections. The safety features and benefits proposed for the design of the East St. Louis HSR Multimodal Station include the following: Protected indoor waiting areas for rail patrons. Covered platforms with enhanced access and safer boarding conditions for rail patrons rather than ground-level boarding, requiring a climb up into the rail cars. This design eliminates the risk of trip-and-fall injuries and from walking on or next to the rail tracks. Direct transfer access between modes and access to all platforms, waiting areas, and sidewalks without having to cross vehicular rights-of-way (streets or rails) or busy parking lots. Unobstructed visibility at the rail platform and the passenger concourse for increased security. Active building frontage at street level, increasing personal safety by attracting more people to the area during the daytime and nighttime. Reduced exposure to auto crashes on the existing roadway system. Secure, weather-protected bike parking facilities to be located adjacent to the station entrance to complement the established regional bike system. Upgrades to crossing geometry and signal timing to Americans with Disability Act (ADA) standards at roadway intersections in proximity to the station. Lighting, to provide a safe and secure environment, will be installed on adjacent roadways, enhancing visibility, safety, and the multi-modal experience. While levels of lighting may vary, uniform lighting levels will be used to avoid areas of glare. Pedestrian safety improvements to include, but not limited to, refurbished highvisibility crosswalks, median extensions, curb extensions, and other related enhancements. Overall, the safety component of this project enhances mobility and provides active transportation options for residents living in proximity to the station as well as those accessing the station from surrounding areas. EAST ST. LOUIS HSR MULTIMODAL STATION TIGER 2014 PAGE 18

20 5.2 Job Creation & Economic Stimulus The East St. Louis HSR Multimodal Station immediately creates engineering and design work and during construction can produce hundreds of temporary construction jobs. The station also creates hundreds of new, permanent jobs as well as the retention of hundreds of permanent jobs resulting in an important positive impact on the unemployment rate of the East St. Louis area. The construction of the station creates economic benefits from the construction that can be classified into three categories: direct impacts, indirect impacts, and induced impacts. Direct Impacts Economic impacts due to new spending, hiring, and production by construction companies to accommodate the demand for resources in order to complete the project. These jobs will be temporary construction jobs. Indirect Impacts Economic impacts due to the increase in production industries supplying intermediate goods and services to the construction industry. These businesses should experience increased demand for their products and services and may hire additional workers, either temporary or permanent, to meet the increased demand. The East St. Louis HSR Multimodal Station project increases jobs for existing establishments like the Casino Queen Hotel and Casino and various other restaurants near the project area. The project stimulates real estate development and redevelopment near the station and Downtown East St. Louis. The project increases the ridership on MetroLink due to construction workers and other workers utilizing MetroLink to commute to work. Induced Impacts Economic impacts due to the re-spending of wages earned by workers and households benefitting from the direct and indirect construction of the East St. Louis HSR Multimodal Station. This request for TIGER Discretionary Grant funding is for the planning and engineering of the design of the East St. Louis HSR Multimodal Station. At this time, detailed studies and plans are not available for the construction costs and duration so direct impacts, indirect impacts, and induced impacts would be speculation and therefore, this grant request does not contain a detailed analysis of the job creation and economic stimulus of the construction of the East St. Louis HSR Multimodal Station. 6.0 Secondary Selection Criteria 6.1 Innovation Sustainability - Conceptually, sustainable development can be broken into three parts: environmental sustainability, economic sustainability, and social sustainability. In other words, is the project good for the environment, affordable over the life-cycle of the project, and beneficial to the public? Although design of the East St. Louis EAST ST. LOUIS HSR MULTIMODAL STATION TIGER 2014 PAGE 19

21 HSR Multimodal Station conforms with industry standards, the overall effort is innovative in its commitment to sustainability in the following ways: The building is designed to LEED-certified standards and follows the ASCE Envison TM sustainable infrastructure rating system as a guidance tool for sustainable infrastructure design. The project is supported by a variety of public/private partners all of which have a vested interest in its success from a national, regional, and local perspective and therefore the project will be financially viable for the long-term. The project is expected to benefit the local and regional market through the expansion of transportation alternatives, creation of and retention of jobs, and improvements in the quality of life all of which contribute to a healthy community. Transportation Interconnectivity The East St. Louis HSR Multimodal Station is planned to be the only truly multimodal HSR passenger station outside the Chicago area. The East St. Louis HSR Multimodal Station connects all modes of transportation options seamlessly. The station brings together passenger vehicles, bicycles, taxies, buses, pedestrians, and MetroLink light-rail. Easy automotive access to the East St. Louis HSR Multimodal Station is convenient. Direct automotive connections are provided by Interstates 55/64, Illinois Route 3, Illinois Route 15, and the Eads Bridge to Downtown St. Louis. The Eads Bridge also carries MetroLink trains and the East St. Louis HSR Multimodal Station includes a MetroLink stop as well. The station will also include accommodations for MetroBuses and taxis. Mixed-Use Development The East St. Louis HSR Multimodal Station not only serves as a multimodal station but also includes space to serve as a gateway to the station and welcome travelers from other cities, states, and countries to the metropolitan area. This space is designed to accommodate civic events and small public venues. The station includes plans for spaces for station functions, food and beverage retail areas, and potentially office space. The East St. Louis HSR Multimodal Station project serves as an example of mixed-use, public/private development. Partnership The East St. Louis HSR Multimodal Station exemplifies partnership and teamwork. Leaders from local, state, and federal government have been working together expand transportation alternatives and improve the quality of life through the creation of jobs, the retention of jobs, and the expansion of tourism and development to the area. 6.2 Partnership The East St. Louis HSR Multimodal Station truly embodies a model of collaboration, partnership, and teamwork among local, state, and federal stakeholders. IDOT has received over $1.2 billion in funding from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) for the CHISL HSR project. As part of the IDOT CHISL HSR project, project stakeholders include IDOT, FRA, UP, Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC), as well as numerous municipalities, counties, and townships. As part of the East St. Louis HSR Multimodal EAST ST. LOUIS HSR MULTIMODAL STATION TIGER 2014 PAGE 20

22 Station project, the project team will coordinate closely with the members of the IDOT CHISL HSR project to ensure cohesion between the two projects. The East St. Louis HSR Multimodal Station project includes project team members from St. Clair County Transit District, the City of East St. Louis, MetroLink, IDOT, the Casino Queen Hotel and Casino, and other private businesses. The East St. Louis HSR Multimodal Station project has already gained the support of local communities. Local governmental agencies such as the City of Belleville have passed resolutions supporting the East St. Louis HSR Multimodal Station. The St. Clair County Board has passed a resolution to commit $500,000 for the design and planning of the station. This project not only enhances the transportation options for the region but also promotes sustainable travel, creates a more livable community, and spurs economic development Jurisdictional & Stakeholder Collaboration In addition to the federal partners, the East St. Louis HSR Multimodal Station has brought together the State of Illinois, IDOT, St. Clair County, and the City of East St. Louis. St. Clair County is the lead applicant of this TIGER VI Discretionary Grant application. Partnership on this project extends well beyond governmental agencies. St. Clair County is working together with MetroLink, the MAMD, local higher education institutions, the Casino Queen Hotel and Casino, and the business community. Strong partnerships have been developed with Amtrak, MetroLink, and IDOT. These relationships have been carefully crafted as they are critical to meeting the significant transportation efficiency improvements for this project. Coordination with these stakeholders ensures the successful completion of the East St. Louis HSR Multimodal Station and redevelopment of the surrounding area Disciplinary Integration The East St. Louis HSR Multimodal Station has brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, organizations, and groups within the East St. Louis and St. Clair County EAST ST. LOUIS HSR MULTIMODAL STATION TIGER 2014 PAGE 21

23 area. These groups and organizations within the Metropolitan St. Louis area all benefit from the East St. Louis HSR Multimodal Station. Business Community The East St. Louis HSR Multimodal Station enhances and brings together the business community, including the Casino Queen Hotel and Casino, to incorporate ideas and features into the new station that benefits the users from the business community. Educational Institutions East St. Louis is home to satellite campuses for SIUE and SWIC. The design team for the East St. Louis HSR Multimodal Station is working with these educational institutions in developing ideas and features that encourage students to utilize the station to connect to all modes of transportation. MetroLink & MetroBus The East St. Louis HSR Multimodal Station project team is working with MetroLink and MetroBus to provide facilities for service to the station and will create a truly multimodal station facility. Mid-America Medical District MAMD was created in 2007 by the State of Illinois to create a medical center district within the corporate boundaries of the City of East St. Louis. MAMD was established to attract and retain academic centers of excellence, viable healthcare facilities, medical research facilities, emerging high technology enterprises, and other facilities. The MAMD boundaries encompass a portion of Downtown East St. Louis. MAMD is included in the development of the East St. Louis HSR Multimodal Station project to ensure that the station design encourages patrons of MAMD to utilize the station as well as to encourage development of the MAMD property near the station. Tourist Destinations The East St. Louis HSR Multimodal Station project team is coordinating with tourist and entertainment destinations. East St. Louis is home to several destinations, including the Malcolm W. Martin Memorial Park, Gateway Geyser, the Casino Queen Hotel and Casino, and the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Center. In addition to the tourist destinations located in East St. Louis, MetroLink connects tourists and visitors to numerous activities and entertainment venues on both sides of the Mississippi River including Busch Stadium, home of the St. Louis Cardinals professional baseball team, Scottrade Center, home of the St. Louis Blues professional hockey team, and the Edward Jones Dome, home of the St. Louis Rams professional football team. Federal Offices East St. Louis is home to the Melvin Price U.S. Courthouse and Melvin Price Federal Building. The Melvin Price U.S. Courthouse is home to the U.S. District and Bankruptcy Courts as well as offices for U.S. Attorneys, Magistrate, Marshall Service, Probation, and Public Defender. The Melvin Price Federal Building includes office space for courtrelated agencies, the Social Security Administrative offices, the Department of Homeland Security, and U.S. Trustees. EAST ST. LOUIS HSR MULTIMODAL STATION TIGER 2014 PAGE 22

24 Connected directly to East St. Louis via MetroLink, Scott Air Force Base (SAFB) is home to 375 th Air Mobility Wing, the Air Mobility Command, U.S. Transportation Command, five headquarters, a reserve aeromedical airlift wing, and an Air National Guard unit. SAFB is also home to over 30 tenants, including the 18 th Air Force, the 126 th Air Refueling Wing, Defense Information Systems Agency/Defense Information and Contracting Organization, Air Force Network Integration Center, and Surface Deployment and Distribution Command. The mission of SAFB is to provide a Total Force team, engaging globally by providing priority airlift, aeromedical evacuation, combat support, and medical expertise, while ensuring an outstanding quality of lift. SAFB is the largest employer and economic driver in St. Clair County. The East St. Louis HSR Multimodal project team is involving the various federal offices so the proposed station is utilized by people from other parts of the state, the country, and the world doing business with these organizations. 7.0 Benefit-Cost Analysis The East St. Louis HSR Multimodal Station is requesting TIGER Discretionary Grant funding for a planning grant. The station is still in the very early conceptual stages and information such as capital costs and ridership projections have not been completed at this time, but to be completed as part of the station design that will be funded, in part, with the TIGER funds. Even though the East St. Louis HSR Multimodal Station is still in the early conceptual planning stage, the project has already identified the following costs for the project: PROJECT COSTS Capital Costs Property Acquisition Site Design Auxiliary infrastructure improvements Construction of Station, platform, parking lot, utility services, etc. Annual Maintenance & Operation Utility costs Building and facilities maintenance costs Employee salaries Tickets Ticket costs for passengers to ride trains EAST ST. LOUIS HSR MULTIMODAL STATION TIGER 2014 PAGE 23