sr-011910-8a~a
,Y O, City Council Report
Santa Monica
City Council Meeting: January, 2010
Agenda Item: ~''~
To: Mayor and City Council
From: .Lee E. Swain, Department of Public Works
Subject: Bus Shelter Redevelopment Schematic Design Process
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1) approve a Bus Shelter schematic design and word mark background; and
2) authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute a First Modification to
Contract No. 9043 (CCS) with Lorcan O'Herlihy Architects for the Bus Shelter
Redevelopment Project. This modification is not to exceed $325,102 which
includes a 10% contingency, for a revised contract total of $984,992.
Executive Summary
Lorcan O'Herlihy Architects (LOHA) has developed three passenger shelter concepts
for the Big Blue Bus System. This report presents staffs recommendation for a single
shelter concept that, if approved by Council, will be presented at a series of public
outreach meetings for further input from the public.
This report also requests authorization to modify LOHA's existing contract. Modification
to the existing contract is required to complete the design phase which includes
additional site surveys and documentation, expanded design services, and meetings
and presentations. This modification increases the consultant's fee from the original
total contract amount of $659,890 to a total not to exceed $984,992. Funding in the
amount of $6.1 million for the bus shelter project is currently available in the capital
budget.
Background
An analysis to identify the boarding volume of all bus stops within the City of Santa
Monica has been completed and was used to determine which bus shelter type should
be used at each location. The results of the bus stop analysis have identified heavily
utilized transit corridors with a high concentration of the shelter locations along 4th Street
and Pico Boulevard. Citywide, the four types of stops that have been identified are:
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• "Type 1" High Volume 100 - 999 hoardings per day, 54 stops
• "Type 2" Moderate Volume 50 - 99 hoardings per day, 42 stops
• "Type 3" Lower Volume 49 or less hoardings per day, 259 stops
• "Type 4" Special High Volume over 1,000 boarding's per day, 1 stop
The "Type" location map is included as "Attachment A" and amenities included at each
"Type" are described in "Attachment D". Images depicting a typical high volume stop,
moderate volume stop, and low volume stop are in "Attachment B".
Each stop in the City will be redeveloped based on this analysis. The familiar typeface
currently used on existing bus stop targets will be applied to the redeveloped shelters
and information areas. Bus stops outside the City of Santa Monica will also be updated
with new more simplified signage, but may be rolled out at a later date depending on
funding.
On January 22, 2008, the Big Blue Bus Department (BBB) presented Council with "Off
the SheIP' shelter designs and one custom shelter design for direction and feedback on
the development of the new bus stop shelter. Council provided direction to develop bus
stop types that are unique to Santa Monica and to address specific passenger needs.
On March 3, 2009, Council authorized an agreement with LOHA for design services for
the Bus Shelter Redevelopment Project.
LOHA began their design process with a series of public stakeholder interviews to
gather opinion on the development of the new shelter design and amenities. Items that
were most important to the stakeholders were: protection from the elements (sun, wind,
rain), ease of viewing (to and from) approaching buses, adequate seating, ease of
identifying stops from a distance, transit information signage and cityscape
improvements.
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Discussion
Sianage and Information
The Big Blue Bus needs to place its word mark onto the new architecture and seeks to
improve way-finding information found at bus stops. Three treatments of the Big Blue
Bus word mark are attached for review. Staff is requesting City Council choose one of
three possible word marks that would be used on the new architecture. "Attachment E"
shows the current word mark on a plain Big Blue Bus blue backgrouhd. "Attachment F"
shows the word mark refreshed to better fit the space, to be more legible on a
streetscape, to place emphasis on the word `blue', and it changes the dot of the "I" to a
circle to compliment the architecture. "Attachment G" shows the same adapted word
mark but on a background using the current Big Blue Bus colors and a circular graphic
element to reference the shelter design.
Route and schedule information will also be updated with a new style of map called a
spider diagram. Spider diagrams have been developed as a better, easier way for
customers to understand transit information and reduce the amount of space required at
each stop for information. In addition, spider diagrams are site specific to each bus stop
making the information presented at the stop specific to that location. A sample spider
diagram is included as "Attachment H".
In addition to route specific information, a regional map to assist with transit planning
and a localized map for an area that is walkable from an individual bus stop will be
available at the high and moderate volume stops.
Shelter Desian
The proposed preliminary conceptual bus shelter design by LOHA adapts site
orientation, existing infrastructure, the built environment and solar angle variations
found in the 360 bus shelter sites throughout the City while maintaining a legible
streetscape through a simple adjustable system. Composed of a series of circular
shade canopies, singular pole mounts and individual seats; the flexible and adaptable
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design allows sites to be individually calibrated. according to solar orientation, varying
site conditions, and to provide maximum shade at each site throughout the day
In addition, by separating the shelter into its parts, the proposed system provides the
flexibility to maneuver components as needed, reduce clutter and organize amenities
through a cohesive set of elements. It also provides ease of expandability. For long
term maintenance, units can be (re)placed on site individually, rather than an entire
shelter. Additionally, the high transparency in the design of the structure minimizes
vertical barriers and visual impact on surrounding businesses and provides users with
high visibility for safety purposes.
Several other considerations were incorporated into the custom shelter design
• Maximum visibility through the shelters to the buildings behind them, ensuring
that businesses can be clearly seen.
• The use of solar technology to power the shelter lights and the real-time
information signs supports the City of Santa Monica's sustainability goals. Solar
capabilities are an option on some of the shelters. If added, solar adaptation may
slightly modify the roof line of the shelter. A study is currently underway to see
how many of the shelters could be powered solely or in part with solar
technology.
• Trash receptacles and recycling bins will be included as elements of the design.
The Department of Public Works has met with project staff to discuss the
requirements for implementation of specific on-street recycling containers.
• The custom .shelters will provide both static informational signs and real-time
signs that inform customers of the wait time until the next bus.
• Incorporating storm water reduction measures into the design and construction of
the shelters has been researched and is not recommended due to redundancy
with the existing Santa Monica Urban Runoff Recycling Facility system, tree
requirements that might be in conflict with the City's list of approved tree list,
added costs of roughly 70% the estimated cost of the bus shelter, and greatly
increased construction time. More detailed review can be found in "Attachment
C".
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Once the schematic design is approved, the design will be developed further and a full
cost analysis will be completed. A schedule will be developed as well to identify the
number of stops that can be upgraded and their locations. BBB hopes to install 50% of
High Volume shelters and 30% of Moderate and Lower Volume signage in phase one,
and the remainder of the stops and locations in phases two and three as funding allows.
Contract Modification
As a result of the design direction and City reviews, LOHA's contract will be increased
to include the following scope:
• As-Built documentation of existing stops missing from original stop location list.
• Additional documentation required for stops that are going to receive higher level
of amenities then were in the originally scope.
• Additional documentation of selected sites outside the city limits.
• Addition of a sub consultant to assist in developing the material best suited for
the fabrication of the design.
• Refresh the original BBB identity with minor design changes.
• Develop visual treatments for the application of existing graphics to the new
hybrid buses scheduled for delivery in December 2009.
• Development of local and regional maps.
• Additional travel and reproduction expenses.
Public Outreach
Once a design option is selected, public outreach will begin. Staff has developed a
comprehensive outreach strategy to reach the Business Improvement Districts,
neighborhood associations, business groups, the Convention and Visitor's Bureau, key
boards and commissions such as the Commission for the .Senior Community and
Disabilities Commission, and transit riders. Public outreach meetings, presentations,
and a blog site will provide many options for the public to review and comment.
Once a design option is selected, outreach to the businesses around each bus shelter
will begin. Information showing the design will be mailed out as well as made available
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on the buses and on BBB's website for comment. Public meetings will also be
conducted.
Next steps
• Council input and approval of a schematic design.
• Fifteen Community Outreach events have been set up between January 13th and
February 12t" to gather input and feedback from the community.
• Design Development phase adapting the design in response to Council and
public comments (February 2010).
• Architectural Review Board for a courtesy review (March 2010).
• Return to council for final approval of the design (March 2010}.
• Complete the design process (May 2010).
• Advertise the project for bidding by general contractor for the installation of the
shelters (Summer 2010).
Financial Impacts & Budget Actions
Funds in the amount $325,102 for this contract amendment are available in account
0410114.589000. Sufficient funds for the completion of the 20 full-custom designed
shelters are included in the Big Blue Bus' adopted CIP budget. The cost of ongoing
maintenance of the shelters is estimated at $100,000 and will be covered by current
operational funding.
Prepared by: Alex Parry, Architect
Dan Dawson, Customer Relations Administrator Big Blue Bus
Approved:
Forwarded to Council:
~~~
Lee Swain, Director
Department of Public Works
amont Ewel
Manager
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Attachments:
A. City Plan showing stop "Type" locations
B. "Type 1" Design
C. Storm water reduction review
D. Shelter "Type" amenities
E. Original word mark on a plain Big Blue Bus blue background
F. Adapted word mark with a slight refresh
G. Adapted word mark but on a more artistic background using the current Big Blue
Bus colors and a circular graphic element
H. Sample spider diagram
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Attachment A
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Attachment C
LOHA
Lorcan O'Herlihy Architects
5709 Mesmer Avenue
Culver City, CA 90230
Tel'. (310)398-0354
Fax: (310)398-2675
Filterra System Research
7a.oz.as
Upon the request of the City of SantaMonica, LOHA has conducted re search
into the Filterra Bioretention System to assess it applicability and possible
inclusion in the Bus Stop Redevelopment program
Background:
Filterra is a biological self-contained. system designed to filter toxins fro m
the "first flush" of a rainfall or "nuisance flows", in order to keep these
toxins and debris from entering the storm water system. This is achieved by
placing the Filterra planter hox up-stream of an existing storm water catch
basin, allowing the water flaw to first enter the Filterra system, and then
proceed into the storm water catch basin after being filtered. Contained
within the planter box is one of a group of approved trees that work to
absorb the toxins.
Reseach Synthesis:
LOHA met with local Filterra product representative Will Harris (Western
Zone Manager) and Civil Engineers from the City of Santa Monica to discuss
the installation and application of this product with regards to the scope
and budget of the Big Blue Bus Bus Stop Redevelopment Program and
existing Santa Monica civic infrastrucCUre.
Filterra quoted a basic unit cast fora 6'x6' box system (rough size based
on typical street size and length) of approximately $10,000. Installation is
estimated to run at 20-40% of the unit cost depending on the contractor and
existing conditions. Total installed cast is estimated at $12,000-$14,000
per unit.
Installation of the unit requires the excavation of the site for the planter
boz, the trenching and connection of the transfer pipe into the existing
storm water catch basin, crane installation of planter box and set-up and
m aintenance of the tree.
Santa Monica currently operates the Santa Monica Urban Runoff Recycling
Facility or "SMURRF". This system treats "first flush" events and
"nuisance" flows by diverting the flow into treatm ent plants where it is
filtered and used in grey-water applications.
Considerations:
The Filterra system is redundant to the existing "SMURRF" system currently
in place for the treatment of toxins and debris involved in "first flush" and
"nuisance flows" of the city.
Filterra system requires a tree from its "recommended" list, this list needs
to be reviewed by Santa Monica for compliance with tree / planting
programs. A copy of this list has been provided to city.
091002 Filterra-System.doc
LOHA
Lorcan O'Hertihy Architects
5709 ldesmer Avenue
Culver City, CA 90230
TeC{310)398-0394
Fax:{310)398-2675
L w
The install cost of $14,000 is close to 700/0 of the existing rough "per site"
cost of the Bus Stop Redevelopment program, and would thus significantly
impact the existing budget.
The design of the bus stop "shelters" are such that time spent on site and
site disturbance is kept to a minimum. Theexcavation and installation of a
36sgft planter box will greatly increase site disturbance and time on site as
well as requiring a different construction team and equipment.
The Filterra system needs to be located up-stream of the catch basin for the
existing storm water system. Given that the predominant location of the
catch basin and bus shelter sites are at the corners of the street a
significant amount of bus shelter sites would not be compatible with the
Filterra system
In addition, considerations should be given to the proper distances from
tree trunks and the tree canopy spreads in relation to the shelter in order to
avoid further site clutter and circulation impact.
Units would enhance streetscape and visibility of Santa Monica's
progressive green policies, and possibly ease the burden on the SMURRF
system.
An expansion of the as-built portion of the existing project would be
. required to include a report on existing catch basins located at the 324
sites covered under the Redevelopment Program.
091002_Filterra-System.doc
Attachment D
Each "Stop' will be individually assessed to determine which amenities they receive based upon
the number of boardings that are made at that location.
The possible amenities are as follows:
i. Printed eye-levels displaying schedules and maps for each line available at that
stop
ii. Line number and AVR information (location name)
iii. No-smoking sign
iv. Disabled accessibility sign
v. Real-time bus arrival information
vi. Large regional and local map displays
vii. Seating
viii. Trash and Recycle containers
ix. Lighting
Special High Volume Bus Shelter Stops- Greater than 1000 boardings. Key locations with very
high volume boardings and special situation stops will receive the most .number of shade
canopies the space will allow and/or multiple information kiosks. Some of these locations would
include Santa Monica College on Pico and the intersection of Pico Blvd. and Lincoln.
High Volume Bus Shelter Stops- 100-999 boardings. Stop locations with high volume of
boardings will offer the most number of shade canopies the space will allow and seats and all
the amenities listed above.
Moderate Volume Bus Shelter Stops- 50-99 boardings. Stop locations with moderate volume of
boardings will offer 1 to 2 shade canopies and seats and some of the amenities listed above.
Lower Volume Bus Shelter Stops- less than 49 boardings. Stop locations with lower volume of
boardings will offer the primanry kiosk which has a shade canopy built in and minimal seats, bus
stop sign, and a few of the amenities listed above.
Attachment E
Attachment F
Attachment G
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