Resolution of Support for the Ettrick Site as the Future Location of the Tri-Cities Multimodal Station

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Osborn Conley
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1 CHESTERFIELD COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Page 1 of 3 AGENDA Meeting Date: October 28, 2015 Item Number: 8.B.1.b. Subject: Resolution of Support for the Ettrick Site as the Future Location of the Tri-Cities Multimodal Station County Administrator's Comments: County Administrator: Board Action Requested: The Board is requested to adopt the attached resolution of support for the Ettrick site as the future location of the Tri-Cities Multimodal Station and submit it for inclusion in the Tri-Cities Multimodal Station Final Environmental Assessment. Summary of Information: At the request of the City of Petersburg, the Tri-Cities Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) has conducted an environmental assessment of potential sites for a future multimodal station location to serve Tri- Cities. An environmental assessment (EA) is the formal process used to predict the environmental consequences (positive or negative) of a project. Environmental evaluations are required by the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) for large, federally-funded projects. The EA includes analyses of impacts to traffic, socioeconomic groups, cultural resources, and the natural environment. The Tri-Cities Multimodal NEPA Study began with an evaluation of all potential sites with suitable track configuration and parcel availability. During the study process, the potential sites were pared down to three sites: Boulevard, Ettrick and S. Collier. Preparer: Jesse W. Smith Title: Director of Transportation Attachments: Yes No #

2 Summary of Information: (continued) CHESTERFIELD COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Page 2 of 3 AGENDA These three sites have been fully evaluated as part of the EA. At this time, all three sites are viable options for a future station location. In addition to the EA, a Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Analysis was conducted to look at the potential economic viability of the sites. Based on the results of the EA and TOD analysis, the study consultant has ranked the three sites relative to the following criteria: access, TOD potential, environmental impacts, land use and transportation integration, and implementation and operation. The Ettrick site is the study consultant s recommended site. The final decision regarding the site will be made by the Federal Rail Administration (FRA). FRA will review the Final Environmental Assessment report which will include the study consultant s recommendation along with public and local government comments. Staff is recommending that the Board confirm its support for the Ettrick site over the other two sites for the following reasons: It is the least expensive option. It has the least environmental impacts. It requires minimal operational changes from AMTRAK as it is the current station location. It is consistent with the Ettrick-VSU Special Area Plan and a key component to the revitalization of Ettrick, a substantial area ripe for development and redevelopment. It is within walking distance of Virginia State University and the Multipurpose Center, providing students, faculty and visitors with easy access to train service. Relative to S. Collier, it is closer to the urban core; therefore, is more accessible by the majority of the population. It requires minimal investment towards public infrastructure. To accommodate a future Tri-Cities Multimodal Station, the Ettrick site will require construction of a new station and platform; site improvements for vehicular, transit, pedestrian and bicyclist circulation; and access improvements to Bessie Lane. State and federal funding sources for station construction are limited. It is anticipated that funding for station improvements will need to come primarily from the locality. The Board is requested to confirm support for the Ettrick site as the future location of the Tri-Cities Multimodal Station by adopting a resolution of support and submitting it for inclusion in the Final Environmental Assessment.

3 CHESTERFIELD COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS Page 3 of 3 AGENDA Recommendation: Staff recommends the Board take the following actions: Adopt the attached resolution of support for the Ettrick site as the future location of the Tri-Cities Multimodal Station and submit it for inclusion in the Tri-Cities Multimodal Station Final Environmental Assessment. District: Matoaca

4 WHEREAS, the Tri-Cities Transportation Planning Organization has conducted an Environmental Assessment of potential station locations to serve as the region s future Multimodal Station; and WHEREAS, three locations have been identified as viable alternatives: the Boulevard site in Colonial Heights, the S. Collier site in Petersburg and the Ettrick site in Chesterfield; and WHEREAS, the existing Ettrick Train Station is located on the Ettrick site and provides a valuable transportation mode for the Tri-Cities region; and WHEREAS, the Ettrick Train Station provides daily Amtrak service between major cities along the east coast including Boston, New York, Washington D.C., Charlotte, Orlando and Miami; and WHEREAS, the Ettrick site is centrally located to the Tri- Cities region which includes southern and eastern Chesterfield County, Hopewell, Colonial Heights, Petersburg, Prince George and Dinwiddie; and WHEREAS, over 100,000 residents of the Tri-Cities region are within a six-mile radius of the Ettrick site; and WHEREAS, the Ettrick site is within walking distance of Virginia State University which currently has 5,000 students enrolled, and is expected to have over 10,000 students enrolled by 2020; and WHEREAS, the Ettrick site is within walking distance of Virginia State University s Multipurpose Center, a regional venue for concerts, sporting events and conventions; and WHEREAS, the Ettrick site is located less than eight miles from Fort Lee where 70,000 soldiers train annually; and WHEREAS, the Ettrick site is located on one of five original national high-speed rail corridors: the Southeast High Speed Rail (SEHSR) corridor, which runs from Washington D. C. to Raleigh, North Carolina; and

5 WHEREAS, the existing Ettrick Train Station accommodates nearly 30,000 boardings and alightings annually and ridership is expected to increase to 98,000 annually by 2025 with the implementation of the SEHSR service; and WHEREAS, according to AMTRAK s Great American Station guidelines the existing Ettrick Train Station should be upgraded to a small-medium facility to accommodate existing and future ridership; and WHEREAS, the future implementation of the SEHSR will require track expansions resulting in the need to move the Ettrick Train Station away from the new track; and WHEREAS, improvements for the Tri-Cities Multimodal Station at the Ettrick site can be phased to benefit the growth in ridership and potential for high-speed rail service; and WHEREAS, the Ettrick Station has served and should continue to serve Tri-Cities residents and visitors for many years to come; and WHEREAS, the Ettrick Station is a key component to the revitalization of Ettrick, a substantial area ripe for development and redevelopment, as reflected in the Ettrick-VSU Special Area Plan of the Chesterfield County Comprehensive Plan. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Supervisors of Chesterfield County supports the Ettrick site serving as the future Tri-Cities Multimodal Station. AND, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board of Supervisors understands that local contributions are an important funding source for the future Tri-Cities Multimodal Station.

6 Station Locations

Pre-NEPA Evaluation Tri-Cities Area Multimodal Station Study. August 22, 2012

Pre-NEPA Evaluation Tri-Cities Area Multimodal Station Study Prepared for: Virginia Department of Rail & Public Transportation August 22, 202 Prepared by: 00 Boulders Parkway, Ste 350 Richmond, VA 23225