Dallas County ☒ Resolution ☐ Solicitation/Contract BRIEFING / COURT ORDER ☐ Executive Session Commissioners Court - Feb 02 2021 ☐ Addendum

Resolution of Support for the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) D2 Subway Project, Which Will Establish a Second Light Rail Alignment Through Downtown Dallas.

Briefing Date: Feb 2 2021 Funding Source: N/A Originating Department: Public Works Prepared by: Jurmerline Randle, Foreclosed Property Specialist Recommended by: Alberta Blair, Director of Public Works

BACKGROUND INFORMATION: DART is currently preparing a submittal to continue to advance the D2 Subway Project through the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Capital Investment Grant (CIG) program as a Core Capacity project. The D2 Subway extends from Victory Park to the Deep Ellum area as shown in the enclosed map (Enclosure 1). The alignment will introduce four new stations and one relocated station including: one surface station (Museum Way), three underground stations (Metro Center, Commerce, and CBD East) and the relocated Deep Ellum Station from just north of Gaston Avenue to just south of Live Oak Street (now referred to as Live Oak Station). More information about the project is available on www.DART.org/D2, including the May 2020 Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement (SDEIS).

Planning for a second alignment has been ongoing since 2007, and DART has advanced the D2 Subway project to 30% design, which is consistent with the September 2017 resolutions of the Dallas City Council and DART Board. The Dallas County Commissioners Court voted unanimously on August 1, 2017, to approve a letter of support for the selection of the D2 Subway Victory Park Right- of-Way Option, which is reflected in the current project design.

In addition, on November 11, 2020, the Dallas City Council approved a resolution authorizing the use of parkland easements for the project, which was required to complete the Final EIS and Record of Decision (FEIS/ROD). The FTA and DART are currently completing the FEIS/ROD which is anticipated for January 2021. Federal funding through the FTA CIG program is available and DART is coordinating with the FTA to submit a request to enter the FTA Engineering phase, during which a grant agreement will be negotiated, and the project will advance through detailed design and construction.

DART is requesting that the Dallas County Commissioners Court again pass a resolution in support of the D2 Subway project to support its FTA submittal.

OPERATIONAL IMPACT: The D2 Subway will help to ensure the sustainability of the DART system by providing needed capacity and improving system reliability and passenger service through downtown Dallas. The alignment will allow increased capacity for more trains and enhance access and economic opportunities throughout our service area.

FINANCIAL IMPACT: N/A

LEGAL IMPACT: N/A

PROJECT SCHEDULE: N/A

SBE PARTICIPATION: N/A

ADMINISTRATIVE PLAN COMPLIANCE: This action models the Dallas County Administrative Plan in that the completion of these projects will result in multimodal transportation improvements and supports:

Dallas County is operationally a model governmental entity. Dallas County is a proactive regional partner. Dallas County is a destination of choice for businesses and residents.

RECOMMENDATION: Approve and authorize the Dallas County Commissioners Court to pass a resolution in support of the D2 Subway Project to support DART’s FTA submittal.

OTHER: N/A

MOTION: On a motion made by TBD, and seconded by TBD, the following order will be voted on by the Commissioners Court of Dallas County, State of Texas:

Be it resolved and ordered that the Dallas County Commissioners Court does hereby Approve and authorize the Dallas County Commissioners Court to pass a resolution in support of the D2 Subway Project to support DART’s FTA submittal.

ATTACHMENTS: Dallas Co. Resolution-D2 Dallas Co. Resolution Request-D2 (002)-map

ORDER NO:

DATE:

STATE OF TEXAS § § COUNTY OF DALLAS §

BE IT REMEMBERED, at a regular meeting of the Commissioners Court of Dallas County, Texas, held on the ____ day of ______, 20__, on a motion made by ______, and seconded by, ______, the following Resolution was adopted:

WHEREAS, DART proposes to construct a second light rail alignment through the Dallas CBD, known as the D2 Subway, to ensure long-term light rail transit system capacity, operational flexibility, and service reliability; and

WHEREAS, between 2007 and 2015, DART engaged with the community in a comprehensive planning process to develop a Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) for a D2 alignment; and

WHEREAS, during 2016 while DART conducted project development for a mostly at-grade LPA alignment along Jackson/Young Streets, there was significant community and stakeholder concern with the at-grade alignment and a desire to pursue a subway alignment; and,

WHEREAS, on October 11, 2016 (Resolution No. 161692) the Dallas City Council directed DART to develop a subway between Woodall Rodgers Freeway and Interstate 345 (I-345); and

WHEREAS, in 2017, DART conducted a comprehensive review of subway alternatives in coordination with a technical and stakeholder work group and received broad-based support for a subway alignment along Commerce Street; and,

WHEREAS, on August 1, 2017, the Dallas County Commissioners Court unanimously passed a resolution in support of DART’s plan to establish the D2 Subway project using the Victory Park Right-of-Way; and

WHEREAS, on September 13, 2017 (Resolution No. 171426) the Dallas City Council approved by resolution a new LPA generally referred to as the D2 Subway using Commerce Street through Victory and Swiss Avenues; and

WHEREAS, DART has advanced the D2 Subway to the 30% design level in conjunction with an extensive stakeholder and community engagement process; and

WHEREAS, the D2 Subway includes four new stations and the relocation of one station, which enhances the opportunity for transit-oriented development (TOD) and economic development; and

WHEREAS, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) in cooperation with DART issued a Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement (SDEIS) for a 45-day public and agency review period from May 15 to June 29, 2020, and held three public hearings in accordance with federal guidelines for the D2 Subway project; and

WHEREAS, environmental impacts associated with the project will be mitigated and are documented in the Final Environmental Impact Statement and Record of Decision (FEIS/ROD) to be issued by the FTA; and, WHEREAS, the D2 Subway is well-positioned to qualify for a significant federal grant under the FTA Capital Investment Grant Program as a Core Capacity project; and,

WHEREAS, a Dallas County resolution endorsing the D2 Subway alignment would strengthen DART’s application for the FTA Core Capacity Improvement Program

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Dallas County Commissioners Court supports the Dallas CBD Second Light Rail Alignment (D2 Subway) and recommends it be added to the DART Service Plan and advanced through the federal grant process.

DONE IN OPEN COURT, this the _____ day of ______, 20____.

______Clay Lewis Jenkins, Dr. Theresa M. Daniel, J.J. Koch, County Judge District 1 District 2

______John Wiley Price Dr. Elba Garcia District 3 District 4 Enclosure 1

D2 Subway Alignment

1