SR-06-10-2014-3NCity of City Council Report
Santa Monica,
City Council Meeting: June 10, 2014
Agenda Item:
To: Mayor and City Council
From: David Martin, Planning and Community Development Director
Subject: Contract for Planning, Design and Environmental Services related to the
properties adjacent to the Expo Terminus Station.
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that City Council authorize the City Manager to negotiate and
execute a third modification to contract #9167 (CCS) in the amount of $228,663 with
AECOM, a California -based company, to provide circulation, planning, urban design,
transportation, environmental, economic analysis, infrastructure, parking, and
transportation demand consultant services for the site adjacent to the Expo Terminus
Station (Fourth & Colorado). This will result in a six year amended contract with a new
total amount not to exceed $1,951,775, with future year funding contingent on Council
approval and budget adoption. These analyses are related to the interim transit use for
the site to be in place at the time the train becomes operational, as well as analysis for
long term uses at the site.
Executive Summary
Long- standing circulation and connectivity issues are posed by the 1 -10 freeway which
physically separates the Downtown and Civic Center, and constrains access to these
destinations. The success of the Downtown and Civic Center relies on the strength and
connectivity of pedestrian, vehicle, bicycle and transit networks.
The City owns key properties at the intersection of the two districts, adjacent to the
Expo Terminus Station, that provide the opportunity to improve transit connection and
local circulation as part of site reconfiguration. Additional work is needed to complete
investigation of circulation options, including possible creation of improved transit
access with a road through the Terminus Station Site, modification of the 4th Street
bridge to improve pedestrian /bicycle access to the station, and realignment of the 1 -10
off -ramp to improve circulation and support development opportunities adjacent to the
light rail station. The analyses will also investigate other potential circulation
improvements.
The Expo Terminus Station is located on a site purchased by the City in 2006. The
station will not occupy the entire site, and the City must determine necessary
transportation improvements and best uses for the remaining portion of the site.
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Staff requests authorization to amend the existing AECOM contract, which was
originally authorized in January 2010 to evaluate circulation improvements between the
Downtown and the Civic Center. The amendment would enable the necessary detailed
analysis, including preliminary environmental and engineering studies, to complete the
circulation analysis and aid the city in providing a short term solution for improving
transit access when the train becomes operational, as well as long term options for
enhancing the circulation and land use potential for the site. This third amendment
would refine $1,171,337 of the original contract scope and add $228,663 of new
consultant services to study interim circulation and uses on the site.
Background
The Land Use and Circulation Element (LUCE, 2010) identified Fourth Street as a
critical component of Downtown and Civic Center circulation, and the Draft Downtown
Specific Plan (2014) refined this concept by identifying circulation objectives for the site
to improve transit and pedestrian access to the station, while improving vehicle
circulation at this key intersection for the Downtown/ Civic Center roadway network.
At the May 11.2009 meeting, Council allocated a portion of the redevelopment funds to
study the feasibility of freeway capping or connection improvements between Ocean
Avenue and 4th Street recognizing this connection as critical to the integration of the
Expo Light Rail terminus station, the Downtown and the Civic Center areas, and as
envisioned in the Land Use and Circulation Element and Civic Center Specific Plan. At
the January 19 2010 Council meeting, Council directed staff to execute phased
contracts with AECOM for this work. On April 12 2011, Council prioritized short term
and long term projects related to the circulation in the Civic Center and the Downtown.
Short term projects required additional implementation steps and mid- and long -term
projects required additional analysis. On September 13 2.011 Council received an
update on the refined alignment of the Downtown Expo Light Rail Station which is a
significant destination, and a key consideration in the analysis. On January 24 2012,
Council approved a contract amendment for planning, feasibility and circulation analysis
related to the Freeway Capping /Bridging feasibility analysis. The work was put on hold
in 2012 due to uncertainties of continuing to use redevelopment agency funding for the
analysis.
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Discussion
In approximately 18 -24 months, the Expo Light Rail terminus station in Downtown Santa
Monica will be open for passenger service. The City has been working with the Expo
Construction Authority and design -build team on the final station layout and access
since 2011. Significant changes in the final alignment of the Expo Terminus station
resulted in a straighter track alignment as the train enters the station, resulting in
improved vehicle throughput on 5th street and a smaller station footprint on the City -
owned property, but the new layout blocked access to the property from Fourth Street.
The Draft Downtown Specific Plan (2014) outlines circulation objectives to improve
transit and pedestrian access to the site, while improving vehicle circulation at this key
intersection in the Downtown and Civic Center roadway network.
Work begun by AECOM under the second contract amendment identified circulation
alternatives such as Fourth Street off -ramp improvements and reconfiguration concepts,
Fourth Street bridge widening concepts, and hybrid alternatives, as well as studying the
freeway capping at Colorado and Ocean Avenues. A new through -road alternative
across the station site was identified as an aid to station /site access and local network
circulation but was not tested prior to putting the project on hold due to funding issues.
Early in the analysis it became clear that the station site, the alignment of the station,
and the use of the remainder property were important components to ensure optimal
circulation to and from the freeway off ramps and 4th Street between the Civic Center
and Downtown. With the imminent completion of the station, and outstanding
circulation issues, it has become clear that in order to optimize the circulation value of
the site, both interim and permanent options must be analyzed simultaneously.
The proposed work under this contract is key to several critical transportation efforts
currently underway. The Big Blue Bus is currently working on the Big Blue Bus Expo
Integration Study that evaluates transit connections to the Metro Rail Expo Line Phase 2
for potential connections scheduled to open in 2016. The proposed work includes
ongoing and close coordination with Big Blue Bus on concepts for a temporary transit
hub which would occupy the remainder parcel while long term circulation and land use
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visioning, planning, and design are being done concurrently, including a long term
solution for intermodal transit interface. The Draft Downtown Specific Plan circulation
actions propose several options for integrating the circulation for the site with the Big
Blue Bus depot to the northeast to improve transit access
AECOM would be tasked with analyzing a number of different circulation options for
both interim and long term use. Of immediate importance is the analysis for the optimal
location, width and impacts of a potential road through the station site, design for better
use of Palm Court on 5th Street to improve the overall circulation network, and defining
optimal location of traffic signals, driveway locations, and parking access, ensuring that
interim uses support future improvements to the integrated network. Long term use
analysis will evaluate potential connections to the sites to the northeast and southwest
which might improve the operations of the overall network, and the potential new
freeway ramp which would realign the 4th Street 1 -10 off -ramp with Olympic Drive (the
"Olympic Crossover ") allowing for better access to the site and improved off -ramp
operation.
Consultant Selection
An RFP for the original contract was issued on October 9, 2009, to Planet Bids that
distributes to multiple registered Planning, Design, Engineering, Economic, Landscape
Design and Architecture consultant firms and individuals. Staff received five submittals.
The proposals were reviewed by an interdepartmental committee composed of staff
from Planning and Community Development, Public Works, and Community and
Cultural Services with an advisor from Caltrans staff. Three finalists were interviewed,
and one firm, AECOM was identified as the most qualified to lead the project based on
their experience, project approach and competitive cost.
The AECOM professional team has the appropriate mix of skills and experience to
deliver the project on schedule, and to continue the additional analysis started by
AECOM in 2010. As lead consultant, AECOM would coordinate the activities of the
sub - consultant team and would be responsible for deliverables and work products, as
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well as regular communication with City staff and internal partners. The composition of
the team includes AECOM Planning + Design (site planning, urban design, landscape
architecture, architecture, environmental analysis, outreach, and Day 1 implementation),
AECOM Economics (market analysis, demand projection, and development proforma
analysis), AECOM Transportation (circulation, mobility, traffic modeling, inter -modal
interfaces, parking study, and Caltrans permitting /engagement/preliminary engineering),
and with sub - consultants Fehr and Peers (tentative- traffic modeling) and Selbert &
Perkins (graphics & signage) and possibly a lighting consultant to address the need for
lighting when the train becomes operational.
The project would create phased plans for determining the best access for a transit hub,
as well as ensuring that the selected short term solution would not preclude additional
long term improvements to the site.
AECOM has initiated considerable analysis of the site under their current contract. It is
expeditious to amend their contract to complete circulation studies and include the
additional services necessary to evaluate the interim configuration and use when the
train becomes operational, as well as long term options for the remainder property.
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Financial Impacts & Budget Actions
The contract modification to be awarded to AECOM is $228,663, for an amended
contract total not to exceed $1,951,775. Funds in the amount of $700,000 are available
in the FY 2014 -15 proposed Capital Improvement Program budget in account
0419098.589000. Future year funding is contingent on Council approval and budget
adoption. Staff is requesting authorization for $700,000 now and will return to City
Council for authorization of $700,000 when additional capital funds have been identified.
Prepared by: Joanna Hankamer, Senior Planner
Approved:
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David Martin, Director
Planning and Community Development
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Forwarded to Council:
Rod Gould
City Manager