Norfolk Light Rail and Transit

[urbanfan]

I think it will happen too, but certainly not tomorrow. I don't even know that a Va Beach portion ever made it beyond DEIS.

There never was a Virginia Beach Portion. The original line was a Norfolk_Virginia Beach line. The line was awaiting federal approval, basically it was as far along as this line was except that finally we now have federal approval. All environmental empact statements were finished. The original line was very advanced before Virginia Beach voters shot it down.

[VAGATOR]

Va Beach will leach on this project soon enough. They have to sooner than later.

[rusthebuss]

I don't know if they will or will not. They need to for this to be successful. It needs to run through Chesapeake, Northern Suffolk and Portsmouth with Vabeach. Pennisula needs to kick it in high gear as well. I wonder if they will eventually just widen the HRBT and add rail lines to it.

[VAGATOR]

I meant if they want their "downtown" and already losing money convention center to be truly successful, they have to link up with mass transit.

[rusthebuss]

I meant if they want their "downtown" and already losing money convention center to be truly successful, they have to link up with mass transit.

I totally agree but I'm just not sure if Vabeach sees the total pic of what it could do for the region and for itself.

[urbanvb]

I wonder if we should rename this thread so we can discuss both the implications of Norfolk's light rail and also discuss rail for the other cities such as VB.

[Padman]

The key to success for this thing is density. The participating cities have to create a dense transit corridor along Rt. 264/VB Blvd. to pull this off. Right now all we have are some promising nodal destinations, such as downtown Norfolk, Newtown/Military Circle, Pembroke/Town Center and the Oceanfront. Policies to create dense mixed use with substantial amounts of housing along the LRT corridor are needed. Virginia Beach has taken a generally positive approach to this with a Strategic Growth Areas concept in it's Comprehensive Plan, but there has to be a market response. This will take some time.

[vdogg]

Just a friendly reminder

Come to a Public Meeting on Light Rail

COUNCILMAN RANDY WRIGHT

Will be discussing Light Rail

The status of the project, planned stops, and other details to inform downtown residents and workers about this new initiative will be discussed.

September 13, 2006

Noon-1:30PM

Kirn Memorial Library, 2nd Floor

301 E. City Hall Avenue, Norfolk

664-7384

Feel free to bring your lunch. Drinks will be available.

^^^That's next Wednesday. Will anyone be able to attend this?

[rusthebuss]

Just a friendly reminder

Feel free to bring your lunch. Drinks will be available.

^^^That's next Wednesday. Will anyone be able to attend this?

Maybe Pirate could attentd and report back for us! I'm working all the time and don't get the chance to attend things like this. I wish sometimes they would make the meetings were most working people could attend.

[urbanlife]

When you talk about East Freemason, are you refering to the major condo/apartment developments along Boush and Brambleton?

East Freemason is the neighborhood that is east of St Paul. The huge section 8 housing that will go under redevelopment, probably in the next few years and will probably be worked back into alignment with downtown and increased density......or at least one can hope.

[gosscj]

East Freemason is the neighborhood that is east of St Paul. The huge section 8 housing that will go under redevelopment, probably in the next few years and will probably be worked back into alignment with downtown and increased density......or at least one can hope.

Thanks, urbanlife, I don't know if I've ever heard it called that before.

[rusthebuss]

Thats called Calvert Square. Grew up in Norfolk all of my life and never heard of it being called East Freemason. Maybe it slipped by me.

[Chesapeake Pirate]

Maybe Pirate could attentd and report back for us! I'm working all the time and don't get the chance to attend things like this. I wish sometimes they would make the meetings were most working people could attend.

I'm a working man too rus, but I will try to attend as they say I can bring my lunch. A man has to eat!

Edited September 11, 2006 by Chesapeake Pirate

[urbanfan]

Thats called Calvert Square. Grew up in Norfolk all of my life and never heard of it being called East Freemason. Maybe it slipped by me.

The road is called east freemason street when it passes by the mall. This is probably not referring to the projects but more likely the St. Pauls Quadrant area where a study is already under way. Which E. Freemason dumps into.

[urbanlife]

Thanks, urbanlife, I don't know if I've ever heard it called that before.

Actually, yeah the neighborhood was probably never called that, it is more of the nickname I always gave that neighborhood. I figured it balanced out West Freemason that way.

[vdogg]

Todays the day. Anyone planning on going?

[willy]

No, sorry. To busy looking for a new job.

[vaceltic]

Senator Allen confirmed today that Norfolk's light-rail project has been approved for funding by the FTA. Go to www.wavy.com for a video.

[vdogg]

Senator Allen confirmed today that Norfolk's light-rail project has been approved for funding by the FTA. Go to www.wavy.com for a video.

Awesome news.

[vdogg]

I'm a little disappointed that HRT has failed to update their site with any of the new documents or news of this. The last time anything was added is May.

[Seven Cities]

I am just returning from the meeting at Kirn.

Randy Wright really didnt say anything that we already dont know.

Once HRT signs the FFGA (Federal Funding Grant Agreement) the process can get rolling in earnest. Mr. Wright said that should be done if not by the end of this week, by the end of the month at the latest. There would be final negotiations for right-of-way property acquisitons along the route. After that, the final design would be completed and presented. Utility work would begin in mid 2007 with the first riders stepping aboard in late 2009 or early 2010.

Mr. Wright placed an emphasis on Transit Oriented Development and said that the national average of assessments of property near rail lines were 27% more than property not near rail. He said to expect significant developments - residential and commercial - near stations.

The room was pretty much packed. I would estimate there were about 100 people in attendance. The faces I recognized other than Wright: Michael Townes, CEO of HRT and Dr. Mason Andrews, former mayor of Norfolk.

And thats basically a wrap up of the meeting that lasted a little less than an hour.

[Chesapeake Pirate]

Report from the meeting today:

I arrived about 12:15, so I can't report on whatever happened in the first 15 minutes. This meeting was basically an information update and feel good session with a Q & A. Randy Wright spoke the majority of the time and answered most of the questions, but others from HRT and the city jumped in too on occasion.

They expect final official approval this month, and that will allow them to immediately enter the final design phase which is expected to take 12 months. They expect to begin construction in mid 2007, beginning with utility relocation. They will only have to acquire/take seven private residences, three businesses and the library to do the project.

They expect their FFGA (Full Funding Grant Agreement) to be finalized and approved in Spring 2007.

They expect to complete construction and begin operation in late 2009. The light rail traincars will be ordered in 2007 for 2009 delivery.

Norfolk will have the honor of beign the host city for the annual North American Transit Convention July 15-18, 2007, following the hosting of Seattle and Montreal in the past few years. Considered a real coup for Norfolk.

Question about additional spurs in the future. Up to ODU, then the naval base was mentioned as possibilities, as was Virginia Beach Town Center and the oceanfront. It all depends on how the starter line does and what other cities want to do. They are very optimistic.

Question about NET bus. It will continue. Route may be adjusted. New buses on order (hybrids) to replace battery buses which only run for four hours.

Question on impacting ridership with affordable housing around stations and affordable fares. They expect to see quite a bit of TOD (Transit Oriented Development) based on what the expereince has been with light rail around the country. This would include apartments, condo's and even some SF homes. And businesses, of course. The national benchmark is that property assessments near stations are 27% higher. Fares are expected to be $1.50, same as current bus fare.

Question on the library, as it is needed for the system and is a prime piece of downtown real estate. This will have to be looked at quickly. Among the sites for library relocation are the city complex, the bus station, and some alternate location in partnership with TCC. Still all to be decided.

Question on risk of proceeding. Once get the final approval this month, only two systems (Hawaii and somehwere in Florida) have ever not been fully funded and completed, and both of those voluntarily dropped out.

Question on York St elevation crossing from NOAA to Fort Norfolk area. Will follow same grade as Brambleton Bridge and be a separate bridge south of the existing bridge.

[gosscj]

Ooooh... I had forgotten that approval for light rail meant the new main library plans would have to be ramped up. I'm excited about that!

Also, this will likely be a real boon to the areas just north of Brambleton Ave, where there is A LOT of empty space in the form of surface parking and land will probably be significantly cheaper than south of Brambleton. That area being just a block from the light rail line ought to make it a lot more attractive.

[urbanlife]

I am really proud of Norfolk right now....it looks like their ready to make some real drastic changes to their city.

............international design competition for the library..............that's is what is on my mind. Would be so cool if someone like Zaha Hadid got to design a library for Norfolk.

[vdogg]

Chesapeake and Seven, thank you both for your extensive reporting. I'm going to quote and repost both reports in the Transit forum in the light rail threads. Not much we didn't know but the new stuff mentioned is quite exciting! Thanks to both of you for attending this.