Houston Intermodal Center/Multimodal Terminal Feasibility Study
Public Workshop
August 18, 2005
6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
University of Houston - Downtown
MEETING NOTES
The initial portion of the meeting was held in an informal, open house format in the lobby outside the UH-Downtown auditorium. Display materials were posted for viewing, including case study examples, study goals and objectives, site selection criteria, results of the regional location analysis, and possible sites within Zone A. Members of the study team were on hand to answer questions. The group then convened in the auditorium for a formal presentation. Guy Hagstette, of the Houston Downtown Management District, welcomed those in attendance and asked each person introduce him or herself. Don Yuratovac, project manager of the study, then provided information about the purpose of the study, examples of other intermodal terminals, study scope of work, study goals and objectives, results of the regional location analysis, site safety design concepts, and schedule of future public meetings. The presentation was followed by questions from the audience and discussion:
Q: If Zone A is chosen, would use of the existing buildings be considered?
A: Yes use of existing buildings could be considered if those buildings can meet the design criteria for the redevelopment objectives. Other intermodal terminals have been located in buildings that have been refurbished.
Q: Hardy Rail Yard was recently targeted for enlargement. Have you involved the freight carriers in the planning? Is the rail yard expansion away from the Intermodal Center? Who will coordinate re: commuter rail?
A: Potential users of the intermodal facility have been consulted - including AMTRAK, Greyhound, and the international carriers. Coordination with Union Pacific and BNSF has taken place. The freight rail expansion is occurring elsewhere, not in this location. METRO is currently showing commuter rail in their plan; they are one of the study sponsors.
Q: How much acreage is needed for "A"? Would any of it be within the flood plain? If parking is planned (short or long term), will it be surface or garage?
A: The size will depend upon the program - it could be anywhere from 5 acres up. It could be located in the flood plain - and if so, the design of the building would take that into account. Parking needs would be reflected in the site design and could be both surface and garage.
Q: Will there be special access from the freeway designed for buses and airport shuttles?
A: It is unlikely that there will be special ramps into the terminal from the freeway system, but access design will need to minimize time to and from the freeway system.
Q: How important would it be to locate the international bus carriers at a site "A" intermodal center? Would this complicate future accommodation of mass transit expansion - i.e. ability to make it pedestrian- friendly?
A: Public transit works better than private auto in a pedestrian environment. The locating of international bus carriers within the intermodal center can be managed such that it has a positive benefit to future transit expansion. In Houston the international bus carriers, and their patrons, are very much connected to the local mass transit system.
Q: How much effort is being made to involve the community and to reflect the Near Northside economic development revitalization plan? It is also important to take into account housing affordability, the location of parks, and the impact on the adjacent community.
A: A future community workshop is being planned together with Councilmember García specifically for the Near Northside to involve the community in identifying a specific site and developing a master plan for the intermodal terminal. Two additional public meetings will also be held during this study process.
Q: Are you considering space requirements for a longer term multi-corridor commuter rail system and/or high-speed rail?
A: Yes. The plans for commuter rail helped to identify the potential zones as part of the egional location analysis.
Q: Regarding the area between IH 45 and US 59, the Buffalo Bayou has a major project underway for this area - a canal is under study by Harris County Flood Control. If it is well-designed, an intermodal would be attractive in this area - it could include water taxis. However, it would be a disaster if it is just a bus barn.
A: Objective is to have it be more than a bus barn and have it well-designed.
Q: What services is the Houston Airport System (HAS) considered for the intermodal facility?
A: There are serious issues with availability of curbside space at the airports. HAS is looking at different ways of resolving this, such as providing parking in safe and secure facilities, where people would take a bus to Intercontinental or Hobby. In the long term HAS would like to also provide baggage check-in off- site.
Q: Will Spanish translation be provided in the future?
A: There are bilingual members of the project people on- hand today to provide translation as needed. In the future, now that we have narrowed down the areas to ones which include a large proportion of Spanish speaking residents, the study team will provide translation of future invitation and handouts.
Q: Will you be providing detailed information about possible sites in the other zones as well?
A: Not as part of this study.
Q: Will the intermodal terminal include a multi-service center?
A: The other potential uses at the terminal will depend upon what the community wants; it could include other uses.
Q: Meeting material and notice of future meetings should be posted in public locations such as the City Center.
A: For future meetings we will send it out to more people within the zone. People who receive meeting notices by email can also pass them on to people on their email lists.
Q: What is the targeted time frame for development of the intermodal terminal?
A: We are only doing the feasibility study - it is not known at this time who will develop the site. It may be a joint venture between two or more agencies. Hopefully it will be developed in the very near future. It would take at least a few years to do the detailed design and development.
The meeting was attended by 32 stakeholders and members of the community.