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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 2a - Gold Line Parking Structure Open. GQ�LIFORN —�9 mco�oo.aica a�suse s, ivas DATE: August 19, 2014 STAFF REPORT Development Services Department TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council FROM: Jason Kruckeberg, Assistant City Manager /Development Services Director Phil A. Wray, Deputy Director of Development Services /City Engineer By: Linda Hui, Transportation Services Manager SUBJECT: CONSIDERATION OF REQUEST TO OPEN THE GOLD LINE ARCADIA STATION PARKING STRUCTURE FOR PUBLIC USE IN ADVANCE OF THE OPENING OF THE LIGHT RAIL SERVICE Recommendation: Direct City Manager to work with the Gold Line to explore a leasing agreement SUMMARY The construction of the Gold Line parking structure at Arcadia Station is underway and expected to be completed well in advance of the initiation of the Gold Line light rail operation. The City Council has expressed concerns over the time gap in the completion of the parking structure and the opening of light rail service. Therefore, at the City Council meeting on July 8, 2014, the City Council directed that a Resolution be prepared requesting that the Gold Line Foothill Extension Construction Authority (Authority) open the Arcadia Parking Structure to public use as soon as it is completed. Staff has been in contact with the Authority, who has agreed to allow the facility to be opened as long as the City enters into a leasing agreement to take over maintenance and liability in the interim. It is recommended that the City Council direct staff to continue exploring this alternative. BACKGROUND As part of the Gold Line Foothill Extension project, Phase 2A segment from Sierra Madre Villa Station in Pasadena to the Azusa Citrus Station in Azusa, the Authority is building a 300 space parking structure for the Arcadia Station. Although the City will not own or operate the parking structure, the City has worked extensively with the Authority in the development of plans for many elements of the structure, and all elements of the adjoining Transit Plaza. In fact, the City has elected to implement "betterments" to improve the aesthetics of the structure, as well as the station area. Construction of the parking structure began in February 2014. Use of Gold Line Parking Structure August 19, 2014 Page 2 of 3 DISCUSSION The construction of the parking structure is well underway, and is expected to be completed in late 2014. However, the Gold Line light rail operation will not begin until early 2016. Thus, the parking structure will be inactive and closed off for at least one year until Gold Line operations begin. Fencing off a structure of this magnitude in the Downtown area could potentially create an eyesore and attract undesirable activities. Also, having a completed structure with a total of 300 parking spaces going unused may lead to frustration for patrons of the Downtown area; this is especially true in light of potential developments elsewhere in the Downtown that may temporarily hinder available parking in the Downtown area. Requesting that the Authority open the parking structure to public use as soon as the construction is completed may address these potential issues. After preliminary discussions with the Authority of the possibility of opening the parking structure early, the Authority raised a number of concerns that must be considered. • The Gold Line parking structure's sole purpose is for the users of the Metro Gold Line system. The structure is not intended to be general parking for the public. This is typical with other parking facilities along the Gold Line. Allowing the public to start using the parking ahead of the light rail service may create confusion or frustration in the community when the parking is no longer available for general public use when the light rail service begins. • The premature use of the property, may create wear and tear and liability issues for the Authority and Metro, and may impact their contract with Webcor (the contractor). Once the parking structure is transferred over to the Authority, Webcor will be relieved of any liability therefrom. Once the Gold Line is ready for operation, the Authority will transfer the entire light rail facility to Metro for operation. Metro may not accept a facility that has been compromised or damaged by premature use. Despite the concerns listed above, the Chief Operating Officer of the Authority has stated that the Authority would entertain the possibility of allowing general use of the parking structure provided that the City would accept all liability and maintenance of the structure prior to the transfer to Metro for operation. This would likely be implemented through a lease agreement that would spell out the terms of use of the structure. The agreement would also define what "completed" means (e.g. parking spaces striped, elevator operational, landscaping completed, painting completed, etc.). Costs for maintenance, security, and protection from liability have not yet been determined. Based on initial conversations, it is expected that the lease amount would be negligible (e.g., $1.00 per month); the true costs would be staffing for security and maintenance as well as insurance and defense of any claims that would arise, which could be significant. Use of Gold Line Parking Structure August 19, 2014 Page 3 of 3 If the City Council wishes to move forward with taking over responsibility for the parking structure in order to have it opened early, Staff will work with the Authority to negotiate the terms of a lease. Additionally, a risk assessment and operating cost figure will be developed. Once the alternative is fully explored, he lease terms and cost estimates will be brought back to the City Council at a later date for review. If the City Council still wishes to adopt a resolution asking the Authority to open the structure early, Resolution No. 7045 is attached and accomplishes that goal. FISCAL IMPACT Any lease agreed to between the City and the Authority will include the costs to the City for maintenance and liability as a condition to make the parking available early. These potential costs are unknown at this time. As was stated above, the terms of a lease and the operating costs will be brought back at a later date if the Council wishes to pursue an early opening in this manner. RECOMMENDATION It is recommended that the City Council direct the City Manager to work with the Gold Line Construction Authority to explore a leasing agreement in order to open the Gold Line Arcadia Station Parking Structure for public use in advance of the opening of the light rail service. Approved. Dominic LaZ ar City Manager Attachment: Resolution No. 7045 RESOLUTION NO. 7045 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARCADIA REQUESTING THE GOLD LINE ARCADIA STATION PARKING STRUCTURE TO BE OPENED FOR PUBLIC USE IN ADVANCE OF THE OPENING OF THE LIGHT RAIL SERVICE WHEREAS, the Metro Gold Line Foothill Extension Construction Authority (Authority) was created by SB 1847 in 1998 to construct the light rail line from Union Station to Claremont; and WHEREAS, construction of the Phase 1 segment from Union Station in Los Angeles to Sierra Madre Villa Station in Pasadena, was completed in 2003; and WHEREAS, construction of the Phase 2A segment from Sierra Madre Villa Station in Pasadena to the Azusa Citrus Station in Azusa began in 2012 and is proposed to be completed and open for public use in March of 2016; and WHEREAS, as part of the construction of Phase 2A, the Authority is constructing a 300 space Parking Structure for the Arcadia Station which is proposed to be completed in late 2014; and WHEREAS, when the Arcadia Station Parking Structure is completed, the Authority proposes to restrict access to the Parking Structure for over a year until the light rail line begins operation; and WHEREAS, the fencing off of a structure of this magnitude in the Downtown will create an attractive nuisance and a potential problem as a magnet for undesirable activities; and WHEREAS, to restrict access to 300 new parking spaces for over a year in Downtown Arcadia is contrary to the City's goals of providing an active, vibrant, and welcoming Downtown area; and 1 WHEREAS, construction and development of other projects in the Downtown area (including the completion of the Gold Line alignment and facilities) has compromised parking, access, and egress throughout the Downtown for several years and will continue to do so over the next year or more; NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARCADIA, CALIFORNIA DOES HEREBY FIND, DETERMINE AND RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. The City Council of the City of Arcadia hereby requests the Authority allow the Public Structure to be open for public use as soon as it is completed. SECTION 2. The City Clerk hereby certifies to the adoption of this Resolution. Passed, approved and adopted this day of , 2014. ATTEST: City Clerk APPROVED AS TO FORM: Stephen P. Deitsch City Attorney 2 Mayor of the City of Arcadia