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HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 2552A Resolution NO.ZJS ACCEPTING THE FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE LANCASTER AND INTERMODAL CONSULTANT TEAMS, AND REQUESTING THE CITY MANAGER OR HIS DESIGNEES TO TAKE CERTAIN ACTIONS IN ACCORDANCE WITH SAID RECOMMENDATIONS. WHEREAS the Lancaster Steenng Committee ("the Steenng Committee") has been appointed by the Mayor of Fort Worth, m consultation with the Fort Worth City Council, Downtown Fort Worth, Inc. and Fort Worth South, to advise the City of Fort Worth on the Lancaster Corndor Redevelopment Project ("the Project")• and WHEREAS the purpose of the Project is to use the redesign of Lancaster Avenue as a catalyst to redevelop the south end of Downtown and to connect Downtown more effectively with the Medical D~stnct and Cultural Distract; and WHEREAS the study area for the Project is bounded on the north by Ninth Street, on the east by I 35 on the south by Vickery Boulevard, and on the west by Henderson Street; and WHEREAS said study area includes the sites of two proposed commuter rail stations the Ninth Street station at the intersection of Ninth Street and Jones Street, and the T&P station on Lancaster Avenue• and WHEREAS the scope of the Project includes the redesign of Lancaster Avenue from I 35 to Henderson Street, the redesign of the Main Street and 3emm~gs Avenue underpasses, and the design of the proposed Hemphill/Lamar/Taylor connector and WHEREAS the City has allocated a total of $1.2 million m its 1998 capital improvements program for the design of said streets, and WHEREAS the Steenng Committee, through the Crty and Downtown Fort Worth, Inc. has recently hired two teams of nationally recognized developers and planners (a) the Lancaster Consultant Team, which visited Fort `Worth on April 11 14 1999 to prepare a conceptual redevelopment plan for the Lancaster corndor and (b) the Intermodal Consultant Team, which visited Fort Worth on June 14-17 1999 to evaluate the Ninth Street and T&P stations as potential sites for Fort Worth s proposed Intermodal Transportation Center and WHEREAS the Lancaster and Intermodal consultant teams have issued certain findings and recommendations, which are summarized m Exhibits A and B respectively and CITY OF FORT WORTH WHEREAS the Steering Committee has accepted said findings and recommendations and has urged the Fort Worth City Council to do the same; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT WORTH, TEXAS That the findings and recommendations of the Lancaster and Intermodal consultant teams are hereby accepted as a general guide for making decisions about the redevelopment of the Lancaster corridor 2 That the City Manager or lus designees are hereby requested to take the following actions (a) Publish final reports on the April 11 14 1999 Lancaster workshop and the June 14-17 1999 Intermodal workshop (b) Issue a request for proposals (RFP) to redesign Lancaster Avenue m accordance with the recommendations of the Lancaster and Intermodal consultant teams and, m due course, select a preferred design consultant for approval by the City Council, (c) Seek funds to design and construct proposed improvements to the Ninth Street corndor between the Ninth Street station and Throckmorton Street, so as to enhance the appearance and economic vitality of said corndor• (d) Participate with the Fort Worth Transportation Authority in the selection of sites for the proposed Downtown bus transfer plazas, and m the design of said plazas, and (e) Provide regular progress reports to the City Council on the redevelopment of the Lancaster corndor ADOPTED on July ~,, 1999 APPROVED cf~~ Gou~c~~ JUL 6 1999 r~~., City Secretargof the City of Fort Woztlb Texas CITY OF FORT WORTH EXHIBIT A SUMMARY OF FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FROM LANCASTER CONSULTANT TEAM April 14 1999 Today after more than forty years of decline, the Lancaster corridor stands on the verge of an economic renaissance. Among other activities, the Texas Department of Transportation is proposing to remove the I 30 overhead freeway the City of Fort Worth is proposing to renovate and expand the Convention Center, and the Fort Worth Transportation Authority is proposing to re-establish inter-city rail passenger service at the T & P Terminal. In an effort to revitalize this important gateway into Downtown and the Medical Distract, Downtown Fort Worth, Inc Fort Worth South and the City of Fort Worth sponsored a workshop to bung successful developers and expert planners from across the nation to meet with Fort Worth citizens and create a conceptual redevelopment plan for the Lancaster comdor The study area is bounded on the north by Ninth Street, on the east by I 35 on the south by Vickery Boulevard, and on the west by Henderson Street. Vision. Lancaster Avenue is envisioned as a broad, grand avenue and monumental civic space that opens new vistas to the east and west. Monuments along the comdor are significant on a national scale and will anchor the southern end of Downtown while providing a gateway into the Medical District. These monuments include the T & P Warehouse, the T & P Terminal, the Water Gardens, the Post Office Building and the Al Hayne Monument. The Lancaster comdor redevelop project seeks to respect the history and setting of these monuments and to identify development sites along the comdor The vision of this great street is a landscaped avenue that ispedestrian-friendly with mixed-use development in both existing and new buildings. Residential, retail and office space will offer a vibrant mix of activity that will benefit Fort Worth residents, as well as draw tourists to the southern section of Downtown. 2. Development Feasibility An important focal point for the Lancaster comdor plan is the 12-story Texas & Pacific Terminal building which will once again be the mayor transportation hub for Fort Worth. This intermodal facility will be housed m a grand art-deco hall and will become one of the great gateways of America. Working in conjunction with other improvements on Lancaster this intermodal facility becomes the heart and soul of a new energy lifestyle, and philosophy for Fort Worth. It is the symbol of its past and the center of its future and will anchor future development along the Avenue. a. Residential Development: An important component of the redesign of Lancaster Avenue is the development of residential units in both existing buildings and new buildings that complement existing architectural styles. Over the next five to seven years, 1,500 residences should be developed, including traditional amenities. The T & P Warehouse can contain over 300 apartments and a strategy to ensure the revitalization of this building must be developed. A tax increment financing (TIF) district, as well as other incentives, will help to make possible the first new residential project that should be built out of durable materials m a style that does justice to the existing building. A strategy should be created that enhances the development ofmixed-income housing around and inside the Lancaster comdor and owner-occupied housing should be promoted to interested developers. b. Retail Development: The activity and new business encouraged by the intermodal facility at the T & P Terminal will team with the removal of the I 30 overhead and the new configuration of Lancaster Avenue to increase property values and development potential for office, residential and retail use. The collection of historic buildings offers the potential for loft living, restaurants, shops, galleries, boutiques and vibrant street life. Retailers could be national chains, as well as small entrepreneurial endeavors. Lancaster retail should seek some consistent quality whereby all the area retailers and users can benefit from the existence of other retail, and promotion can be conducted under a common umbrella. A specialty grocery store, such as Whole Foods, Alfalfa s, Wild Oats or Eatery would serve high traffic exits for the Downtown working population as well as Downtown residents. Prospective needs along Lancaster include a public market, office supply store, and residential support businesses such as shoe repair dry cleaner florist and hardware store. A public market could be located along the northern edge of the T & P Terminal between the loading areas and the Post Office Building, and could include a farmers market, holiday market, crafts and local Fort Worth collectibles. c. Convention Center and Hotel. Retail development will serve not only Fort Worth residents, but tourists as well. Plans for expanding the Fort Worth Convention Center will enhance this synergy of improvements along the corndor Recommendations for Convention Center improvements include removal and squaring off of both the theater and arena to add additional meeting space. Renovation of the arena on the north end will offer the opportunity to create an architecturally significant facade, accenting this southern anchor of Main Street. Expansion on the west side will create additional space, and removal of the east wing will allow Commerce Street to be straightened. Development of an adjacent or attached Convention Center hotel is critical to keep Fort Worth competitive m the convention and business travel industry The most effective site for a hotel would be atop the new development of the Convention Center on the south end. This development would provide the advantage of an attached hotel, as well as create a highly visible anchor to Main Street and improved - visibility and access to the Water Gardens. 3 Planning and Design The redesign of Lancaster Avenue must encourage pedestrian activity yet provide quick vehicular access to the Medical Distract and Downtown. a. Transportation The removal of the I 30 overhead creates the opportunity to redesign Lancaster Avenue in a way that accentuates and maximizes the adaptive use of historic buildings and new development of vacant land. An avenue with no more than four lanes will provide access into the southern section of Downtown, as well as the Medical District and surrounding neighborhoods. A trolley operating in mixed traffic along a tree lined median will bring tourists from the Cultural Distract, Downtown and the Stockyards who will be drawn to this newly revitalized area. The trolley will also be an amenity to local residents. Angle or parallel parking along the pedestrian side of the street will provide a transition from the street to the pedestrian areas, as well as short-term parking near retail. Pedestrians will be protected from automobiles with on-street parking and wide sidewalks on both sides of Lancaster Avenue. The redesign of the Jennings and Main underpasses will provide access to the Medical Distract and Southside, and should include better lighting and sight lines. b Urban Design New development should encourage a mix of uses, including residential, commercial, office, parks, and enhanced landscaping along Lancaster Avenue. A shade canopy of street trees to create a rhythm along the Avenue, historic lighting, and benches are recommended to create a more attractive and pedestrian-friendly street. Buildings should front the Avenue and create a building edge, and building views, vistas, and sight lines should be protected. Buildings should reflect the Cowtown Moderne and Zigzag Moderne design of historical buildings on the Avenue, and should be a minimum of six stones along the Avenue to fifteen stones on the north side. Pedestrian spaces and amenities should include sidewalk cafes and outdoor eating, breezeways and porch awning projections, terraces, ground level entrances, and sculptures. Monumental gateways to the corndor will mark the east and west entrances. A large monument illuminated at night should be built on the south side of Lancaster Avenue at the termination of the south vista on Throckmorton. c. Public Spaces A significant public space m front of the T & P Terminal building will help create a greater sense of amval into Downtown. Pockets of green space along Lancaster will provide a respite for pedestrians. Water carries on the theme of the Water Gardens and could include fountains, pools and water in pocket parks, located at focal points, vistas and building entrances. The Water Gardens is a significant park that plays an important role m the redevelopment of the Lancaster corndor and expansion of the Convention Center 4 Priorities The consultant team recommends that local leaders proceed to redevelop the Lancaster corndor m accordance with the following priorities. a. Proceed with the redesign of Lancaster Avenue. Continue the redesign of the Jennings and Mam underpasses, and give further study to the realignment of the HemphilULamar/Taylor connector b Begin residential development of the T & P Warehouse by requesting proposals. Create a tax increment financing district and other economic development incentives. c. Obtain a proposal to expand the Fort Worth Convention Center and develop a hotel. Send an RFP to design and build a hotel m conjunction with the Convention Center expansion. d. Utilize the T & P Terminal as Fort Worth s Intermodal Transportation Center and examine the feasibility of utilizing the Post Office for additional space. e. An entity should be created to include representation from Downtown Fort Worth Inc., Fort Worth South and the City of Fort Worth, to focus attention and expedite proposed improvements for the Lancaster comdor Lancaster Consultant Team Members Mr Pres Kabacoff (Chair} President, Historic Restoration, Inc., New Orleans 2. Mr Fred Kent President, Project for Public Spaces, Inc New York 3 Ms. Dana Crawford President, Urban Neighborhoods, Inc Denver 4 Mr Bennett I. Miller President, Bennett Miller Company Dallas 5 Ms. Barbara Faga Chair EDAW Inc., Atlanta 6 Mr Chester `Rick" Chellman, P.E. Treasurer White Mountain Survey Company Inc., Ossipee, New Hampshire • EXHIBIT B SUMMARY OF FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FROM INTERMODAL CONSULTANT TEAM June 17 1999 Six local organizations -the Fort Worth Transportation Authority ("the T"), the City of Fort Worth, Downtown Fort Worth, Inc. Fort Worth South, the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce, and Historic Fort Worth, Inc. - formed a partnership to evaluate the Ninth Street and T & P stations as potential sites for Fort Worth s proposed Intermodal Transportation Center (ITC). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the proposed location of the ITC m relation to the recommendations of the Lancaster Consultant Team, which recently visited Fort Worth in April. The T is worlang with Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) to develop a 34-mile commuter rail system known as the Trinity Railway Express. The system would contain two stations m Downtown Fort Worth. one at the intersection of Ninth Street and Jones Street, and the other at the T & P Terminal. The ITC would integrate a variety of transportation modes, including commuter rail, Amtrak, and a proposed light-rail trolley as well as intercity and local bus service. Selecting the ITC Site• Downtown Fort Worth has grown, developed and changed m a manner very similar to that of other American cities, but has managed to avoid the destructive forces that have impacted many places and, as a result, has generated much activity The construction of a commuter rail system and the emergence of a positive attitude toward public transportation have created a new force that potentially has afar-reaching influence on how the city and particularly its downtown, is to function and develop The railroad line will enter the Downtown area from the east and run southward along the edge, before rt turns westward to reach the T & P building parallel to the Lancaster corridor It is critical that this alignment and immediate continuation of the planning and building effort be implemented. Transit access to Downtown should be as central as possible, so that users spend the least amount of effort to get to and from their destmahons. Since rt is not possible to locate the large space- consuming transportation center on Main Street, the nearest other opporiumty for development of an mtermodal center is the Ninth/Jones Street site. Located on the edge of the contiguous high-rise development, only 1 000 feet away from General Worth Square, the railroad station at this location would generate healthy volumes immediately because the traffic generators (Downtown businesses) are already in place. In the short-range time span, the Ninth/Jones station is most desirable and defensible. An important rail facility should also be constructed at the T & P Terminal, although there maybe low demand for transit services at this site m the immediate future. It should, however symbolize a commitment by the public that development opportunities will be fully supported as they emerge m a revitalized Lancaster corndor In the long range, the T & P facility may become the dominant node, but the community and its leaders should monitor events as they happen to anticipate service needs. The removal of the I 30 overhead and the development of a transit station at the T & P Terminal may stimulate development that could warrant an mtermodal center at the T & P Terminal. Since • transportation is a service system that depends on technology flexibility is an important objective, and the time frame for implementation of significant development at the T & P Terminal is • unknown. Removing the bus transfer facility from the Ninth Street station, or reducing the size of that facility by at least two-thirds will result in a station that is more effectively integrated the into Downtown life. Limiting the number of bus spaces at Ninth Street will enhance pedestrian activity and improve ridership Three bus transfer plazas should be created. near the Courthouse, near City Hall, and near the T & P Terminal Building. These areas already offer important public spaces that could be enhanced with public transit. The Ninth Street corridor between the Ninth Street station and Mam Street is another important public space that should be enhanced and developed to create a positive experience for transit riders and pedestrians, and to integrate the Ninth/Jones Street station into Downtown. The NinthlJones Street station will serve as a gateway into Downtown and will be a true mtermodal center bringing together the Trinity Railway Express, local and intercity buses, Amtrak, Greyhound, the fight rail trolley automobile drop-off, taxis, pedestrians, and potentially the Airporter service. This important entrance into Downtown should be enhanced with a highly recognizable landmark building at the station and vibrant Ninth Street corridor that leads transit riders into Downtown. The Ninth Street comdor should be well defined by this landmark building and public space on the west end at City Hall Plaza. 2 Promoting Greater Use of Public Transit: An effective transit service is close to where people live and where they want to go and provides frequent, fast, comfortable and reasonably priced service. The current system primarily serves Downtown on the Houston and Throckmorton spine, and serves other parts of Fort Worth. The Trinity Railway Express provides new opportunities to travel to and from downtown Fort Worth and should be integrated with the best features of the current bus service. Since over half of persons boarding buses Downtown come from a Downtown activity bus service through Downtown should be continued with additional connections to the rail stations. This would include a circulator serving the terminal at Ninth and Jones Streets, and bus stops at the T & P Terminal, as part of the Lancaster design. Passenger facilities Downtown, mcludmg seating, signage and weather protection should be enhanced. Providing opportunities to transfer at places such as the Tarrant County Courthouse, City Hall, T & P Terminal and other locations wrthm Downtown will eliminate the need £or buses to wart on Houston and Throckmorton. A comfortable environment, mcludmg opportunities to participate m downtown life, is essential to increasing the use of public transit. The light rail trolley system will also play a key role, serving Historic Stockyards, Tarrant County Courthouse, Sundance Square, T & P Terminal, and perhaps other activity nodes. This trolley should serve local residents, as well as tourists. Additional studies are needed to determine bus stop locations, transfer locations and bus routes. 3 Creating Vital Public Spaces Fort Worth has special places that people already identify with that can potentially be enhanced and become transit-oriented as well. These focal points of activity are by nature public gathering places and pedestrian pathways. Fort Worth has the opportunity to integrate the transportation activity into the urban fabric Such places can be in developed parts of the city as well as introduced into areas that have potential and need a catalyst for activity A balance of mixed uses and activities will create comfortable, livable places for employees and residents of Downtown Fort Worth. Great streets have such places, and great cities have public spaces, great streets, and public transportation systems that are integrated throughout these places. Fort Worth is heading m this direction and needs to act boldly and continue to embrace a vision for a 2 larger comprehensive urban context. Action steps should include: enhance three key locations with pubhc spaces Tarrant County Courthouse, City Hall and T & P Terminal, select `improvement teams" to conduct a process of visioning and experimentation for each site as a unique place; identify partners to further implement and enlarge these public places, design the public spaces; provide management and continue to evaluate the public spaces. 4 Promoting Transit and Pedestrian-Oriented Development: Substantial benefits can be gained by leveraging pubhc and private funds to improve the quality of pubhc transit in Fort Worth. Success will be measured by how much the stations improve the experience for transit riders, how much the land values around the stations increase, and how many employees, residents and visitors use public transit. To achieve success in these areas, it is vital that the trip on foot to and from the stations be attractive. It is equally important that the uses wrthm walking distance of the stations, especially at the street level, be services used by the transit rider Safety will be important in making the trip to and from the station attractive. Sufficient lighting and natural surveillance created by pedestrian activity can create a sense of safety Attractive facades, street trees, landscaping and appropriate signage can greatly enhance the pedestrian expenence around the stations and into Downtown. Uses that interact with transit nders could include office, retail and residential uses, which increase the use of public transportation and benefit the community at large. These improvements on the Ninth Street corndor from the Ninth/Jones Street station into Downtown will create an atmosphere that will enhance the expenence for transit nders, promote pubhc transit and encourage pedestrian- oriented development. 5 Creating Partnerships for Urban Design The growth and evolution of Downtown can only occur with amulti-disciplinary approach that integrates the best information from all governmental agencies and other important stakeholders. In order to ensure the continuing good and improving function of the City decisions involving urban design and change must be fully informed as to the existing and future needs, desires, goals and plans that all City and other agencies may have for a particular area or future The direction given m the 1993 Downtown Plan and good urban planning requires that the best solutions will result from decisions made m consideration of the most information that can be brought to bear on the matter at hand. An effective partnership is essential to promoting transit and creating vibrant public spaces. These partners should include the City of Fort Worth, the Fort Worth Transportation Authority Downtown Fort Worth, Inc Fort Worth South, Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce, Tarrant County and Historic Fort Worth, Inc. A conference or meeting of these partners and other interested stakeholders could be held to create a comprehensive urban design plan for the rail stations and Downtown. 6 Action Steps • Design an Intermodal Transportation Center site plan at Ninth and Jones Streets with no more than one-third of the bus spaces in the current plan (the T) • Design a landmark building at the Ninth Street/Jones Street station with high visibility along the Ninth Street corridor and architecture that is compatible with the building s historic context (the T) • Allocate funds to redesign the Ninth Street corridor (the City) • Locate and design new bus transfer plazas (the City the T) • Convene a forum on Downtown urban design (The City Downtown Fort Worth, Inc. Urban Design Committee) • Accelerate the schedule for extending the Tnmty Railway Express into south southwest Fort ~~ Worth (the T) • Allocate funds to design and expand the proposed fight-rail trolley system (the City) • Protect the Santa Fe Depot from incompatible development and promote the restoration of this historic building (the T) • Institute the proposed Downtown bus circulator (the T) Intermodal Consultant Team Members 1 Mr James B Meyer (Chair) President, Atlantic Capital Properties, LLC Atlanta 2 Mr Fred Kent President, Project for Public Spaces, Inc. New York 3 Mr Chester `Rick" Chellman, P.E. Treasurer White Mountain Survey Company Inc ~~ Ossipee, New Hampshire ~~ 4 Dr Si urd Grava g Vice President, Parsons Brinkerhoff Quade & Douglas, Inc. Professor of Urban Planning, Columbia University New York 5 Mr Franklin L. Spielberg, P.E. Principal, SG Associates, Inc. Annandale, Virginia 6 Ms. Michele L. Jacobson, AICP Manager of Long Range Planning, Bay Area Rapid Transit Oakland, California s 4