Pace University Land Use and Sustainable Development Conference Tensions and Opportunities in Urban Revitalization

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1 Pace University Land Use and Sustainable Development Conference Tensions and Opportunities in Urban Revitalization Ken Schwartz, Principal, VHB December 6, 1013

2 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.

3 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

4 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

5 Barnum Station Feasibility Study

6 New York-Connecticut SCI Consortium CONSORTIUM 9 Cities 2 Counties 5 MPOs 1 Nonprofit ADVISORY BOARD 6 State Agencies 6 Nonprofits 3 NJ members

7 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

8 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

9 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

10 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

11 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

12 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?

13 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

14 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

15 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

16 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

17 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

18 Station Area Options Option 1 Church St. Realignment Option 2 E. Washington Ave. Extension Option 3 Waterview Ave. Extension Option 4 Helen St. Extension

19 Station Area Plans Pros and Cons Option Pros Cons Church Street E. Washington Avenue Limited flood zone encroachment Least amount of new road construction Full block TOD potential Large dwell space for buses Closer station location to Hospital Improved connection to downtown Potential for east/west bus route service Noise/open space buffer Least integration with road network No new vehicular/bus access through viaduct 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

20 Cost Estimate Element Station Infrastructure Parking and Roadways Platforms Catenary Engineering Services Construction Contingency TOTAL Cost $7.9 million $11 million $7.4 million $1.2 million $6.7 million $13.8 million $48 million

21 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

22 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

23 Supportable Uses Through Residential 950 units Additional 2,000 units Office/Flex 100, ,000 sf Additional 340, ,000 sf Retail 40,000 sf Additional 80,000 sf

24 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

25 TOD Plan Major land use goals Consistent with: Existing land use patterns Infrastructure improvements Projects in the pipeline

26 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

27 Parramore Neighborhood Revitalization

28 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

29 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

30 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

31 Understanding the Community The Neighborhood as the Basic Building Block

32 Understanding the Community The Neighborhood as the Basic Building Block Community Centers and Parks as active gathering places

33 Understanding the Community The Neighborhood as the Basic Building Block Community Centers and Parks as active gathering places Accessibility and gaps to Community Centers

34 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

35 Parramore Kidz Zone Investing in Children 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

36 Collective Impact

37 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)

38 Success in Moving the Needle (continued) College tour Baby Institute Graduation

39 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