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Interim Downtown Transit Hub
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DESCRIPTION: Proposal interim transit hub to be centered around the Main Library in downtown
AGENDA NO: 21-140
ACTION REQUEST:
? Approval ? Review Comment ? Information Only ? Other
RECOMMENDATION:
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To authorize the Chief Executive Officer to spend local funds in the amount not-to-exceed $850,000.00, to design and construct improvements to streets, sidewalks and City-owned property surrounding and near the New Orleans Public Library's Main Library to create a transit hub to serve riders waiting and transferring in the downtown area for an estimated four to five years until the permanent downtown transit center is constructed.
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ISSUE/BACKGROUND:
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Currently, riders are in a temporary and unplanned condition to transfer between busses in downtown. Following the collapse of Hard Rock Hotel in October 2019, Duncan Plaza was ultimately settled on as an emergency relocation transfer point and continues to operate as such to date.
Recognizing the waiting conditions for transferring riders in downtown area even prior to Hard Rock Hotel collapse needed significant improvement, the RTA Board approved a permanent location for a downtown transfer center on Basin St. neutral ground at Canal St. in March 2021. This site selection was preceded by an extensive alternatives' analysis study. The permanent facility will be 4-5 years away from opening as funding has yet to be secured. Thus, a suitable interim solution is needed to be developed until then.
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DISCUSSION:
To develop an interim solution, RTA staff from various departments including Planning & Infrastructure, Scheduling & Planning, and Operations conducted walkthroughs of the area to discuss alternatives. Staff participated in a walking tour, organized by community groups, with transit riders to discuss conditions and needs. The general concept was also introduced and discussed at the June 2021 Riders Advisory Committee.
The result of that i...
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