Florida Department of Transportation District 7 Heights Mobility Study Public Engagement Overview June 2019 HEIGHTS MOBILITY STUDY PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT HEIGHTS MOBILITY STUDY PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT OVERVIEW HEIGHTS MOBILITY STUDY OVERVIEW The Heights Mobility Study aims to identify immediate improvements to the Florida Avenue and Tampa Street/Highland Avenue corridor between downtown Tampa and the Hillsborough River (referred to as the Florida/Tampa Corridor or Corridor). Additionally, the Study is working with the community to form a comprehensive vision for transportation to be implemented for neighborhoods throughout the Corridor. A major component of the Heights Mobility Study process has been public engagement. Engagement strategies have been based on connecting with, providing information to, and gathering input from stakeholders throughout the Study process. Effectively engaging the public will ensure that the Study builds consensus among various project stakeholders for project outcomes that reflect the needs and priorities of the communities it is intended to benefit. PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT STRATEGIES Public engagement for the Heights Mobility Study centered around the themes of connecting with, providing information to, and gathering input from stakeholders throughout the Study process. An effective engagement strategy is meant to ensure that the Study builds consensus among various project stakeholders for project outcomes that reflect the needs and priorities of the communities it is intended to benefit. Reach a broad range of stakeholders in the community: Take advantage of opportunities for widespread in-person outreach through neighborhood meetings and community events. Enhance information sharing: When possible, look for opportunities to streamline and consolidate the flow of information. To enhance online participation, continue in-person outreach to organizations, encouraging online and word-of-mouth information sharing though various social and community networks. Identify opportunities to reach community members who are not necessarily involved in one of the organized stakeholder groups. Balance information sharing and input gathering: Focus on interactive group meetings and workshops, in additional to traditional informational meetings, to help balance information sharing and input gathering. Look for opportunities to coordinate with other transportation projects, not just in meetings, but in coordination of substance and messaging. These efforts will help share information efficiently and create space for more interactive activities. Coordinate transportation vision with land use considerations: While land use is not a focus of the Heights Mobility Study, it is recognized that transportation and land use influence each other. Coordination with agencies involved in land use decisions, e.g., City of Tampa and the Hillsborough County City-County Planning Commission, will help in ensuring that the existing land use visions are compatible to the transportation vision developed as a result of the Heights Mobility Study. June 2019 Page 1 HEIGHTS MOBILITY STUDY PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT GOALS To achieve its purpose, goals related to how engagement was undertaken (process-oriented) and what outcomes were accomplished (outcome-oriented) were established for the Heights Mobility Study outreach. The following is an overview of the process-oriented and outcome-oriented engagement goals: Process-Oriented Goals Early and Consistent Engagement Throughout the Study: Create opportunities for stakeholders to learn about and provide input on the Study from start to completion. Inclusive Engagement: Effectively engage a wide variety of stakeholders, including under-represented or under-served groups. Note that Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, and national origin in programs and activities receiving federal funds. Interagency Coordination: Coordinate throughout Phase II with other agencies overseeing transportation-related projects in the Study Area. Varied Opportunities for Engagement: Use a broad range of engagement methods throughout the Study, which will aid to effectively engage a variety of stakeholders. Quality Information, Communication, and Engagement Tools: To promote transparency in the Study process, make information, communication, and engagement tools of the Study readily accessible to stakeholders in a timely manner based on the Study timeframe. Information, communication and engagement tools should be accurate and understandable for the various stakeholders. Meaningful Incorporation of Input: Include steps to synthesize and meaningfully consider and incorporate stakeholder input into the Study process and outcomes as part of a transparent decision- making process. Outcome-Oriented Goals Provision of Study Information: Communicate Study information with stakeholders and the broader public throughout the Study process. Validation of Received Input: Continue to obtain input on the initial action items and general vision concepts that were developed based on the initial Study outreach efforts. Education on Project Goals and Tradeoffs, as They Relate to Planned Improvements and Typical Section Design Scenarios: Immediate and comprehensive improvements will be constrained by the physical characteristics of the roadway and technical consideration of the corridor. Improvements will also need to be coordinated with other transportation planning efforts taking place within and adjacent to the Study Area. This part of public engagement aims to educate about these considerations and possible resulting trade-offs that will need to be made in the Study planning process for improvements and typical section design changes to take place. June 2019 Page 2 HEIGHTS MOBILITY STUDY PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT Evaluation and Prioritization of Proposed Typical Section Design Scenarios and Other Mobility Improvements: Stakeholder input will be used as part of the evaluation and prioritization of proposed improvements, both immediate and longer-term, as part of the analysis process. PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT STAKEHOLDERS The following is a list of key stakeholders, in addition to the general public, that were identified for outreach: Transportation/Planning Agency Stakeholders • FDOT District Seven • Hillsborough Metropolitan Planning Organization • City of Tampa • Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority • Tampa Bay Area Regional Transit Authority Civic/Community Stakeholders • Old Seminole Heights Neighborhood Association • South Seminole Heights Neighborhood Association • Tampa Heights Civic Association • Tampa Heights Junior Civic Association • Heights Urban Core Chamber • Hampton Terrace Neighborhood Association • Sulphur Springs Action League • Tampa Downtown Partnership STAKEHOLDER OUTREACH The strategies for stakeholder outreach focused on making connections with stakeholders, raising awareness, and sharing information about the Study. Stakeholder input was provided via in-person meetings and events, canvassing (flyers), electronic platforms, and media outlets. STAKEHOLDER INPUT The following strategies are geared towards gathering input from stakeholders beyond providing initial information about the Study. These strategies aim to provide effective and understandable ways of gaining input from a full range of stakeholders and are organized around the Public Outreach Goals, validation of initial input, education on the project process and tradeoffs as they relate to improvements and the development of concepts, and input on any planned improvements and design concepts. June 2019 Page 3 HEIGHTS MOBILITY STUDY PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT Completed Public Engagement Events Date Event Topic September 28, 2017 Tampa Heights Civic Association Meeting Notice of Study Kick-Off October 10, 2017 FDOT TIS SEIS Public Workshop Information and Outreach South Seminole Heights Neighborhood October 18, 2017 Kick-Off Presentation Association Meeting Old Seminole Heights Neighborhood October 24, 2017 Kick-Off Presentation Association Meeting October 25, 2017 Heights Urban Core Chamber Meeting Kick-Off Presentation October 26, 2017 Tampa Heights Civic Association Meeting Kick-Off Presentation November 12, 2017 Seminole Heights Sunday Market Information and Outreach Identify Potential Short-Term November 14, 2017 Florida Ave/Tampa St Walking Audit Improvements Identify Potential Short-Term November 15, 2017 Florida Ave/Highland Ave Walking Audit Improvements Tampa Heights Junior Civic Association November 29, 2017 Outreach and Survey Input Workshop December 2, 2017 Winn Dixie Pop-Up Information and Outreach December 10, 2017 Seminole Heights Sunday Market Information and Outreach FDOT Downtown/Urban Core Area Engagement and Short-Term December 13, 2017 Community Working Group Project Review Findings Tampa Downtown Partnership January 12, 2018 Information and Outreach Transportation Committee Identify Potential Short-Term February 19, 2018 Nebraska Avenue Walking Audit Improvements Southeast Seminole Heights Civic February 20, 2018 Information and Outreach Association Downtown/Urban Core Community March 8, 2018 Information and Outreach Working Group Performance Measure and April 30, 2018 Heights Mobility Study Workshop Design Concept Alternatives Workshop Hampton Terrace Neighborhood May 1, 2018 Information and Outreach Association Meeting Downtown/Urban Core Community June 26, 2018 Information and Outreach Working Group Information and Discussion on South Seminole Heights Neighborhood July 25, 2018 City