Mayor’s Transition Task Force on the Metropolitan Transit Authority Report to the Mayor

• Introduction
• Regional Coordination
• Light Rail Punchlist
• Funding Structure
• Basic Services
• Small Business
• Summary analysis and closing questions

Houston Tomorrow has also provided a brief summary of the reports: Parker task force announces METRO findings.

Election day is November 3rd and early voting has begun!  Be sure to check out the RRail GPAC endorsements and cast your vote in these City elections.

View the RRail GPAC 2009 Candidate Endorsements (pdf)

View the Candidate Questionnaire (pdf)

For the coming light rail line to be a true asset to our neighborhoods, the streets leading to the transit stations must accommodate pedestrians more safely and comfortably than is typical for Houston streets outside downtown. If enacted, the proposed transit corridor ordinance (aka the Urban Corridor ordinance, which we hope to see on the City Council agenda for approval soon), would foster the evolution toward a more pedestrian-friendly environment as redevelopment occurs along the light rail corridors. That will take time. We believe that there is a near-term opportunity to achieve a better pedestrian environment along the University Line on lower Richmond Ave. 

Virtually all of the public right-of-way on Richmond Ave. from Spur 527 to Kirby Dr. is only 80 feet wide. When METRO builds the University Line, we anticipate that they will also need to rebuild the sidewalks along that stretch of Richmond. What better time to create a more pedestrian-friendly streetscape than when the rail line is being built? However, the right-of-way constraints do present challenges. 

RichmondRail has a solution: allocate the 80-foot right-of-way such that the street will safely and comfortably accommodate not only trains and cars, but also pedestrians. Allowing 10 feet for traffic lanes (2 in each direction) and a 23-ft trackway for the trains would leave 8 1/2 feet on each side — sufficient for 6-ft wide unobstructed sidewalks plus space for street trees.  RichmondRail.org has put together a resolution outlining this and other proposals. In addition to the recommended right-of-way allocation for rail, cars and pedestrians, the resolution proposes specific provisions for pedestrian crosswalks, the placement of surface infrastructure and trees, the burying of utility lines and other important improvements. Take a look at our Resolution of support for a pedestrian streetscape on Richmond Avenue for more about our proposals and a streetscape cross-section. An important note — METRO appears to be trying to keep property takings to a minimum, with most takings on Richmond expected to be around the planned transit stations. Our recommendations focus on the streetscape on Richmond between transit stations, and we are not proposing any additional property takings. 

Both METRO and the City must agree to them for our proposals to become reality.  We know that there are hurdles — recently updated City standards call for 12-ft traffic lanes and frown on mid-block crosswalks; laying grass on the trackway isn’t likely to be approved without an agreement in place to maintain it; and burying utility wires will require an investment beyond what anyone has currently planned.  But the new light rail line and the the resulting streetscape will become an integral part of our community, one that will be in place for decades to come.  It’s critical that we invest in a plan that will enhance the livability of our neighborhoods and make the most of the investment in transit.  

A number of organizations and institutions along lower Richmond have signed on in support of the RichmondRail resolution, and we are continuing to meet with civic associations and others to share our ideas.  We’d love to hear from community organizations who are interested in learning more about our proposals –  contact us.

Stella Chao directs the City of Seattle’s Department of Neighborhoods. The Department of Neighborhoods works to bring government closer to city residents by giving them a central role in planning for the growth of their communities. It empowers residents to create healthy, safe, and vibrant neighborhoods by providing tools, education, and support, and brings more of Seattle’s underrepresented citizens into the process of civic discourse, planning, and action.

Ms. Chao will talk Tuesday about sustainable growth in 21st century neighborhoods. The event is free and open to the public. Please RSVP to wendy.natt@houstontomorrow.org if you will attend, or call (713) 523-5757 with any questions.

What:  Houston Tomorrow distinguished speaker: Stella Chao (details)

When: Tuesday, July 21, 2009 reception at 6:30 pm, talk at 7:00 pm

Where:  United Way Community Resource Center, 50 Waugh Dr. at Feagan, Houston, 77007

Significance to rail on Richmond. A major goal for RichmondRail.org from the beginning has been creation of a more walkable, neighborhood-friendly environment concurrent with the building of light rail along Richmond. We believe that this is critical both to the success of the rail line and to the health and vitality of our neighborhoods. New development standards based on the Urban Corridors work currently offer the best prospect of achieving our goal. But the recommendations in the Urban Corridors report are just that; there are still many questions to be answered and details to be worked through. Perhaps most important for us is exactly how the pedestrian realm is defined. For example, we believe that a generous standard for the minimum width of unobstructed sidewalk should be applied along the length of the rail line on Richmond.

It should be noted that these new rules will only apply to new development and redevelopment. Except where sidewalks are rebuilt as a result of rail construction, any improvements resulting from the new standards will only be evident over time.

Planning Committee meets to consider ordinances.  For guidance on how the recommendations should be translated into ordinances, the City has called on the Planning Commission’s Mixed-Use/ Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Committee.

The Mixed-Use/TOD Committee, which is composed of members of the real estate and development community as well as representatives from Houston-Galveston Area Council, Houston Tomorrow, METRO, and City Planning, Public Works and Legal departments, has met three times on this topic. Guided by City Planning Director Marlene Gafrick and Senior Planning Fellow Steve Spillette, the committee is working step-by-step through the elements presented in the Urban Corridors report. At its most recent meeting on December 10, the topic was the pedestrian realm.The Urban Corridors plan proposes a 15 foot pedestrian realm, with 10 feet allocated to utilities and landscaping and 5 feet designated for pedestrian sidewalks (current city standard for sidewalks is 4 feet). The committee was asked to consider:

• Is the proposed standard for the pedestrian realm with a 5 foot “clear zone” for pedestrians adequate?
• Where should the standard be applied? -Only on the transit street around the stations? -In between stations? -On cross streets in the corridor?

One committee member questioned whether a 5 foot sidewalk standard would be sufficient long-term as density increases; another asked how this standard compares to those employed in other cities that are implementing light rail lines. Neither of these questions was fully addressed. However, a key point made by the Planning Department was that within the 10 foot planting/utilities zone there would be flexibility to expand the sidewalk area (e.g., using tree wells and paving in between). In some locations that would mean that virtually the entire 15 feet could be walkable. The committee generally agreed to follow the consultants’ / Planning recommendation on the dimensions of the pedestrian realm. However, at one point photos were shown of pedestrian design in the Woodlands, where they employed 4 foot planters for trees and 6 foot sidewalks. Some members of the committee asked the Planning Department to look into the possibility of modifying the proposal to fit this scenario, yielding a 6 foot minimum pedestrian clear zone. When Gafrick noted that Parks and Recreation had specified 5 foot planters, members suggested looking at tree types that might be more compatible with a smaller planting well or ways to design the wells to maximize the walkable area while also providing for healthy trees.

On the topic of where the standard should be applied, the discussion moved toward the idea of defining a 5 minute walk zone around each station where the codes would apply. Thus, in locations where stations are close together the potential for a continuous walkable corridor would be established. There was also some discussion of how these codes might apply to future stations and other areas of town. Some committee members suggested that there might be a mechanism for an area to opt in to the Urban Corridor codes even if there were no transit station currently planned. One member even suggested that the City needs to complement the new development ordinances with actual investment in walkability, perhaps making use of TIRZ (Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone) funds.

Committee meetings are open. The Mixed-Use/TOD Committee meetings are open to the public but only committee members and City staff are permitted to participate in the discussion. Visitors are asked to sign in and introduce themselves at the beginning of the meeting. The next meeting is January 14 with additional meetings to be scheduled if necessary.

What: Planning Commission Mixed-Use/TOD Committee Meeting
When: Wednesday, January 14, 3:30 - 5 pm
Where: 611 Walker, 6th floor, Raia Conference Room.

The signing of the consent agreement has enabled METRO to begin construction on the East End Line; additional steps must be completed for the other lines. On the University Line, these steps include completing and submitting the Final Environmental Impact Statement and securing federal funding.

Before you go, you may find it useful to review materials from the Richmond Avenue Workshop on related issues, e.g., the Pedestrian Realm, Traffic and Parking, and Neighborhood Development, which are posted here.

Please plan to join us!

We are only at the beginning of the neighborhood friendly part of our goal. RichmondRail.org has an important part to play in sharing specific ideas and concerns with METRO as they develop the detailed design of the rail line, and in urging the City and other stakeholders to make important investments in sidewalks, lighting, trees, signage and other improvements that make our streets safe and attractive public places. We also need to continue our commitment to Richmond Ave. businesses to see them through construction.

On Tuesday, December 4, we invite you to join us for a special Tuesday Night Out at a favorite Richmond restaurant, Maria Selma.  Please come and help us CELEBRATE our successes and ENVISION Richmond Avenue with rail.  This will not be our typical Tuesday Night Out. We’re expecting a senior official from METRO and representation from City Council to share their views on the role RichmondRail.org has played and can play in the next phase. Bring your ideas - we’ll also take time to begin crafting a vision of what will make the University Line the neighborhood asset we all want.   

What:   A Special Tuesday Night Out for RichmondRail
            Hot Hors d’oeuvres & Soft Drinks, Cash Bar
When:  Tuesday, December 4, 2007, 6:00 to 8:00 pm
Where: Maria Selma Restaurant, 1617 Richmond Ave.
Reservations:  $15 in advance, admission $20 at the door

Click here to reserve your place and pay in advance. If you plan to pay at the door, please RSVP with the number in your party by Dec 2. When you make your reservation we ask you to also consider making an additional donation. With your help, RichmondRail.org will continue to promote constructive solutions that look towards the greater good of our community and a sustainable quality of life.

Richmond Avenue represents a major east-west artery for Houstonians. The rail will reduce automobile traffic and emissions while providing greater mobility. The people who live, work, and patronize merchants in the area will benefit greatly. Without rail we will likely see an increase in automobile traffic and ultimately adding more lanes to Richmond. Widening the street will obviously result in some property loss to landowners and reduced customer parking on Richmond Avenue.

With due regard to projected costs and funding, I think the only logical and viable corridor for the proposed rail route is along Richmond to Cummins to Westpark. It improves mobility between Greenway Plaza and Downtown and the Medical Center. For the inexpensive price of a rail ticket you can save time and money traveling to those destinations. In addition to reduced congestion, rail will eliminate the frustration associated with limited and high-priced parking in those areas.

Any delay in this project will increase future expenditures to improve mobility in an ever-growing metropolitan area. Houston is already 20 years behind the times when it comes to mass transit. For the good of all Houstonians, we deserve an overall rail system comparable to the ones in other major cities.

The RichmondRail political action committee (GPAC) asked every Houston City Council candidate point blank: “Do you support Rail on Richmond from Main to Cummins?” This Tuesday evening we will all find out who said yes!

The RRail GPAC will announce endorsements in 11 out of 15 races for Houston City Council and Controller. Candidates were asked the following questions (pdf):

• Do you support Rail on Richmond from Main to Cummins?
• Will you vote to approve the franchise agreements necessary to allow for the construction of rail on Richmond from Main to Cummins?
• Will you work for, and vote to fund, such improvements along Richmond Avenue in order to make our new light rail system truly neighborhood and pedestrian friendly?
• Will you partner with Metro and the Community to develop meaningful programs to mitigate the negative impacts of the light rail projects?

Please plan to join us at Maria Selma Restaurant on Tuesday, October 16, from 5:30 to 6:30 pm as we come together to find out which candidates support our issue and will work hard on our behalf. Enjoy a festive beverage, meet the candidates, and stay for dinner!

We want to show the candidates that we value their support, and we have also invited the media. Your presence will help us make an impact!

What: RichmondRail GPAC announces candidate endorsements
Where: Maria Selma, 1619 Richmond Ave. west of Mandell, 77006, (713) 528-4920
When: Tuesday, October 16, 2007 at 5:30 pm sharp!

Please note: Election season is busy and we will only have candidates in attendance for 30-45 minutes. Plan to arrive no later than 5:45 pm if you don’t want to miss them!

The biggest decision we’ve been waiting for — and working towards — is nearly here. The METRO board is expected to vote at their October 18th meeting. They will choose an alignment for the University line, and we’re counting on them to choose the Cummins option west of Main Street.

Once again, we will come together to show the decision makers our strength in numbers. We’re planning to attend the METRO board meeting downtown and speak up for rail on Richmond. Will you plan to join us?

We will very much appreciate any amount you can give! You can give by credit card or by check. To find out how, click here (or follow the Donate! link under Pages at the right). While contributions are not tax deductible, they do help us ensure your voice will be heard!

]]> http://www.richmondrail.org/blogs/?feed=rss2&p=49 http://www.richmondrail.org/blogs/?p=48 http://www.richmondrail.org/blogs/?p=48#comments Wed, 08 Aug 2007 16:44:20 +0000 Kay Uncategorized http://www.richmondrail.org/blogs/?p=48 Friday, August 3rd METRO released the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the University transit corridor and opened a 45-day period for public review and comment. The Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) contains detailed analysis of each of the remaining short-list alignment options as well as the the “no-build” option. It identifies benefits of each option as well as impacts on a range of factors including traffic, parking, noise, trees, flooding, property, and more. The DEIS is the formal basis for review by federal, state and local decision makers as well as the public, leading up to the METRO board’s choice of a final alignment and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA)’s record of decision.

]]> http://www.richmondrail.org/blogs/?feed=rss2&p=48 http://www.richmondrail.org/blogs/?p=45 http://www.richmondrail.org/blogs/?p=45#comments Tue, 24 Jul 2007 21:38:44 +0000 Kay Uncategorized http://www.richmondrail.org/blogs/?p=45 The many wonderful restaurants along Richmond Avenue play a big part in making our Neartown, Upper Kirby, and Greenway Plaza neighborhoods vital places to live and work. It’s in our interest to ensure that these businesses survive and thrive through light rail construction and beyond. We continue to gather for Tuesday Nights Out to show Richmond restaurant owners that we, their customers, support rail on Richmond and we support them.

Tonight, our 39th Tuesday Night Out, we’re meeting other RichmondRail friends at Blue Fish House, 2241 Richmond Ave.  For upcoming venues, check here (or follow the link under “Pages” at right to Tuesday Nights Out).

See you Tuesday night!
 

As recently as March 29, Rep. Culberson has told constituents that:

“I have a responsibility to the Houston region to help improve our entire transportation network as the only Texan on the Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee.”

But here’s the surprise: it turns out that since January 11th, Culberson is NOT on the Transportation subcommittee anymore. He’s now just one minority member out of 66 on the Appropriations committee, which should severely constrain his attempts to hijack the federal transit planning process! See this press release for details.

Freshman Texas Congressman Ciro Rodriguez has replaced Culberson on the House Appropriations Transportation subcommittee. And three other Texans — Chet Edwards, Kay Granger, and John Carter — all serve on Appropriations, too. It cannot hurt for us to let each of them know that we need their help. When Federal Transit eventually awards funding to METRO for rail on Richmond (because it will serve the most people for the lowest cost), we are counting on their Appropriations committee to approve it, in spite of their colleague’s hangups.

Sure enough, plaintiff Daphne Scarbrough filed suit against METRO the next day. Her high-profile attorney, Andy Taylor, boldly described the suit as “nuclear war” against METRO. But despite Taylor’s bravado, it’s important to remember that lawsuits have always been a part of rail politics in Houston, but litigation has never stopped a rail project.

The Houston Chronicle has the story:
“Merchant seeks to bar Metro projects without new election”.

What’s interesting is this: one anti-Richmond merchant now seems intent to shut down Houston’s entire transit system expansion just to keep light rail off of Richmond. That may not go over well in the Near North Side, East End, Third Ward, or Uptown…

Rail opponents would have us believe that their legal case is open and shut. But if the ballot is so clear, why do they need permission to gather additional evidence to make their case? They are asking a judge to authorize a fishing expedition, an attempt to find something — anything — to justify a lawsuit to stop this project.

Their motion is now scheduled for a civil court hearing Wednesday, May 16, 2007 at 4:00 pm, in the 215th Judicial District Court of Harris County, 201 Caroline between Franklin and Congress, 13th floor, 77002.

Since the 1970s, lawsuits have been a routine part of rail politics in Houston, but they have never stopped a project. Here’s the program for this round:

Who will be in the courtroom on Tuesday?

The plaintiff: Daphne Scarbrough, who owns The Brass Maiden, a high end home goods store on Richmond, says she’s worried about her business. She’s spending her time organizing against rail in her neighborhood, in the Third Ward, on the
Near North Side, and even in the state legislature.

Counsel for the plaintiff: William A. “Andy” Taylor, Andy Taylor & Associates. In 2003, Andy Taylor was the attorney for Texans for True Mobility, a secretive group that ran $1.5 million in ads opposing the METRO Solutions referendum. Texans for True Mobility was co-chaired by Congressman John Culberson.

Public relations for the plaintiff: Chris Begala, a professional political consultant who accompanied Scarbrough to Austin in April 2007 to lobby for anti-METRO legislation. In 2003, Begala served as spokesman for the aforementioned Texans for True Mobility.

Fund raiser for the plaintiff: ??? We don’t know who is funding the current legal action. But in 2003, Taylor and Begala’s anti-rail work was funded by Congressman Tom Delay, suburban apartment developer Michael Stevens, and others. Taylor fought in court to keep the donor list secret.

The defendant: Metropolitan Transit Authority

Counsel for the defendant: Andy Edison, Bracewell & Giuliani

The judge: Levi Benton, 215th Judicial District Court of Harris County

On the sidelines (but not by choice)

The voters: In 2003, voters in Houston and Harris County approved rail expansion by a more than 9,000 vote margin. We want to see more transit, not more delay. And we don’t want our tax dollars going to defend against frivolous lawsuits.

The community: Community organizations in the Near North Side, the East End, the Third Ward, and Neartown have worked hard for more and better transit in our neighborhoods. There is widespread public support in all of these corridors for METRO’s proposed lines. Richmondrail.org’s online petition has been signed by almost 3,000 Houstonians who support neighborhood-friendly light rail on Richmond Avenue. Further, every active civic club along Richmond or US-59 between Main Street and Shepherd formally supports rail on Richmond, as do the Museum District Business Alliance and the Neartown Association.

Sept 1999 - METRO board endorses a 7-mile light rail system from downtown to the Astrodome
Jan 2000 - Design team begins work on the Main Street line
May 2000 - Suburban Congressman Tom DeLay moves to kill $65 million in federal funding for the line
Oct 2000 - Federal transportation bill passes with DeLay’s language barring METRO from spending any federal dollars on rail in fiscal 2001; METRO Board decides to proceed with local funding
Nov 2000 - Houston City Council authorizes METRO to use city streets for Main Street line
Dec 2000 - Rail opponents file a petition with 1,100 signatures requesting the City of Houston hold a referendum before building the Main Street line; City Attorney rules they need 20,000 to force the vote
Jan 2001 - Rail opponents sue to try to force the City to hold an election; State district judge issues restraining order to prohibit work on rail until lawsuit can be heard
Mar 2001 - State court rules unanimously to lift injunction; METRO breaks ground on Main Street line
Jun 2001 - Rail opponents appeal decision; Texas Supreme Court refuses to stop work on the line or require a referendum
Oct 2001 - Rail opponents get Proposition 3 on the ballot which, if passed, would require an election be held about the Main Street line (and requires the line to be torn up if that election fails) and requires election on any future rail lines
Nov 2001 - In a City election, 74% of Houston voters approve Mayor Brown’s Proposition 1 that lets work continue on the Main Street rail line but guarantees a referendum on any future extensions; voters reject Proposition 3

May 2003 - METRO holds public meetings regarding Solutions transit expansion plan
Aug 2003 - METRO board approves ballot resolution to put Solutions plan before voters
Oct 2003 - Texans for True Mobility, led by suburban developer Michael Stevens and Congressman John Culberson, and funded in part by Congressman Tom Delay, spends $1.5 million on anti-rail “issue education” ads to oppose METRO referendum
Nov 2003 - In a City election, METRO Solutions referendum is approved by voters with more than a 9,000 vote margin
Jan 2004 - Main Street light rail line opens in time for Super Bowl

Dec 2005 - Rail opponents get state Rep. Martha Wong to preemptively announce opposition to any future Richmond alignment
Jan 2006 - Rail opponents get Congressman Culberson to urge METRO to build the University line on Westpark
Apr 2006 - Houston City
Council members host 9 public forums for University line
Jun 2006 - METRO holds first scoping meetings for University line; RichmondRail.org becomes first grassroots group in Houston history to fight FOR rail on a specific street

Jul 2006 - More than 1,000 Houstonians sign RichmondRail.org’s petition supporting rail on Richmond
Aug 2006 - Congressman Culberson asks METRO to take Richmond alignment off the table
Nov 2006 - In a state and federal election, Martha Wong draws only 38% of the vote in precincts along University corridor and loses seat to Ellen Cohen; John Culberson’s support falls from 25% to around 18% of the vote in precincts along University line corridor, but he is reelected due to
support in west Harris County.
Dec 2006 - METRO board approves three final options for the University line west of Main Street: two on Richmond as far west as Greenway Plaza, and one along the Southwest Freeway
Jan 2007 - Congressman Culberson urges METRO to build rail along Southwest Freeway, and pledges to keep “fighting to keep rail off of Richmond”
Feb 2007 - President Bush’s budget includes federal funds for METRO’s North and Southeast transit lines
Mar 2007 - Public supporters of rail on Richmond outnumber opponents at Congressman’s town hall meeting; almost 3,000 sign petition of support for Richmond
Apr 2007 - Rail opponents introduce House Bill 1813 to gut METRO board; Texans for True Mobility spokesman Chris Begala testifies in its favor; lacking legislative support, the bill is left to die in committee
Apr 2007 - Rail opponents file “202 motion” request to seek court authorization to depose METRO and seek evidence of wrongdoing, not just on the University line but on other corridors