Downtown Las Vegas Multi-Modal Transportation Project

Transcription

1 Application for the FY 2013 TIGER Program Downtown Las Vegas Multi-Modal Transportation Project Submitted by the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada In cooperation with the City of Las Vegas

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page 1. Project Information Project Information Contact Information Project Description Transportation Challenges Solution - Downtown Las Vegas Multi-Modal Transportation Project Project Parties Grant Funds and Sources of Project Funds Selection Criteria...8 Primary Selection Criteria 5.1 State of Good Repair Economic Competitiveness Livability Sustainability Safety Project Readiness...22 Secondary Selection Criteria 5.7 Innovation Partnerships Results of Benefit-Cost Analysis Other Environmental Reviews and Approvals Environmental Approvals State and Local Planning Legislative Approvals Opportunities for Low-Income Workers Opportunities for Small and DBE Community Involvement Labor Practices, Civil Rights, and Equal Opportunity Federal Wage Rate Certification References...30 Appendix A: Benefit-Cost Analysis 0

3 1. Project Information 1.1 Project Information Project Name Project Type State Project County location Jurisdictions Congressional Districts Urban or Rural FY 2013 TIGER Grant Funds Requested Sponsoring Organization Organization Type (see Note) Downtown Las Vegas Multi-Modal Transportation Project Bicycle, Pedestrian and Transit Nevada Clark City of Las Vegas Nevada 1 st, Dina Titus Urban $10,000,000 Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada Transit Agency DUNS Number Central Contractor Registration RTC is registered Note: The Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC) is submitting this application in its capacity as the Transit Agency and designated recipient of Federal Transit Administration funds for the Las Vegas Urbanized Area in Nevada. The RTC is also the designated Metropolitan Planning Organization for the Las Vegas Metropolitan Area, known locally as Southern Nevada. An explanation of the various functions of the RTC and its geographic area of responsibility is set out on pages 35 of the Regional Transportation Plan available at Contact Information Name Betsy Avila Phone (702) Title Organization Address 2. Project Description avilab@rtcsnv.com Senior Financial Analyst Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada 600 South Grand Central Parkway, Suite 350 Las Vegas, NV FY 2013 TIGER funding is being requested for the construction of the transportation component of a multi-faceted infrastructure improvement project centered along Main Street on the southern edge of the downtown urban core of Las Vegas, Nevada (see reference #1). This project has four main goals: 1. To extend efforts already underway to create more livable and sustainable communities in and around the areas of downtown Las Vegas; 2. To enhance the safety and create a pleasurable environment for pedestrians, bicyclists and transit users; 3. To provide continued support to regenerate the economy of an inner-urban area; and 4. To facilitate redevelopment of emerging area through upgrades to outdated infrastructure. DOWNTOWN LAS VEGAS MULTI--MODAL TRANSPORTATION PROJECT 1

4 Figure 1: The Project Area Looking North from the Stratosphere Tower towards downtown Las Vegas 2

5 2.1 Transportation Challenges (i) The Project Area In 2005 the City of Las Vegas celebrated its 100th anniversary. From the start, Main Street has been a key element of the downtown city street pattern. The downtown core is comprised of a grid of 40 blocks, each 300 x 400 feet separated by 20-foot alleys, originally built for railroad employees and therefore has very high mobility index. Over the years a mix of residential and commercial uses, gambling halls and saloons quickly sprang up. To this day there remains a rich legacy of Old Las Vegas residential homeowners, businesses, entertainment, lodging and culture. This urban character extends southwards along Main Street through the Arts District (see Figure 1), which includes numerous art studios, cafes and other boutique retail businesses. The Downtown Multi-Modal Transportation Project (DMMTP) is centered on this part of Main Street and the adjacent light industrial along Commerce Street, one block to the west as shown on Figure 1. (ii) Infrastructure Main Street is a four-lane road with on-street parking that carries 15,000 to 20,000 vehicles per day. The infrastructure in the downtown area was constructed 80 years ago making it among the oldest infrastructure in the entire city and is long past its functional service life. Along Main and Commerce Streets, the asphalt is old; the corrugated metal storm drain pipe collapsing; there are no bike lanes; sidewalks are generally in poor condition or missing, and many do not meet current standards under the American Disabilities Act (ADA); transit bus stops need to be upgraded from simple signage to meet the needs of the burgeoning business and mixed land use community. Also, the cost of maintenance is becoming more difficult and more expensive. Along Main Street there are short left-turn bays at a few signalized intersections but otherwise turns have to be made from the through travel lanes. Commerce Street in places is a little more than an alleyway. This area also has a long history of flooding affecting residents, businesses and motorists. Past floods have caused Charleston Boulevard, a major roadway, to be closed at the Union Pacific Railroad underpass on several occasions, causing severe traffic congestion. (iii) Economically Depressed Area The Las Vegas area and the State of Nevada still lead the nation in unemployment and bankruptcies. Las Vegas, Clark County is presently classified as an economically depressed area and is in desperate need of economic stimulus. According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, Las Vegas has the fifth highest unemployment rate for Large Metropolitan Areas (1 million or more) at 9.8%. The state of Nevada also has the highest unemployment in the nation at 9.7% unemployment rate. Finally the American Bankruptcy Institute a in 2012 still identified Nevada as the highest number of per capita personal bankruptcy filings with one in every 112 Nevadans filing. Deteriorated Housing in Project Area a DOWNTOWN LAS VEGAS MULTI--MODAL TRANSPORTATION PROJECT 3

6 Figure 2: Las Vegas Redevelopment Area (iv) Reviving the Economy The entire project area lies within the Las Vegas Redevelopment Area (see Figure 2). Prior to the collapse of the housing boom, the area had stabilized and was showing signs of modest renewal. The challenge now is to provide a favorable environment for economic investment which will aid the community in coming out of the most severe recession since the Great Depression. (v) Project Need Summary In the last 10 years, efforts to diversify the downtown and the surrounding inner-city areas have started to pay off. But it is very difficult to attract new businesses and industry to the area while the local infrastructure is in decay. Recent progress is at risk unless the City of Las Vegas is able to develop the proper infrastructure to improve mobility and connectivity that supports livability and economic regeneration in both the downtown core and the adjacent inner urban areas. 2.2 Solution - Downtown Las Vegas Multi-Modal Transportation Project (i) Planning Towards a More Livable and Safer Community To mark the Centennial on July 5, 2000, the City of Las Vegas adopted a Downtown Centennial Plan (see Reference 2) that set forth a strategy to reestablish the downtown as the region s premier artistic, cultural, civic, financial and urban residential center of the valley. The strategy includes widened sidewalks, safe bicycling routes and enhanced transit access to public facilities, work, shopping and entertainment areas. The City is implementing this strategy in support of its efforts to promote a diversity of uses within the downtown area. The primary goal of this project Transit and Sidewalk Improvements - East Fremont St. is to expand these efforts, thus accelerating the transition of the Main/Commerce area from a somewhat run-down inner-city neighborhood into a more vibrant mixed-use community. (ii) Downtown Las Vegas Multi-Modal Transportation Project The City of Las Vegas and the Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) are working on a number of projects to improve bicycle and pedestrian facilities in the downtown area. As an 4

7 expansion of these efforts, the City has started to look at ways of improving Main Street for pedestrians, bicyclists and transit riders. After reviewing options, including a consideration of traffic flow, it was decided that the conversion of Main Street and Commerce Street into a one-way couplet would be the best way of achieving both bicycle and pedestrian goals while also enhancing transit. This had the added advantage of upgrading Commerce Street, which now just provides local access through an economically marginal light industrial area. Under this concept, Main Street would be converted from a four lane roadway to a two-lane northbound one-way street with widened sidewalks and bike lanes with southbound travel lanes in Commerce Street. The result would upgrade the overall amenity of the area and meet the needs of pedestrians and bicyclists while also achieving a modest increase in the carrying capacity of the roadway. Figure 3: Main Street: Existing and Proposed Figure 4: Commerce Street: Existing and Proposed (iii) Project Elements Main Street is an existing four-lane road with sub-standard sidewalks and no bike lanes which will become a two-lane northbound road with bike lanes and wide sidewalks. Commerce Street is an existing two-lane road with that will be converted to a two-lane southbound couplet with bike lanes and wide sidewalks. Parking will be retained but improved thru the use of bulb-outs to demarcate parking areas and crosswalks. Transit operations will be accommodated with DOWNTOWN LAS VEGAS MULTI--MODAL TRANSPORTATION PROJECT 5

8 enhancements to stops and adjoining areas of sidewalk. Crosswalks will be provided at all cross streets and some mid-block locations. All pedestrian areas will be ADA compliant. Figures 3 and 4 compare photographs of the existing Main and Commerce Streets with renderings of how these streets will look upon completion of the project. A typical cross-section is illustrated in Figure 5. Figure 5: Conceptual Cross-Section (iv) Multi-Modal Connectivity As shown in the panorama below, the project is not just about improving the land-use and mobility within the immediate project area but also provides connectivity from the Downtown Area to the Las Vegas Strip. The Project lies between the Strip and Downtown Las Vegas The project will provide benefits for all modes. For automobiles, the conversion of Main Street and Commerce Street to a one-way couplet which will provide for more efficient and safer vehicle traffic flow. Although there will be no increase in travel lanes, total capacity will be increased due to the greater efficiency of one-way configurations. The recently completed Bonneville Transit Center lies one block east, near the north end of the project. The Strip/Downtown Bus Rapid Transit line operates on Casino Center Drive and Third Street, just east of the project, but Main Street is used by the primary general market bus route that links downtown with the Convention Center, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and McCarran International Airport. 6

9 Figure 6: Storm Drain Improvements (v) Storm Drain and Sewer Elements These roadway improvements will be implemented in conjunction with the reconstruction of the sewer systems and replacement of storm drain facilities. The present storm drain under Main Street south of Charleston Boulevard will be superseded by a new Concrete Box drain under Commerce Street, designed to convey the 100-year flood event. The regional drainage facilities, estimated at $7 million, will be funded by the Clark County Regional Flood Control District (RFCD). The sewer facilities estimated at $590,000 will be funded through the City Sewer Enterprise fund. In the future the RFCD will extend this main drainage east to Boulder Hwy, ultimately to drain into the Las Vegas Wash (see Figure 6). The local feeder storm drain under Main Street north of Charleston Boulevard will also be replaced, as will the sanitary sewer under Commerce Street in the same area. In all, flood protection will be improved over some 308 acres of developed land, as well as key sections of roadway. By implementing the roadway improvements at the same time as the reconstruction of the storm and sewer systems, there will be substantial cost savings. In addition, this will avoid future disruption that would occur if the roads were improved now, only to be dug up again for the drainage work at a later date. For these reasons this is considered to be a single project. 3. Project Parties Project Sponsor and Grant Recipient Name Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC) Organization Type Transit Agency / Designated recipient of FTA funds Address 600 South Grand Central Parkway, Suite 350, Las Vegas, Nevada General Manager Tina Quigley Contact person Betsy Avila, Senior Financial Analyst RTC Departments RTC Transit M.J. Maynard, Assistant General Manager Metropolitan Planning Organization and Freeway and Arterial System of Transportation Fred Ohene, Assistant General Manager Other Parties City of Las Vegas, Department of Public Works Jorge Cervantes, Director Clark County Regional Flood Control District LEGEND Project Limits Local Storm Drain 100-Year Storm Drain Future Storm Drain Residential Light Industry / Research Public Facilities Commercial (Downtown) Mixed Use (Downtown) Gale Wm. Fraser, II, General Manager/Chief Engineer DOWNTOWN LAS VEGAS MULTI--MODAL TRANSPORTATION PROJECT 7

10 The Downtown Las Vegas Multi-Modal Transportation Project is a multi-jurisdictional collaborative effort of the RTC, the City of Las Vegas Public Works Department, and the Regional Flood Control District (RFCD). The RTC is the project lead and fiscal agent for FY 2013 TIGER funding and is experienced in managing large federally funded transit and multimodal projects. Letters of support from project partners and supporters have been provided. In addition to the involvement of the project partners, the City of Las Vegas is coordinating with various stakeholders, including the City of Las Vegas Planning Department, the City of Las Vegas Economic and Urban Development Department, and the Las Vegas Arts District to make sure the project coincides with land-use planning, economic, and cultural initiatives occurring within the project area and in Downtown Las Vegas. 4. Grant Funds and Sources of Project Funds Funding Agency and Source Funding Amount % RTC Local Funds (Q10 funds) $1,000,000 4% City of Las Vegas (motor vehicle fuel tax) $3,000,000 12% City of Las Vegas (sewer funds) $590,000 2% Clark County Regional Flood Control District (local sales tax) $7,000,000 28% Total Local Funding $11,590,000 46% Federal STP $3,800,000 15% Total Non-TIGER Funding $15,390,000 61% FY 13 TIGER Grant Funds Requested $10,000,000 39% Total Project Funding $25,390, % 5. Selection Criteria Primary Selection Criteria 5.1 State of Good Repair The project lies in one of the oldest areas of the City. The basic infrastructure - roadway pavements, storm drains, sewers is essentially unchanged since it was constructed 80 years ago. As these systems age, routine maintenance becomes more difficult and costly. (i) Roadway Improvements Roadways: Approximately, 1-mile of Main Street will be reconstructed as a two-lane northbound road with bike lanes and enhanced sidewalks. Main Street is currently about 9 years into a 12-year resurfacing cycle. With 3 years to go before the next scheduled resurfacing, the actual roadway surface is in reasonable condition. However other aspects of the road, including Deteriorated Sidewalks in Project Area 8

11 lane configuration, curb and gutter and sidewalks are not in good condition and the overall physical environment is poor. Commerce Street will be similarly reconstructed as a two-lane southbound road with bike lanes and enhanced sidewalks. This street is not in a good condition and the section north of Charleston is little more than an alleyway. The project includes a U-turn lane where Main and Commerce Streets merge, and 400 feet of Oakey Boulevard connecting Commerce Street back to Main Street at the south end of the one-way sections. (ii) Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvements Bicycle and Sidewalk Improvements: Bicycle lanes and widened sidewalks are an integral part of the configuration of the one-way sections of Main and Commerce Streets. These are continued on Main Street from Las Vegas Boulevard to Oakey Boulevard in the south and from the Commerce Street merge to Clark Street in the north. This will create 2.3 miles of continuous bike lanes. A total of 4.7 miles of sidewalk will be widened and brought up to ADA standards. Other improvements in the pedestrian area include benches, trash cans and wayfinding signs as well as station markers and route displays for transit riders. None of these exist today. Intersections: Over 20 intersections will be improved with pedestrian bulb outs and improved crosswalks. Lighting and Landscaping: Old and substandard streetlights will be replaced by over 90 new lights meeting the standards set out in the City Downtown Centennial Plan, and approximately 1,000 street trees will be planted where few currently exist. Corrosion in CMP Storm Drain (iii) Flood Control Improvements Stormwater improvements are needed for three reasons. First, there have been several instances of old corrugated metal pipe (CMP) storm drains in Main Street which have corroded to the point that they have developed large holes in the inverts of the pipe. These pipe failures have been attributed to sink holes in the roadway pavement that have occurred in throughout this area. Second, the area is very flat and the existing drainage facilities in this area were constructed before any modern codes and in most cases were set at grade with little regard for flood flows in adjacent streets. When storm flows exceed the sidewalk elevation several of these buildings are flooded, causing damage to the buildings and inventories. Third, there have been several major flood events that severely impacted neighborhoods and businesses causing major clean-up costs. This lack of stormwater infrastructure represents a large vulnerability for the project area. With Bonneville Avenue Commerce Street Las Vegas Boulevard DOWNTOWN LAS VEGAS MULTI--MODAL TRANSPORTATION PROJECT 9

12 inadequate existing storm drains, stormwater backs up onto the streets, causing significant traffic problems, vehicle damage and inconvenience to residents, commuters and businesses alike. Addressing these vulnerabilities with new properly sized stormwater infrastructure will attract more businesses to the downtown area. To address these issues, the City of Las Vegas has adopted a flood control ordinance that requires new construction to be protected from the 100-year flood event. In addition, the City, in conjunction with the RFCD, has created a Flood Control Master Plan to address flooding issues. The Flood Control Master Plan includes a 100-Year storm drains made up of 7 x 4 Reinforced Concrete Box (RCB) supplemented by smaller storm drain to collect localized stormwater flows. Elements of the Flood Control Master Plan included in the Project will substantially increase protection from flood events for some 300 acres around the project area. Primary Storm Drainage: Approximately 4,500 liner feet of new RCB storm drain will be created to run under Commerce Street north to Charleston Boulevard and thence east to Las Vegas Boulevard. Local Storm Drainage: Approximately 5,500 linear feet of local storm drain under Main Street will be replaced by drains meeting current standards. Sanitary Sewer: In addition, about one-half mile of old sanitary sewer under Commerce Street will be replaced. 5.2 Economic Competitiveness (i) Local Economic Conditions Southern Nevada has been particularly hit hard during the recession for multiple reasons. A report from Washington D.C. has cited several recession factors that severely affect Las Vegas tourism sensitivity, overpriced housing, and higher percentages of pre-recession employment in real estate and related construction industries. Due to a combination of these factors, at the peak of the recession the real estate market and unemployment rate became among the worst in the country. But, despite the depth to the bottom of the recession at almost 15% unemployment, it appears we are rebounding. With a recent report indicating that home prices increased 30% from a year ago, and 19,000 people moved into Las Vegas in the month of March Although there were many large Downtown high-rise projects that became subject to the recession, multiple projects such as Soho Lofts, Newport Lofts, Juhl, and Ogden House totaling $730 Million did survive and are now fully occupied. These developments create the density needed to support transit orientated development and are fulfilling the City s vision for the Downtown. SoHo Lofts Juhl Ogden House 10

13 Finally, the recovery of the Las Vegas housing market has turned the corner and a recent report a indicated that home prices increased 30% from a year ago and 19,000 people moved to Las Vegas in month of March 2103 alone. In addition to the high density projects identified above, the City of Las Vegas has also seen recent major success also in cultural and government project areas. Just in 2013 the City of Las Vegas completed three major redevelopment projects in the Downtown corridor; the Smith Center for the Performing Arts b ($570 million); the National Museum of Law Enforcement and Organized Crime (aka The Mob Museum - $50 million); and a new 300,000 square foot City Hall c on Main Street ($150 million). The Smith Center for the Performing Arts Mob Museum New City Hall (ii) Local Private Investment - The new City Hall project was part of a larger plan to diversify Downtown and allow for the relocation of the Zappos.com, Inc. corporate headquarters to the former City Hall site. The total Zappos project cost, including the sale of the land and building renovation is approximately $58 million. Work completion and target move-in date is scheduled for early October of Such a move is expected to invigorate the Downtown area bringing an initial 1,000 jobs, in addition to a major push for employees to relocate to Downtown Las Vegas. Zappos.com is a leader in on-line clothing and footwear sales by way of an unparalleled focus on customer service. Zappos is known as having a fun and family-type culture with a focus on employee happiness. Highlighting Zappos accomplishments is inclusion in Fortune Magazine s 100 Best Companies To Work For d list for 2009 and "At Zappos, our number one priority is our company culture. Our belief is that if we get the culture right, most of the other stuff -- like delivering great customer service and building a long-term enduring brand and business -- will be a natural byproduct of our culture, said Tony Hsieh, CEO of Zappos.com, Inc. Our proposed future downtown location will be a great urban environment that will help grow the cultures of both Zappos and Las Vegas." In addition to the Zappos.com Headquarters project, Tony Hsieh is heading a private investment initiative known as the Downtown Project e with a personal commitment to invest $350 million into the revitalization efforts of the downtown area. The investment includes $200 million in real estate, $50 million in small business, $50 million in education, and $50 million in tech startups through the Vegas Tech Fund. The Downtown Project s mission is to transform downtown Las Vegas into the most community-focused large city in the world. a b c d e DOWNTOWN LAS VEGAS MULTI--MODAL TRANSPORTATION PROJECT 11

14 Several other projects currently in the works include: the Shipping Container Park a (a commercial Shipping Container Park retail/mixed-use development - see photo left); Inspire Theater b ; the Vegas Tech Fund, Project 100 c (vehicle share program consisting of bikes and 100 Tesla Model S vehicles); multiple residential rehab projects for apartment living, along with various other retail, restaurant and office co-working projects to support tech start-up companies. The Downtown Project is also spearheading major downtown community events such as: the monthly First Friday Art s festival d in the Las Vegas Art s District; the Downtown 3 rd weekly Farmers Market e ; the Green Jelly f bi-weekly co-working event supporting all things sustainable and green ; and finally the two day Life is Beautiful music, food and arts festival g. (Fremont East Entertainment District before and after photos) The increased investment by the Downtown Project has led other developers to take an immediate interest in the redevelopment efforts of downtown. The City of Las Vegas identified two downtown districts, the 18b Arts District and the Fremont East Entertainment District, as major focal areas for private investment. Each district received significant capital improvement project investments which improved the urban streetscape adjacent to new residential developments and commercial corridors. (iii) Economic Investment Programs Economic stimulus in the Downtown area has been created through unique public/private investment incentives such as the Commercial Visual Improvement Program (VIP) and the Quick Start Program (QSP). Each program provides a limited amount of grant funding to the private developer for investments made within the targeted area. To date, with a public investment of just over $4 million, a return of approximately $79 million dollars of private investment has occurred, that s an incredible 18:1 return for every Quick Start Visual Improvement Program Private/Public Investments ( ) Private Investment $79,300,000 Public Investment $4,300,000 Leverage Ratio 18:1 Job Cost Ratio FTE Part-Time Jobs 346 Full Time Jobs 727 Contract Jobs 65 Total FTE Jobs 1138 Public Investment to $3,809:1 Job Ratio a b vegas-travel/take+a+tour+inside+fremont+street%27s+inspire+theater c d e f g 12

15 public dollar invested, not to mention 1,138 full time jobs created; one job for every $3,809 of public funds invested. The combination of targeted capital improvements, increased focus on the pedestrian environment, and financial assistance to private developers has increased the speed of the redevelopment process in the downtown area. The city intends to continue this success with this project. The Fourth Street project constructed prior to 2000 has been a success story for the Downtown area, and is parallel to the proposed Downtown Multi-Modal Transportation Project (DMMTP) and is of similar length. It is believed the Fourth Street project is a strong indicator of the economic impact and success expected from the proposed project. The 4th Street Project is only 3 blocks from the DMMTP, parallel and of similar in length, and is a perfect example of what economic benefits can be expected. The Fourth Street project is a one way street and has many similarities to the DMMTP Main- Commerce couplet providing both wider sidewalks and street trees. However, it is believed the economic impact on DMMTP Main-Commerce couplet will have even a greater impact on sustainability and livability to the area because of not only wider sidewalks and street trees, but also enhanced transit and bike lanes. Thus, the urban street environment will be greatly enhanced making it much more attractive for private investment. It must also be noted that since (Complete street improvements along Fourth Street before and after.) DOWNTOWN CAPITAL INVESTMENT COMPLETED PROJECTS (Past 5-Years) COST Downtown Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Connector $46,000,000 Stewart Avenue Rehabilitation $2,400,000 Casino Center/Hoover Avenue Beautification $1,600,000 Boulder Highway/Fremont Street Bus Rapid $41,500,000 Transit Urban Pathways (First Street & Hoover Avenue) $1,700,000 Sixth Street Bicycle Lanes $200,000 Downtown Sidewalk Infill Phase I, II, & III $5,100,000 Bonneville/Clark One Way Couplet $12,100,000 Symphony Park Pedestrian Bridge $2,500,000 Subtotal = $113,100,000 UPCOMING PROJECTS COST First Street and Garces Avenue Bicycle and $6,900,000 Pedestrian Improvements Charleston Boulevard Landscaped Median $1,000,000 Improvements Third Street Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvements $5,500,000 Bridger Avenue Bicycle and Pedestrian $2,600,000 Improvements Stewart and Ogden Avenues Streetscape $3,350,000 Enhancements Main Street Improvements $6,000,000 Downtown Multi-Modal Transportation Project $25,350,000 Las Vegas Boulevard Improvements $67,000,000 Subtotal = $117,700,000 GRAND TOTAL = $230,800,000 completion of the Fourth Street project, there has been over 120 new businesses with $400 million of private investment, creating $40,000 per year in licensing fees and $5.4 million in revenue. Over 15 years at 3%, this represents a total economic impact of $460 million on an $18 DOWNTOWN LAS VEGAS MULTI--MODAL TRANSPORTATION PROJECT 13

16 million public street investment. The DMMTP project is a $25 million investment of the same nature but with enhanced transit and bike lanes, thus providing a much greater livability experience. Also over the past 5-years other capital projects have been completed in the downtown area totaling over $113 million, see chart above. The City and RTC continue to invest in the area with another $117 million in planned projects. Jobs will be created quickly if grant funds are awarded because project activities to be funded are labor intensive. Less labor intensive portions of the project have either already been funded locally (engineering and design), or are not part of the project scope (right-of-way acquisition). (iv) Near-Term Project Job Creation Additional jobs created each quarter 2013 Q Q Q Q Q Q Q2 Management Professional General Contractors Electrical and Technical Operations and Maintenance 5 Total Note: (*) All expenditures on design and utility coordination for the project will be funded locally and are not counted in the job creation estimates. Approximately 330 job-years over a two year period will be created based on updated Council of Economic Advisers figures of 1 job-year created for every $76,923 invested in transportation infrastructure. Of these, 20 are anticipated to be created in 2013, 240 in 2014, and the remaining 70 in The project will create or sustain jobs primarily in trades related to asphalt, concrete, roadwork, fabrication and assembly of shelters, electrical, carpentry, landscaping and general laborers. New private economic opportunities will also be created quickly for small, veteran, disabled, and DBE owned small business to immediately gain traction in Downtown revitalization efforts once the transportation system is rehabilitated to support walk-up businesses. (v) Long-Term Economic Competitiveness (a) Improving Access for Residents In terms of residents living within the project area, transportation options and access are important for them in order to get to and from work and other destinations. According to the most recent estimates in the U.S. Census Bureau s American Community Survey, 35% of residents within the census tracts of the project area use public transportation to and from work. The median household income is at $20,819 in the project area and thus creates a high dependency on alternative modes of transportation. Studies consistently find that transportation can be a barrier to employment for the poor (welfare recipients in particular). Therefore, proximity to employment and transportation options is important if people are going to have a higher probability of working and leaving welfare. 14

17 Research has shown that in large MSAs the presence of bicycle lanes is the strongest indicator of bicycle commuting, as each additional mile of bicycle lanes is associated with a 1% increase in bicycle commuting (see reference #4). The RTC and City have completed 7.2 miles of bicycle lanes in the downtown area in the last 5 years with a commitment to install green bicycle lanes in the entire downtown area. Additionally, this project s strategic location in the central business district (with numerous high-quality destinations) will greatly increase non-motorized facility utilization. Research has consistently found that destination accessibility is the strongest indicator for reducing VMT (see reference #5). This project s ability to reduce VMT, congestion, and travel times will greatly enhance economic competitiveness. According to the ACS, the bicycle commuting rate in Las Vegas is 0.4%. While this rate is low compared to the 2% rate for Portland, Oregon, it shows there is great opportunity for growth in bicycle commuting. This project will dramatically increase bicycle trip rates in the project area and throughout Downtown Las Vegas. If Downtown Las Vegas is going to recover economically, the project must improve bicycle/pedestrian infrastructure that connects to downtown businesses and amenities. This project meets this challenge by widening sidewalks to 15-feet and providing bicycle lanes. It must also link lowincome residents in the project area with employment opportunities both in Downtown Las Vegas and throughout the Las Vegas Valley by linking to the Bonneville Transit Center. The project is expected to yield significant time savings for transit riders in the corridor, particularly through the improvement in reliability and reduction in delay times. The monetized value of these savings Green Bike Lane in Downtown Las Vegas is nearly $16 million over the life of the project, with a Net Present Value of approximately $4.9 million. See Appendix A for the calculation of these benefits. The city has identified the Downtown Multi-Modal Transportation project (DMMTP) as one of the top priorities for future infrastructure investment. The DMMTP will provide the necessary transportation options to connect existing employment centers with the new commercial and residential projects, and existing neighborhoods to the surrounding area that will serve to continue to revitalize the area. 5.3 Livability The project contributes to the coordinated transportation - land use vision for Downtown Las Vegas. The main features of the project, including widened sidewalks, installation of bicycle lanes and transit shelters, colored crosswalks, and inclusion of parking, allows for residents and visitors alike to easily access and enjoy the amenities of the project area. These features fit within the City of Las Vegas plans and zoning codes aimed to transform the downtown into a livable community where people can live, work, visit, and recreate. DOWNTOWN LAS VEGAS MULTI--MODAL TRANSPORTATION PROJECT 15

18 (i) User Mobility The project will create a travel time savings for residents using the proposed facilities to get to work and other destinations. Besides travel time savings, the project features will help push for the land use transformation sought by the City of Las Vegas planners and economic developers. The City s Economic and Urban Development Department has established priorities for Downtown Las Vegas that can help change light industrial areas into mixed use buildings or commercial areas. This project will connect existing residential and mixed use development in Downtown Las Vegas with the generally low-income and transit dependent residents in the project area. Also, the City s Economic and Urban Development Department anticipates about 119 acres of existing light industrial land use in the project area will be converted to mixed use after the installation of the project features. This land use change will have a significant impact on land values increasing them from about $1.50/square foot for light industrial to $20.00/square foot for mixed use residential. At the peak of the boom land values in the downtown were $8 Million/acre ($180/sf). These improvements will promote long term economic benefits by establishing competitive businesses that create job growth for the project area and increases accessibility throughout the region by existing residents wanting to work close to home. ii) Modal Connectivity and Options The project adds bicycle lanes on both Main and Commerce Streets. For bicyclists, the north end of the project connects with Alta Drive, a regional bike lane connecting downtown with the Red Rock Canyon Conservation Area some 15 miles to the west. Additional bicycle connections to the core of downtown have been provided by the recently completed Bonneville/Clark project and by other bike lanes now under development. To the south, the project connects to residential areas east via the St. Louis Avenue bike lane and west via the planned Oakey/Wyoming facility (see Figure 7A). For pedestrians, the project connects with many local streets with enhanced sidewalks (see Figure 7B). The north end of the project connects with a network of improved sidewalks in the downtown area, including planned improvements along the length of Main Street and a new pedestrian connection across the railroad to the Smith Center for the Performing Arts (see photo to right). At the south, the project ties into the enhanced pedestrian realm along the entire length of the Las Vegas Strip. The residents of low-income neighborhoods west of the Stratosphere Resort will benefit through planned improvement of links to the south end of the project and thence all the way into downtown. In addition to bicycle and pedestrian connections, this project provides direct transit access to the new Bonneville Transit Center; the hub for transit in Southern Nevada. The Bonneville Transit Center currently accommodates 24,000 transit boardings and alightings every day. There are additionally two regular transit routes and a premium transit route that either intersects or passes through the project limits (see Figure 7C). Symphony Park Pedestrian Bridge Passengers board the SDX, in the Project Area 16

19 This addition allows for bicycle transit connectivity and for bicyclists using the new lanes to connect to existing bicycle facilities in the downtown area. New bicycle facilities also align with the federally funded Downtown Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvement Project, which is adding bicycle facilities and enhancing sidewalks on several downtown streets close to the project area. The project will additionally help develop the necessary bike infrastructure to support a new bike share system that will launch in Downtown Las Vegas in Modal Connections with the Downtown Las Vegas Multi-Modal Transportation Project RTC Transit Premium Route RTC Transit Regular Service Bicycle Lanes Strip and Downtown Express (SDX) Route 108 Paradise Road and Route 206 Charleston Blvd. Number of connection points with existing bicycle lanes Figure 7: Multi-Modal Connectivity 7A: Bicycle Connections 7B: Pedestrian Connections 7C: Transit Connections (ii) Accessibility for Disadvantaged Populations Project will provide transit, bicycle, and enhanced pedestrian amenities to about 3,500 project area residents. The table below shows the disadvantaged population statistics for the area. Disadvantaged Population Statistics for the Project Area Low-Income Population Indicators Elderly Population Disabled Population Median Household Income Percentage Below Poverty Level Means of Transportation to Work Public Transportation Percentage Compared to Total Area Population Percentage Compared to Total Area Population $20, % 35% 7.8% 36.4% Note: Project area are made up of Census Tracts 9 and 11 Source: U.S. Census Bureau: American Factfinder Census Tracts; American Community Survey year Estimates DOWNTOWN LAS VEGAS MULTI--MODAL TRANSPORTATION PROJECT 17

20 The median household income in the project area is $20,819 and the percentage of residents below the poverty level is 33.8%. Renter occupied houses are 96% of the total population for the project area. The project will provide increased accessibility to transportation options for disadvantaged populations. There will be various transit services that allow area residents greater access to work and retail destinations. Transit amenities and pedestrian realm improvements will be designed to accommodate the disabled and elderly populations. This includes adequate lighting, landscaping, crosswalks, and street furniture for areas near transit stops. These improvements provide piece of mind for disabled and elderly populations as well as enhanced infrastructure for transit-dependent residents. A recent estimate in the U.S. Census Bureau s American Community Survey (ACS) indicates 35 percent of residents living within the census tracts of the project area use public transportation to and from work. The survey also indicates those households with less than $20,000 made 17 percent of their trips by either walking or cycling (see reference 3). Therefore, job accessibility and transportation options are an important factor to the economic well-being of residents in this area. This project has a strong proximity to major employment centers at both ends: the Downtown area to the north and the Las Vegas Strip to the south. It is paramount to welfare recipients is this area to have access to improved modes of transportation if they are to get off of welfare. In particular, the multi-modal improvements to Commerce Street will also allow low income residents of the areas to the south and west to have much better access to transit and to the core of downtown due to much shorter, safer, and more pleasant sidewalks and bike lanes. (iii) Coordinated Transportation and Land-Use Planning / Community Participation The vision for a livable Downtown Las Vegas has been shaped through the action strategy set forth in the Las Vegas Downtown Centennial Plan. This Plan sets forth a strategy to reestablish Downtown Las Vegas as the region s premier artistic, cultural, civic, financial, and urban residential center of the Las Vegas Valley. Design standards set forth from the Centennial Plan include wide sidewalks that promote a walkable community, safe bicycling environment within the downtown neighborhoods, and transit services to key destination points. Through the Plan s vision and design standards, the City of Las Vegas and its Redevelopment Agency (see reference #11) have steadily promoted a diversity of land uses within Downtown, which range from residential, commercial, civic, entertainment, and light industrial. There have been several recent instances where new development, or upgrades to existing buildings, have been associated with street and sidewalk improvements. Revitalized Streetscapes and Land Use in Downtown Las Vegas The completion of the Bonneville Transit Center and the downtown Bus Rapid Transit route have increased accessibility for those wishing to visit and explore the downtown area. There are already plenty of community facilities in the downtown area, including local government services and courts, museums, Fremont Street and the Fremont East District, various shops and 18

21 restaurants, a regional outlet mall, and First Friday (a monthly arts event held by the Las Vegas Arts District). The Smith Center for Performing Arts, a major concert and entertainment venue, was completed in The 2020 Master Plan and current zoning code (references 7 and 8) allows for complete street standards and further development of mixed use buildings (particularly transit-oriented development) in Downtown. In addition to existing mixed use developments within close proximity of the project, virtually all parcels in the project area are designated as Mixed Use or Downtown Commercial and are zoned to accommodate a wide range of permissible and conditionally permissible uses that fits with the project s ultimate configuration for the two roadway corridors. (a) Greener Blocks Project Local support for increased livability and a transportation system that better supports small business investment is demonstrated by efforts of the Greener Blocks non-profit organization. Greener Blocks organized a large community event on April 28/29, 2012 called Build a Greener Block, located on Main St. within the project area. The event temporarily created bike lanes, bike parking, wider sidewalks, added crosswalks, transit plazas and street landscaping; all of which are included in the scope of this project. The event also restored vacant storefronts with small businesses and created outdoor cafes on wider sidewalks; all of which can be realized with multi-modal transportation investments. This project will enable new economic opportunities for small, DBE, veteran and disabled owned businesses to prosper. DOWNTOWN LAS VEGAS MULTI--MODAL TRANSPORTATION PROJECT 19

22 The zoning code also has a chapter on Complete Streets Standards that complement the bicycle, sidewalk, and transit amenity features in the Downtown Las Vegas Multi-Modal Transportation Project. With the planning vision, zoning code, and development initiatives in place, the area around Main and Commerce Streets can exemplify a livable community in which residents can live, work, visit, and recreate. 5.4 Sustainability The Downtown Las Vegas Multi-Modal Transportation Project will increase sustainability by reducing reliance on automobile travel. An analysis using the Benefit-Cost Analysis of Bicycle Facilities tool developed by the National Cooperative Highway Research Program and the Minnesota DOT anticipates that new bicycle infrastructure on the one-way couplet system will attract 39 additional bicycle commuters and an additional 3,635 total new cyclists (middle estimate of increased demand). Reduced VMT will have beneficial impacts on energy consumption, stormwater pollution, air quality emissions and land-use investments. The Benefit-Cost Analysis included as Appendix A identifies a livability benefit of property value increases that capitalize on enhanced accessibility benefits that reduce travel times, household transportation expenditures and energy consumption. The Net Present Value of accessibility benefits capitalized in property value increases is estimated to be $48,201,617 in This project s strategic location close to Downtown and numerous destinations will attract highlevels of non-motorized and transit users and work to reduce VMT. When analyzed in isolation of other multi-modal improvements, this project still greatly enhances environmental sustainability. However, as is common with all multi-modal projects, their sustainability impacts are best assessed in concert with other improvements. Research has shown that even more important than specific multi-modal investments, a coordinated package of complementary infrastructure measures, programs, and policies may enhance the impact of any intervention that is a component of that package (see reference #4). Thus, while the addition of colored bike lanes and an enhanced walking environment have been shown to decrease VMT, these interventions are intended to be interactive and synergistic with other multi-modal investments. The City of Las Vegas Sustainable Energy Strategy was adopted by the LEED Platinum Bonneville Transit Center Mayor and City Council in September, As a part of a broader Sustainability Initiative, the City has focused on city operations, codes, and community programs leveraging Federal, state, and municipal funding sources to enhance environmental, economic, and social sustainability. As part of this initiative, the City s investment of more than $40 million in capital transport projects to promote a sustainable future has encompassed several related projects, many of which are within the immediate vicinity of the project area: 20

23 Recent adoption of Complete Street standards as a part of the City s Unified Development Code (Las Vegas Municipal Code - Title 19). Incorporation of Complete Street treatments including along Casino Center Blvd, 4 th St, Fremont St, Hoover Ave, Lewis Ave, and the Bonneville-Clark one-way couplet. New bicycle lanes and bicycle infrastructure throughout Downtown Las Vegas, including a new bike share system set to launch Downtown Las Vegas in 2013 An urban forestry initiative with a management plan promoting the installation of drought tolerant, native, and adaptive street trees designed to increase the City s canopy coverage, shade and walkability; especially in older portions of the community. With other leveraged funding sources, the City of Las Vegas and other regional partners, including the RTC, have devoted additional resources to environmentally sustainable multimodal transportation projects, especially in Downtown, in an effort to minimize impacts to land use, air quality, and water and reduce resource consumption. The projects include: New Park & Ride and transit centers, including the new LEED Platinum certified Bonneville Transit Center. Dedicated innovative bicycle parking at the Downtown Bonneville Transit Center offering services such as lockers and shower facilities. Fully staffed RTC Bike Center at the Bonneville Transit Center with extended hours of operation offering bicycle repair, bike rentals and education services to promote sustainable transportation. Launch of RTC s new bike share system in 2013 focused in Downtown Las Vegas. An electric bicycle program available to City, Clark county, and RTC employees to make short work and service related trips within Downtown Las Vegas. New BRT routes with Transit-Only lanes, including an express route along Boulder Highway, a new BRT route along Sahara Avenue, and express routes connecting the northwest and western parts of the Valley with Downtown Las Vegas and the Strip. Due to the City s and RTC s commitment to transport sustainability, the City has documented aggregate reductions in municipal operations for utility consumption costs and greenhouse gas emissions. Greater investments into environmentally sustainable projects, including the Downtown Las Vegas RTC Bike Center inside the Bonneville Transit Center Multi-Modal Transportation Project, as well as investments and policies for Transit Oriented Development will continue to provide a synergy between multi-modal investments and yield even greater sustainable urban environments. DOWNTOWN LAS VEGAS MULTI--MODAL TRANSPORTATION PROJECT 21