Initial Report OCTOBER 2012 HISTORIC ARROYO SECO PARKWAY CORRIDOR PARTNERSHIP PLAN
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Initial Report OCTOBER 2012 HISTORIC ARROYO SECO PARKWAY CORRIDOR PARTNERSHIP PLAN Planning Strategies and Community Goals for State Route 110, a National Scenic Byway and California State Historic Parkway IBI Group in association with The Arroyo Guild AFSHA Consulting, Inc. Cardno ENTRIX Paul Daniel Marriott + Associates Sharon Lowe OCTOBER 2012 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSEXECUTIVE SUMMARY HISTORIC ARROYO SECO PARKWAY CORRIDOR PARTNERSHIP PLAN Planning Strategies and Community Goals for State Route 110, a National Scenic Byway and California State Historic Parkway Prepared for: The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) District 7 (Los Angeles and Ventura Counties) and California State Scenic Byways Program through a cooperative agreement with the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) Prepared by: IBI Group With: The Arroyo Guild AFSHA Consulting Cardno-Entrix Paul Daniel Marriott + Associates Sharon Lowe (For a detailed list of preparers, please see page 141.) In Association with: City of Los Angeles City of Pasadena City of South Pasadena County of Los Angeles Department of Public Works Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Arroyo Seco Foundation United States Army Corps of Engineers Mountains Recreation & Conservation Authority (MRCA) Council of Arroyo Seco Agencies (CASA) Council of Arroyo Seco Organizations (CASO) California Highway Patrol Congressman Xavier Becerra’s Office Special Assistance Provided by: Linda Taira, Caltrans Project Manager and Philip Law, SCAG Contract Manager Through Federal Grants from: • National Scenic Byways Program of the Federal Highway Administration, Grant Number CA06 003 • Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act – A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU), High Priority Project, Grant Number CA602, SAFETEA-LU Section 1702, HPP#2713 These grants were secured for the purpose of completing a Corridor Management Plan for the Arroyo Seco National Scenic Byway, consistent with the National Scenic Byways Program (http://www.bywaysonline.org/grants/). Local Initial Report HISTORIC ARROYO SECO PARKWAY CORRIDOR PARTNERSHIP PLAN ii Caltrans . Southern California Association of Governments OCTOBER 2012 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS matching funds for these federal grants were provided by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans). Many thanks to Congressman Xavier Becerra who played a critical role in securing federal SAFETEA-LU funding and for his ongoing dedication and support of this unique historic and scenic corridor. Also, thanks to the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) for their role in providing administration support (contribution agreement) for Caltrans management of SAFETEA- LU earmark funds. Special Thanks to: The Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) for their role in providing contract administration support and contract management for this study Caltrans Management: Ron Kosinski, Caltrans District 7 Deputy District Director of Environmental Planning, who provided executive level support for federal grants, state matching funds, and staff resources since the early 1990s. Among many current and former executives and other managers, we would like to acknowledge special contributions from the following (in no particular order): Will Kempton, Doug Failing, Terry Abbott, Keith Robinson, Joan Sollenberger, Mitch Baker, Garth Hopkins, Susan Harrington, April Nitsos, Denix Anbiah, Fardad Falakfarsa, Pal Sandhu, John Haynes, Rose Casey, Paul Kwong, Sam Alameddine, David Sosa, Cleave Govan, Norma Ortega, John Taylor, and Jim McCarthy. A very special thanks to Diane Kane, a retired Caltrans District 7 Historian, without whom this report would not have been possible. Her passion for the Arroyo Seco Parkway has been demonstrated for decades by her unwavering commitment to pursue funds and special recognition of the parkway for restoration, preservation, and enhancement. Diane had a key role in the following: Re-classification of State Route 110 from a freeway to “California Historic Parkway” in 1993 (only one other Historic Parkway in the state); American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Civil Engineering Landmark in1999; Historic American Engineering Record (HAER) for Library of Congress in 1999; FHWA National Scenic Byway in 2002 (only designated Byway in Southern California); and much of the early support documentation for getting the parkway listed on the National Register of Historic Places (2011). Diane remains interested and committed to this corridor even while enjoying retirement (since 2003). Thank you to all the agencies, organizations, and individuals who through their participation in this Corridor Partnership Plan demonstrated their commitment, activism, spirit, and dedication to the communities and peoples of the Arroyo Seco. (Please refer to Appendix A of this report for a list of individuals who provided guidance and support through a Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) established for this study.) Initial Report HISTORIC ARROYO SECO PARKWAY CORRIDOR PARTNERSHIP PLAN iii Caltrans . Southern California Association of Governments OCTOBER 2012 PREFACE Preface The contents of this report reflect the views of the authors who are responsible for the facts and accuracy of the data presented herein. The contents do not necessarily reflect the official views or policies of the State of California or the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG). This report does not constitute a standard, specification or regulation. We hope this Corridor Partnership Plan will be a living document. It should be updated periodically with new and improved goals, strategies, recommendations and implementation practices to preserve, protect, maintain, and enhance intrinsic qualities (e.g., natural, historical, cultural, and recreational) and resources within the National Scenic Byway corridor. If this can be done, it will promote a wide range of transportation opportunities as well as sustainable environmental friendly tourism and economic development. The authors encourage communities to work closely with agencies to advance innovative approaches for meeting the diverse needs of this area. Multiagency partnerships that include non-profit organizations and private sector partners have proven to be highly successful in galvanizing political leadership and support when seeking funds for implementing comprehensive corridor planning strategies. We invite reader comments, suggestions and ideas for updates to this report. Further, there is a wealth of project background information located in the Appendix. The reader is encouraged to explore other planning documentations and accomplishments highlighted in the report and listed in the Appendix. Direct comments to: Linda Taira, Corridor & Special Studies Branch Chief Office of Environmental Engineering & Corridor Studies Transportation Planning and Local Assistance Division Caltrans District 7 (Los Angeles and Ventura Counties) Address: 100 S. Main Street, MS 16 (12-322) Los Angeles, CA 90012 Phone/email: 213-897-0813 [email protected] Initial Report HISTORIC ARROYO SECO PARKWAY CORRIDOR PARTNERSHIP PLAN iv Caltrans . Southern California Association of Governments OCTOBER 2012 1. INTRODUCTIONFOREWORD Corridor Highlights • California Historic Parkway - 1993 Assembly Bill 1247, passed in 1993, established California Historic Parkways as part of the state scenic highway system. Roadways included in this program must have been constructed before 1945 and possess features of historic significance, while serving more than 40,000 vehicles per day. The California Historic Parkway designation was granted to the Arroyo Seco Parkway in 1993 following the passage of this legislation. The parkway extends from U.S. 101 in Los Angeles to Glenarm Street in Pasadena. • National Scenic Byways Program - 2002 The Arroyo Seco Parkway was designated as a National Scenic Byway under the National Scenic Byways Program of the Federal Highway Administration by the U.S. Secretary of Transportation in June 2002. The National Scenic Byways program requires the preparation of a corridor management plan. This Corridor Partnership Plan has been prepared to fulfill this requirement. The byway extends from U.S. 101 to Colorado Boulevard, 9.4 miles). • The National Register of Historic Places - 2011 The Arroyo Seco Parkway was formally listed on the National Register of Historic Places by the United States Department of the Interior in 2011. All state and federally funded activities must follow the US Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation (Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, 16 U.S.C. § 470f). Noteworthy California Legislation Climate Change Legislation California was the first state to enact a statewide plan to mandate reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through Assembly Bill 32 in 2006 and the only state law requiring metropolitan regions to reduce GHG emissions through their planning process (Senate Bill 375, 2008). • Assembly Bill 32 (AB 32) – The Global Warming Solutions Act was passed in 2006, requiring California to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to 1990 levels by the target year 2020; • Executive Order (EO) S-20-06 - Directed State agencies to implement the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006; • Senate Bill 375 (SB 375) – Sustainable Communities Strategy and Climate Project Act 2008 was passed to provide a means to achieving AB 32 goals for the transportation sector. In response to recent California legislation,