SECTION 2 CORRIDOR A

SECTION 2 CORRIDOR A 2.1 CORRIDOR A (HILLSBOROUGH RIVER TO 40 TH STREET IN TAMPA) The boundaries for Corridor A can be seen in Figure 2-1. They are as follows: North: I-4 South: Crosstown Expressway (now known as the Lee Roy Selmon Crosstown Expressway) East: 40 th Street West: Hillsborough River Several major alignments were studied within this corridor. They include the I-4 median, parallel to the CSX A-Line, and within the former CSX S-Line. Numerous other alignments split from these to create connections. The proposed alignments begin on the east side of the Hillsborough River within the Tampa City limits and extend to the U.S. 41 and I-4 interchange area. Connections north and south of I-275 move through numerous land uses from the proposed site for the new Stetson Law School and Judicial Court Complex (Stetson Complex) to the downtown CBD with its public or quasi-public, multi-family developments to light commercial uses. Substantial changes and growth are taking place within the downtown CBD and Ybor City areas. The first is a proposal to build a new Arts District, just south of the I-4/I-275 interchange and east of the Hillsborough River along the downtown waterfront. This development will broaden the mix of land use patterns and bring new lifestyle choices into downtown Tampa. In addition to the regeneration brought by the Arts District, this same area of downtown should begin experiencing patterns of preservation and redevelopment as the newly proposed North Franklin Street Historic District receives its historic designation. 2-1

Directly north of the Arts District, across I-275, is the proposed site for the new Stetson Complex. With dramatic waterfront views and deep-water access, the Stetson Complex will likely extend the urban renaissance of the Arts District northward. Located north and east of the Stetson Complex is the Tampa Heights Historic District, where patterns of preservation and redevelopment are rapidly occurring. East of the Tampa Heights Historic District, yet south of I-275, is the well-known historic Hispanic community of Ybor City. With its recent resurgence as an entertainment district, Ybor City has become highly sought after for development opportunities. Experiencing such tremendous attention after years of decline, the City of Tampa, in 2000, developed a new and expanded Community Redevelopment Area Plan for Ybor City. This plan is guiding the growth patterns for consistency in keeping with its Hispanic heritage and culture. Land uses along I-4 from the I-4/I-275 interchange east to the 40 th Street area include a mix of public/quasi-public, single-family residential, with concentrations of light industrial on both sides of I-4. Existing uses include Hillsborough County Jail, Perry Harvey Park, and the Hillsborough Community College, Ybor City Campus. Much of the Ybor City area is protected through historic designation: Ybor City National Register District, Ybor City National Historic Landmark District, and the Barrio Latino Local Historic District. The CSX A-Line runs directly through these historic areas. The abandoned S-Line ran to the south, parallel to and north of Adamo Drive. Both CSX lines connect to the historic, restored Union Station, Tampa s original train depot. North of Union Station is one of Tampa s original Housing Authority complexes, currently being considered for major renovations or removal. Land uses along the CSX A-Line east to 40 th Street include a mix of public/quasi-public facilities, and single-family residential, with concentrations of light industrial on both the north and south sides of the A-Line. The CSX S-Line ran through predominantly light industrial land uses. Directly south of Union Station and Ybor City is the Channelside area, also under the guidance of a Community Redevelopment Area Plan. With historic properties and exciting 2-2

waterfront views, this port area is planned for residential, commercial, and entertainment land uses. The style of urban development occurring along this shipping channel celebrates Tampa s history as an old port town. Across the channel to the south, a residential renaissance is occurring on a forgotten portion of land that juts into the Tampa Harbor. Appropriately named Harbor Island, this high-end residential community is highly sought after due to its central location, harbor views, and deep-water access. Figure 2-1 displays all the segment boundaries and alignments in Corridor A. An analysis summary of Corridor A described by segment is discussed below. Figure 2-2 displays the station locations, retained alignments in Corridor A (as a solid yellow line), and the eliminated segments (in a hatched blue pattern). 2.2 DESCRIPTION OF CORRIDOR A, SEGMENT 1 Segment 1 extends from the eastern edge of the Hillsborough River, as the western boundary, to the area of the Morgan Street and Harrison Street intersection, as the eastern boundary. Parking lots, riverfront parks and a few office buildings are adjacent uses. An Arts District under development will regenerate this downtown area. As the newly proposed North Franklin Street Historic District receives its historic designation, this area should also begin experiencing patterns of preservation and redevelopment. 2.2.1 Alignment and Station Location Options for Further Evaluation Based on the information obtained through the initial evaluation, the following alignments and station locations are recommended for further evaluation: Alignment c is retained for further evaluation. Alignment c is a new alignment location, grade separated for its entire length, between Scott Street and Morgan Street. It is the closest alignment to I-275, providing a long-term potential for station relocation of the station as part of the Ultimate reconstruction of the I-275/I-4 interchange. 2-3

A station location south of I-275 near Franklin Street is the proposed terminus for both alignments. The station location meets the multi-modal center goals of the previously approved Tampa Interstate Study (TIS) PD&E Study. It is also consistent with City of Tampa redevelopment goals for the nearby Arts District. 2.2.2 Alignment and Station Locations to be Eliminated (No Further Analysis) The alignments considered for Segment 1 will extend from the Tampa CBD high speed rail station toward the Hillsborough River. The CBD station is the western terminus of the high speed rail system between Orlando and Tampa. The Constitutional Amendment defines the system as extending from Tampa to St. Petersburg. A second EIS is proposed for a later date to extend high speed rail across the Hillsborough River through western Hillsborough County and across Tampa Bay. An envelope for high speed rail was identified in the TIS PD&E Study within the I-275 median between North Boulevard and the Westshore Business District. The alignments in Segment 1 were developed to ensure that an extension of high speed rail was not precluded during this study. Key factors in the elimination of alignments a and b for further consideration in the EIS include: Alignment a A new alignment location, grade separated for its entire length, between Scott and Morgan Streets, south and parallel to I-275. Connection to proposed CBD high speed rail station not horizontally possible. Greatest number of National Register of Historic Places (NRHP)-listed historic structures impacted (3). Greatest amount of wetlands impacted (1.8 acres[ac.]). Greatest amount of floodplains encroached (19.5 ac.). Does not meet goals to extend west across the Hillsborough River as it requires a longer segment length and angled structure to tie to North Boulevard high speed rail envelope. 2-4

Alignment b A new alignment location, grade separated for its entire length, between Scott and Morgan Streets, north and parallel to I-275. A new structure over the I-275/I-4 interchange is required. The structure will be very expensive. Precludes future High Speed Rail Project extension because relocation impacts to elderly and low-income housing west of Hillsborough River. Impacts access (re-building likely required) to Tampa Heights and the new Stetson University campus. 2.3 DESCRIPTION OF CORRIDOR A, SEGMENT 2 Segment 2 extends from the western boundary of the Morgan Street and Harrison Street intersection to the intersection of Kennedy Boulevard and the Lee Roy Selmon Crosstown Expressway as the eastern boundary. Segment 2 contains Central Park Village, a Housing Authority project. Land uses vary from office buildings and a courthouse complex, to parks and dense urban residential patterns of development. 2.3.1 Alignment and Station Location Options for Further Evaluation Based on the information obtained through the initial evaluation, the following alignments and station locations are recommended for further evaluation: Alignment b is retained for further evaluation. It runs from Morgan Street to Kennedy Boulevard. It is a new alignment location, which is grade separated for its entire length and connects to alignment c in segment 1. A new alignment d is retained for further evaluation. It leaves the I-4 median at 14 th Street and runs parallel to the south side of I-275. Alignment d was added subsequent to the initial evaluation in order to incorporate the FHWA-approved TIS PD&E Study into the High Speed Rail Study. Use of the TIS Ultimate ROW, which abuts I-275, will result in minimal impacts to the Perry Harvey Park. 2-5

2.3.2 Alignment and Station Locations to be Eliminated (No Further Analysis) Alignments a, b, and c abut each other and were developed in order to determine the best design geometry with the least impacts in an existing urban area. Alignments a, b, and c are similar in quantifiable impacts shown on the matrix in Appendix A. Alignment b has the best geometrics with fewer relocations that alignment a (2) and does not disrupt the entry to the Nick Nuccio Parkway (alignment c). Key factors in the elimination of alignments a and c for further consideration in the EIS include: Alignment a A new alignment location between Morgan Street and Kennedy Boulevard, which is grade separated for its entirety. Greatest number of commercial relocations (5). Relocation estimates based on field visits by FHSRA consultants. Requires greatest amount of additional ROW (3.81 ac.). Alignment c A new alignment location between Morgan Street and Kennedy Boulevard, which is grade separated for its entirety. The alignment crosses the entry to Nick Nuccio Parkway. Requires total reconstruction of Nick Nuccio Parkway entry, which will be costly. It also disrupts traffic as it is the gateway to Ybor City and provides primary access to the large Central Park Village public housing development. The Nick Nuccio Parkway is also a City of Tampa linear park. 2.4 DESCRIPTION OF CORRIDOR A, SEGMENT 3 Segment 3 extends from the intersection of Kennedy Boulevard and the Lee Roy Selmon Crosstown Expressway, as the western boundary to the mid-block of 36 th and 37 th Streets, as the eastern boundary. Segment 3 includes the well-known historic Hispanic community of 2-6

Ybor City. Land uses vary from Union Station, the historic train depot, to shopping, restaurants, and galleries. The Port of Tampa is located south of the Ybor City area. Structures in the Ybor City area are being restored to reflect its Hispanic heritage and culture. 2.4.1 Alignment and Station Location Options for Further Evaluation Based on the information obtained through the initial evaluation, the following alignments and station locations are recommended for further evaluation: Alignment c is retained for further evaluation. It runs from Kennedy Boulevard to the former CSX S-Line. The former CSX S-Line is north of Adamo Drive. The corridor currently has multiple owners. It is a new alignment location and is grade separated for its entire length. Alignment d is added and retained for further evaluation. It drops within the I- 4 median at approximately 14 th Street. Alignment d is contained within the I-4 median. Alignment d was added subsequent to the initial evaluation in order to incorporate the FHWA-approved TIS PD&E Study into the High Speed Rail Study. Use of the TIS Ultimate ROW, which abuts I-275, will result in minimal impacts to the Perry Harvey Park. 2.4.2 Alignment and Station Locations to be Eliminated (No Further Analysis) Alignments b, and d run through Ybor City. Ybor City has been a redevelopment area for several decades. It is now a successful entertainment, residential, and tourist destination. Alignment d runs at the edges of the redeveloped area within the I-4 median. The TIS PD&E Study addresses the impacts to both the NRHP-listed Ybor City Historic District and the Ybor City Landmark District for the I-4 median (alignment d). The Landmark designation is a special national recognition for historic areas with unique employment and settlement characteristics. 2-7

Key factors in the elimination of alignment b from further consideration in the EIS include: Alignment b Runs parallel to CSX C-Line. Bisects NRHP-listed Ybor City National Historic Landmark District. Alignment b runs parallel to the existing CSX tracks. The high speed rail would be at least 17.5 ft above ground level in order to provide grade separation from the existing street pattern and trolley system. The alignment would be visible from many of the historic and redeveloped areas of Ybor City. Hartline has recently submitted to the Federal Transit Agency (FTA) for review and approval an EIS evaluating a light rail system in Tampa. The EIS includes the use of the CSX A-Line within Ybor City as a recommended route. The route includes two stations abutting the CSX tracks. Hartline representatives requested that the high speed rail not be placed parallel to the light rail system where located on the CSX tracks in Ybor City. Greatest number of historic structures impacted (5). Elimination of Union Station as Station Site The area within and surrounding Union Station was eliminated for the following reasons: Union Station is an historic site, which cannot be altered to allow use for a new high speed rail station. The station interior is the terminus of the CSX line, and the high speed rail will need to extend beyond the station. Therefore, a new station will be required. Insufficient developable land is located within the area near Union Station for abutting a new high speed rail station. Factors which limit use of the area are the existing and future Lee Roy Selmon Crosstown Expressway, the beginning of Nick Nuccio Parkway (the entrance to Ybor City), and Central Park Village, owned by the Tampa Housing Authority. 2-8

2.5 DESCRIPTION OF CORRIDOR A, SEGMENT 4 Segment 4 extends from the mid-block of 36 th and 37 th Streets, as the western boundary, to the interchange of U.S. 41 and I-4, as the eastern boundary. Segment 4 includes a mix of predominantly light industrial land uses and older single-family residential developments. 2.5.1 Alignment and Station Location Options for Further Evaluation Based on the information obtained through the initial evaluation, the following alignments are recommended for further evaluation: Alignment c is retained as a connector from the former CSX S-Line rail line north to the median of I-4 near 40 th Street. Alignment c does not have the least overall impacts; however, it provides the only connection to I-4 within this segment. Alignment d is the continuation of the alignment within the I-4 median. 2.5.2 Alignment and Station Locations to be Eliminated (No Further Analysis) Key factors in the elimination of alignments a and b from further consideration in the EIS include: Alignment a A connector between the CSX A-Line and I-4 near 40 th Street. Connects only to eliminated Segment 3 alignment. Alignment b A connector between the CSX A-Line and I-4 near 40 th Street. Connects only to eliminated Segment 3 alignment. 2-9