transit as a catalyst for a winning region: a denver case study€¦ · 17-05-2018 · bankruptcy...
TRANSCRIPT
Transit as a Catalyst for a Winning Region:A Denver Case Study
Maria Garcia BerryMay 17, 2018
Regionalism is Born
1960s 100-year Flood
1970s School Desegregation and BusingAnnexation Wars
1980s Retail WarsDenver International AirportConvention Center16th Street Mall
2
Regionalism Grows Up
1990s: Formation of Metro Mayors CaucusSports FacilitiesT-REX Project - Rail and RoadsTABOR – Taxpayers’ Bill of Rights
2000s: Water WarsFasTracks - Expansion of TransitGrowth and DevelopmentThe Great Recession
2010s: Statewide Transportation ChallengesMarijuana – The New Mile High City
3
The Early Years of Transit
1960s: Denver Tramway Company files for bankruptcy and transfers assets to city-owned Denver Metro Transit
1969: RTD was created by the Colorado General Assembly
1973: Voters approved .05% sales tax for RTD
1974: Denver Metro Transit becomes part of RTD
1994: Central Connector Light Rail Line opens
2000: Southwest Light Rail Line opens
2002: Central Platte Valley Spur opens
4
Laying the Groundwork for FasTracks
• Proposed “Guide the Ride” expansion failed in 1997 (57% to 43%)
– Dysfunctional board
– Conceptual Plan – “trust us with your money”
– The “yes” campaign spent $650,000; “no” $50,000
• In 1999, CDOT and RTD collaborated on two ballot measures approved by the voters
– Granted CDOT authority to pledge federal revenues to retire debt
– Allowed RTD to seek additional bonding authority for rail construction
– TREX expanded I-25 and built 19 miles of light rail3
Laying the Groundwork for FasTracks
• By 2001, RTD Board and local communities began collaborating on a comprehensive, region-wide transit plan called FasTracks
• Legislature granted RTD authority to go to ballot, by petition, in May 2002
• Formal review and unanimous approval of plan by DRCOG (Regional MPO)
• Two light rail corridors opened in 2000 and 2002
• Southeast Line under construction
4
FasTracks Plan
• 122 miles of new light rail
and commuter rail
• 18 miles of bus rapid transit
(BRT)
• 57 new transit stations
• 31 new Park-n-Rides with
over 21,000 new spaces
• Enhanced suburb-to-
suburb bus service
• Development of Denver Union Station
5
Keys to an Effective Campaign
• Research, Research, Research!– Between June 2002 and March 2004, privately funded entities
conducted 3 baseline polls and 24 focus groups
• Throw out all preconceived notions and myths as to who supports transit and who doesn’t
• Start Early – Research started shortly after legislature granted RTD the
authority to go to an election
• Utilize data gathered to assist public policy makers
• Be Inclusive and Proactive– Use the issue to bring divergent views but common interests
together
• Pick the “right” election cycle6
Things We “Expected” to Learn
• Transit riders most likely to support
• Higher income households less likely to support
• Republicans will never vote to increase taxes for transit
• It won’t make a difference in “my lifetime”
7
Key Findings of Research
• Voters wanted something done now to address traffic – 12 years was too long
• Usage does not equal support
• Highways alone would not solve congestion
• General awareness of the success of light rail
• Voters did NOT know about the FasTracks Plan –needed major education
8
Understanding the Voters
• Understand your voting “world”
– Develop a “voting model” on how to win in each county
– Not all counties are equal – each have different populations and voting patterns
• In Denver metro area:
– Voters wanted a specific plan/map
– Voters wanted choices and options in transportation
– Roads alone were not the answer; but roads weren’t the enemy either – one size doesn’t fit all
– Voters wanted something done NOW!
9
Challenges Faced by the Campaign
• Very competitive election year – Open Senate seat
– Presidential election
– Campaign budget increased by 15 – 20%
– Ballot clutter – Colorado has a very long ballot
• Governor and Executive Director of CDOT opposed the campaign
• Rocky Mountain News editorialized against the campaign 13 times
10
Key Messages
• The Map was key
• Translated the cost - 4 pennies on a $10 purchase
• The time is now (“Population Explosion”)
• Can’t stop growth - must plan for it (“Highways Not the Answer”)
• FasTracks provides choices (“New Door to the City”)
• Unanimous support of all 32 Mayors in the region
11
Election Results
• Final results:YES – 57%NO – 43%
• All Republican majority counties voted for FasTracks
• One out of three Democratic counties voted against FasTracks
12
The Elements of Success• Created a disciplined, focused, flexible campaign plan
– Anticipate changing world of electoral politics
– Plan for surprise events
• On-time/On-budget delivery– RTD and the region had undertaken large infrastructure projects
and delivered them on time and on budget
• What it takes– Strength, passion, commitment, courage and unbridled
determination to deliver
• Great city and region – Need desire and political will to be a great city and region
• Vision– Should be lofty, but attainable– Should capture the region’s imagination
• A plan– Must have a specific plan13
What it Takes to Win
• Start early
• Political will
• Business/community/environmental support
• Public buy in – research is key
• Plan for implementing
• Strong public education campaign
• Gauge the economy and the impact on voter
• Choosing the best election cycle possible 14
RTD Today
15
• Service Area Statistics
– Population: 3.03 million
– Cities and Towns Serviced: 42 municipalities, 8 counties
– Square miles in service area: 2,342
• Ridership
– Average weekday boardings: 336,576
– Annual boardings: 100,942,818
• Total Operating Budget
– 2017: 626.1 million
• Fixed Routes
– Commuter Rail: 2
– Light Rail: 8
– Bus: 132
FasTracks Progress2013: W Line opened
2014: Denver Union Station openedMetroRide opened
2016: University of Colorado A Line openedB Line openedFlatiron Flyer opened
2017: R Line opened
2019: G Line and N Line scheduled to open
15
Leveraging Federal Funds
15
Project Total Cost Federal % Federal
Flatiron Flyer $190 M $0 0%Central Platte Valley $48 M $0 0%
West Rail Line $678 M $309 M 44%
Central $117 M $0 0%Southwest Corridor $178 M $120 M 80%
North Metro $837 M $0 0%Eagle P3 Project $2.3 B $1 B 52%
R Line $677 M $0 0%
Southeast Corridor $879 M $525 M 60%Southeast Extension $232 M $92 M 43%
• $5.6 billion spent since 2004 election
• $1.767 billion in federal funding
• Federal funds equal 33.8% of overall budget
Private Investment Follows Transit
15
• Nearly $3B in private investment around Union Station since 2009
• 77% of office space build in last decade in the Denver Tech Center along I-25
• 40% of multifamily units proposed or under construction are within ½ miles of rail transit
Questions?
Maria Garcia BerryCRL Associates, Inc.
1660 Lincoln Street, Suite 1800Denver, CO 80264
16