Meeting_Body
PLANNING AND PROGRAMMING COMMITTEE
MAY 15, 2019
Subject
SUBJECT: RIO HONDO CONFLUENCE STATION FEASIBILITY STUDY
Action
ACTION: RECEIVE AND FILE
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
RECEIVE AND FILE update on the Rio Hondo Confluence Station Feasibility Study.
Issue
ISSUE
At the December 2018 meeting, the Board approved Motion 15.1 (Attachment A) to conduct a feasibility study of a potential West Santa Ana Branch (WSAB) station at the confluence of the Los Angeles River and the Rio Hondo Channel (Confluence). This report provides an update on the status of the feasibility study.
Background
BACKGROUND
The West Santa Ana Branch (WSAB) Transit Corridor would travel over the Confluence area (Attachment B). Locating a station at the Confluence could connect light rail transit (LRT) with planned community uses in the area as part of the recently completed Lower Los Angeles River Revitalization Plan (LLARRP), should that vision be implemented. Doing so would also offer WSAB LRT access to each of the planned amenities while supporting potential economic development.
At the December 6, 2018 meeting, the Metro Board of Directors approved Motion 15.1 directing a separate, parallel feasibility study of a WSAB station at the Confluence area. The motion directed staff to:
• Fund a feasibility study and any necessary environmental clearance for a potential station at the confluence site;
• Commence the feasibility study immediately, with a determination of feasibility and whether to advance into environmental review made after the completion of the environmental documentation process for the WSAB Project;
• Participate with proponents seeking to design and implement the confluence area vision, which is set forth in the LLARRP;
• Work collaboratively with state, local and federal partners to secure funding for the capital improvements of the potential confluence site station, should Metro subsequently find the station would provide mobility value after consideration of a future study; and
• Report back to the Board in six months on the progress of the feasibility study.
Discussion
DISCUSSION
Staff is currently finalizing the Statement of Work and the Independent Cost Estimate as part of the Request for Proposals (RFP) package that will be used to solicit qualified firms to conduct the feasibility study. Once finalized, the RFP package will be released this summer, and the contract will be awarded by winter of this year. The feasibility study is anticipated to be completed within 24 months of award date. Below is the anticipated schedule.
|
Phase |
Date |
|
Pre-procurement (Scope of Work, VCM review, DEOD Review etc.) |
Spring/Summer 2019 |
|
|
|
|
Metro Releases RFP |
Summer 2019 |
|
Notice of Award |
Winter 2019 |
|
Prepare Feasibility Study |
Winter 2019 - Winter 2021 |
EQUITY
The Feasibility Study conforms to the recently adopted Metro Equity Platform Framework through assessing the potential new benefits of enhanced mobility and regional access to the historically underinvested populations in the Project Area.
Determination_Of_Safety_Impact
DETERMINATION OF SAFETY IMPACT
These actions will not have any impact on the safety of our customers and/or employees because this project is at the study phase and no capital or operational impacts will result from this Board action.
Financial_Impact
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The FY 2018-19 budget contains no funds for the feasibility study. Funds will need to be added to the FY 2019-20 budget in Cost Center 4370 (Systemwide Team 3) in order to award the contract.
Impact to Budget
The funding for the feasibility study is in the Measure M Expenditure Plan. As these funds are intended for the feasibility study, they are not eligible for Metro bus and rail capital and operating expenditures.
Implementation_of_Strategic_Plan_Goals
IMPLEMENTATION OF STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS
The feasibility study will assess the need and benefit of a station at the Rio Hondo Confluence area. This directly supports Strategic Plan Goal 1: Provide high quality mobility options that enable people to spend less time traveling. The Study will evaluate the mobility value of a station at this location, consistent with Goal 1.
Alternatives_Considered
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
The Board could decide not to release an RFP package to solicit services for the feasibility study. This alternative is not recommended as it would directly contradict the December Board Motion 15.1. The Board could also decide to delay the release of the RFP package until the completion of the WSAB environmental study. This alternative is not recommended however, as a delay in reaching a finding of feasibility for adding a station at the confluence could have potential impacts to the WSAB project schedule.
Next_Steps
NEXT STEPS
Staff will continue to prepare the RFP package for release in summer. Once the biding window has closed, staff will review qualified proposals and award the contract in winter.
Attachments
ATTACHMENTS
ATTACHMENT A - December 2018 Board Motion #15.1
ATTACHMENT B - Confluence Area Map
Prepared_by
Prepared by: Meghna Khanna, Senior Director, Countywide Planning & Development, (213) 922-3931
Laura Cornejo, DEO, Countywide Planning & Development, (213) 922-2885
Manjeet Ranu, SEO, Countywide Planning & Development, (213) 418-3157
Reviewed_By
Reviewed by: Laurie Lombardi, Interim Chief Planning Officer, (213) 418-3251
