South Bend South Shore Line Station Alternatives Feasibility Study Executive Summary April 2018 FINAL DRAFT South Bend South Shore Line Station Alternatives Feasibility Study Prepared for the City of South Bend by: SOUTH BEND SOUTH SHORE LINE STATION ALTERNATIVES FEASIBILITY STUDY Table of Contents 1.0 Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 1 1.1 Background ............................................................................................................................. 3 1.2 Summary of the Study ............................................................................................................. 3 1.3 Summary of Evaluation Criteria ............................................................................................... 4 2.0 Task 1 Summary: Construction Feasibility .................................................................................. 8 2.1 Physical and Socio‐Economic Site and Station Area Characteristics ........................................ 8 2.1.1 Capacity for a station facility and parking ............................................................................ 8 2.1.2 Land Needs ...................................................................................................................... 8 2.1.3 Commuter Access ................................................................................................................ 8 2.1.4 Rail Infrastructure ............................................................................................................ 8 2.1.5 Socio‐Economic and Environmental Impacts ....................................................................... 8 2.1.6 Businesses ....................................................................................................................... 9 2.1.7 Crime ................................................................................................................................... 9 2.2 Capital Cost Estimation ........................................................................................................... 9 2.2.1 Range in Capital Station Site Costs ................................................................................ 10 2.3 Operating & Maintenance Costs ............................................................................................ 12 3.0 Task 2 Summary: Rail Operations Impacts ................................................................................ 14 3.1 Travel Times and Schedules ................................................................................................... 14 3.2 Ridership Forecasts................................................................................................................ 15 4.0 Task 3 Summary: Potential Economic Development Impacts ................................................... 17 4.1 Development Potential .......................................................................................................... 17 4.1.1 Developable Parcels ........................................................................................................... 17 4.1.2 Market Demand ............................................................................................................. 18 4.1.3 Demand and Development Program ................................................................................. 20 4.2 Economic Development Summary ........................................................................................ 21 4.3 Economic and Fiscal Impacts ................................................................................................. 21 4.3.1 Economic Impacts.............................................................................................................. 21 4.3.2 Fiscal Impacts ................................................................................................................ 22 4.4 Summary ............................................................................................................................... 23 4.5 Notes on this Economic Development and Impact Analysis Research ................................... 24 5.0 Summary of Alternative Site 1: Chocolate Factory Station ........................................................ 25 5.1 Physical and Socio‐Economic Site and Station Area Characteristics ...................................... 25 5.1.1 Capacity for Station Facility and Parking ........................................................................... 25 Final Draft Executive Summary | April 2018 | i SOUTH BEND SOUTH SHORE LINE STATION ALTERNATIVES FEASIBILITY STUDY 5.1.2 Land Needs ........................................................................................................................ 25 5.1.3 Commuter Access .............................................................................................................. 25 5.1.4 Rail Infrastructure .............................................................................................................. 25 5.1.5 Socio‐Economic and Environmental Impacts ..................................................................... 25 5.1.6 Businesses ......................................................................................................................... 25 5.1.7 Crime ................................................................................................................................. 25 5.2 Capital Costs .......................................................................................................................... 25 5.3 Operating and Maintenance Costs ......................................................................................... 26 5.4 Rail Operations ...................................................................................................................... 26 5.4.1 Travel Times and Schedule ................................................................................................ 26 5.4.1 Ridership ............................................................................................................................ 27 5.5 Economic Impacts ................................................................................................................. 27 5.5.1 Land Available for Development ........................................................................................ 27 5.5.2 Development Program and Associated Impacts ............................................................ 28 6.0 Summary of Alternative Site 2: Honeywell Station .................................................................... 30 6.1 Physical and Socio‐Economic Site and Station Area Characteristics ...................................... 30 6.1.1 Capacity for Station Facility and Parking ........................................................................... 30 6.1.2 Land Needs .................................................................................................................... 30 6.1.3 Commuter Access .............................................................................................................. 30 6.1.4 Rail Infrastructure .......................................................................................................... 30 6.1.5 Socio‐Economic and Environmental Impacts ..................................................................... 31 6.1.6 Businesses ..................................................................................................................... 31 6.1.7 Crime ................................................................................................................................. 31 6.2 Capital Costs .......................................................................................................................... 31 6.3 Operating and Maintenance Costs ......................................................................................... 31 6.4 Rail Operations ...................................................................................................................... 32 6.4.1 Travel Times and Schedule ............................................................................................ 32 6.4.2 Ridership ........................................................................................................................ 33 6.5 Economic Development ........................................................................................................ 33 6.5.1 Land Available for Development ........................................................................................ 33 6.5.1 Development Program and Associated Impacts ................................................................ 34 7.0 Summary of Alternative Site 3: Amtrak Station ......................................................................... 37 7.1 Physical and Socio‐Economic Site and Station Area Characteristics ...................................... 37 7.1.1 Capacity for Station Facility and Parking ........................................................................... 37 7.1.2 Land Needs ........................................................................................................................ 37 Final Draft Executive Summary | April 2018 | ii SOUTH BEND SOUTH SHORE LINE STATION ALTERNATIVES FEASIBILITY STUDY 7.1.3 Commuter Access .............................................................................................................