SANDAG Meeting - June 6
Notes from the initial discovery meeting between the SANDAG planning team, the mayor’s office, planning consultants, Hillcrest Business Association and Vibrant Uptown.
The purpose was simply to understand what level of detail existed behind the item on the SANDAG Regional Plan regarding a possible Streetcar line around Balboa Park and possible next steps to move this forward.
There are never enough roads and parking as these neighborhoods continue to add new residents - can we accelerate streetcar
These projects are slow, it took 30 years to do Midcoast trolley.
Just because in 2050 doesn’t have to wait that long. Very complex and very expensive. No funding currently available.
This is likely a billion dollar project… SANDAG would be interested in fundraising with other groups.
MTS considering a ballot measure - this group should have conversations with them to determine relevance to this project.
Cost could be spread of cost of projects existence. More important than rapid bus line - which doesn’t have permanence. Lines get cut. We need a permanent solution for these communities to spur development.
Projects could be funded by host of different sources. Increment financing locally. Get the ball rolling - could it be moved forward?
Yes, In order to attract state and federal funding need local funding sources. Look at grants…CALTRANS planning grants for example.
The first step is to flesh out the plan and prepare for possible environmental reports. How much does planning cost? . Likely around $500K
What technology? Is street car the right technology? Lot’s of questions we need answered. Are we hitting the right places? It's important that the routes serve both business and residential , avoid routes that don’t connect people and destinations directly
MTS did a feasibility study decades ago. Is this the same streetcar? street car around the Balboa Park?
2015 had 4 streetcars but narrowed it down to one line around the park. Regional plan is just one street car. Plan is to study again in 3 years.
Vibrant Uptown is leading conversations with local community planning groups to gauge interest and support.
Questions arising include: Possible routes and issues, should it operate at grade level with more frequent stops to allow easy walk on, walk off. Can it connect local needs with regional and last mile transit.
Hillcrest Plan increased zoning density I.e. cc3-11. Most growth in Bankers Hill, Hillcrest, North Park and Downtown. The land use is definitely there. Build more momentum. Building enough support to get included in ballot measure.
Look for planning grant. Make plans to have a conversation soon with MTS (ballot measure). Included when doing polling. Creative local financing. Will require federal funding sources will be looking for a match.
Working with business owners. Everybody loves the concept but closing driveways, intersections, parking gets people excited and opposed.
Where would this project sit within the city departments? This is a question that needs to be resolved, especially with recent departmental realignments. If moves forward, combo of engineering capital projects. Transportation, planning, others?.
Our next step will be to arrange a meeting with a few folks with Council member Whitburn. (tentative early July, after budget season).
