Urban Research and Outreach-Engagement Center November 21, 2013

1. Planning Healthy Communities through Station Areas Bottineau LRT (METRO Blue Line Extension) Urban Research and Outreach-Engagement Center November 21, 2013

2. Welcome! Why are we here tonight? • Request for information • Bottineau Transitway work is advancing • Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) • Station Area Planning • Learn about improving community health through station area planning • Health Impact Assessment (HIA)

3. Community Health What do transportation and land use have to do with health? • Health starts in the environments where we live, work and play • Our environment has a significant impact on our health, from traffic injuries/fatalities to obesity and respiratory illness • Transportation investments (like highways, public transit and sidewalks) shape our environments • Transportation and station area investments thatconsider health can bring benefits to a community– such as increased quality of lifeand better health

4. Community Health Health disparities • Avoidable differences in health between communities that are caused by a wider set of forces: historical and contemporary injustices in economics, social policies, politics, and our built environment • In Hennepin County, low-income communities and communities of color have higher rates of preventable health problemsthan do higher income and White populations.

5. Community Health Health equity • Results when everyone can achieve their full health potential and avoidable differences in health are eliminated. • Station area plans should advance community health and health equity.

6. BottineauTransitway Planning Where have we been? Where are we now? Where are we heading?

7. Bottineau Transitway Planning Where have we been? • Corridor Challenges: • Traffic congestion • Growth in population and employment • Lack of competitive transit option • Limited reverse commute options • Accessibility to jobs • Limited cross-community mobility • Bottineau Transitway Project

8. LRT Alternatives studied Bottineau Transitway Planning Where have we been? Alternatives Analysis Alignment Investigation Select Locally Preferred alternative (LPA) Adopted into Regional Plan (TPP)

9. BRT Alternatives studied Bottineau Transitway Planning Where have we been? Alternatives Analysis Alignment Investigation Select Locally Preferred alternative (LPA) Adopted into Regional Plan (TPP)

10. Commuter Rail Alternatives studied Bottineau Transitway Planning Where have we been? Alternatives Analysis Alignment Investigation Select Locally Preferred alternative (LPA) Adopted into Regional Plan (TPP)

11. Bottineau Transitway Planning Locally Preferred Alternative Where have we been? Alternatives Analysis Alignment Investigation Select “Locally Preferred alternative" (LPA) Adopted into Regional Plan (TPP)

12. Bottineau Transitway Planning Locally Preferred Alternative Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) 10-11 new stations Van White Blvd Penn Ave Plymouth Ave/Golden Valley Rd (alternatives) Robbinsdale Bass Lake Rd 63rd Ave Brooklyn Blvd 85th Ave 93rd Ave Oak Grove Pkwy (97th Ave)

13. Bottineau Transitway Planning • Where have we been? • Where are we now? • Where are we heading?

14. Project Development Timeline 3 Years 2 years 1-2 years 3-4 years Project Development Engineering Bottineau Transitway Construction Alternatives Analysis Transitway Project Draft Environmental Impact Statement Final Environmental Impact Statement EnvironmentalReview Land Use Pre-Planning Transitway station area land use plans Opportunity-based implementation of station area infrastructure improvements (Partner with land development) Land-Use Planning We are here!

15. Project Development Timeline 3 Years 2 years 1-2 years 3-4 years Project Development Engineering Bottineau Transitway Construction Alternatives Analysis Transitway Project Draft Environmental Impact Statement Final Environmental Impact Statement EnvironmentalReview Land Use Pre-Planning Transitway station area land use plans Opportunity-based implementation of station area infrastructure improvements (Partner with land development) Land-Use Planning We are here!

16. Transitway Project • Seeking funding commitments to developthe transitway • Formal request to the federal government to begin “project development” (2014)

17. Project Development Timeline 3 Years 2 years 1-2 years 3-4 years Project Development Engineering Bottineau Transitway Construction Alternatives Analysis Transitway Project Draft Environmental Impact Statement Final Environmental Impact Statement EnvironmentalReview Land Use Pre-Planning Transitway station area land use plans Opportunity-based implementation of station area infrastructure improvements (Partner with land development) Land-Use Planning We are here!

18. Environmental Review • Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS)now entering legal review by Federal Transit Administration (FTA) • DEIS released for public review in 1st Quarter 2014

19. Project Development Timeline 3 Years 2 years 1-2 years 3-4 years Project Development Engineering Bottineau Transitway Construction Alternatives Analysis Transitway Project Draft Environmental Impact Statement Final Environmental Impact Statement EnvironmentalReview Land Use Pre-Planning Transitwaystation area land use plans Opportunity-based implementation of station area infrastructure improvements (Partner with land development) Land-Use Planning We are here!

20. Bottineau Transitway Planning • Where have we been? • Where are we now? • Where are we heading? • Station Area Planning = Land Use + more • Healthy Communities (planning & community engagement)

21. Station Area Planning • What is it? • Why now?

22. Station Area Planning Locally Preferred Alternative • Station Area Planning in 2014 Planning 11 stations in three phases Phase 1: 2 stations in Minneapolis Van White Blvd. Penn Ave 2 station alternatives in Golden Valley/Mpls Plymouth Ave & Golden Valley Road

23. Station Area Planning What is it? • Plan for the area that surrounds a proposed transit station(½ mile radius and/or 10 min. walk) Proposed station ½ mile

24. Station Area Planning What is it? • “Sets the table” for the look, feel and fit of the station into the community • Community dialogue about needs, desires and concerns regarding the station area • Does not include the station platform • Does not address engineering of the LRT line • May inform placement of certain station elements (platform, electric substations, street crossings)

25. Station Area Planning What is it? • Community-based • Focus is on maintaining great neighborhoods & high quality transit-oriented development. • Creates transit supportive plan that looks at: • Transportation & circulation (bike, walk, car, bus) • Urban design and “placemaking” elements (lighting, benches, signage, art) • Public infrastructure (streets, trails, surface water management)

26. Station Area Planning • Will consider a variety of factors • Demographics • Existing land use • Circulation patterns • Existing community and county plans • Historic structures • Community preferences and desires • Community characteristics • Community health

27. Station Area Planning • Will make recommendations • Future land use alternatives • Housing (preservation and new) • Potential markets for new development • Circulation and access improvements • Strategies for health equity • Implementation measures such as zoning changes, comprehensive plan amendments and other ordinances or policies

28. Station Area Planning Why? • Prepares community for a major transitway investment—Bottineau LRT • Provides opportunities for • Dialogue/input • Exploring concepts/ideas • Considering adjustments andalignment to cities’ comprehensive plans • Informing the engineering of the line

29. Station Area Planning Why now? • It is the right time in the overall Bottineau transitway planning process • Required for federal funding • Helps communities prepare • Informs the project engineering…and potentially influences decisions

30. Bottineau Health Impact Assessment • What is it? • What did it recommend?

31. Bottineau Health Impact Assessment (HIA) • A set of steps to examine the potential effects of a proposed policy or project on the health of communities • Used to help stakeholders consider health when health might not otherwise be included in the conversation • HIA is a new approach

32. Bottineau HIA: Process • Collected stakeholder input through: • Advisory Committee • Focus groups • Stakeholder interviews • Public meetings • Results from other community studies • Project consultants: African Career, Education and Resource, Inc., Northwest Hennepin Human Service Council, and NorthPoint Health and Wellness Center • Data on population, health, and land uses • Employment, population, and transit ridership forecasts

33. Bottineau HIA: Topics • Employment • Affordability: Housing + Transportation • Education • Healthy Food • Physical Activity • Traffic Safety

34. Bottineau HIA: Topics • Employment • Affordability: Housing + Transportation • Education • Healthy Food • Physical Activity • Traffic Safety

35. Bottineau HIA: Findings Employment • The transitway could improve access to jobs • Increased connections to jobs and economic growth • Construction, and operation and maintenance jobs • Why this matters for health • When people have quality jobs that provide a living wage they tend to live longer and have better physical and mental health.

36. Bottineau HIA: Findings Affordability: Housing + Transportation • The transitway could make the combined costs of housing and transportation more affordable • Transportation and housing costs are the two largest expenses for American families • Transportation is a hidden cost • Why this matters for health • High costs put families at risk for foreclosure and homelessness • Lower transportation costs means more left over in families’ budgets for resources like nutritious food and health care

37. Bottineau HIA: Findings Education • The transitway will provide access to colleges and vocational schools • North Hennepin Community College, Summit Academy, MCTC, the U of MN, and other schools throughout the region • High transportation costs are barriers to attending college • Why this matters for health • More education means better chances to securing jobs that pay well, are not dangerous, and do not have unhealthy conditions • With more education, people gain knowledge and skills that help them access health information and resources

38. Bottineau HIA: Findings Healthy Food: • The transitway could improve access to healthy food • New development in communities could include grocery stores, farmers markets and other food vendors. • Why this matters for health • Good nutrition is vital to health • Less than 1/3 of residents living in Corridor cities eat recommended amounts of fruits and vegetables • When people have access to healthy food they are better able to include these foods into their diets

39. Bottineau HIA: Key Findings • Community health and health equity can be improved though the Bottineau LRT project • The impact of the transitway on health will depend on the land uses surrounding the new stations • The impact of the transitway on low-income and minority communities will depend on efforts to ensure their access to light rail

40. Bottineau HIA: Top Recommendations • Identify low-income and transit-dependent communities that could connect to the transitway • Continue community participation throughout planning process, including with underrepresented groups • Target residential and commercial growth in the station areas that will benefit current and future communities • Incorporate pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure improvements into station area plans • Preserve and support the development of affordable and mixed-income housing near transit locations

41. Next Steps • Hennepin County will carry forward HIA findings and recommendations into station area planning by: • Integrating health-focused design and community engagement into station area planning • Bringing a focus on healthy communities and health equity into ongoing coordination efforts with our community and government partners

42. Station Area Planning How can you participate? In order for station area planning to be successful, we need to hear from everyone. Here is how you can participate: • Attend future meetings in your community (may be hosted by community groups, or by project partners) • Look for future community workshops, focus groups, and surveys during station area planning

43. Station Area Planning How can you learn more? • Stop by the information table • Sign-up for email updates • Visit: • HIA: http://www.hennepin.us/bottineauhia • Transitway and Station Area Planning:http://bottineautransitway.org or http://www.metrocouncil.org/Transportation/Projects/Furture-Projects/Bottineau-Transitway.aspx

44. Contacts • HIA: • Crystal Myslajek: crystal.myslajek@hennepin.us • Station Area Planning: • Andrew Gillett: andrew.gillett@hennepin.us • Denise Engen: denise.engen@hennepin.us • Bottineau Transitway • Brent Rusco: brent.rusco@hennepin.us

45. Questions?

46. Planning Healthy Communities through Station Areas Bottineau LRT (METRO Blue Line Extension) Urban Research and Outreach-Engagement Center November 21, 2013