John Robert SmithPresident and CEOReconnecting America

CONNECT Policy ForumBaton Rouge, LAJuly 21, 2011

GETTING FROM HERE TO THERENext Steps for Building a Thriving, Connected Super Region between New Orleans and Baton Rouge

At Reconnecting America, we help transform

promising ideas into thriving communities –

where transportation choices make it easy to

get from place to place, where businesses

flourish, and where people from all walks of life

can afford to live, work and visit.

Our Partners:

•Creating a national marketplace for TOD, working with cities, transit agencies, developers, investors + communities•Improving practice through technical assistance, research + policy reform•On-line Clearinghouse of TOD + Transit Best Practices

•A coalition with over 500 members of business, housing, environment, development, labor, health, aging and transportation interests•Campaign Focus on the Next Federal Transportation Bill•Transportation investments that are economically sound, respond to markets and improve the lives of people

RA/CONNECT policy briefs

Brief #1: One Great Region

The Baton Rouge/New Orleans Super Region

Sustainable Regional Development

Sustainable Regional Development means growing in a way that:

• preserves and strengthens the region’s existing neighborhoods

• improves job access and economic opportunity for individuals and businesses

• ensures that all residents have access to quality public transportation.

Regional Challenges

• A small portion of residents live near high quality public transit

• Many of the regions’ neighborhoods need revitalization

• Traffic congestion threatens to dampen the quality-of-life and economic prosperity of communities

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6 Housing and Transportation Affordability Index, Center for Transit-Oriented Development and Center for Neighborhood Technology, www.htaindex.org

Lower Vehicle Ownership than National Average

3 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2005-2009, for the cities of Baton Rouge and New Orleans

Housing Affordability – New Orleans

Housing only Housing and Transportation

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Housing Affordability – Baton Rouge

Housing only Housing and Transportation

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Regional Opportunities

• Louisiana Speaks Regional Plan is the foundation

• Region needs:

• Improved connections between the state’s largest metro areas

• Improved transit within parishes

• Affordable, walkable transit-oriented communities

Brief #2: Connected and Ready to Compete

“People have to go back and forth between Baton Rouge and New Orleans for meetings all the time, and when you drive you basically lose an hour of your life. Then you have to go back, so that is two hours, and if there is traffic it is three. If you were on the train you could be working.”

-Dr. Karen DeSalvo New Orleans Health Commissioner

Businesses and Employers Win with Sustainable Regional Development

• Improved productivity and reduced travel costs for businesses

• Increased innovation

• Access to an expanded and diversified labor pool

• Opportunity for real estate development

• Improved mobility for tourists between and within cities

Job Clusters in the Super Region

46% of LA’s jobs are located in the Baton Rouge and New Orleans metropolitan areas. Within the 7 parishes that are intersected by the proposed rail line, 40% of jobs are located in East Baton Rouge Parish, 27% are in Jefferson Parish and 23% are located in Orleans Parish.

(Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2008 Local Employment Dynamics Data)

Public Transit Supports Economic Growth

• In regions with fixed-guideway transit systems, an average of 25% of jobs are located near transit

• In regions with extensive fixed-guideway transit systems that connect all major employment centers, as many as 45% of jobs can be near transit

• In the New Orleans region, just 19% of jobs are located near existing streetcar stops

Local Governments and Communities Win with Sustainable Regional Development

• Reduced household transportation costs reinvested in the local economy

• Efficient public investments

• Higher property value and increased public revenue

Brief #3: Getting from Here to There

Key Implementation Principles

• Engage a diverse range of stakeholders

• Regional agencies• Private sector leaders• Nonprofit and philanthropic • organizations• General public

• Keep the “big picture” in mind when making investment and development decisions

• Ensure that plans, policies, and investments benefit everyone

Next Steps

1. Expand Education and Outreach in Transit and Transit-Oriented Development

Timeline: Near-term, ongoing

Key Actors: The CONNECT Coalition with support from City and Parish staff, MPOs, Elected Leaders, Capital Area Transit, New Orleans Regional Transit Authority, Baton Rouge Area Chamber, Greater New Orleans, Inc., Philanthropic Community

Next Steps

2. Develop a Commuter Rail Implementation Plan for the Baton Rouge to New Orleans Rail Project

Timeline: Near-term

Key Actors: Louisiana Intrastate Rail Compact

Next Steps

3. Form a Regional Commuter Rail Advisory Council

Timeline: Medium-term (1-3 years)

Key Actors: Convened by the Intrastate Rail Compact. Membership could include City and Parish staff such as Public Works and Community Development Directors, Redevelopment Agency Executive Directors, Capital Region Planning Commission, Regional Planning Commission, Capital Area Transit, New Orleans Regional Transit Authority, Louisiana Department of Transportation, Baton Rouge Area Chamber, Greater New Orleans, Inc., Southern Louisiana High-Speed Rail Commission, a representative from the CONNECT Coalition, a leader from the faith-based community or other public groups, freight rail owners (CN and KCS) and Amtrak

Next Steps

4. Prioritize Investments and Policies that Improve Walkability and Bicycle Access

Timeline: Near term, ongoing

Key Actors: Cities and Parishes, Capital Region Planning Commission, Regional Planning Commission, Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development and possibly State Legislature

Next Steps

5. Develop a Transit-Oriented Development Strategic Plan

Timeline: Medium-term (1-3 years)

Key Actors: Louisiana Intrastate Rail Compact in partnership with City and Parish staff, MPOs, PublicStakeholders, private sector stakeholders (landowners and developers), NO and EBR RedevelopmentAuthorities, Planning Commissions and Public Works Departments

Next Steps

6. Conduct a Scenario-based Cost Benefit Analysis for Mobility in the Baton Rouge to New Orleans Corridor

Timeline: Medium-term (1-3 years)

Key Actors: Louisiana Intrastate Rail Compact, CONNECT Coalition

Examples from Other Regions

Twin Cities, Minnesota• Constructing regional transit

system (3 light rail lines, 40-mile commuter rail line, BRT line, and local bus improvements)

• Funded in part from increased sales taxes and fee on auto sales

Taking train to the game

• Central Corridor Funders Collaborative: partnership of 11 foundations, working with community-based organizations to guide development along the transit corridor

Examples from Other Regions

• FasTracks: 122 miles of light rail and commuter rail, 18 miles of BRT in 12 years

• Funding in part from voter-approved regional sales tax increase

• City and County adopted TOD Strategic Plan

• Created $25-million loan fund for affordable housing near transit

Denver, Colorado

Federal Partners

• Congress currently considering next surface transportation bill

• House: 6 years, 30% cut from current levels

• Senate: 2 years, current levels plus inflation

• Will affect funding levels for existing and new transit projects

• High speed and intercity passenger rail funding targeted for elimination in House budget

Still Many Federal Grant OpportunitiesDOT•TIGER

• $527 million capital grants • October 3 pre-application deadline

•TIFIA• federal loans and loan guarantees for capital projects• October 3 pre-application deadline

•Bus Livability Program• $150 million bus capital funds • July 29 deadline

•Alternatives Analysis program• $25 million planning funds• July 29 deadline

HUD•Sustainable Communities Regional Planning Grants,

• $67 million planning grants• Coming soon!!

Conclusion

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Why work together?

Because no one city or parish can do it alone.

Thank you!

John Robert SmithPresident and CEOReconnecting AmericaEMAIL: jrsmith@reconnectingamerica.orgPHONE: 202.429.6990 ext.205

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