Newington Station Siting Due DiligenceOctober 2018

1

Benefits of Transit on Economic Development

2

3

What is TOD?

Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) is physical development influenced by and oriented to transit.

TOD is largely defined by its context and role in the community.

TOD provides the freedom of mobility choice and helps improve quality of life.

4

Scaling TOD in Connecticut

Station areas in Connecticut can be categorized into three geographic scales:

Urban

Small City

Village

TOD functions differently at each scale

5

Connecticut is experiencing out-migration of young working professionals

Outmigration of younger generations:

Total net outmigration of more than 20,000 people per year

57% of college-bound high school graduates leave Connecticut for college

Connecticut has fewer 18-24 year olds than the U.S. average

6

Demand for transit is growing in CT

Connecticut transit ridership is increasing

Connecticut transit capacity is increasing

We are becoming less automobile dependent TOD responds to our changing lifestyles

16 yr : -38%17 yr : -35%18 yr : -21%19 yr : -16%

Teens are much less likely to drive

Reduction in drivers licenses from 1978 – 2008Nationally

TOD provides opportunity to capture younger markets

7

8Transit Investment Spurs Economic Growth and Increases Property Value

Source: RPA’s “How better transit boosts home values &

local economies”

Sources: American Public Transportation Association (APTA); Regional Plan Association (RPA), “How Better Transit Boosts Home Values & Local Economies” (2010)

9

TOD homes values per sq. ft., 1996 - 2014

TOD Index, Dr. John Renne, PhD, AICP, 2014

Homes near

Transit

Value Index

National

Home Value

Index

Federal Transit Administration (FTA)Study Overview

10

FTA Pilot Program for TOD Planning

11Sources: Federal Transit Administration (FTA) webinar (10/8/14); State of Connecticut

Goals of the FTA Pilot Program (Established Under Section 20005(b) of MAP-

21):

• Support comprehensive planning in Capital Investment Grant (CIG)

Program project corridors

• Maximize chances of comprehensive planning implementation through

partnerships

• Support planning work that goes beyond what local agencies would

usually fund themselves

12

Hartford Line Corridor TOD Overview

Station Area Typologies

13

Corridor Market Assessment

1.30

1.10

1.07

1.05

1.00

0.97

0.89

0.87

0.86

Financial Activities

Government

Information

Manufacturing

Professional & Business Services

Education & Health Services

Trade, Transportation, and Utilities

Leisure & Hospitality

Mining, Logging, and Construction0%

2%

4%

6%

8%

10%

-20,000

0

20,000

40,000

60,000

80,000

100,000

120,000

140,000

2017Q1

2016201520142013201220112010200920082007

Squ

are

Feet

Vac

ancy

(%

)

Net Absorption (SF) Deliveries (SF) Vacancy (%)

Based on Regional (Hartford and New Haven Metro Areas) and Local Data:

• Population/Demographics

• Housing

• Economy

Historical Office New Deliveries, Net Absorption, and Vacancy Rate, North Haven, 2007 - Q1 2017.

Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics; CoStar (2017)

Hartford MSA vs. Connecticut Location Quotient by Employment Sector, 2017

Project Overview & Summary of Options

14

15

• Project Purpose:

• Assess alternate sites for Hartford Line station in Newington that may be more suitable for TOD & Economic Development and more amenable to community support than Newington Junction

Project Overview

Enfield

Windsor Locks

Windsor

West Hartford

Hartford Union Station

Newington Junction

Berlin

Meriden

Wallingford

North Haven

New Haven State Street

New Haven Union Station

Springfield

CT

MA

Cedar Street

Comparison of Station Sites

16

Summary of Options

17

1. No-Build condition (no Hartford Line station in Newington)

2. Advance Newington Junction Station

3. Advance Cedar Street Station

Evaluation Criteria & Station Site Comparison

18

Evaluation Criteria for Comparison

19

Evaluation Category Evaluation Criteria

Ridership Potential Station Spacing

Trip Generators/Attractors

Access Local Vehicular Access

Regional Vehicular Access

Multi-Modal Connectivity

Pedestrian/Bicycle Accommodations

Construction Feasibility / Environmental Impacts Constructability Constraints

Environmental Conditions

Station-Related TOD & Economic Opportunity Acreage of Site(s) Acquired for Station

Order-of-Magnitude Cost Estimate Station Construction

Property Acquisition

Complete Streets / Pedestrian Improvements

Long-Term Development Build-Out Potential Acreage of Redevelopment Potential

Local Support

Ridership Potential: Newington Junction

20

Less balanced station spacing than Cedar Street

Lack of proximate anchor institutions

Lack of near-term development opportunities

Ridership Potential: Cedar Street

21

More balanced station spacing than Newington Junction

Proximity to anchor institution (CCSU), with planned expansion

Proximity to Fenn Road Plaza:, High School, Newington Center

Near-term development opportunities (e.j. National Welding site)

Access: Newington Junction

22

Recent improvements on Willard Ave near CTfastrakstation

Direct cross-platform access between CTrail and CTfastrak

No direct access to regional highway system (Approx. 2 miles to I-84)

CTfastrak multi-use trail ends at station

Inconsistent/incomplete sidewalk network on connecting streets to station

No sidewalks on Francis Avenue (only direct access road to station).

Direct access to station only provided by Frances Ave.; Limited potential to accommodate additional vehicular traffic from east

Access: Cedar Street

23

Proximate regional highway access via Route 9, with connection to I-84 (Approx. 1 mile)

Existing traffic congestion; Potential capacity constraints to accommodate additional traffic

CTfastrak multi-use trail continues north and south of the station

No direct cross-platform connection between CTfastrak and CTrail station (although walkable)

East-west connectivity between station and Newington Center as well as CCSU

Inconsistent/incomplete sidewalk network on Cedar St. and other connecting streets

Completed construction to widen Cedar St. Bridge over Amtrak

Potential need for access and pedestrian improvements

Environmental Conditions: Newington Junction

24

Flood Zones Wetlands

No anticipated significant impacts to flood zones

No anticipated significant impacts to wetlands

Environmental Conditions: Cedar Street

25

Flood Zones WetlandsNo anticipated significant impacts to flood zones

No anticipated significant impacts to wetlands

Construction Feasibility: Newington Junction

26

Non standard/irregular western stair tower due to limited space, requires additional design time

Station

No additional work required for this design

Rail

Improvements are minor with no impact on constructability time or cost

Pedestrian Improvements

Limited space between CTfastrak and rail may require an additional year or more to construct station

27

Construction Feasibility: Cedar Street

Standard Station design no issues affecting construction

Station

Realignment must be completed prior to West Platform construction – one to two month additional construction time

Rail

Improvements are minor with no impact on constructability time or cost

Pedestrian Improvements

Requires realignment of track curve to maintain 110mph operating speed

Order-of-Magnitude Cost Estimate: Newington Junction

28

$37.3M – Station Construction

$4.1M – Initial Pedestrian Improvements (Francis Avenue from Willard Avenue to Day Street)

$0.9M – Property Acquisition(Note: excludes land to be leased for $0 from Amtrak)

$38.2M Total

Order-of-Magnitude Cost Estimate: Cedar Street

29

$48.2M – Station Construction(Includes track work to maintain the 110mph speed

and elevator from west platform to Cedar St)

$6.1M – Initial Pedestrian Improvements(Connection from CTfastrak multi-use path to Hartford Line station.)

$1.044M – Property Acquisition

$49.25M Total

Breakdown of Cost Estimates

30

Station Newington Junction Cedar Street

Station Site $ 3,100,000.00 $ 2,800,000.00

Station Platforms & Tower $ 28,100,000.00 $ 28,600,000.00

Additional Elevator $ 00.00 $ 5,300,000.00

Railroad Support (Flagging) $ 6,100,000.00 $ 6,100,000.00

Track Realignment $ 00.00 $ 5,400,000.00

Acquisition $ 900,000.00 $ 1,044,000.00

Total $ 38,200,000.00 $ 49,244,000.00

Other Newington Junction Ped. Improvements

Cedar Street Ped. Improvements

Roadway and Bike Trail $ 4,100,000.00 $ 6,100,000.00

Total $ 4,100,000.00 $ 6,100,000.00

Grand Total $ 42,300,000.00 $ 55,344,000.00 Grand Total

TOD & Economic Development Opportunity Comparison

31

Long-Term Development Build-Out Potential: Newington Junction

32

1

33

32

Long-Term Vision (CRCOG Concept Memo): Newington Junction

33* Not supported by the Town of Newington

Long-Term Development Build-Out Potential: Cedar Street

34

345351598

Long-Term Vision: Cedar Street

35

Transit Oriented Development Potential

36

1 3

35

45

32

15

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

Newington Junction Cedar Street

AC

RES Long-Term TOD Opportunities

Planned/Proposed Development

Mid-Term TOD Opportunities

Station Related TOD Opportunities

83 Acres Near or Mid-term Developable Land

1 Acre Near or Mid-term Developable Land

Evaluation Summary

37

Summary of Options

38

1. No-Build condition (no Hartford Line station in Newington)

2. Advance Newington Junction Station

3. Advance Cedar Street Station

Summary

39

1. No-Build condition (no Hartford Line station in Newington)

2. Advance planned Newington Junction Station

3. Advance Cedar Street Station

Newington Station Siting Due DiligenceOctober 2018

40