The Seattle Department of Transportation Seattle Streetcar Center City Connector Section 5309 Small Starts Application October 2015 Table of Contents Page 1 General Reporting ............................................................................................................ 1-1 1.1 Project Background ........................................................................................................... 1-1 1.1.1 Project Description Template .......................................................................................... 1-1 1.1.2 Project Narrative ............................................................................................................ 1-1 1.1.2.1 Project Identification ............................................................................................................................................ 1-1 1.1.2.2 The Setting ............................................................................................................................................................. 1-2 1.1.2.3 Current Conditions ................................................................................................................................................ 1-2 1.1.2.4 Conditions in the Horizon Year .......................................................................................................................... 1-3 1.1.2.5 Purpose of the Center City Connector Project ............................................................................................... 1-4 1.1.2.6 Merits of the Project ............................................................................................................................................. 1-5 1.1.3 Project Maps .................................................................................................................. 1-6 1.2 Travel Forecasts .............................................................................................................. 1-14 1.2.1 Travel Forecasts Template ........................................................................................... 1-14 1.2.1.1 Trips on the Project ............................................................................................................................................ 1-14 1.2.1.2 Vehicle-Miles of Travel .................................................................................................................................... 1-15 1.2.2 Travel Forecasts Results Report ................................................................................... 1-15 1.2.2.1 Travel Markets ................................................................................................................................................... 1-15 1.2.2.2 Improvements to Transit Service - Proposed Operating Plan.................................................................. 1-16 1.2.2.3 Overall Transit Ridership Changes ................................................................................................................ 1-19 1.2.2.4 Project Ridership Changes ............................................................................................................................... 1-20 1.2.2.5 District to District Ridership Changes ............................................................................................................. 1-22 1.2.2.6 Uncertainty in Forecast Results ........................................................................................................................ 1-26 1.2.2.7 Summary of Project Mobility Benefits ........................................................................................................... 1-28 1.2.2.8 Index of Supporting Documentation .............................................................................................................. 1-28 1.2.3 Supporting Tabulations ................................................................................................ 1-29 1.3 Operations and Maintenance Costs ................................................................................ 1-31 1.3.1 Operations ................................................................................................................... 1-31 1.3.2 Preliminary Operations and Maintenance Cost Budget ............................................... 1-32 1.3.3 Supporting Documentation .......................................................................................... 1-33 1.4 Capital Costs ................................................................................................................... 1-36 1.4.1 Standard Cost Categories Workbook ............................................................................ 1-36 2 Project Justification Criteria .............................................................................................. 2-1 2.1 Mobility Improvements ..................................................................................................... 2-1 2.2 Cost Effectiveness ............................................................................................................. 2-1 2.3 Congestion Relief .............................................................................................................. 2-1 2.4 Land Use ........................................................................................................................... 2-1 2.4.1 Land Use Template ........................................................................................................ 2-1 2.4.2 Supplemental Land Use Information Templates ............................................................ 2-2 2.4.2.1 Existing Corridor and Station Area Development ......................................................................................... 2-2 I | SMALL STARTS APPLICATION – TABLE OF CONTENTS 2.4.2.2 Existing Corridor and Station Area Development Character ..................................................................... 2-6 2.4.2.3 Existing Station Area Pedestrian Facilities, Including Access for People with Disabilities ................. 2-14 2.4.2.4 Existing Corridor and Station Area Parking Supply .................................................................................. 2-17 2.4.2.4 Existing Affordable Housing ........................................................................................................................... 2-20 2.4.3 Supporting Documentation .......................................................................................... 2-23 2.5 Economic Development .................................................................................................. 2-22 2.5.1 Supplemental Economic Development ......................................................................... 2-22 2.5.2 Transit-Supportive Plans and Policies .......................................................................... 2-24 2.5.2.1 Transit Supportive Corridor Policies .............................................................................................................. 2-24 2.5.2.2 Supportive Zoning Regulations Near Transit Stations ............................................................................... 2-30 2.5.2.3 Tools to Implement Transit-Supportive Policies ........................................................................................... 2-33 2.5.3 Performance and Impacts of Land Use Policies ........................................................... 2-35 2.5.3.1 Performance of Land Use Policies ................................................................................................................. 2-35 2.5.3.2 Potential Impact of Transit Project on Regional Land Use ........................................................................ 2-38 2.5.4 Tools to Maintain or Increase the Share of Affordable Housing in the Corridor ................................................................................................................................. 2-42 2.5.4.1 Evaluation of Corridor-Specific Affordable Housing Needs and Supply ............................................. 2-42 2.5.4.2 Plans and Policies to Preserve and Increase Affordable Housing in the Region and/or Corridor ............................................................................................................................................................... 2-44 2.5.4.3 Adopted Financing Tools and Strategies Targeted to Preserving and Increasing Affordable Housing in the Region and/or Corridor ........................................................................................................ 2-45 2.5.4.4 Evidence of Developer and Public Sector Activity to Preserve and Increase Affordable Housing in the Corridor .................................................................................................................................... 2-46 2.5.4.5 Extent to Which Plans and Policies Account for Long-Term Affordability and Needs of the Very- and Extremely-Low Income Households in the Corridor ................................................................ 2-47 2.5.5 Supporting Documentation .......................................................................................... 2-48 2.6 Environmental Benefits ................................................................................................... 2-50 3 Local Financial Commitment ............................................................................................ 3-1 3.1 Capital Cost .....................................................................................................................