Fresno Works Pitch

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County of FresnoExpression of Interest for the

California High Speed Rail, Heavy Maintenance Facility

January 15, 2010

FRESNOWORKSWORK

S



Fresno Works is an expression of all the requirements and promise

of the California High Speed Rail Heavy Maintenance Facility. Fresno

County has assembled a large, flexible site and a generous package

of economic incentves. The Fresno Works site has been rigorously

examined and tested and more than conforms to the Authority’s

exactng criteria. By any measure, Fresno County is the right locaton for

the HMF.

Functonal compliance is only part of Fresno Work’s off ering – we have a

broad vision for the HMF, one that will positon the CHSR system as the

global showcase for high-speed rail, drawing investment and commerce

from around the world. Fresno Works proposes to create a natonal

high-speed rail research and training academy, and is commi

ed tosupportng the Authority in building a facility that minimizes adverse

impacts to the environment, energy dependency and climate change

issues, while maximizing opportunites for green collar jobs.

With the Central Valley’s largest employment pool and most extensive

system of higher educaton, Fresno Works has the right workforce and

training infrastructure to satsfy the HMF in the near- and long-term.

Our people have the skill and motvaton to satsfy the HMF’s strict

requirements, as well as the ingenuity and desire to realize the inherent

promise of high-speed rail in our community.



The Fresno Works wishes to thank all those from the following who contributed to this expression of interest:

County of Fresno

Council of Fresno County Governments

City of Fresno

Economic Development Corporaton serving Fresno County

Fresno, Madera, Tulare, Kings Countes AFL-CIO

Internatonal Brotherhood of Electrical Workers

Fresno County Workforce Investment Board

California State University, Fresno

State Center Community College District

HOK Architects

Darden Architects

Quad Knopf

Precision Civil EngineersTetra Tech



Fresno County Alliance for the High Speed Train

County of Fresno

City of Fresno

Council of Fresno County Governments

Fresno County Workforce Investment Board

EDC Serving Fresno County

Fresno County Economic Opportunites

Commission

California State University, Fresno

State Center for Community Colleges

West Hills Community College

Fresno Pacific University Greater Area

Fresno Chamber of Commerce

Fresno-Metro Black Chamber of Commerce

Greater Fresno Hispanic

Chamber of Commerce

West Fresno Coaliton for Economic

Development

Regional Jobs Initatve

I-5 Business Development Corridor

5 Cites Economic Development Authority

Central Unified School District

Central Valley Business Incubator

City of Clovis

Clovis Unified School District

Fresno Business Council

Fresno County Office of Educaton

Fresno Metropolitan Flood Control District

Fresno Unified School District

Pacific Gas & Electric Company

The Training Insttute

University Business Center

West Side Insttute for Technology



Fresno Works: Expression of Interest for Cal i fornia High Speed Rai l

Heavy Maintenance Fac i l i ty

1

Leadership Vision Accord

The Heavy Maintenance Facility represents an immenseopportunity for the Fresno County community. Realizingits potential will require a determined effort from everyonewho calls Fresno County their home. Our role is to guidethat effort; marshal resources, generate enthusiasm,coordinate effort, negotiate obstacles, anticipatesetbacks and restore momentum when needed. In a largersense ours is to capture a sustaining vision, one that will

galvanize all of Fresno and indeed the State of Californiaaround an HMF worthy of the great new enterprise ofhigh-speed rail. We are joined in accord in this venture,together with the Authority to create an HMF that will bea global showcase for high-speed rail, drawing investmentand commerce from around the world.

That is the Fresno Works promise.

Pictured (L to R): Fresno County Supervisor Susan B. Anderson, Fresno County Supervisor Henry Perea,Fresno Mayor Ashley Swearingen, and Fresno Council of Governments Chair Trinidad Rodriguez





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County of FresnoBOARD OF SUPERVISORS

SUPERVISOR SUSAN ANDERSON - DISTRICT TWO

SUPERVISOR HENRY PEREA - DISTRICT THREE

Mehdi Morshed

Executive Director

California High Speed Rail Authority

925 L Street, Suite 1425

Sacramento, CA 95814

It is with great pride that we, Fresno Works, submit this Heavy Maintenance Facility Expression ofInterest to

the California High Speed Rail Authority. Fresno Works is an unprecedented coalition of community leaders

dedicated to illustrating to the Authority that the County of Fresno is by far the best location for the High Speed

Train Heavy Maintenance Facility. From government to business to labor to education, we represent a wide

cross-section of this proud Fresno County community. The Fresno Works effort is collaboration at its best, and

we believe the fruits of our labor will yield Fresno County as your ultimate site selection.

First and foremost, the site we are presenting to your Authority is a flexible, unencumbered site close to the

mainline and freeway access. Upon review of this expression of interest, you will find all land within our study

area is outside of the Williamson Act and would require little to no displacement. We know this site feature is

of as much importance to you as it is to our community.

As an incentive for locating the Heavy Maintenance Facility in Fresno County, Fresno Works is prepared to

support a process to result in a minimum of $25 million for land acquisition and site improvements. These funds

may be used as the Authority deems appropriate for the Heavy Maintenance Facility.

The County of Fresno boasts a strong and vast work -ready labor force and a wide selection of world-class

educational institutions available to train our residents. We envision this site and your Heavy Maintenance

Facility as the heart of what essentially could become an international campus for high speed train maintenance.

This facility will draw ancillary business and services and the site's surrounding area is ideal for such use.

It goes without saying that the placement of your Heavy Maintenance Facility will impact the County of Fresnoand its residents in a phenomenal way. We are eager for you to review the following pages and would be happy

to answer any questions that arise. We hope you'll agree with us - Fresno Works.

Respectfully,

~~~.

Susan RAnderson, Supervisor

Fresno Works Co-Chair

Hemy Perea, Supervisor

Fresno Works Co-Chair





33





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TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S

TAB 1EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

TAB 2SITE OVERVIEW• Site Description and Location• Utilities• Constructability• Displacements• Traffic and Transportation• Environmental• Heavy Maintenance Facility Layout

TAB 3RESOURCES AND INCENTIVES• Workforce Availability• Economic Incentives

TAB 4A BROAD VISION OF OPPORTUNITY• Public Private Partnerships• Building Interest in Private Investment• Global Showcase for CHSR• High Speed Rail Industrial Park• Research and Innovation Center

• San Joaquin Valley High Speed Rail Academy• Sustainable HMF and Green Collar Jobs

TAB 5ENDORSEMENTS







1

• 700 acre flexible site area to accomodate any HMFconfiguration

• Site attributes that are an ideal match for theAuthority’s requirements;

• 110 miles (test track) to Bakersfield;• Trained workforce with over 2,300 candidates

already identified today who are a direct match forthe HMF skill requirements;

• $25 million in economic incentives that are flexiblefor the Authority’s use; and

• Extensive emergency response and medicalservices headquartered in Fresno.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

INTRODUCTIONWe’re calling our Expression of Interest for the CaliforniaHigh-Speed Rail Heavy Maintenance Facility “FresnoWorks.” The name echoes a term commonly used forindustrial plants of the past. We believe the name is apt,as Fresno County’s offering will truly “work” in everyrespect for the California High Speed Rail Authority.

The Fresno Works proposal provides the exceptionalcombination of:

a p p r o x

. 1 1 0 m i l e

T e s t

T r a c k

Gilroy

San Jose

Redwood City or Palo Alto

Millbrae-SFO

San Francisco

Downtown Merced

Downtown Modesto

Stockton

Sacramento

Visalia/Tulare/Hanford

Palmdale Airport

Sylmar

Burbank

Los Angeles

Anaheim

San Diego

University City

Escondido

Murrieta

Riverside

IndustryOntario Airport

Fresno





2

UNIFIED SUPPORTFresno Works is an unprecedented coalition of officialsfrom the City of Fresno, Fresno County and the Councilof Fresno County Governments working together toensure the success of the California High-Speed Railinitiative and the HMF in Fresno County. These localgovernment authorities have come together in supportof this effort to bring forward a technically responsiveand compelling expression of interest in locating theHMF in Fresno County. The Fresno County Board ofSupervisors and the Fresno City Council have bothpassed resolutions supportingaction to welcome the HMF

to Fresno County and providethe financial incentives andcooperation necessary tomake it happen. FresnoCounty is proud of thefact it provided the largestpercentage vote of any countyin the San Joaquin Valley insupport of Proposition 1A,the Safe, Reliable High-SpeedPassenger Train Bond Act, onthe November 2008 ballot.

We are very pleased to offerthe Authority this expressionof interest and believe youwill find it to be the mostpractical, cost-effective andefficient solution for theAuthority.

Taking all the elements of ourproposal together, it is clearthat Fresno County citizensare ready and available to goto work to ensure the success

of the California High SpeedRail initiative and its HeavyMaintenance Facility.

SITE AREA – MAXIMUM FLEXIBILITY Rather than limit the Authority to a single 150-acreparcel, Fresno County has instead set aside a site areaencompassing nearly 700 acres adjacent to the BNSFalignment and partially within the Fresno City limits. Thislocation starts within an area that is already zoned forheavy industrial use and extends south into rural FresnoCounty, avoiding properties protected by the WilliamsonAct, as well as avoiding significant impact to primeagricultural land.

The entire site area complies with all the Authority’s statedcriteria for utilities and other requirements, and poses nodiscernable issues that may impede development of theHMF. The Fresno County site would also provide theAuthority with an HMF at the north end of 110miles offlat, relatively straight track, likely without any stationsor other interruptions ideal for the HSR test track. Several conceptual layouts are provided for the Authority’sconsideration. There is universal support among thecommunity behind the location. We believe this site areagives the Authority maximum flexibility in how it may wishto develop the HMF.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY continued

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41

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w y

A P P R O X . 4 M I L E S

LEGEND

CITY LIMITS

WILLIAMSON ACT SITES

SPHERE OF INFLUENCE

SITE STUDY AREA

CA HSRA R.O.W.

CA HSRA R.O.W. ELEVATED

HSR STATION





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ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEWFresno County is prepared to assist the Authority inexpediting the environmental review process for thesite in accordance with CEQA/NEPA as applicable.Currently, the site poses no significant known issuesthat may hinder development of the HMF, and thereis wide support for the location within the community.By working with the Authority and local jurisdictions

including state and regional agencies (Caltrans District06, San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District,CPUC, CHP) the Fresno Works team believes it canexpedite the environmental review process by severalmonths, saving the Authority millions of dollars andgetting the project in the ground to meet the 2012project date. These are important considerations whenweighing the timing of ARRA funding available forshovel ready projects.

WORKFORCE AVAILABILITY One of the key strengths of the Fresno Works proposalis the depth and breadth of the available labor pool inFresno County. As the most populated area in the CentralValley, the access to a qualified workforce is abundant.Our proposal outlines an estimate of the size of theworkforce ready to go to work today for the HMF, as wellas the robust education and training capacity FresnoCounty offers to ensure a steady pipeline of labor in the

future (from vocational training to graduate education allwithin a 15 mile radius of the proposed site area).

The skilled labor required for the HMF is a perfect fitfor our region’s labor supply. We understand the HMFwould employ people at all levels, but largely technicallytrained workers will be required. Maintenance and railmachinist-type workers will require technical trainingdegrees. Our educational and training institutionshave been close collaborators on this proposal and

have documented their current ability to provide theappropriate levels of technical training required, as wellas their willingness to expand education and trainingprograms as required to ensure the success of the HMF.Fresno County has a comprehensive and exceptionaleducational and training infrastructure to support therequired labor market.

HIGHER EDUCATIONFresno County has a number of higher educationinstitutions that can provide the trained work forcenecessary for the development and sustainability of theHMF. Leading the way is Lyles College of Engineeringat California State University, Fresno. With more than1,400 students and a large number of highly qualifiedfaculty in civil, computer, electrical, mechanicaland geomatics engineering, and in constructionmanagement, the college is a valuable resource forthe HMF. In addition, the State Center CommunityCollege District, which includes Fresno City College,Reedley College, Clovis Center and Willow Internationalprovide nationally recognized vocational education.These institutions can provide education and training invirtually every field and discipline that may be neededby the HMF.

ECONOMIC INCENTIVESIn order to maximize the Authority’s flexibility indevelopment of the HMF in Fresno County, we havecommitted $25 million in financial support the Authority

can use for site acquisition, infrastructure, utilitiesand/or construction. The magnitude of this financialcommitment demonstrates our willingness to partnerwith the Authority in developing the best possibleHMF for the CHSR and Fresno County. We believe atthis stage it is best to commit to a dollar amount thatcan be used by the Authority in any number of ways todevelop the HMF, as opposed to specifying exactly howthe incentives must be used. With this approach, weare providing the Authority with maximum flexibility toinvest the funds to produce the most in return.

“...$25 million in financial supportthe Authority can use for site

acquisition, infrastructure,utilities and/or construction.”


Institution # of Students

Fresno State University 21,728

Fresno Pacific University 2,649

SCCCD

Fresno City College 33,763

Reedley College 8,839

Willow International 8,155

Madera Center 4,118

Oakhurst Center 1,033

SCCCD Sub Total 55,908

WHCCDCoalinga 3,830

Firebaugh 2,860

Lemoore 7,557

Lemoore/NAS 170

WHCCD Sub Total 14,417

Grand Total 94,702





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provide support with both voice and data interoperabilitycommunications. An investment of approximately $30million over the last several years has enabled publicsafety first responders to communicate with 47 agenciesacross multiple jurisdictions and disciplines, including thelaw enforcement agencies in 15 cities, fire districts andemergency medical services.

Fresno County is home to Community Medical Centers(Community), the largest provider of health services in

the Central Valley serving more than 600,000 peopleeach year. The system’s flagship campus is in downtownFresno, 10 minutes from the HMF site area. Thedowntown campus operates the only combined burnand Level 1 trauma units between Los Angeles andSacramento, providing critical care and other specialtyservices to patients from well outside the primary serviceregion. The downtown campus is also home to one of thebusiest emergency rooms in California with 135,000visits each year. It is the only 24-hour, fully staffed burncenter between Los Angeles and Sacramento.

Community has invested more than $400 million in

its 58acre Community Regional campus, the largestprivate renewal project in Fresno County history.Community has a $1 billion operating budget, and is theregion’s largest private employer with more than 6,000employees and 1,100 medical staff as well as 900volunteers who serve a 15,000 square mile region ofKings, Tulare and Mariposa Counties.

In addition, the County currently provides dispatchservices for emergency medical services in four counties:Fresno, Kings, Madera and Tulare. Fresno County has

The body of our proposal outlines potential sources tofund the $25 million incentive package, which includeour local voter approved, half-cent sales tax, Measure C.The Fresno Works team has also been active in exploringpublic-private partnership opportunities. We have hadnumerous meetings with private, public and institutionalgroups anxious to participate in development of theHMF and its ancillary facilities. Knowing the Authority’sinterest in exploring such public-private options forfinance, development and even operations, FresnoWorks is prepared to participate with the Authority indeveloping a PPP option for all or parts of the HMF, if theAuthority wishes.

FUNDING SOURCE: MEASURE “C”

Originally approved by Fresno County voters in1986, Measure “C” is a 1/2 cent sales tax dedicatedspecifically to transportation purposes. Over the life ofthe original measure (1986 to 2006), over $700 millionin revenues were generated to meet the transportationneeds of Fresno County. Based on the success ofthe original measure, in 2006 Fresno County votersreauthorized Measure “C”. Over its 20 year life (2007-2027), the new measure is anticipated to raise nearly$1.7 billion in revenues for a variety of multi-modaltransportation projects and programs in Fresno County.

Contained within the Measure “C” Expenditure Planare two funding programs that have the potential tobe redirected to the HMF: New Technology and RailConsolidation, which between them have the potentialof providing at least $139 million in dedicated fundingover a 20 year period to help secure and improve the HighSpeed Rail Maintenance site. Under the control of theCouncil of Fresno County Governments and the FresnoCounty Transportation Authority, with oversight providedby a Citizens Oversight Committee, the Fresno Countyregion has initiated a Plan Amendment process to redirectan initial $25 million of these funds to the HMF, shouldFresno County be selected as the site.

REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS FOR EMERGENCY

RESPONSE AND MEDICAL SERVICESFresno has the facilities, services, and specialized trainingto fully protect the HMF’s employees, riders and property.While we certainly hope that none of these resources arerequired for emergency response or medical services,we believe Fresno’s ability to respond to regional-scaleemergency and medical incidents is a significant factor in

favor of locating the HMF in Fresno County.

For example, in the event of an accident oremergency, the County is able to immediately


“Fresno County region hasinitiated a Plan Amendmentprocess to redirect an initial$25 million of these funds tothe HMF...”





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comprising the Central San Joaquin Valley and is theonly major international airport in the Central Valley.Airlines offer nonstop flights to regional hubs of majorairlines, including Los Angeles, Denver, San Francisco,Phoenix, Salt Lake City, Seattle, and Dallas/FortWorth. Other destinations include Las Vegas, Portland,and international air service to Guadalajara, Mexico.Carriers currently provide more than 2,070 dailydeparture seats for Fresno passengers.

A BROADER VISION

We believe the Fresno Works Expression of Interest isthe best choice for the HMF based on (1) our quality siteoffering, (2) access to an abundant supply of skilled laborand our unmatched network of education and trainingservices, (3) substantial financial incentives, and (4) accessto regional emergency response and medical services.

However, we want the Authority to understand thatFresno County has a broader vision for what the HMFcould represent for California and our nation. We thinkthat as the centerpiece of the California High-SpeedRail system, the Fresno Works HMF will be a globalshowcase for high-speed rail, drawing investment andcommerce from around the world. We envision a facilitythe nation will look to for direction as various parts ofthe country develop their own high-speed rail systems.As such, we believe facilities ancillary to the HMFsuch as a HSR showcase, national training academy,conference center, and research and innovation facilitywill be developed. Preliminary concepts for suchfacilities and programs are outlined in our proposal.

THE HEART OF CALIFORNIA:HIGH QUALITY, LIVABLE AND ACCESSIBLEFresno County offers an unmatched diversity of urbanand rural amenities, natural beauty, and recreationalopportunities, including easy access to three national

also negotiated mutual aid and instant aid agreementswith law enforcement and fire agencies in the surroundingfour counties and through the County’s dispatch center isable to dispatch ambulances, helicopters, fire trucks andmobilize/direct necessary public safety resources.

There are two City of Fresno fire stations and two Countyof Fresno fire stations all within 4 miles of the Site Area.Between the Fresno and Clovis Fire Departments, thereare three Type 1 (highest level) emergency responseunits, giving Fresno County the most units in thatcategory in the region. Type 1 units include hazardousmaterials equipment at the highest possible level and canrespond to emergencies up to and including incidentsinvolving weapons of mass destruction. The City ofFresno also has 53 people trained in Type 1 emergencyresponse, the highest possible training.

The Fresno Police Department maintains a Level IIS.W.A.T. team capable of responding to all manner oftactical incidents and has specifically trained in theresponse to passenger rail events. Fresno PD alsomaintains a Level III Explosive Ordinance Disposal teamthat is capable of responding to multiple incidents,simultaneously, throughout the City. Both teams

have trained separately and together to respond toterrorist incidents, should they arise. The Fresno PoliceDepartment also has two department members assignedto the F.B.I.’s Joint Terrorism Task Force here in Fresno.

FRESNO YOSEMITE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTThe Fresno Yosemite International Airport is the CentralValley’s largest and only international airport. The FYIAirport is located six air miles northeast of downtownFresno. The Airport serves the six-county region


“...the Fresno WorksHMF will be a global showcasefor high-speed rail, drawinginvestment and commerce from

around the world.”





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parks, national forests and wilderness areas. Withinthe City of Fresno, California’s fifth largest city, thereare museums, galleries, quality lodging and event venues,music and entertainment nightly, national and regionalshopping opportunities, as well as countless locallyowned stores and restaurants that offer one-of-a-kindexperiences. Outside of the metropolitan area, FresnoCounty offers country farm trails featuring the bountifulharvest of the nation’s #1 agricultural county, its majesticlakes and rivers, awe-inspiring foothills and mountainranges, and a wide variety of unique cultural arts festivalsand entertainment opportunities. In summary, FresnoCounty is a unique blend of urban and rural landscapeswith one of the nation’s most distinct and diverse mixes ofpeople and ethnicities.

Fresno County remains one of California’s bestand most livable places. Housing prices are amongCalifornia’s most affordable, and the schools, roadsand weather are among the state’s best. While thefoundation of Fresno County’s economy is internationalagribusiness, the area economy has diversified toinclude a growing manufacturing base, professionalservices, and regional headquarters for educationalinstitutions and medical services.

FRESNO’S RAIL HISTORY – FRESNO’S RAIL FUTUREThe early growth and development of Fresno Countyis closely linked to the railroad. The City of Fresnoitself was established by the Central Pacific Railroad in1872 and many other communities in Fresno Countywere similarly established. Railroads were importantfor the movement of both freight and people. WhileAmtrak currently provides rail passenger service, thehigh speed rail system will greatly enhance access fromFresno County and the San Joaquin Valley to the LosAngeles Basin and San Francisco Bay Area. High speedrail can be expected to reinvigorate those communities

within which stations are located.


“...Fresno County is aunique blend of urban and rural

landscapes and one of thenation’s most distinct and diverse

mix of people and ethnicities.”





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SITE DESCRIPTION AND LOCATIONFresno County has identified a site area on the southedge of the City of Fresno suitable for location of theHMF. The site area is approximately 4 miles long in thenorth-south direction, bounded on the north by Highway99; on the south by Adams Avenue; on the east by theBurlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railroad right-of-way; and, on the west by Cedar Avenue. BetweenAmerican Avenue and Clayton Avenue the site areaincludes additional land west of Cedar Avenue toallow Cedar Avenue to be realigned to the west, inorder to provide a site that is wider in the east-west

direction for location of the HMF in the compact layoutthat is illustrated by the High Speed Rail Authorityin the “Heavy Maintenance Facility Concept Plan” (Drawing TM 5.1-A). The total site area encompassesapproximately 696 acres of land.

The site area provides the option to develop either alinear layout of the various maintenance functions tobe located at the HMF facility, or develop a compactlayout of the facility as shown in the “Heavy MaintenanceFacility Concept Plan” (Drawing TM 5.1-A). A potentialsite of approximately 200 acres is shown illustratingspecific property parcels that could be acquired betweenAmerican Avenue and Clayton Avenue to accommodate

the compact layout shown in Drawing TM 5.1-A.Additional property both north of American Avenueand south of Clayton may be required to accommodatethe “lead track” connecting the HMF to the CHSRmainline tracks. A CHSR Authority owned property ofapproximately 154 acres in size could be subdivided fromthose parcels to provide a compact site for the HMF.

Distance from CHSR Right-of-Way The site area borders the BNSF right-of-way on the eastfor its entire length. It is assumed that the Authoritywill acquire a CHSR right-of-way in the approximately60 foot wide strip of land adjoining the west side of theBNSF right-of-way. The HMF site would directly adjointhe west side of the CHSR right-of-way, providing directaccess to the site.

HMF Layout TemplateThe site area can flexibly accommodate the HMFtemplate as illustrated (reflecting the Authority examplelayout), or Alternative Site Layouts two and three. Theseoptions illustrate the ability of the Site Area to provide theAuthority’s maximum flexibility in siting the HMF to bestlogistical advantage and with least cost and propertyimpacts. By its proximity to existing industrial areaswithin the City of Fresno, utilities may be readily extendedto any location within the site area.

The northern half of the site area is within the Cityof Fresno and/or within the City of Fresno Sphere ofInfluence (planned growth area). Much of the areais zoned for manufacturing and industrial uses (M-3), compatible with a HMF. Since the completionof Highway 41 improvements in 1999 and NorthAvenue improvements in 2006, the area has attractedconsiderable industrial and logistics development, butretains substantial capacity for new growth. Additionalinvestment in transportation improvements are planned

for the larger industrial/commercial area in which thesite area is located.

The northerly reach of the site area lies to a substantialdegree within the footprint of the CHSR mainlinealignment, which is anticipated to be elevated to crossover Highway 99 beginning its grade north of MalagaAvenue. The parcels underneath the elevated sectionwill create underutilized, inaccessible, or otherwiseunattractive land for private uses, but which may beutilized for HMF train storage and related operations,minimizing HMF land acquisition.

Consistency with Fresno County/City Planning and ZoningThe northern portion of the site area, from Highway 99south to E. Malaga Avenue, is within the City of Fresnolimits. The area is currently planned and zoned for HeavyIndustry land uses, and is shown in the Fresno GeneralPlan 2025 as continuing in Heavy Industry land use.

The Fresno “Sphere of Influence” extends south of the citylimits approximately one-half mile to American Avenue,incorporating the northern portion of the site area. Shouldthe HMF be located north of American Avenue, existingplanning and land use controls are consistent withindustrial uses such as the HMF.

Areas within the City of Fresno or its Sphere of Influenceare variously zoned M-3 (heavy industrial) or A-E or A-L-20 (agriculture), depending on the extent of development.Agriculture and industry are commonly consideredcompatible adjacent uses at urban boundaries, asindustrial development for the most part does not interfereor conflict with agricultural activities. Agricultural uses areoften maintained in areas planned for urban industrial usespending industrial growth into those expansion areas.

The southern half of the Site Area is adjacent to theCity’s Sphere of Influence and is currently designatedfor agricultural use (zoned A-E 20). The Project Site(Option One) proposal is located here at the existing urbanboundary, adjacent to industrial uses to the north and east.This location, directly on the HSR alignment where it wouldlikely return to grade, would provide optimum convenienceand flexibility for getting HST traffic on and off the mainline.

Should the HSRA locate the site directly south of theCity of Fresno and parallel to the at-grade portionof the HST, as shown in Option Two, a general planamendment and rezone to M-3 by Fresno Countywould be required to entitle the property for use as aHMF. The M-3 Heavy Industrial District is the broadestclassification of industrial zoning, and is consistent

with similarly zoned areas in the Site Area in boththe incorporated and unincorporated areas. Zoningto M-3 would fully entitle the site for use as a HMFin the unincorporated area. Following entitlement,a ministerial process of site plan review and buildingpermits would allow progression to construction.

The southern portion of the site area outside the Sphereof Influence is currently in agricultural use, although noportion of the site area is included under Williamson Actagricultural land use classification.

S I T E O V E R V I E W





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UTILITIESThe site area has all existing utilities necessary to servethe HMF. All utility services exist in the industrial zonedarea of Fresno on the north end of the site area, and caneasily be extended further to the south as required toserve the HMF depending upon the final location of thesite.

Electric Power and Natural GasPacific Gas & Electric will provide electricity andnatural gas to all portions of the site area. PG&E hastransmission and substation facilities nearby and canwork with the Authority to construct a new electricalsubstation on site. The Fresno Team has met withPG&E representatives who have indicated that PG&Ewill provide services at the capacity desired, withallowances that are credited against construction costsbased upon their anticipated revenue generated fromthe HMF.

Domestic Water, Sanitary Sewer and Storm WaterSewer CollectionThe City of Fresno can provide domestic water andsanitary sewer service to the final selected HMFsite, regardless of its location or configuration in the

site area. It is anticipated that storm water would beretained on the HMF site. Based upon Fresno County’sgeologic and climate conditions, two 3-acre stormdrainage basins would be sufficient to support thesite. If the HMF is located north of American Avenue,the Fresno Metropolitan Flood Control District has aplanned off-site drainage pond near the site area thatcan be utilized for off-site storm drainage.

Refuse RemovalRefuse removal in the Fresno County portion would beprovided by a private hauler contracted with FresnoCounty. If the HMF is located within the Fresno City limits,

the City of Fresno would provide refuse removal. The Cityof Fresno is currently the top recycling city in the nation,with a current landfill diversion rate of 72 percent. TheCity can work with HMF managers to maximize recyclingprocedures at the facility.

CommunicationsAT&T will provide communications service tothe HMF within the site area. AT&T will providewhatever infrastructure is needed to meet the HMF’scommunication needs. Any costs to upgrade off-siteinfrastructure would be expected to be borne by AT&Tbecause they have existing facilities already providing

service throughout the site area.

“The HMF site would directly adjoin the west side of the

CHSR right-of-way, providingdirect access to the site.”

SITE OVERVIEW continued



Central Ave

Malaga Ave

American Ave

M a p l e A v e

C e d a r A v e

O r a n g e A v e

99

F W

Y 9 9

City of

36”

mid 2010

18”

LEGEND

14” CITY WATER LINE

CITY WATER WELL

CITY HYDRANT

POTENTIAL EXTENSION

CITY SEWER LINE

POTENTIAL EXTENSION

EXISTING POWER & PHONE

CITY LIMITS


SPHERE OF INFLUENCE

SITE STUDY AREA

IRRIGATION CANALS

CA HSRA R.O.W.

BNSF R.O.W.

UTILITIES





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CONSTRUCTABILITY Among the site area’s best features is its ability tosupport construction. The site is broad, relativelyflat with good soils. There is ample laydown areaand phasing locations. There are few structuresto demolish and even fewer natural impediments.The street network is robust and the site is directlywithin and nearby Fresno’s City limits, meaningeverything from labor to materials will be quiteaccessible. The following describes in more detail thesite’s construction attributes:

Topography The entire site is virtually flat minimizing fill or cutareas, presenting an excellent building surface. Theoverall natural elevation grade differential of the sitearea is approximately 10 feet, derived from topographicmaps from the US Geological Survey. Starting alongthe BNSF right-of-way, the site’s northern most area isapproximately 286 feet above sea level. The site arearises four feet in over 1.5 miles to a 290 foot elevation, just south of Lincoln Avenue. It then descends 5 feet inapproximately 1.5 miles, just north of Adams Avenue, toa 285 foot elevation at Adams Avenue.

There is a gentle east to west cross slope ofapproximately 3 feet in a 0.25 mile distance at thenorthern most end of the site area. The widest part ofthe site area between Lincoln Avenue and WashingtonAvenue has a cross slope of 5 feet within the 0.5 mileswidth. The cross slope at the southern most end isrelatively flat along the 0.25 miles of Adams Avenue.The site area has long been utilized for agriculturepurposes. The long term agricultural cultivation of thisarea has left the terrain of the land in a nearly levelplane, even in the areas that have transitioned intoindustrial uses.

Soil ConditionsSoil conditions throughout the general area andspecifically throughout the site area are consideredexcellent. The highstrength, nonexpansive soils arevery conducive to the type of heavy constructionanticipated. Without a specific geotechnicalinvestigation the following is based on what wouldbe typically anticipated for a construction site in theFresno County area. The general soil conditions of theSan Joaquin Valley floor in this area of Fresno Countyconsist of predominantly silts and sands with little tosome clay. It is anticipated that the surface soil layerwill be of silt or sandy silt and will be relatively easy to

work with throughout the project site.

Typically, the existing native soils in the Fresno Countyarea, when free of organic materials, are suitable to bereused as engineered fill for building construction andsite improvements. The bearing capacity usually seenwith the firm native soils or properly compacted engineer

fill may allow the proposed structures to be supportedon spread footing, for a lower building and site

improvement costs. The nature of the existing siltor sandy silt soils allows for quick percolation of

standing water into the ground. This provides a relativitydry accessible site year around facilitating continuousconstruction with little or no maintenance.

Highway Accessibility There is access along the full length of the site areawith multiple streets. Cedar Avenue provides Northand South access, with Central Avenue, AmericanAvenue and Adams Avenue providing the major accessacross the site in the East / West Direction. There iseasy movement of construction materials, equipmentand work force to the proposed construction sitewith the access to Highway 99 from Cedar Avenue,Central Avenue, American Avenue, and Adams Avenueand access to Highway 41 from Central Avenue,American Avenue and Adams Avenue. There are noroad improvements or barriers that would limit orprohibit access along the full length or width of thesite area. There are no topographical conditions orsite improvements that would severely restrict orlimit movement and utilization of the site area for thenecessary temporary facilities during construction.

Other On-Site ConditionsAmong the most important construction site issues is

the water table, which can cause major disruption toconstruction activities and ongoing site maintenance.The Fresno County site has a low water table thatwill present no impediments to construction orfacility maintenance. Regional water table elevationmaps prepared by the California Department ofWater Resources indicate the groundwater level to beapproximately 238 feet elevation, which places thewater table 55 feet below the surface.

Irrigation CanalsThere are no natural rivers or waterways within thesite area, and with only three minor irrigation canals

there will be minimal impact to construction. Theirlocations are limited to three crossing all in the east/ west direction. The Central Canal and WashingtonColony Canal crosses the northern section of the sitearea along Central Avenue.

There is a branch of the Washington Colony Canalthat again crosses the central area of the site area atthe midway point between Jefferson and WashingtonAve. On the southern portion of the site area the northbranch of the Oleander Canal crosses south of ClaytonAve and north of Adams Avenue. The irrigation canalswill pose no significant barrier due to their location and

distance between the site crossing. Only one canalwould be affected with the compact layout of the “Heavy Maintenance Facility Concept Plan” (Drawing TM5.1). Again, only one of the canals would be affected bythe linear layout of the “Alternative Concept Plans”. Itis not uncommon to underground and/or reroute localirrigation canals due to development in the FresnoCounty area.




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DISPLACEMENTSFresno County proposes a flexible 696 acre site areafrom which the Authority can select its HMF site. Thisprovides the Authority with an exceptional level offlexibility in how it develops the site, but it also gives theAuthority the ability to minimize impacts to landowners.Another feature of the Fresno County site area isthat in all, there are only 76 parcels encompassingthe 696 acres. Also of note, none of the parcels arein the Williamson Act. We anticipate no problems innegotiating land acquisitions.

The following is a brief summary of the overall site area:

Total Site Area: 696 acres & 76 parcels27 parcels > 10 acres (average size 20 acres)49 parcels < 10 acres (average size 3 acres)

Parcels in Williamson Act or Farmland Security ZoneLand Conservation Contracts: 0

Prime Farmland within Site Area:

• State Route 99 to Central Avenue (81 acres): None• Central Avenue to American Avenue (150 acres):

Mixture of Prime Farmland, Urban & Built-Up Areas,and Semi-Ag & Rural Commercial.

• American Avenue to Adams Avenue (465 acres):Predominantly Prime Farmland

The following is a brief summary of the identified SiteAlternative 1• 18 acres (2 parcels) M-3 (Heavy Manufacturing)• 418 acres A-E 20 (Agriculture 20-acre minimum)

• 165 acres permanent crops (vines / orchard)• Remainder in row crops, pasture, or open

• Up to 29 potentially-affected residences

“...in all, there are only 76parcels encompassing the 696acres... none of the parcels are

in the Williamson Act.”








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TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORTATIONHighway AccessThe site area has excellent access. Freeway 99 andHighway 41 are nearby to serve as the backbonefor access to the HMF. Arterial streets such as CedarAvenue, North Avenue, Central Avenue, AmericanAvenue, and Adams Avenue all have direct access tothese state highways. A portion of Cedar Avenue couldbe realigned at City/County expense if more space isneeded for the HMF between Cedar Avenue and CHSRand BNSF mainlines.

Sufficient local roadway infrastructure is already inplace. Based upon 2030 traffic forecasts, a preliminaryanalysis of average daily trips (ADT) finds that the HMFwill not reduce the Level of Service (LOS) of any of theroadways or intersections in the vicinity. All roadwaysand intersections remain at LOS C or better, except forCedar Avenue, which is projected to be at LOS D with orwithout the HMF.

Truck RoutesCedar Avenue is a designated truck route from Highway99 southward. Central Avenue is a future designated truckroute from Highway 41 to Highway 99. Freeway 99 has

interchanges at Cedar Avenue, Central Avenue, AmericanAvenue, and Adams Avenue. The American Avenueinterchange is programmed and funded for upgrade usinglocal Measure C dollars. Highway 41 has intersections atCentral Avenue, American Avenue and Adams Avenue.The City and County have dedicated funding sources toadequately maintain these roadways over time.

Over/Under CrossingsAlong the site area, street over/under crossings areplanned with the CHSR and BNSF mainlines at CentralAvenue, American Avenue, Lincoln Avenue, and AdamsAvenue. All other roadway crossing in the site area

would be closed, leaving room to locate an HMF withinthe site area in a number of locations without disruptinglocal traffic patterns.

Public Transportation/Vanpools and Fixed Route ServiceFresno County is committed to working with theAuthority to establish Commuter Vanpools for theHMF. The Fresno County 2006 Measure “C” ExtensionExpenditure Plan, passed by voters in November 2006,provides funds for a Commuter Vanpool Program.The program is designed to get commuters to theirdestinations safely, improve air quality, and providea cost-effective alternative to the single occupant

vehicle. The Commuter Vanpool Program is open toboth public and private industry, as well as potentialpublic/private partnerships. Funds are available for avariety of vanpool incentives including monthly leasesubsidies, start-up costs such as medical examsfor drivers, emergency ride-home program, driver

incentives, parking permits, and more. In order toqualify there must be at least six riders and one driver.The vanpools must originate in Fresno County andtypically must operate at least five days a week.

In addition, Fresno Area Express (FAX) providesfixed route service throughout the Fresno-ClovisMetropolitan Area. Three routes – routes 32, 38, and41 – currently provide service near the proposed site.FAX stands ready to make any necessary adjustments,including additional peak period service, to one or moreof these routes in order to provide the best transitservice possible.

Parts/Materials ShippingThe site area is located in close proximity to the BNSFand UP freight mainlines. The site area’s location makesit feasible to construct an interchange track betweeneither or both of these railroads directly with the HMFyard to bring heavy equipment and parts to the HMF.UPS Freight and Fed Ex Freight both have shipping/courier facilities within 1.5 miles of the site area forsmaller shipments.

International Airport ServicesFresno International Airport is the region’s largestand only international airport, which is a critical assetwhen considering that the HMF and the adjacent testtrack will be a major business destination for the globaltransportation market. The City of Fresno has invested$66.4 million in the Fresno Yosemite International

Airport over the last two years to expand and upgradethe facility, including $16 million in solar energy, makingit the largest solar installation at any airport in theUnited States.

General Aviation facilities at the Airport are locatedprimarily west of the terminal on approximately 13 acres.

The General Aviation area consists of private andcorporate aircraft hangar facilities, as well as aviation-related businesses offering fuel services, flight training,flight schools, aircraft sales and rentals, aircraft storageand maintenance, avionics services, charters and

hangar rentals.


“Fresno International Airportis the region’s largest and only international airport...”



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ENVIRONMENTALUnderground Storage TanksFresno Works has completed Phase One andGeological/Geotechnical Report for the portion ofthe site area within Fresno County. The Fresno Teamprepared a Phase I Environmental Site AssessmentReport for the portion of the site area within FresnoCounty. The Report identified eleven “existing orpotentially existing” locations of underground storagetanks. Because this is a preliminary report, it is notcertain whether there actually are 8 undergroundstorage tanks or whether any of them would requireremediation. The Report also identified the two sites as “potential locations” for use of hazardous materials and/or petroleum products. Again, it is not certain at thistime whether any remediation would be required.

Our certified biologists have conducted a preliminaryreview of the site area and found no evidence thatsensitive species are present. No evidence wasfound regarding biological issues that would createunusual or problematic project permitting or unusualmitigation requirements.

As noted above, the site area does not contain any

Williamson Act contracts. If the HMF is constructed inthe northern portion of the site area, no farmland wouldbe displaced. If it is constructed in the southern portionof the site area then the amount of farmland displacedwould be equal to the size of the HMF.

There are no wetlands within the site area.

Potential HazardsEarthquakes and flooding have a very low chance ofoccurring at the Fresno County site area. An AlquistPriolo Map is not even produced for Fresno Countybecause earthquake potential is so low.

According to California Geologic Survey data, therehave been no recorded earthquakes with a magnitude5.5 or greater within 30 miles of the site since 1800.

The site area is not within a FEMA Flood Hazard Zone,with the very minor exception of an existing irrigationcanal that runs along Central Avenue. The AE zone(100-year flood zone) is limited to the channel of thecanal only.

EntitlementsThe site area is entirely within Fresno County, partiallywithin the City of Fresno and Fresno’s Sphere ofInfluence. Both the City and County are fully committedto working cooperatively to site the HMF in any portionof the site area. The City of Fresno portion is alreadyzoned for Heavy Industrial use; the HMF would be anallowed use in that zone.

The County of Fresno portion is currently zoned forAgricultural use. However, Fresno County is open toinitiating, at its own expense, a general plan amendmentand rezoning process to rezone the Heavy Industrial usefor any County of Fresno portion of the site area selectedby the Authority for the HMF, assuming such a process isconsistent with the Authority’s needs and processes.


“Fresno County is preparedto assist the Authority in

expediting the environmentalreview process for the site in

accordance with CEQA/NEPA...the site poses no significant

known issues that may hinder

development of the HMF, andthere is wide support for the

location within the community.”







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adjacent to and parallel to the Fresno site from MalagaAvenue south along the BNSF ROW for 12 miles beforecrossing over to the east side of the BNSF ROW. FromMalaga north, the CHSR is elevated and cuts over thesite area as it bends to the east on its approach toDowntown Fresno. Fresno Works believes the site area’salignment with the CHSR ROW provides the Authoritywith an ideal location in terms of adjacency with theCHSR mainline, proximity to the Downtown Fresno,and a northern anchor for a 110 mile HSR Test Track.Moreover, it is our belief the Authority can utilize landit will already have acquired for the elevated sectionthat is contained within the site area for the HMF.This site utilization strategy would save the Authoritymillions of dollars in land acquisition, infrastructure andenvironmental reviews, while eliminating the need torezone one acre of agricultural land.

Connectivity from the site to the local roads andhighway network are also identified in the alternativelayouts, including not only the access and egresslocations, but also the required grade separationrequirements of major arterial streets and the impactsof these improvements. Based on the local traffic

circulation patterns within the area, various alternativeconcepts can be accommodated in a feasible andpractical manner, while still allowing for a wide variationof site modifications as future development of thesystem occurs.

HEAVY MAINTENANCE FACILITY LAYOUTFresno County has identified a site area and begana preliminary Alternative Analysis of the HMF, whichconsists of developing and analyzing potentialconceptual alternatives which can be used to supportpreliminary engineering, develop capital and operatingcosts, and environmental analysis. Utilizing theTechnical Memorandums “Alternative Analysis forSiting Maintenance Facilities” along with “Terminal andHeavy Maintenance Facility Guidelines,” Fresno Countyhas initiated the process to assist the regional teamin conducting an AA for the Fresno County HMF. The

development of a site area, rather than a stand alonesite, allows for development of multiple feasible andpractical maintenance facility site alternatives. Toshow the flexibility of the unconstrained proposed HMFsite area, our team has developed three alternatives(depicted and discussed in the pages that follow) thatdemonstrate the capability to accommodate the HMFguidelines and criteria.

• Alternative Layout One “Template” • Alternative Layout Two• Alternative Layout Three

Flexibility of the site area to provide for a number ofalternative layouts is key to the Fresno Works Expressionof Interest. These alternatives not only accommodate theguidelines and criteria that were derived from a review ofbest practices and programs used on similar high-speedtrain systems around the world, but can accommodatemodifications, expansion, and variations to the mainlinetrack alignment, whether horizontal or vertical. In addition,the site area and alternative layouts can accommodatean increase of estimated fleet size, additional requisitetrack, shop buildings, parking requirements, traffic andpedestrian access/egress modification, and varying right-

of-way needs.

AlignmentThe site area is immediately adjacent on the westside of the of the existing BNSF Right of Way. Basedon discussions with engineers at URS and Arup whoare conducting CHSR ROW analyses From Fresnoto Palmdale, Fresno County understands that the

CHSR ROW from Fresno south will follow a pathadjacent and parallel to the west of the existing

BNSF ROW. The proposed CHSR ROW will run


“...provides the Authority withan ideal location in terms of adjacency with the CHSRmainline, proximity to the

Downtown Fresno, and anorthern anchor for a 110 mileHSR Test Track.”





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True Scale Alternative DevelopmentIn order to accurately identify proposed footprints ofthe three alternative layouts (site plans) the drawingswere developed utilizing the computer aided designdrawing (CADD) program MircoStation. This isconsistent with the CHSR CADD program and utilizesthe same global origin for consistency with the mainlinetrack alignment. The concept plans that are presentedin the Terminal and Heavy Maintenance FacilityGuidelines are not to scale, so careful preliminaryengineering took place to scale the elements of trackquantity & locations, shop buildings, parking lots, and

right-of-way limits. The three alternative layouts weredesigned per the CHSR criteria, rail standards, andthe TM 5.1-A concept plan in the Terminal and HeavyMaintenance Facility Guidelines. This attention to detailprovides for realistic site evaluation and accurate right-of-way impacts to assure feasibility and understandingof the impacted footprint.Other Site Evaluation ElementsIn addition to overall review and verification, evaluationof specific site items is required to provide a morecomplete and accurate development of alternatives.These specific items include the following:

Earthwork Evaluation

Site specific terrain and earthwork are essential indeveloping site alternatives. The costs of earthworkcan account for a large percent of the constructionsubtotal. Developing alternatives that minimizeearthwork volumes is an iterative process, which hasbeen initiated with these conceptual alternative layoutsthat follow and will be further refined by the regionalteam. The vertical alignment can vary significantlybased on the technology of train sets and theirrequired design criteria, however site area and multiplealternative layouts provide for continuity/feasibilityregardless of train set technology.

Right-of-way IdentificationDue to the limited identification of right-of-way fromprevious studies, general assumptions were requiredfor the development of proposed right-of-way utilizingTerminal and Heavy Maintenance Facility Guidelines.The following right-of-way elements have beenidentified in true scale to evaluate site impacts ingreater detail assuring feasibility of the site and theAlternative Layouts we have developed.

• BNSF Right-of-way• CHSR Right-of-way• Permanent Surface, Underground and Aerial Easements• Drainage Easements

• Roadway Easements• Temporary Construction Easements

Environmental Impacts & MitigationPrevious studies account for general environmentalmitigation. In order to verify specific mitigationmeasures, the alternative layouts will be evaluatedin greater detail and the mitigation costs identified.Several issues to be considered include:

• Traffic• Noise• Air Quality• Light• Visual Impacts





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west to provide for additional storage and expandabilityas details are determined from the preliminaryengineering site that is on-going. The only physicalconstraint is the CHSR alignment and BNSF right-of-wayto the east.

Right-of-way limits were determined and consideration ofthe remnant parcels which have the opportunity to providefuture support services and industrial development tosupport the HMF were discussed previously.


ALTERNATIVE LAYOUT - ONE “TEMPLATE” The “Template” Alternative utilizes the Terminal andHeavy Maintenance Facility Guidelines and ConceptPlan in true scale. No other modifications were made tothe site footprint.

This alternative requires the relocation of Cedar Avenueto accommodate the required width. Grade separatedarterials are proposed for both American and LincolnAvenue while Jefferson Avenue will be closed to throughtraffic at the BNSF right-of-way. Analysis of trafficimpacts were evaluated and based on current and

future traffic volumes, the level of service at surroundingintersections were determinedto have no adverse affects.

This alternative as shown canaccommodate modifications,expansion, and variations inrelation to the mainline CHSRalignment. In addition it canshift to the north, south, or

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ALTERNATIVE LAYOUT - TWOAlternative Layout Two utilizes a similar location as the “Template” Alternative Layout described above; howevermodifications have been made to eliminate right-of-wayimpacts. The alternative is a more linear version thanthe wider “Template” Alternative Layout One, but stillmaintains all the same elements of track quantity andlengths, shop buildings footage, and parking lot space.This alternative does not require the relocation of CedarAvenue due to the narrowed width. Similarly, gradeseparated arterials are proposed for both American andLincoln Avenue while Jefferson Avenue will be closed

to through traffic at the BNSF right-of-way. Analysis oftraffic impacts are the sameas the “Template” AlternativeLayout previously described,which were determined tohave no adverse affects.

This alternative allows forsignificant modifications,expansion, and variations inrelation to the mainline CHSRalignment without affectingits feasibility. This alternativecan also shift to the north,

south, or west to provide

for additional storage and expandability as details aredetermined from the preliminary engineering site that ison-going. Similarly, the only physical constraint is theCHSR alignment and BNSF right-of-way to the east.

Right-of-way impacts are very insignificant as the narrowfootprint does not require full property takes, but allowspartial takes along the entire site footprint. This alternativeprovides the greatest opportunity to accommodate futuresupport services and industrial development to supportthe HMF as discussed previously.

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ALTERNATIVE LAYOUT - THREEAlternative Layout Three is located north between theBNSF corridor, State Route 99 and Cedar Avenue.This alternative provides layout modifications andsignificantly reduces right-of-way impacts due to the factthat the CHSR alignment and HMF utilize shared rightsof way. The alternative, like Alternative Layout Two,maintains all the same elements of track quantity andlengths, shop buildings footage, and parking lot space.

This alternative does not require the relocation of CedarAvenue due to the narrowed width. Only one grade

separated arterial is required (compared to two) forCentral Avenue and requiresno closures to existingroadways. Analysis of trafficimpacts are the same as the “Template” Alternative Layoutpreviously described, whichwere determined to have noadverse affects. Access toState Route 99 is greatlyincreased due to the closeproximity of existing on andoff-ramps.

This alternative also allowsfor modifications, expansion,and variations in relationto the mainline CHSRalignment without affectingits feasibility. This alternativehas room to shift to thesouth or west to providefor additional storage andexpandability as detailsare determined from thepreliminary engineering study

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that is on-going. Unlike the previous two alternatives,the physical constraints are the BNSF right-of-way tothe east and State Route 99 to the north.

Right-of-way impacts are minimized as the footprintshares the impacted area created by Authorityrequirements. The CHSR alignment is on a viaductstructure above the HMF. The benefits of the sharedHMF location and CHSR alignment will have significantcost savings in terms of right-of-way, as well as sharedenvironmental area of potential effect (APE).




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“...the Fresno County Regionpossesses, both numerically and skills-set wise, anabundant workforce to meet

both the construction andeventual operational needs of the HMF.”

WORKFORCE AVAILABILITY The Fresno Works team understands that access to anabundant supply of a qualified workforce is arguably themost important ingredient to the long term success ofthe HMF. The Fresno Regional Workforce InvestmentBoard and our local universities and colleges have beenactive partners in the development of this proposal.They have already begun a comprehensive assessmentof the numbers and skills of the employees requiredby the HMF and an analysis of the number of qualified job applicants already available today to fulfill the jobrequirements anticipated in the HMF.

Based on Authority guidelines, the HMF will be modeledafter either the French or Japanese systems. Wehave made contact with both the Consulate Generalof Japan and the Consulate General of France formore information on their respective high-speed trainsystems and corresponding job requirements. Neither

office was able to provide information regardingspecific job duties. Therefore, we have conducted ourpreliminary workforce analysis on specific job duties forexisting rail maintenance facilities located throughoutthe United States.

WORKFORCE ANALYSISWe have (1) estimated the number and skills of workersneeded at the HMF based on similar maintenancefacilities, (2) compiled information on the total availableworkforce in both Fresno County alone, as well asthe Greater Fresno/Madera Region (Fresno, Madera,Tulare and Kings Counties – the Fresno labor shed),(3) conducted a “gap analysis” between the numbersand skills of workers required, and (4) assessed thecurrent capacity of our technical and industrial trainingproviders to determine the pipeline of future workers.

Per our analysis, the Fresno County Region possesses,both numerically and skills-set wise, an abundantworkforce to meet both the construction and eventualoperational needs of the HMF. While Fresno County’soverall population is approximately 900,000, ouradult working population is 397,920. Fresno’scommute shed, the Greater Fresno MetropolitanRegion, encompasses a four-county working populationof 697,894. Whether assessing just the FresnoCounty working population or the working populationacross the entire commute shed, Fresno’s access toworkforce supply is more than adequate to fill the2,300 anticipated jobs at the proposed HMF. The

proposed HMF site is itself contiguous to the City ofFresno where the bulk of the four county working agepopulation resides.

R E S O U R C E S A N DI N C E N T I V E S





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Understanding that the quality of the workforce isas important as the availability of the workforce, theFresno Regional Workforce Investment Board hasbeen able to document that there are currently 2,185Workforce Investment Act active clients in FresnoCounty alone that are training-ready for each jobcategory identified at the HMF (see chart).

JO B T I T L E O * N E T C O DEWO RK KE YS AVAI L ABL E

WO RKFO RCEA M L I RI

Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators and HostlersEngineer, Conductor, Railcar Switcher, Railroad Engineer, Switchman,Equipment Operator, Car Repairman, Switch Crew Supervisor,Transportation Specialist, Yard Engineer

53-1043.00 3 4 5 1,487

Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment OperatorsEquipment Operator (TEO) Trackman, Machine Operator, Track RepairPerson, Track Service Person

47-4061.00 4 4 4 1,767

Rail Car RepairersMaintenance Mechanic, Rail Car Repairman, Rail Car Painter/Sandblaster, Air Brake Mechanic

49-3043.00 3 3 3 2,185

Railroad Conductors and YardmastersConductor, Engineer, Railroad Conductor, Yardmaster, Dispatcher,Agent, Brakeman, Freight Conductor, Trainman, Operations Manager

53-4031.00 3 3 3 2,185

Stock Clerks - Stockroom, Warehouse, or Storage YardStore Clerk, Stocker, Bay Stocker, Material Handler, Order Selector,Shipper/Receiver, Stockroom Clerk, Warehouse Representative,Warehouse Worker, Warehouseman

43-5081.03 4 4 4 1,767

Transportation Vehicle, Equipment and Systems InspectorInspector, Quality Assurance Inspector, Rail Technician, Diesel EngineInspector, Emission Inspection Technician

53-6051-07 5 5 5 504

Traffic TechnicianInvestigator, Traffic Control Technician, Traffic Investigator,Transportation Planning Technician, Traffic Analyst, TrafficEngineering Technician

53-6041.00 4 4 4 1,767

Computer OperatorsInformation Technology Specialist, Software Technician, SystemsOperator, Computer console Operator, Computer Technician

43-9011.00 4 4 5 1,431

First Line Supervisors/Managers of Mechanics Installers andRepairersMaintenance Supervisor, Maintenance Foreman, MaintenanceManager, Production Crew, Supervisor, Service Manager, CrewLeader, Facility Maintenance Supervisor, Maintenance

49-1011.00 4 4 4 1,767

Transportation ManagersTransportation Director, Fleet Manager, Global TransportationManager, Traffic Manager, Train Operations Manager

11-3071.01 5 4 5 1,146

Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers and WeighersInspector, Quality Inspector, Quality Technician, Quality Assurance

Inspector, Quality Control Inspector, Quality Auditor, Picker/Packer,Quality Assurance Auditor, Quality Control

51-9061.00 4 4 4 1,767

“... Fresno Regional WorkforceInvestment Board has

been able to document thatthere are currently 2,185Workforce Investment Act

active clients in Fresno County alone that are training-ready

for each job category identifiedat the rail yard.”

RESOURCES AND INCENTIVES continued





29

Labor Force Assessment DetailOur labor force assessment is based on three keydata elements: job titles, O*Net Codes, and WorkKeysAssessment Levels . The following chart documentsby job title, O*Net Code, and WorkKeys assessmentlevel the available Workforce Investment Act clients inFresno County alone who are training-ready for each jobcategory anticipated at the HMF. This is just a sampleof the available workforce in Fresno County, as it doesnot take into consideration the non-WIA workforcein Fresno County or the workforce in the rest of theGreater Fresno Metropolitan Region. Clearly, theavailability of an abundant, qualified workforce is oneof Fresno’s greatest attributes for the HMF.

Additional Labor Assessment: Availability of Organized WorkforceOne of the most important subsets of the workforceavailable to meet the needs of the HMF, both in itsconstruction and in its eventual operation, is theorganized workforce found in the Greater FresnoMetropolitan Region, which coincides with the servicearea of the Fresno, Madera, Kings, Tulare BuildingTrades Council. The FMKT Building Trades Council iscomprised of the following individual unions:

• Cement and masonry;• Drywall;• Electricians;• Fire sprinklers;• Floor coverers;• Iron workers;• Operational engineers;• Painters;• Pile drivers;• Plumbers;• Sheet metal workers;• Roofers;

• Boiler makers; and• Laborers.

Generally, there are approximately 6,000 membersacross these 14 unions, all trained to the higheststandards in their respective disciplines.

Fresno’s Training and Education InfrastructureIn addition to its building trades programs, FresnoCounty maintains the region’s largest combination ofhigher education and training facilities with over 95,000students pursuing higher education and training everyyear across almost a dozen public and private university

and community college campuses. The technical trainingand education needed for the HMF can easily be met inFresno. Some of our education and training institutionsare highlighted below.

California State University, FresnoCSU Fresno is one of the largest campuses in theCalifornia State University system with over 22,000students; 1,100 faculty members; and 26 nationallyaccredited departmental programs. Colleges withinCalifornia State University, Fresno of particular interestto the CHSRA include the College of Science andMathematics, the Department of Industrial Technology,the Craig School of Business, and the Lyles College ofEngineering. Together, these colleges offer programs in:

• Construction Management• Civil and Geomatic Engineering• Electrical and Computer Engineering• Mechanical Engineering• Computer Science• Earth and Environmental Sciences

• Logistics and Supply Chain Strategies• Computer Information Systems• Human Resource Management

State Center Community College District (SCCCD)SCCCD is one of the largest community collegedistricts in California and serves over 55,000 peopleacross five campuses. Fresno City College, the largestof the SCCCD campuses, enrolls 34,000 students eachyear in over 100 associate of arts and science degreeprograms and over 60 vocational training programs.

Fresno City College’s Career and Technology Centerhas received state and national recognition as a modelvocational education school excelling in communitypartnerships, competency based education, and jobplacement. Open entry allows individual instruction with “senior” students mentoring new students. Programsrelevant to the HMF include:

“...Fresno County maintains theregion’s largest combinationof higher education

and training facilities.”






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• Engine Performance/Electrical/Heating and AirConditioning: 30-week program. Engine theory andtesting, carburetors, vehicle computer operations,electrical, ignition, fuel injection, emission control,analyzers, heating and air conditioning, estimates/work orders, preparation for testing for ASEcertification. Work on “live” projects.

• Engine Repair: 20-week program. Practical andtheoretical training in general engine diagnosis,cylinder heads, valve train, engine block, lubricationand cooling systems.

• Warehouse Technician: 12-week program. Forkliftdriving, computer literacy, basic math skills, strapping,blueprint reading, inventory, shipping and receiving.

• Maintenance Mechanic: 30-week program.Oxyacetylene and stick welding, machining,lathe, drilling, hydraulics, pneumatics electrical,mechanical, use of power tools and equipment.

The Fresno City College Training Institute providesprofessional development, continuing education,career training, and worksite training programs. TheTraining Institute is the extension program for FresnoCity College, so programs can be developed quickly tomeet the needs of individuals, business and industry,

and public sector organizations. The Training Instituteconducts worksite training programs in:

• Industrial Electrical;• Programmable Logic Controllers;• Supervisory Skills, Communication & Team Skills;• Computer Software Applications; and• Customer Service Skills.

Fresno City College’s Applied Technology Divisionmay also be of interest to the CHSRA for the HMF.It provides experiences to guide students in theirtransition from the classroom to employment,

employment upgrades and transfer to other traininginstitutions. Fields of study offered by this divisioninclude air conditioning, architectural drafting,computer aided drafting and design, construction,electronic technology, environmental technology,industrial education, manufacturing technology, andwelding/metal fabrication.

In addition to the education and training programsoffered by California State University, Fresno

and State Center Community College District, thearea also includes vocational training, associatedegrees and/or undergraduate and graduate programsoffered by Fresno Pacific University (private), WestHills Community College District (public), Universityof Phoenix (private), and San Joaquin Valley College(private vocational).

Economic BenefitsAs the capital of the San Joaquin Valley, Fresno Countyis the economic engine that drives commerce for a four-county region, including Fresno, Madera, Kings, andTulare Counties. Just as Fresno County is the centerfor healthcare, education, institutions, and commercialaviation, the county will also become the hub of high-speed rail. Attracted by ample business opportunitiesand quality cultural arts and entertainment, residentsfrom surrounding areas regularly commute to Fresno.The location of the HMF in Fresno County will furtherpropel the region’s economic engine, catalyzing the

Fresno’s strategic plan for sustainable economic growth.

Based on similar HMF’s around the world, the projectcost could be estimated at $800 million. According tothe City of Fresno Economic Impact Study, over a five-year period, an HMF of that scale will create and sustainalmost 5,000 jobs in a variety of industries including,but not limited to construction, manufacturing,and transportation. Based on an estimated total


“... the payroll impact alone isover $200 million annually.”





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employment of 2,300 new workers for the FresnoCounty HMF, and based on a conservative averagesalary of $47,000/yr., direct payroll revenues fromthe facility will amount to over $110 million annually inFresno County, with almost 75 percent of that revenuegoing to residents of the City of Fresno. Add to thatanother 2,700 indirect jobs, and the payroll impactalone is over $200 million annually.

This data alone demonstrates that the Fresno CountyHMF will create high-paying, permanent jobs, and attractnew companies in an underserved region of California.

Historically, Fresno County and surroundingcommunities were the heart of California’s agriculturaleconomy. In recent decades, markets have shiftedleaving many parts of the Central Valley with strugglingeconomies. Jobs are especially scarce with chronicunemployment hovering at over 15 percent. The impactof building the HMF in Fresno County would be immenseand sustained. For the Authority, that translates into anabundance of readily available workforce candidates tosupport the facility’s employment needs. With a four-county ripple effect, impacting higher than averageunemployment rates, and with the ability to draw from

a large workforce pool, locating the HMF in FresnoCounty would be the Authority’s most practicalchoice from a labor perspective, while providingCalifornia’s most economically challenged regionwith much needed jobs.






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To accomplish redirection of funds from these MeasureC Subprograms, an amendment to the Measure CExpenditure Plan would be required. The amendmentprocess is a two-step process that requires publicnoticing and formal public hearings on the PlanAmendment by both the Council of Fresno CountyGovernments Policy Board (COG) and the FresnoCounty Transportation Authority. This funding conceptalready has been taken before the Measure C CitizensAdvisory Committee and the COG Board, comprisedof the Chairman of the Fresno County Board ofSupervisors and mayors from each of the County’scities. The COG unanimously approved initiation of theprocess at its November 2009 meeting. The FresnoCounty Board of Supervisors also unanimously votedto endorse proceeding with the process to amendthe Measure C Expenditure Plan at its meeting onDecember 15, 2009.

When the HMF is sited in Fresno County, it will serveas a major economic stimulus and, in turn, generategreater sales tax revenue, thereby increasing thesetwo subprogram funds and creating an even greateropportunity to complement the HSR initiative and HMFfacility in Fresno with additional investments in new

transportation technology and rail consolidation.

Road ImprovementsMeasure C provides separate funding for roadwayimprovements, such as maintenance, planned upgradesand improvements to highway interchanges thatare programmed and funded using local Measure Cdollars. The City and County have dedicated funding tomaintaining and making necessary improvements to theroadways serving the Fresno County HMF site.

ECONOMIC INCENTIVESThe Fresno Works proposal includes a commitmentof $25 million to be used at the Authority’s discretionfor site acquisition, infrastructure, utilities and/or construction. We believe at this stage it is bestto commit to a dollar amount that can be used bythe Authority in any number of ways, as opposed tospecifying exactly how the incentives must be used.With this approach, we are providing the Authority withmaximum flexibility to invest the funds in a manner thatwill produce the most in return.

Utility InfrastructureThe proposed site area is partially within the FresnoCity limits and the Fresno City “Sphere of Influence.” Assuch, the City of Fresno is prepared to provide the fullarray of public infrastructure improvements – street,

sewer and water – necessary to support the facility.The City is supportive of using a number of financingalternatives, including the use of development fees,to provide the necessary infrastructure. Fresno CityCouncil action was taken to affirm this commitment onDecember 17, 2009.

Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E), one of the largestcombination natural gas and electric utilities inthe United States, stands ready to provide powernecessary to operate the HMF in Fresno County. Oncethe location and load requirements for the HMF havebeen established, PG&E will be able to provide greater

detail as to its commitment to the project.

Measure CA viable funding source for infrastructure and theacquisition of land for the HMF is Measure C, FresnoCounty’s self-help transportation improvement salestax. Measure C funds have been programmed foruse in a variety of transportation-related areas. Twoparticular subprograms provide funding that can beredirected toward the HMF. These subprograms arethe New Technology Reserve Subprogram and the RailConsolidation Subprogram. By the end of the life ofMeasure C, the two subprograms will accrue at least

$139 million. Upon conclusion of the public processrequired to redirect funds, the County of Fresno and Cityof Fresno are willing to commit a minimum of $25 millionfrom the two subprograms toward the land acquisitionand infrastructure necessary to construct the HMF.


“$25 million...with maximumflexibility to invest the funds ina manner that will produce themost in return.”



33Fresno Works: Expression of Interest for Cal i fornia High Speed Rai l



“The entire site area is locatedwithin Enterprise Zones.

This will present hugeincentives to investors.”

Enterprise ZoneThe entire site area is located within Enterprise Zones.The majority of the site is located in the Fresno CountyRegional Enterprise Zone and the remainder is locatedin the City’s Enterprise Zone. This will present hugeincentives to investors. The benefits of the EnterpriseZone for a private sector company include the following:

• Firms can earn $36,600 or more in state tax creditsfor each qualified employee hired.

• Corporations can earn sales tax credits onpurchases of $20 million per year of qualifiedmachinery and machinery parts.

• Up-front expensing of certain depreciable property• Lenders to Zone businesses may receive a net

interest deduction.• Unused tax credits can be applied to future tax

years, stretching out the benefit of the initialinvestment.

• Enterprise Zone companies can earn preferencepoints on state contracts.

• Up to 100 percent Net Operating Loss (NOL) carry-forward. NOL may be carried forward 15 years.







35

FRESNO WORKS:A BROAD VISION OF OPPORTUNITY The Fresno Works vision extends well beyond simplylocating the HMF in our county to secure 2,300permanent jobs for our residents. While we are extremelymotivated by the jobs that would be created by the HMF,we believe the opportunity is much bigger than that.Fresno County will ensure the HMF becomes a catalystfor additional facilities and programs that support thesuccess of high-speed rail throughout California, as wellas for similar rail projects throughout the United States.The paragraphs below summarize the developmentconcepts we intend to pursue if awarded the HMF site.

PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPSUnderstanding that the CHSR initiative still facessignificant financing gaps, the County of Fresno isexploring any and all financing options for the HMF. Werecognize that such financing decisions will be made atthe sole discretion of the Authority. However, FresnoCounty wishes to be an informed partner in order tobetter support the Authority’s efforts to secure necessaryfinancing for the project.

BUILDING INTEREST IN PRIVATE INVESTMENT

In recent months Fresno County has fielded anincreasing number of calls and interest from a range ofinvestment and development experts who specialize inpublic private partnerships for infrastructure projects.Some bring a background in finance. Others specializein engineering and construction. Still others focus onoperations, but all are very interested in investing inthe HMF. Many are engaged in PPP projects on HSRsystems in other parts of the world with varying degreesof success. Fresno County is willing to participatewith the Authority as partners in a PPP effort shouldthe Authority choose this approach for the HMF.

In addition, Fresno County representatives havecoordinated a meeting between a CalPERS boardmember and members and executives from the area’slocal retirement systems. The meeting focused oninvesting in the HMF and resulted in great interestamong local retirement systems for potentialinvestments. Agenda items currently are being preparedto go before the local retirement systems to commenceformal discussions before each system’s board.

Furthermore, at the request of the County of Fresno,Rep. Jim Costa facilitated a meeting with national andmajor local community banks to discuss investing in this

project. The meeting generated support for the concept,and many of the bank representatives expressed aninterest in learning more about how they can participateas details become available.

GLOBAL SHOWCASE FOR CHSRWe recognize that high-speed rail is quickly becomingone of the world’s emerging industries. Because itwill likely be the first of its kind in the United Statesand its adjacency to the first HSR test track, theCHSR HMF will be a national center for information,

innovation, resources and marketing associated withthe development of HSR systems across America andthroughout the world.

In addition to testing and commissioning of CHSR trainsets, it is likely that the test track will be used extensivelyby vendors developing and promoting their rolling stockfor other HSR systems around the world. We believethe selected HMF site should be large enough toaccommodate an adjacent national research center,training academy, conference center, and supportivecommercial and office development to support thisemerging global industry. In order to support this vision,the Fresno Works site area encompasses almost 700acres, far more land than required for the HMF alone, butsufficient to accommodate national level programs andfacilities for the HSR industry.

For example, we anticipate key facilities with significantpresence and revenue streams that will maintainpermanent operations could include:

• A U.S. Federal Railroad Administration High SpeedRail certification and test facility;

• A large facility for the eventual CHSR rolling stockvendor to service and promote its engines and cars;

• Facilities for global rolling stock manufacturers (notassociated with the CHSR) to help develop, test andmarket their engines and cars.

HIGH SPEED RAIL INDUSTRIAL PARKHigh-Speed Rail is the catalyst for economic developmentfor the state. Companies that are looking at the Californiamarket to expand and grow their market share will want

A B R O A D V I S I O N O F O P P O R T U N I T Y

“Fresno County will ensurethe HMF becomes a catalyst

for additional facilities andprograms that support the

success of high-speed railthroughout California, as wellas for similar rail projects

throughout the United States.”





36

to position their companies to take advantage of theopportunities high-speed rail will afford them. FresnoCounty is the central most location in the state, andcombined with Fresno County’s innovative support, theHMF will be strategically positioned for its greatestsuccess.

Combined with the aforementioned Enterprise Zoneenhancements, proximity to the HMF and all that itentails operationally, the Fresno County site area

presents several prime, shovel-ready sites that willprovide economic and competitive advantages toprospective industrial developers. Fresno Works visionfor a high-speed rail oriented industrial park will saveboth cost and time for development, while enhancingrevenue to offset the cost of doing business for theAuthority. It also sets aside a specific area for futureopportunities and growth.

The County of Fresno will create this high-speed railoriented industrial park adjacent to the HMF. The Countywill create a fast track process as part of the parkdevelopment. Creating this specialized industrial park

will be pre-permitted for the attraction of CHSR orientedbusinesses. The envisioned process will streamlineenvironmental and entitlement requirements, attractingand nesting CHSR oriented companies from around thecountry, as well as the San Joaquin Valley.

The Fresno County CHSR Oriented Industrial Park will offer:

• Financial incentives including Enterprise, ForeignTrade, and Hub Zones

• Global and nationalmarketing through theEconomic DevelopmentCorporation servingFresno County specificallypromoting the High-SpeedRail advantage;

• Technical assistanceand help with the fasttrack permitting processsubstantially expeditingany High-Speed Rail

oriented project

This forward-thinking approach by Fresno County willlead to the creation of the most advanced industrialpark, new jobs, substantial outside investment, and asustainable, regional economic engine. The industrialpark will be designed with advances at all levels includingarchitecture, engineering and construction by way ofCC&Rs that will assure a minimization of air pollution,water waste, and energy use through innovativeadvanced green technologies. In addition to having apositive impact on job creation and the economy, theHSR Oriented Industrial Park will also have a positiveimpact on key quality of life issues, including povertyand unemployment in a seriously distressed area ofCalifornia.

RESEARCH AND INNOVATION CENTEROur vision is to see the HMF established as a nationalcenter for new technology and information exchangeregarding HSR and, as a result, a breeding ground forspin offs and new entrepreneurial firms that sparkfurther economic opportunity. We intend to seekacademic, public, and private partners to co-locatein and around the HMF to create an entrepreneurialenvironment to accomplish that vision. We’reCalifornians we shouldn’t just buy trains and

equipment from other parts of the world. We shoulddo what we’ve always done reinvent the system andsell it back to the world.

Conference CenterWe anticipate the CHSR HMF will draw a steady stream ofvisitors, either to learn more about HSR, the rolling stock,or to market their equipment or technology. Such trade willestablish a critical mass requiring the need for a moderateto large sized conference center to support meetings,training and presentations, and conferences. We haveselected the Fresno County site area, in part, because itwill accommodate these potential, additional facilities.

A BROAD VISION OF OPPORTUNITY continued

“...Fresno Works is proposing tocreate a national high-speed railresearch and training academy.”



Pre-Apprenticeship Training - The Fresno CountyRegional Workforce Investment Board (FRWIB) willinstitute a new screening regimen to find stableapplicants for consideration as pre-apprentices by unionthat will represent workers at the HMF (presumablythe International Brotherhood of Teamsters and theBrotherhood of Locomotive Engineers & Trainmen).Specifically, FRWIB would provide its labor partners withthe following pre-apprentice support:

Once candidates are assessed, FRWIB would interview

the candidates, conduct the requisite background checkand screen for eligibility to be hired at the HMF andselect the top candidates from the potential trainingpool. Once selected, FRWIB will provide a College/Training Orientation for the selected candidates priorto commencing the training. This process would beimplemented to improve hiring efficiencies to identify aqualified workforce, improve retention and progressionrates and hire local candidates with trained soft skillsand demonstrated work ethics.

Transportation Systems Management Programs – TheFresno State Industrial Technology Department isinterested in expanding its Transportation SystemsManagement program to include bachelor’s and master’sdegrees with emphases in high-speed rail management.

The Partners:

Fresno City College:FCC’s Career and Technology Center has receivedstate and national recognition as a model vocationaleducation school excelling in community partnerships,competency based education and job placement. Theprogram currently provides students with certificationsattainable in as little as a few weeks.



37

SAN JOAQUIN VALLEY HIGH SPEED RAIL ACADEMY To help foster and maintain a skilled workforce andestablish a national presence for CHSR system, FresnoWorks is proposing to create a national high-speed railresearch and training academy. The idea is to develop arailroad science training program offered through FresnoCity College using the curriculum developed by theNational Academy of Railroad Sciences (NARS). A similar joint venture currently exists with the Johnson CountyCommunity College (JCCC) in Overland Park, Kan.Further, JCCC has agreed to be a resource on the publiccurriculum in the formation of the SJVARS.

The San Joaquin Valley Academy of High-Speed RailSciences would train individuals seeking to join thehigh speed rail industry and people who work aroundor with railroad facilities in other industries. SJVARSwould provide high quality, value-added training throughthe most comprehensive, hands-on, and technically-proficient and industry-current instructors.

With a Fresno County-based Heavy MaintenanceFacility, the Fresno Regional Workforce InvestmentBoard, in conjunction with our partners:

• State Center Community College District – FresnoCity College

• West Hills Community College District• California State University, Fresno• The Fresno Madera Kings Tulare Central Labor Council• The Fresno Madera Kings Tulare Building Trades Council• The International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT),

Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers & Trainmen(BLET)

The creation of the San Joaquin Valley Academy ofRailroad Sciences would bring together public resources

in workforce development and training to ensure:

• A ready and skilled workforce for the HMF based inFresno County

• A ready and skilled workforce for the high speed railproject for the State of California

With the existing resources and forged partnershipsbetween workforce development, vocational training andhigher educational institutes, Fresno County can provideCalifornia with a world class facility that will serve as amodel for sustainable building and high speed rails acrossthe nation.

Additional Training and ResearchWhile the Fresno Area already enjoys a robust andcomprehensive education and training system that willserve the HMF, our local colleges and universities havealready expressed an interest in developing additionalprograms to further support the HMF, as well as theCHSR initiative. Preliminary concepts include:


“Fresno Area...colleges anduniversities have already expressed an interest in

developing additional programsto further support the

HMF and CHSR”





38 38

California State University, FresnoThe Lyles College of Engineering is the oldest publiclysupported engineering college in the San JoaquinValley, offering engineering programs since the 1920s.Programs include:

• Construction Management• Civil and Geomatics Engineering• Electrical and Computer Engineering• Mechanical Engineering

The current specializations at the Lyles Collegeof Engineering will work jointly with the IndustrialTechnology Department in offering specialized coursesfocused on Railway Engineering to prepare graduatesto work in the High Speed Rail in California. In addition,the college faculty will offer expertise on sustainablebuildings and energy sources for the high speedrail – heavy maintenance facility. The Department ofIndustrial Technology is the only four-year universityprogram in the San Joaquin Valley to offer bachelor’sand master’s degrees in transportation systems

management. It will also offer an emphasis in highspeed rail management for both BS and MS to meet thepersonnel needs of high speed rail management team.

SUSTAINABLE HMF AND GREEN COLLAR JOBSFresno County is committed to supporting the Authorityin building a facility that minimizes adverse impactsto the environment, energy dependency and climatechange issues. We believe the HMF should be a globalshowcase in sustainability, maximizing opportunities forgreen collar job creation and training, energy efficiencyand power generation, and natural resource protection.Our commitment to a sustainable development and

process will expedite the environmental review process,as well as position the project for government grantstargeting energy efficiency and conservation in thebuilding and planning sector and the development ofgreen collar jobs and training opportunities.

The FCC Training Institute:an extension program for Fresno City College, so programscan be developed quickly to meet the needs of individuals,business and industry, and public sector organizations. Theprograms in the FCC Training Institute are for professionalgrowth and development and are not for college credit.Based on the Johnson County Community College model,below are some sample titles of training programs withinthe proposed Railroad Sciences degree that Fresno CityCollege may provide:

Degrees CertificatesRailroad Operations Conductor Option, A.A.S.Locomotive Electrical CertificateRailroad Operations General Option, A.A.S.Locomotive Mechanical CertificateRailroad Operations Mechanical Option, A.A.S.Railroad Freight Car CertificateRailroad Operations Welding OptionRailroad Conductor Certificate

Using the Heavy Maintenance Facility for hands-onlearning, the joint venture between FCC and FRWIB, canteach both basic and advanced skills necessary for acareer in the rail industry to potential new employees and

current railroad employees in virtually every industry craft.

Conductors learn and practice skills in an outdoortrain yard, complete with various types of operatinglocomotives and freight cars. The program could beeasily adapted to the skills of HSR.

Mechanical employees train in workshops, includinga freight car lab, locomotive lab, and locomotiveelectrical. Each lab is fully equipped to provide hands onexperience with mechanical and electrical componentsof cars and engines. Maintenance and engineeringcrews work on an open air track lab outfitted with rails

and ties. This area also has a fully operative locomotivecrane. Signal operators train on the actual signals,electronic switches and computer apparatus they willinstall and service in the field. Telecommunicationsspecialists learn and practice on the precise equipmentthey will encounter on the job. Those programs thatprovide transferrable college credit can be foundationalfor the further advancement at California StateUniversity, Fresno.






39

Potable Water Resource Conservation andManagement – Water resource conservation is aconsiderable challenge in California, and FresnoCounty sees this as an opportunity for the long-term commitment and benefits. We will support theHMF’s needs to reduce the use of potable water forlandscaping, maintenance or non-potable water needs byassessing the use of a “purple pipe” gray-water systemto the development or by providing incentives andtechnical support to the project for researching viabilityand opportunities for on-site rainwater catchment andstorage off of the roof areas.

Waste Management and Recycling – As mentionedabove, the City of Fresno is the top recycling city in thenation with a 72 percent diversion rate. We have robustrecycling programs that could easily be expandedto provide ample opportunities to support the wastemanagement programs at the new facility. We will alsooffer the opportunity for creating the re-cycle andre-use center focusing on parts and machinery usedat the facility. This is potentially a thriving businessopportunity that can create hundreds of new green jobs.

Sustainable opportunities for this facility are numerousand include:

Site Resource and Stormwater Management – We havealready begun to assess the innovative opportunitiesto meet and exceed the storm water managementrequirements through green infrastructure strategiesand bio-filtration opportunities on the proposed siteand surrounding areas. We will target the potentialmitigation issues of the environmental impact study on thesurrounding lands with our green infrastructure strategies.

Energy Conservation and Opportunities for Renewable Energy Generation - We see the energysector as the key area for achieving carbon neutralsolutions, as well as opportunities for public private

partnerships with local businesses. Through local andregional technical expertise and incentives we willsupport efforts to develop a facility that attemptsto match the high standards of energy conservationthrough building and systems design and facilityoperational guidelines. In addition, on-site renewableenergy generation is one of our key priorities. We canprovide the local expertise and support in this area onmany levels:

• Research into on-site renewable resources• Focusing on solar and geothermal and wind turbine

technology

• Leveraging local technical knowledge• Training and expertise and recommending locallyknown vendors that can provide the full servicethrough installation.

“...the HMF should be a globalshowcase in sustainability,

maximizing opportunities for green collar job creation and

training, energy efficiency andpower generation, and natural

resource protection.”








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Heavy Maintenance Faci l ity

48 48





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EDITORIAL: Fresno logical site for facility

Maintenance operation would be major economic engine.

Posted at 12:00 AM on Sunday, Dec. 20, 2009

A crucial decision is coming from the California High-Speed Rail Authority, and it will have a major impact on the economy of the San Joaquin Valley. A

maintenance operation for the rail system is proposed for the Valley, and the authority must decide the best location.

Fresno County in the heart of the Valley is the most suitable location for the maintenance facility. The important thing now is for the county to put together a

quality proposal so the rail authority understands that it's in everyone's interest to have the maintenance operation in Fresno County.

San Joaquin Valley counties must present an "expression of interest" to the authority on Jan. 15. Then the agency will narrow down the proposals. There's a

tight timeline because plans call for construction of the maintenance facility to begin as early as 2012.

The operation will employ 1,500 people, according to authority officials, including the rolling stock maintenance staff, train operators, central control

supervisors and staff and systemwide engineering.

Fresno County is the lead agency, and there's plenty of backup from other local agencies. This is the kind of cooperation that's required to advance a first-

rate proposal.

A leading contender for a proposed site in Fresno County is south of American Avenue and east of Cedar Avenue. This is a r ural area southwest of Malaga,

according to city officials. A second possible site is just north along the system's likely route. It is parallel to the Burlington Northern Santa Fe tracks south of

Fresno.

The local proposal could be funded with Measure C money. We believe this is exactly the kind of project that the county's half-cent transportation sales tax

should fund. The Fresno County Council of Governments is working on an amendment to the Measure C spending plan to allow some funds to be used to

lure the maintenance facility.

Fresno County must do whatever it takes to get this operation. "This will be an economic engine that will have a billion-dollar-a-year impact," Steve Geil,

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