Transit Oriented Commercial Revitalization in Crotona East, The Bronx

WHEDco s work in the South Bronx WHEDco begins working in the South Bronx in 1991 Initiatives: early childhood education and youth development, family support, home based childcare microenterprise, food business incubation, and community development

WHEDco Housing and Community Development Areas

Crotona East, The Bronx Inside the Freeman Street Theatre. From the Collections of the City Museum of New York

Crotona East, The Bronx 1960 s-1970 s: White flight occurs with the housing boom in the suburbs and as the minority Black and Puerto Rican population in the inner city grow. 1977: President Carter visits Charlotte street and the South Bronx becomes a national symbol of urban collapse. 1977, President Carter s visit to Charlotte Street. New York Times.

Crotona East, The Bronx Early to late 1980 s: Construction begins in the area with the development of Charlotte Gardens and Mid-Bronx Desperadoes two story townhouse 1990s-2000-Population increases, but vacant lots and dilapidated buildings remain, and crime persists. Vacant Lot, Southern Boulevard, 1989-90. Larry Racioppo 1981: Scene from the film Fort Apache, The Bronx

Crotona East, The Bronx 2005: WHEDco is awarded a site in Crotona East. 2006-2007: WHEDco expands its after school program to nearby P.S. 2 and begins commercial revitalization and community safety initiatives. 2005: Vacant Urban Renewal Site. Louis Niñé Blvd. near Southern Blvd.

Why Commercial Revitalization?

Neighborhood Needs

Retail Discontinuity

Demographics A Growing Neighborhood Population growth 2000 to 2010 16.6% Population growth 2011 to 2016 3.5% (at the 0.5 mile from Freeman Street) 5 95 new residences 6. 103 new residences 7. 84 new residences 8. 123 new residences 9. 174 new residences New Developments A. 123 new residences Total New Residences: 702

WHEDco Commercial Corridor Target area - one-mile strip of Southern Boulevard along 2/5 train and a one block stretch on Louis Niñé Boulevard from Jennings Street to Southern Boulevard as focus of commercial revitalization work. Interventions are targeted around three train stations: Simpson Street, Freeman Street, and 174 th Street. Three train stations are potential hubs for commercial revitalization. Stations are located in ½ mile increments along the corridor. Southern Boulevard Business Mile with intervention areas highlighted in red

Transportation, Access and Pedestrian Counts 174th St. Subway ( train), 7,049 weekday boardings Southern Blvd. & Freeman St., 1,981 pedestrians/hr (am peak) Southern Blvd. & Louis Niñé Blvd., 6,600 vehicles/day Freeman St. Subway ( train), 4,832 weekday boardings Bx19 bus along Southern Blvd., 29,000 riders/day Simpson St. Subway, 9,421 weekday boardings Southern Blvd. & Aldus St., 11,200 vehicles/day

Land Uses Fifty-six (56%) percent of the activity on Southern Boulevard is commercial in nature Vacant lots (15%) Parking (12%) Industrial and institutional uses (a combined 12%) Zoned C8-3 along two stretches Awkward mix of uses inhibits a contiguous retail community

Crotona East Community Planning Meetings

Community Development and Retail Attraction

Community Development and Retail Attraction Rolling Up the Gates Retail Tour, 2011

Results of Commercial Revitalization Work

Lessons Learned 1. Target retailers that match our neighborhood. 2.Find prospective retailers that already have two or more stores. 3. Prospecting among our merchants

What s Next?

FTA s New Starts Program and the Livability Initiative: Updates from the Federal Perspective 2012 APA National Conference - Los Angeles S-505: Transit-Focused Community Revitalization and Retail Development James J. Garland New Starts Team Leader, FTA Office of Planning Washington, D.C.

Presentation Overview The New Starts Program Brief overview of the New Starts and Small Starts Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) DOT/HUD/EPA Livability Program- Highlights and Accomplishments 2

New Starts Program Overview What is a New or Small Start? New fixed guideways and extensions to existing systems Includes light rail, heavy rail, commuter rail, bus rapid transit A Discretionary & Competitive Federal Grant Program $1.955 billion appropriated in FY12 Demand for funds exceeds supply Historical average federal New Starts share = 50% Evaluation As directed in law, FTA evaluates and rates projects according to a range of criteria: Annually in a Report to Congress (due First Monday in February) For entry into Preliminary Engineering For entry into Final Design Prior to Full Funding Grant Agreement (FFGA) Record of Success Over 100 major projects over 35 years» 3

New Starts Rating Framework Summary Rating Project Justification Rating Financial Rating Other Factors Economic Development (20%) Mobility Improvements (20%) Environmental Benefits (10%) Operating Efficiencies (10%) Cost Effectiveness (20%) Land Use (20%) Non-Section 5309 Share (20%) Capital Finances (50%) Operating Finances (30%) Minimum Project Development Requirements: Metropolitan Planning and Programming Requirements Project Management Technical Capability NEPA Approvals Other Considerations 4

FTA s Land Use and Economic Development Criteria Land Use Existing population and employment within ½ mile of station areas Economic Development Transit Supportive Plans and Policies Growth Management Transit Supportive Corridor Policies Performance and Impact of Plans and Policies Demonstrated cases of TOD Station area development proposals and status 5

Transit Supportive Corridor Policies Plans and policies to increase corridor and station area development Benchmarks for floor area ratios or residential dwelling units Planned high trip generators in the corridor Plans and policies to enhance transit-friendly character Mix of land uses Retail and housing availability Building design characteristics (facades, windows, setbacks, height limits) Plans to improve pedestrian facilities, including facilities for persons with disabilities Local plans or capital improvement programs for sidewalks, connected pedestrian paths, street crossings, and facilities for persons with disabilities Adopted or proposed design guidelines Parking policies Parking limits Parking cash-out programs Provisions for shared parking Parking fees 6

Challenge New Starts project sponsors are typically transit agencies that have no defined role in local land use planning Land use and economic development plans and policies are critical to a successful project rating and receipt of Federal funding 7

FTA S NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE MAKING (NPRM) 8

New and Small Starts NPRM Published in Federal Register January 25, 2012 Comments were due March 26, 2012 Addresses a Wider Range of Benefits Transit Projects Provide and Streamlining Measures Three key areas addressed in the ANPRM are addressed further through the NPRM: Cost Effectiveness Environmental Benefits Economic Development 9

Proposed Policy Guidance Published concurrently with NPRM Provides more details and specifics on the measures and weights Comments received on policy guidance will be considered in conjunction with those provided on the NPRM Can be found on FTA website at http://fta.dot.gov/grants/12304.html 10

Goals for NPRM Capture a wider range of transit benefits Develop clear, understandable measures to support streamlining Maintain data driven approach with quantitative measures wherever possible Utilize simplified analytical methods Retain ability to identify investment-worthy projects 11

Economic Development Current Measure FTA rates the economic development effects of major transit investments on the basis of transit-supportive plans and policies Proposed Measure Continue this measure and add consideration of the SOCIAL EQUITY impacts of the proposed investment by assessing the degree to which policies maintain or increase AFFORDABLE HOUSING are in place 12

SUSTAINABLE AND LIVABLE COMMUNITIES INITIATIVE 13

Partnership for Sustainable Communities Principles Guiding the Partnership s Work 1. Provide more transportation choices. Develop safe, reliable and economical transportation choices to decrease household transportation costs, reduce our nation s dependence on foreign oil, improve air quality, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote public health. 2. Promote equitable, affordable housing. Expand location- and energy-efficient housing choices for people of all ages, incomes, races and ethnicities to increase mobility and lower the combined cost of housing and transportation. 3. Enhance economic competitiveness. Improve economic competitiveness through reliable and timely access to employment centers, educational opportunities, services and other basic needs by workers as well as expanded business access to markets. 14

Partnership for Sustainable Communities Principles Guiding the Partnership s Work 4. Support existing communities. Target federal funding toward existing communities through such strategies as transit-oriented, mixed-use development and land recycling to increase community revitalization, improve the efficiency of public works investments, and safeguard rural landscapes. 5. Coordinate policies and leverage investment. Align federal policies and funding to remove barriers to collaboration, leverage funding and increase the accountability and effectiveness of all levels of government to plan for future growth, including making smart energy choices such as locally generated renewable energy. 6. Value communities and neighborhoods. Enhance the unique characteristics of all communities by investing in healthy, safe and walkable neighborhoods rural, urban or suburban. 15

Livability Focused Funding Opportunities FY12 Notices of Funding Availability Amount Available (millions) Notice Published Application Deadline State of Good Repair (Bus and Bus Facilities) $ 650.0 2/7/2012 3/22/2012 Livability Expansion Initiative Alternatives Analysis $ 25.0 3/12/2012 4/19/2012 Bus and Bus Facilities $ 125.0 2/7/2012 3/29/2012 Sustainability Programs Clean Fuels $ 51.5 2/7/2012 4/5/2012 Veteran's Initiative $ 30.0 2/7/2012 4/19/2012 Other Transit in the Parks $ 26.8 3/10/2011 5/9/2011 Tribal Transit $ 15.0 3/9/2012 5/10/2012 16

17 TIGER Grant Program Provides funds to invest in road, rail, transit and port projects that address national objectives A quick look by the numbers $1.5B for TIGER I $600M for TIGER II $526.9M for TIGER III

Take Home Tools and Resources Livability Tools US DOT Climate Change Clearinghouse FTA Transit-Oriented Development Website FTA Livability Website Reconnecting America Pedestrian and Bicycle Info Center National Trails Training Partnership FTA Resources New Starts Fact Sheets (http://www.fta.dot.gov/12304_2608.html) Current Pipeline of New Starts/Small Starts Projects (http://www.fta.dot.gov/12304_14366.html) TIGER Grants Information (www.dot.gov/tiger) US DOT Official Fast Lane Blog (http://fastlane.dot.gov/) FTA s Notices of Funding Availability (http://www.fta.dot.gov/grants/13077.html) 18

Federal Transit Administration www.fta.dot.gov 19

TRANSIT-FOCUSED COMMUNITY REVITALIZATION AND RETAIL DEVELOPMENT

Field observation

Trade area 70%

Residents, non-residents Residents Workers Students Visitors

Consumer surveys Residents Employees Shoppers Visitors

Demographics Population Households Education Income Age 0.25 Mile Radius POPULATION HOUSEHOLDS MEDIAN AGE AVG HH INCOME Bronx Council on the Arts 3,673 1,155 30.4 $44,874 Central Astoria LDC 10,667 4,887 33.9 $62,726 Court-Schermerhorn 6,078 2,737 34.9 $99,765 Montague Street 14,707 7,315 37.5 $127,305 Mosholu (Kingsbridge) 12,931 4,447 31.9 $42,885 Village Alliance 21,458 10,120 31.6 $128,204

Psychographics Lifestyle Behavior 0.25-Mile Radius #1 #2 Bridge Street City Strivers (93.9%) High Rise Renters (6.1%) Bronx Overall EDC City Strivers (49.1%) High Rise Renters (33.6%) Fordham Road High Rise Renters (100%) Hudson Square Laptops and Lattes (87.5) Metro Renters (12.5%) LES BID Urban Melting Pot (70.0%) Retirement Communities (9.3%) Pratt Area Trendsetters (63.2%) City Strivers (20.3%)

Supply & demand Consumer demand Retail supply Unmet demand 0.25-Mile Radius DEMAND SUPPLY UNMET DEMAND Bed-Stuy Gateway $89,530,184 $91,654,339 ($2,124,155) FAB Alliance $128,119,149 $20,294,866 $107,824,283 Madison Ave. $501,662,188 $359,035,241 $142,626,947 MetroTech BID $30,693,871 $70,062,020 ($39,368,149) Southern Blvd. $61,743,761 $85,210,977 ($23,467,216) Sunset Park $135,358,386 $66,890,773 $68,467,613

Consumer spending SPI Average HH Total $ 0.25-Mile Radius MEN'S APPAREL WOMEN'S APPAREL FOOD AWAY FROM HOME FOOD AT HOME Flatiron $641 $1,080 $6,600 $8,782 Graham Avenue $159 $262 $1,642 $2,465 Northfield LDC $274 $470 $2,892 $4,081 SoBRO (Hub) $196 $323 $1,999 $3,034 Southwest Brooklyn IDC $373 $632 $3,889 $5,384 Westchester Square $242 $410 $2,518 $3,627

Marketing collaterals Decision-making data Frame perceptions mypalmyra.com

District brochure Key info Features Assets

Communicating Targeted Focused Repetitive

Sell sheets

Window signs Proactive signs for vacant storefronts

Stimulate desire Economic opportunity Create competition Brokers breakfast Compare values Property tours YouTube video Press releases Create a buzz

Thank you! community-insights.com

Transit-Focused Community Revitalization and Retail Development (S505) Seferinus Okoth, AICP Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP)

Objectives 1. National planning & transit funding programs are changing local investment priorities 2. Share place-based experience of transit-focused community & retail development Southside Chicago, South Bronx- NY

Key Terms 1. Public Transit 2. Community Revitalization 3. Economic/Retail Development 4. Infrastructure investment 5. New Starts Program 6. Sustainable Communities Program

Transit Leading incentive for revitalizing neighborhoods Housing/business near transit nodes have higher ROI Attractive to investors Transit infrastructure gives you an edge Communities are taking advantage of existing infrastructure to maximize retail and housing

Transit in Low-income/minority communities Difficult directing government attention-dollars Lack purchasing power and market strength Overlooked for larger gains elsewhere Transit infrastructure rich -dilapidated but with potential In New York and Chicago Transportation, is helping to gunner public & government attention in low-income neighborhoods

Federal planning & transit funding programs HUD s sustainable communities program FTA s New Starts Program encourage utilization of existing transit infrastructure Communities are using the programs to expand and support public transit in low-income and minority neighborhoods Federal transit funding is one of the leading impetus for revitalizing minority neighborhoods

CMAP Regional planning agency for the Chicago metro area 7 counties, 284 municipalities GO TO 2040 Plan Livable communities Human capital Regional mobility Efficient governance Implementation: LTA program $4.2M Sustainable Communities Regional Planning grant

Chicago s Red Line Extension 22 Miles N-S 40% ridership 5.3 mile extension 4 proposed new station Major capital project

Project Purpose Enhance economic competitiveness Improve neighborhood livability Reduce travel times to jobs and community destinations Increase transportation options Improve transit performance Support community revitalization initiatives

Your Red Projects Extend and Enhance Red line

Red Line Extension

Timeline 2006 - FTA & CTA - Alternative Analysis 2009-Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) locally preferred alternative CMAP s GO TO 2040 Plan & 2007-2012 TIP 5 fiscally constrained major capital projects 2010-2011: Draft EIS 2011-2013: Final EIS, finalize design, begin construction

Locally Preferred Alternative UP- Line

Alignment

Progress CTA - $8.4 M for EIS for Your Red Projects Draft EIS- underway 45 days public comments Final EIS prepared & submitted to FTA Preliminary engineering - subject to availability of funding FTA to issue Record of Decision (ROD) Final design and construction 2016: open for operations

Quantifying Livability benefits Value Capture

Leclaire Courts Redevelopment Chicago Plan for transformation 50 Acres site into LEED-ND 900 mixed-income neighborhood Commercial development Largest LEED-ND sustainable community Multi-modal transportation hub Transportation feasibility analysis

Contact Sef Okoth, AICP (312) 386-8729 sokoth@cmap.illinois.gov