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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
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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
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Mayor of the City of Arcadia