To: Glendale City Council From: Downtown Glendale Community Working Group Date: November 4, 2015 Re: Final Advisory Recommendation Role of the Downtown Glendale Community Working Group The Downtown Glendale Community Working Group (CWG) was charged to develop an advisory recommendation to the Glendale City Council and Valley Metro for a downtown area transit alignment to advance to the next phase of evaluation as part of the larger West Phoenix/Central Glendale Transit Corridor Study (Study). Advisory Recommendation The Downtown Glendale CWG recommends a double-track light rail alignment in downtown Glendale on Glenn Dr., connecting to Glendale Ave. in the area near 51st Ave., continuing west on Glenn Dr. with a terminus on or near 58th Ave. (see Map A below). Map A. Final Advisory Recommendation for Light Rail Route Advisory Recommendation Page 1
Overview of the CWG Process Applications for the CWG were collected between April 15 and May 15, 2015. Valley Metro and City of Glendale staff conducted outreach to solicit participation. A total of 48 applications were received, and all applicants were selected to participate on the CWG. One applicant elected not to participate, giving a final total of 47 members. Membership included residents, business owners and a wide range of community members representing schools, churches and people with disabilities (see attached roster). The CWG met eight times between June 24 and October 21, 2015, including seven meetings and one light rail tour in downtown Mesa. The first two meetings provided the members with background information on the Study, transit funding, types of transit and the initial route options to consider for downtown. During meetings three and four, members created evaluation criteria by assessing unique characteristics, existing challenges and the future vision of downtown. The CWG then began evaluation of the route options based on those criteria to narrow the route options under consideration. The group identified the following key evaluation criteria, listed in order of importance: Small business impacts Impacts to historic buildings/properties Retain ability to cross Grand Ave/BNSF for future extension Serve important destinations Maintain walkable access Traffic impacts ial and neighborhood impacts Potential for housing, mixed use, infill and future development Cost (capital and operating) During meeting five, the group heard presentations on economic development along transit corridors and continued evaluation of the route options, including alternative options suggested by CWG members in earlier meetings. During meeting six, the group considered two route options in final deliberations: Glenn Drive and Glendale Avenue. During the seventh and final meeting, each member of the group provided comment on a draft advisory recommendation. Between meetings five and six, a tour took place in Mesa, where CWG members rode the recently extended light rail line and heard a panel discussion on the experience of implementing light rail in downtown Mesa. Panelists included Mesa business owners, residents, city staff and a representative from the Mesa Chamber of Commerce. Advisory Recommendation Page 2
Throughout the process, meetings included presentations, small group discussions, large group discussions, homework assignments and map exercises to facilitate the evaluation process. During the final meetings, a majority of the group (consistently over 2/3) identified Glenn Dr. as the best downtown route option, with acknowledgement of a minority opinion as described below. Summary of Evaluation The original set of downtown alternatives is shown on Map B below, and included options between Lamar Rd. on the south to Myrtle Ave. on the north. Throughout the discussions, members of the CWG also suggested additional route options. On many of the potential alignments, both a double track (two-way transit in the same location) and single-track (a couplet or loop on several streets) were considered. Mixed-traffic operations and pedestrianonly transit mall scenarios were also considered. Map B. Initial Downtown Route Options The following options were considered but set aside by the group as they narrowed the options during the evaluation process: Lamar Rd. double track from 55 th Dr. Lamar Rd. double track from 51 st Ave Lamar Rd./Glendale Ave. couplet Glendale Ave. Glenn Dr./Glendale Ave. couplet Glenn Dr./Lamar Rd. couplet Glenn Dr. double track from 55 th Ave. Glenn Dr./Palmaire Ave. couplet Palmaire Ave double track Palmaire Ave./Myrtle Dr. couplet Advisory Recommendation Page 3
Transit type (mode) options were also discussed by the group: light rail transit or bus rapid transit. The majority of the group favored light rail; although there were not many advocates for bus rapid transit, several members were clearly interested in bus improvements. The CWG selected Glenn Dr. as the recommended alternative. Several key reasons were: Glenn Dr. minimizes disruptions to traffic while also serving major downtown destinations. Glenn Dr. would have fewer adverse impacts on businesses and residential areas due to the existing land use mix and wider setbacks from the street. Glenn Dr. supports future extensions of the system by setting up the best opportunity to cross Grand Ave. and the BNSF Railway in a future project. A minority opinion was acknowledged, as several CWG members expressed support for a light rail alignment on Glendale Ave. through downtown with a terminus near Murphy Park. The group identified several ongoing considerations that should be addressed in later phases of planning and design: Advance a design that is appropriate to the size and scale of the streets in downtown Glendale. Develop city plans for revitalization that will support light rail and promote downtown as a more vibrant place. Avoid or minimize the potential for impacts on historic buildings. Advisory Recommendation Page 4
COMMUNITY WORKING GROUP MEMBER ROSTER Matt Belden Assistant Superintendent of Operations Glendale Union High School District Jeff Blake Incoming Board Chair Glendale Chamber of Commerce Valerie Burner Bears & More Joe Cerreta Cerreta Candy Pete Gliniak Desert Rose Properties Robert Heidt CEO Glendale Chamber of Commerce Samuel Hoerner Nathan Infurna Manager, Pratt's Pets Wayne Jordan Rosilyn Miller First United Methodist Church Orchard Glen Neighborhood David Mocko Linda Moran-Whittley Papa Ed's Ice Cream David Mosley First United Methodist Church Bridget Nelke Sir Speedy Printing Cathy Cheshier Property Dimensions Real Estate Group Darrel Christenson Vice President Arizona Bridge to Independent Living (ABIL) David Clark Pastor Grace Lutheran Church David Coble Richard Coffinger Law Offices of Richard Coffinger Tom Eggleston President Glendale Centerline Alliance Dawn Eldridge Deep Roots Brewing Steven Eldridge Deep Roots Brewing Cheryl Kappes The Country Maiden George Kirklin Sunland Sales Yvonne Knaack State Farm Insurance Grace Kobojek President Glendale Women's Club Jeffrey Kopff Barbara Lentz Bobbi Magdaleno Board Chair, Glendale Chamber of Commerce Arizona State University Howard May Teresa Outzen Gas Light Inn OTG Wine & Beer Bar Dan Pratt Pratt's Pets Karissa Ann Ramirez Robert Reavis Professor Campus Sustainability Chair Glendale Community College Joe Robinson Dennise Rogers Tom Schmitt Vice Chair Glendale Citizen's Transportation Oversight Commission Bette Sharpe Coury House Shops Community Working Group Member Roster 6/24/15
COMMUNITY WORKING GROUP MEMBER ROSTER (continued) Ronald Short President Glendale Historical Society Carole Speth Pauline Valenzuela Founder Heart of Glendale Neighborhood Marlene Versluis Matthew Versluis Dennis Wagner Banner Tool Service Kenneth Wixon Sharon Wixon Bud Zomok Board Member Catlin Court Historic Home s Community Working Group Member Roster 6/24/15