7:00 p.m. General meeting called to order. Paul Conte, Chair 7:05 p.m. Introductions Reminder: All JWN members should fill out and return a sign-in

Transcription

1 Agenda 7:00 p.m. General meeting called to order. Paul Conte, Chair 7:05 p.m. Introductions Reminder: All JWN members should fill out and return a sign-in card to receive a ballot. All guests are requested to sign the guest sign-in sheet. Introduce JWN Executive Board members. Introduce JWN members attending their first meeting. 7:15 p.m. Announcements. St. Vincent de Paul housing program Anne Williams 7:30 p.m. New agenda items from members & agenda adjustments. 7:40 p.m. Report from Chair. Questions from JWN members 7:50 p.m. West Eugene EmX Extension (WEEE) Presentation and Q & A 30 minutes Motion for consideration and vote 40 minutes Adjourn business meeting at 9:00 p.m. or after WEEE vote concluded.

2 Making well-informed decisions on West Eugene EmX Extension What position on WEEE should JWN members support? (Updated March 8, 2011)

3 WEEE Background City Council will likely vote tomorrow on a locallypreferred alternative (LPA) for the West Eugene EmX Extension (WEEE) that would run from the downtown station to Commerce St. (Wal-Mart and Target stores) Choices are: Don t build WEEE, use other capital investments to address auto and transit transportation issues. ( No build ) Build EmX, using W. 6th, 7th, Charnelton, Lincoln & Garfield between downtown and intersection at Garfield and W. 11th Ave. ( W. 6th/7th alignment ) Build EmX, using W. 11th, 13th, Jefferson, Lincoln & Chambers between downtown and intersection at Chambers and W. 11th Ave. ( W. 11th/13th alignment )

4 JWN Background JWN members previously adopted the following motion: If a west Eugene EmX extension is to be built, we, the Jefferson Westside Neighbors (JWN), support building any EmX line on W.6th and W. 7th Avenues between downtown station and Garfield Street, and oppose building EmX on W. 8th through W. 13th Avenues (W. 8th, W. Broadway, W. 10th, W. 11th, W. 12th and W. 13th Avenues), in order to maintain the residential quality, livability and character of the neighborhood, and we urge the City Council to direct LTD to do so. JWN Executive Board has followed this direction in working on WEEE. The motion recommended by the board is consistent.

5 City Council Background Council is almost certain to approve a build alternative. There are four likely Build votes and the Mayor would break a 4-4 tie with Build The Mayor is likely to support W. 6th/7th if a fifth councilor will support Build on W. 6th/7th, thus not requiring the Mayor to vote. The Mayor and some pro-build councilors do not want to see JWN and other neighborhoods become active supporters of no-build. Could jeopardize funding from Fed. Transp. Admin.

6 Board-Recommended Motion The JWN Executive Board unanimously recommends JWN members approve this motion: The Jefferson Westside Neighbors (JWN) reaffirms its opposition to building the West Eugene EmX Extension (WEEE) on the W. 11th/13th alignment because construction of EmX lanes and operation of EmX along this alignment would: a) seriously degrade the livability for residents along the alignment, b) significantly threaten the stability of the residential areas along the alignment, c) worsen transit service to residents in the area around W. 11th and 13th Aves. between downtown and Chambers St., and d) not serve the larger interests of the neighborhood or larger community. The JWN supports an EmX route that would travel on W. 6th and 7th Aves. Accordingly, the JWN Executive Board is directed to communicate this position to local officials. The JWN Executive Board and its officers are further directed to take all legal actions they deem appropriate to prevent the construction of WEEE on the W. 11th/13th alignment, including, but not limited to: a) Submitting oral and written testimony to local advisory and decision-making bodies; b) Filing appeals and taking other legal actions on behalf of the neighborhood organization; c) Lobbying the Federal Transportation Administration and congressional representatives; and d) Raising funds in support of these efforts. The JWN Executive Board is further directed not to take any action on behalf of the organization in opposition to WEEE on the W. 6th/7th alignment unless directed by a vote of the General Membership.

7 Board-Recommended Motion The focus of the board s recommendation is: Prevent WEEE on W. 11th/13th alignment because of the significant harm to our neighborhood. Encourage mass transit that will serve the community s interest, not just LTD s. Key elements: Oppose WEEE on the W. 11th/13th alignment Support EmX on W. 6th and 7th Aves. Do not oppose WEEE on the W. 6th/7th alignment

8 Evaluating the Two Alternative WEEE Alignments

9 The take-away in just two slides Before selecting a Locally-Preferred Alternative, evaluate Costs Benefits Negative impacts Risk mitigation of the following two scenarios...

10 The Two Real Choices WEEE WEEEwith withw.w.116thth/13 /7ththalignment alignmentand ANDHwy Hwy9999EmX EmX As you ll see, the W. 6th/7th alignment is the better choice...

11 DISCLAIMERS The analysis presented here does not address or imply in any way whether or not WEEE should be built at all. This analysis is concerned solely with which alignment should be chosen if WEEE is built. LTD provided unofficial detailed data for a scenario-based analysis, but final results of this approach await LTD s completing their review. The individual segment costs for the two alignments are close enough estimates that it s highly unlikely any revised values would materially affect the conclusions. The operational cost savings from eliminating or shortening the current standard bus route #41 when the Hwy 99 EmX route is in service are assumed to be greater than the estimated savings from reducing standard bus service in the Westside area if the W. 11th/13th Ave. alignment were built. The annualized capital costs are estimated using a factor of 10.4%. The appropriate factor might be different, depending on timing of the scenarios.

12 West 11th Ave. Corridor (LTD)

13 West 11th Ave. Corridor Segment A WEEE W. 6th/7th Alignment is more centrally aligned in the W. 11th Ave. corridor WEEE W. 6th/7th Alignment WEEE W. 11th/13th Alignment

14 West 11th Ave. Corridor Zoning WEEE W. 6th/7th serves more high-density and commercial areas WEEE W. 6th/7th Alignment S-JW Zone WEEE W. 11th/13th Alignment

15 WEEE Build Alternatives Context Both alignments have the same terminii Eugene Station Both alignments include Segment B Segment A is where the differences lie

16 LTD s Isolation-Based Analysis This approach: Assumes no future northwest routes Overstates costs of W. 6th/7th Segment A Overstates negative impacts of W. 6th/7th Segment A Neglects risk mitigation value of W. 6th/7th Segment A Neglects serious impacts of W. 11th/13th. WEEE W. 6th/7th Alignment Projected Capital Cost Approx. $86.3 million WEEE W. 11th/13th Alignment Projected Capital Cost Approx. $76.6 million

17 Scenario-Based Analysis Provides more realistic picture of true costs, impacts and benefits Compares likely future scenarios according to LTD s own EmX System Plan Assumes one or both of Hwy 99 and/or River Road routes will be built Allocates W. 6th/7th Segment A costs reasonably Allocates W. 6th/7th Segment A negative impacts reasonably Accounts for significant risk mitigation value of W. 6th/7th Segment A

18 Scenario-Based Analysis Hwy 99 Route Segment A (Partial) Capital Cost Approx. $ 16.1 million WEEE W. 6th/7th Alignment Projected Capital Cost Approx. $70.2 million WEEE W. 11th/13th Alignment Projected Capital Cost Approx. $76.6 million

19 Scenario-Based Analysis Breakout Hwy 99 Route W. 6th/7th DT to Garfield (Partial) Capital Cost Approx. $16.1 million W. 6th/7th DT to Garfield Capital Cost Approx. $16.1 million Garfield from W. 6th to W. 11th Capital Cost Approx. $6.3 million W. 11th Garfield to Commerce Capital Cost Approx. $47.8 million W. 11th/13th DT to Garfield Capital Cost Approx. $28.8 million

20 Allocating Cost for W. 6th/7th ct = Estimated total cost of W. 6th/7th DT to Garfield p2 = Estimated probability of second NW route (Hwy 99 or River Road) using W. 6th/7th DT to Garfield c2 = Cost of W. 6th/7th DT to Garfield allocated to second route c2 = ½ ct p2 cw = Cost of W. 6th/7th DT to Garfield allocated to WEEE cw = ct c2 When p = 100%, half of DT-to-Garfield cost is allocated to WEEE When p = 50%, ¾ of DT-to-Garfield cost is allocated to WEEE (Total cost of the W. 6th/7th alignment is $78.2 million just $1.6 million more than W. 11th/13th.) When p = 0%, all of DT-to-Garfield cost is allocated to WEEE This is the unrealistic assumption used by LTD i.e., that there is NO chance that a Hwy 99 or River Road route will be built.

21 W. 6th/7th Has Lower Capital Cost for WEEE and Hwy 99 EmX Using the W. 6th/7th alignment is the lower cost way to build both WEEE and Hwy 99 EmX routes: $86.3 million + cost of second route from 6th/7th out Using W. 11th/13th would cost $22.5 million more: $108.8 million ($76.6 m + $32.2 m) + cost of second route from 6th/7th out In addition, the current, historically low construction costs make it more cost-effective to build as much as possible of the system now.

22 W. 6th/7th Has Lower Annualized Costs Lower annualized capital costs result in lower total total annual costs: Assuming a second NW EmX route: 2015 annualized capital cost for W. 6th/7th alignment is over $650,000 less than for W. 11th/13th alignment Compare with LTD route operations cost difference of only $494,000. With Hwy 99 EmX route in place, 2031 annualized capital cost for WEEE (with W. 6th/7th alignment) and Hwy 99 is over $2 million less than with W. 11th/13th alignment Compare with LTD route operations cost difference of only $741,000.

23 W. 6th/7th Has Greater Service Reach 2031 Population within ½ mile of EmX station W 6th/7th is 3% higher: 21,007 = 14, ,978 W 11th/13th: 20,386 = 13, Employment within ½ mile of EmX station W 6th/7th is 7% higher: 30,479 = 20, ,004 W 11th/13th: 28,582 = 18, , System Boardings W 6th/7th is higher: W 11th/13th: 14,975,000 14,903,000 Using more reasonable analysis of potential ridership, W. 6th/7th alignment would have much higher benefits. Only the W. 6th/7th alignment supports the MUPTE residential and economic development strategy. Only the W. 6th/7th alignment supports Envision Eugene transitoriented development in Core Commercial Areas strategy. The W. 6th/7th alignment ridership return-on-investment is a fraction higher than with W. 11th/13th % vs % ridership gain per $10 million capital investment

24 LTD Used Unrealistic Range for Ridership All the residents and employees LTD included in W. 6th/7th alignment are north of the LTD service on W. 8th Ave. Range of riders only within W. 6th/7th alignment Range of riders only within W. 11th/13th alignment Range of riders within both alignments

25 LTD s Other Analyses Use ¼ Mile Radius Range of riders within ¼ mile of W. 6th/7th station Note how W. 11h/13th alignment does not serve residents or employees along W. 6th and 7th Aves. Range of riders within ¼ mile of W. 11th/13th station

26 W. 6th/7th Serves MUPTE Transit-Oriented Area Hwy 99 EmX Route in MUPTE TOA Multiple-Unit Property Tax Exemption (MUPTE) Transit-Oriented Area W. 6th/7th Alignment in MUPTE TOA W. 11th/13th Alignment not in MUPTE TOA

27 Only W. 6th/7th Serves Core Commercial Area Envision Eugene 6th/7th Core Commercial Area

28 W. 6th/7th Has Better Risk Mitigation The FTA favors projects that don t divide a community. Currently, both JWN and Whiteaker Community Council support W. 6th/7th alignment if WEEE is built Because of the lower cost to add the second NW route, the W. 6th/7th alignment provides mitigation of future funding risks to building a second NW route. Although sharing a trunk segment among more than two routes may not be preferable, the W. 6th/7th alignment would also provide a fall back option for a third NW route. In addition, securing the DT to Garfield segment now mitigates risk of political opposition to building additional NW routes in the future (by lowering net cost and impacts). The W. 11th/13th alignment provides no mitigation of future risks to building other routes.

29 W. 6th/7th Has Lower Negative Impacts Four-lane thoroughfare on W. 13th creates substantial negative impacts on residents, pedestrians and bicyclists. (See next slide.) LTD intends to put EmX on W. 6th/7th Aves., so doing it now (WEEE) or later (Hwy 99) makes little difference in ultimate negative impacts on W. 6th and 7th Aves. property owners. W. 6th and 7th Aves. provide eight lanes to accommodate one EmX lane in each direction. Negative impacts should be allocated proportionately, in the same way as capital cost.

30 W. 11th/13th Negative Impacts Using the W. 11th/13th alignment would reduce local bus service (route #30) for the neighborhood between W. 10th and 13th Aves. The W. 11th/13th alignment would produce a substantial negative impact on W. 13th Ave. between Jefferson and Chambers Sts. The south side of this section of W. 13th is a relatively porous and frequently crossed area of mostly non-residential use, with only moderate safety and environmental impediments to pedestrian and bike crossings.

31 The LTD Alternatives Analysis takes no account at all of this factor, yet it s far more important than many of the other impacts that were addressed in the analysis.

32 The W 11th/13th alignment would create a sixty-foot-wide, four-lane, highly-used thoroughfare comparable in width and impacts to W. 7th Ave. (on the northern boundary of the neighborhood), which has become essentially a wall between the neighborhoods to the south and the neighborhoods to the north and the river. Pedestrians and bicyclists rarely cross this barrier.

33 W. 6th/7th is the Better Choice for WEEE Lower annualized cost Lower capital cost Greater service reach Greater economic development impact Only alignment that supports MUPTE TOA strategy and Envision Eugene Core Commercial Area strategy 6. Better risk mitigation 7. Lower negative impacts 8. More community support / less opposition

34 WEEE Myths & Facts Reason and truth will prevail at last Samuel Johnson

35 Myths and Facts Myth: 6th/7th is a lot less direct Facts: -- Both 6th/7th and 11th/13th have a jog. -- W. 6th/7th is about 1,200 feet longer. -- LTD estimates the full-length trip would take 17 minutes on 6th/7th and 15 minutes on 11th/13th. -- There is no evidence that this will affect ridership; LTD estimates W. 6th/7th gaining 72,000 more riders. Myth: 6th/7th is a lot more expensive to build Facts: -- LTD estimates the cost of 6th/7th to be about $9.7 million more than 11th/13th. -- Using LTD figures, the cost of WEEE and Hwy 99 EmX sharing 6th and 7th is $22 million less expensive than with WEEE on 11th/13th.

36 Myths and Facts Myth: EmX on W. 11th/13th Ave. is more cost-effective. Facts: EmX on W. 6th/7th would: -- Serve more residents -- Serve more business employees -- Produce 72,000 more riders -- Generate more trips per million dollars investment. Myth: LTD already plans two other EmX routes on W. 6th/7th Ave., and running WEEE on W. 6th/7th Ave. would over serve that segment. Facts : LTD plans only one other EmX route on W. 6th/7th Ave. -- Sharing W. 6th and 7th Aves. for WEEE and Hwy 99 EmX would save over $20.5 million dollars in construction costs.

37 LTD System Plan Routes Only the Hwy 99 EmX route is planned for W. 6th/7th Aves. River Road EmX route planned for W. 1st Ave. and Railroad Ave.

38 Myths and Facts Myth: An EmX route along W. 13th Ave. can be mitigated with lanscaping or by design tweaks. Facts: The LTD W. 13th Ave. design calls for a sixty-foot wide, fourlane thoroughfare with intensive auto traffic and large EmX busses running by every 2-1/2 minutes. Myth: The FTA is more likely to fund a W. 11th/13th alignment because it s cheaper. Facts: The FTA bases funding decisions on financial aspects, transit benefits, land-use and economic benefits, and community support. LTD s expert transit consultant has told LTD: -- The W. 6th/7th Ave. alignment is a solid financial proposal. -- Serving the TOA area on W. 6th/7th Ave. is a big plus. -- Not dividing a neighborhood is a big plus. -- The FTA funded a Portland light rail project that was more expensive and added fewer riders because the project s route provided significant land use and economic benefits.

39 Myths and Facts Myth: The JWN board s recommended motion is anti-mass transit Fact: The motion explicitly supports EmX on W. 6th/7th Aves. Myth: Supporting No Build is the best way to keep EmX off the W. 11th/13th alignment. Facts: -- There are four solid Council votes for Build. -- Taking a No Build position before an alignment is selected would take the JWN out of play in the critical decision of which alignment to select. -- Many JWN residents support EmX on W. 6th/7th Ave., so a No Build position would have much less support by the JWN membership.

40 Board-Recommended Motion The JWN Executive Board unanimously recommends JWN members approve this motion: The Jefferson Westside Neighbors (JWN) reaffirms its opposition to building the West Eugene EmX Extension (WEEE) on the W. 11th/13th alignment because construction of EmX lanes and operation of EmX along this alignment would: a) seriously degrade the livability for residents along the alignment, b) significantly threaten the stability of the residential areas along the alignment, c) worsen transit service to residents in the area around W. 11th and 13th Aves. between downtown and Chambers St., and d) not serve the larger interests of the neighborhood or larger community. The JWN supports an EmX route that would travel on W. 6th and 7th Aves. Accordingly, the JWN Executive Board is directed to communicate this position to local officials. The JWN Executive Board and its officers are further directed to take all legal actions they deem appropriate to prevent the construction of WEEE on the W. 11th/13th alignment, including, but not limited to: a) Submitting oral and written testimony to local advisory and decision-making bodies; b) Filing appeals and taking other legal actions on behalf of the neighborhood organization; c) Lobbying the Federal Transportation Administration and congressional representatives; and d) Raising funds in support of these efforts. The JWN Executive Board is further directed not to take any action on behalf of the organization in opposition to WEEE on the W. 6th/7th alignment unless directed by a vote of the General Membership.