(rshsdepot) More on Sacramento, CA

["James Dent" <james.dent_@_itochu.com>]

rshsdepot
-From the Sacremento Business Journal...

City wants consensus on train depot's future
Andrew Plescia
Despite the headline in a recent Business Journal article ("Union Pacific's
plan best, city study says," March 2), the city of Sacramento staff and the
city's consultants have not concluded that there is a preferred concept for
an intermodal station on the Union Pacific's downtown railyard property.
City staff and city consultants are studying a number of alternatives for
the Sacramento intermodal station, and the Business Journal did point out a
number of challenges that will require future growth beyond the boundaries
of the existing historic rail depot.

City staff is not prepared to make a recommendation at this time, nor will
we request that the City Council make that decision when the consultant's
analysis is presented at the March 27 council meeting.

Last Nov. 14, the council directed staff to commence an 18-month planning
process that initially will involve 1) community outreach to allow the
public to participate in determining the future for the historic depot, and
2) retention of consultants to "inform" the City Council, staff and the
community about transportation requirements, land-use/urban-design issues,
historic preservation and financial feasibility.

The planning process to date has included two major community workshops,
focus meetings with a city working group, and individual interviews with key
stakeholders.

In March, the city's consultants will present their findings to the city
Planning Commission, Design Review/Preservation Board and City Council. A
staff recommendation for policy direction on a "preferred concept" is
tentatively scheduled for presentation to the City Council in early May.
Prior to that time there will be an additional community workshop, meetings
with the working group, and other public forums.

Based on the effort to date, we believe the city can achieve a consensus
plan that represents the key objectives of all stakeholders. However, this
can occur only if the established planning process is allowed to work.

We can agree, and must: There are two distinct advocacy positions, and
therein lies the challenge to achieving consensus. One position maintains
that the historic depot continue as the passenger rail station serving
Amtrak. Another locates passenger rail service into a new facility located
some distance north of the existing historic depot.

For the most part, the stakeholders appear to be in agreement. They
recognize that extending traffic circulation to the north is a critical
objective. Direct rail access is essential to developing a new railroad
technology museum in the historic central shops. An expanded intermodal
station must meet the operational requirements of the intercity and local
transit operators who will be housed there.

We believe that, for the most part, both advocacy groups want to achieve the
same goals, and the city's planning process is striving to achieve mutually
acceptable outcomes -- not weigh in for one advocacy plan or another.

We believe it is in the community's best interest to work together for a
consensus plan for the Sacramento intermodal station. Here are a few good
reasons:

City Council direction: At a recent community workshop, Mayor Fargo
cautioned that the council would not entertain proposals that attempt to
divide the council and seek to secure a simple majority vote. Any new policy
direction from the City Council would likely entail a consensus approach.

Public funding: Whatever future alternative the City Council supports will
require significant federal and/or state funding resources. Successful
initiatives for public funding will require political support at the
federal, state and local level, and broad support from the community.

Private investment: To attract private development to the railyard site,
there must be a plan which minimizes uncertainty and the threat of delays
for the development community. Private investment is critical to achieving
"a sense of place" for the railyard, and a major source of funding for the
public transportation improvements.

Historic preservation: Without consensus, preservation of the historic
depot, REA building and central shops could be delayed for years. There have
already been numerous failed initiatives for rehabilitating the historic
depot and REA buildings, resulting in damage to these important historic
resources.

Transit needs: The city's consultants have concluded that transit use will
grow dramatically in the next 10 years, and the current infrastructure is
insufficient to meet that growth. As an example, if recent trends continue,
it is projected that service on the Capitol Corridor will increase from 14
to 42 trains a day in the next 10 years. The addition of Sacramento Regional
Transit's Folsom light-rail extension will add a half-million annual
passengers by the end of 2003.

Future of downtown: Railyard issues will significantly impact the ability of
downtown to grow and evolve into a true urban core for the region. Downtown
needs relief for traffic circulation to the north, new private investment,
creation of complementary land uses, appropriately restored landmark
architecture, and a public transit hub that befits the capital of
California.

Stay the course: We urge the community stakeholders to have patience with
the current planning process, and to let the city staff and the city's
consultants complete their analysis. It is important that the stakeholders
continue to participate in the working group meetings, community workshops
and presentations to the governing bodies.

All of the stakeholders and advocates must exhibit flexibility and a
willingness to consider new solutions and ideas if we are to reach a
consensus and move forward with development of the Sacramento intermodal
station. The best plan for it and the railyard is one that can be supported
by all stakeholders in the Sacramento community.

If you have any questions or need additional information regarding the
planning process, please contact Paul Blumberg, city project manager, or me
at 264-7223. You can also visit our Web site at
http://www.cityofsacramento.org/econdev.

Andrew Plescia is the economic development director of the city of
Sacramento.

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