NOVEMBER 2019 PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT PLAN NOVEMBER 2019 PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT PLAN Prepared for: Hampton Roads Transit 509 East 18th Street Norfolk, VA 23504 757-222-6000 gohrt.com Prepared by: Michael Baker-STV Transit JV 3200 Rockbridge Street, Suite 104 Richmond, VA 23230 804-282-1821 1600 Perimeter Park Drive, Suite 225 Morrisville, NC 27560 919-238-6672 mbakerintl.com www.stvinc.com Naval Station Norfolk Transit Corridor Project Public Involvement Plan November 6, 2019 Table of Contents Naval Station Norfolk Transit Corridor Project ............................................................................. 2 1 Introduction ...........................................................................................................................4 1.1 Background...................................................................................................................4 1.2 Communications Strategy .............................................................................................4 1.3 Major Program Elements ..............................................................................................5 1.3.1 Grass Tops and Grass Roots Strategy .............................................................. 5 1.3.2 Project Advisory Committees ............................................................................ 6 1.4 Milestones and Schedule ..............................................................................................6 1.5 Public Involvement Team ..............................................................................................7 2 Strategic Market Research .................................................................................................. 10 2.1 Goals and Outcomes .................................................................................................. 10 2.2 Methodology ............................................................................................................... 10 3 Communications Process and Accountability ...................................................................... 11 3.1 Communication Guidelines ......................................................................................... 11 3.2 Communications Responsibilities ................................................................................ 11 3.2.1 Media .............................................................................................................. 11 3.2.2 Website, Social Media, and E-Newsletter ........................................................ 11 3.2.3 Elected Officials and City Leaders ................................................................... 12 3.2.4 Translation and Accessibility ........................................................................... 12 3.3 Comments and Requests for Information .................................................................... 13 3.3.1 Project Database/Mailing List .......................................................................... 13 3.3.2 Public Comment .............................................................................................. 13 3.3.3 Requests for Information ................................................................................. 13 3.4 Messaging .................................................................................................................. 14 3.4.1 NSNTC Project Branding and Graphics .......................................................... 14 3.4.2 Summary of Communication Responsibilities.................................................. 14 Naval Station Norfolk Transit Corridor Project Public Involvement Plan 4 Communications Strategy ................................................................................................... 21 4.1 Positioning Statement ................................................................................................. 22 4.1.1 Key Messaging/Reasons to Believe to Support the Positioning ....................... 22 4.1.2 Communications Methodologies ..................................................................... 22 5 Engagement Strategy .......................................................................................................... 24 5.1 Grass Tops Engagement ............................................................................................ 24 5.1.1 NSNTC Project Advisory Committee Organization and Development Goals ... 25 5.1.2 Executive Advisory Committee ........................................................................ 25 5.1.3 Stakeholder Advisory Committee (SAC) .......................................................... 26 5.1.4 Affiliated Strategy: The Community Group ...................................................... 27 5.1.5 Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) ............................................................. 28 5.1.6 Financial Advisory Committee (FAC) .............................................................. 29 5.2 Grass Roots ................................................................................................................ 30 5.2.1 Public Meetings ............................................................................................... 30 5.2.2 Additional and Non-Traditional Outreach ......................................................... 33 6 Regulatory Compliance ....................................................................................................... 34 6.1 NEPA ..........................................................................................................................34 6.2 Title VI ........................................................................................................................ 37 6.3 Environmental Justice (EJ) ......................................................................................... 39 6.4 Accessibility ................................................................................................................ 41 7 Public Involvement Record .................................................................................................. 42 8 Appendices .........................................................................................................................42 November 6, 2019 Final | 3 Naval Station Norfolk Transit Corridor Project Public Involvement Plan 1 Introduction Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) is embarking on the Naval Station Norfolk Transit Corridor (NSNTC) Project (or “the Project”) to evaluate future high capacity transit service for the east side of Norfolk. In particular, the Project will assess connectivity of a high quality and capacity transit service, either Light Rail Transit (LRT) or Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), from the Norfolk Naval Station to the existing Tide Light Rail. The Public Involvement Plan (PIP) describes outreach initiatives that will inform and educate the public and other stakeholders about the Project, as well as gathering meaningful input from the community. The PIP includes the purpose, goals, strategies and responsibilities for engagement throughout the duration of the Project. It was developed with a thorough understanding of the Project requirements, the contracted scope of services, and an understanding of the history of public engagement conducted by HRT and the City of Norfolk. 1.1 Background The NSNTC Project comes at a challenging and opportune time for transit in the City of Norfolk. More than $5 billion of transportation improvements will be made to the region’s interstate highway system over the next six years through the collaboration of 17 local governments in Hampton Roads. While this is an important investment, transit funding for Norfolk is notably absent from such a significant infrastructure program. The NSNTC Project, however, presents an opportunity to determine how a well-designed, high-capacity transit system can advance mobility in the City, by further propelling community connectivity, and moving people more efficiently and competitively than cars. The existing Tide LRT provides a vital mobility option for accessing downtown Norfolk and other key locations across the southern portion of the City. The NSNTC Project will examine how to connect the over 60,000 jobs located at Naval Station Norfolk (NSN) to the Tide, while creating a network of mobility choice and activity centers that can serve more of the residents of Norfolk, the City’s two largest employment centers (downtown and NSN), and key destinations such as Norfolk International Airport. In addition to improving connectivity and mobility for citizens, planning now for the future of transit is important for job growth, the economy, population growth, and vitality in Norfolk. While transit is proven to positively impact all three areas – job creation, economic growth and resident satisfaction, jobs and the economy are showing little growth at a time when the national economy has been on a historic rise and the unemployment rate is at an all-time low. 1.2 Communications Strategy The Project’s communications strategy is based on serving the important needs of transit for both Naval Station Norfolk, the area’s largest employment center, and the mobility and connectivity needs of the City of Norfolk. Messaging must clearly demonstrate the value of the Project to local elected government, business and community leaders, and the general citizenry. While there are November 6, 2019 Final | 4 Naval Station Norfolk Transit Corridor Project Public Involvement Plan multiple benefits from the Project, communications