BATON ROUGE, LA APRIL, 28 2014FY 2014 TIGER GRANT APPLICATION

Nicholson CorridorHigh-Capacity Transit System Plan

P R O J E C T T I T L ENicholson Corridor High Capacity Transit System Plan

… … … … … … … … … …L O C AT I O NBaton Rouge, Louisiana

U.S. Congressional Districts 2 and 6

… … … … … … … … … …T Y P E O F A P P L I C AT I O NProject planning

… … … … … … … … … …A P P L I C A N T O R G A N I Z AT I O NCity of Baton Rouge/ Parish of East Baton Rouge

… … … … … … … … … …T Y P E O F E L I G I B L E A P P L I C A N TLocal Government

… … … … … … … … … …A M O U N T O F T I G E R F U N D I N G R E Q U E S T E D$1.76 Million

P R O J E C T S U M M A R YHigh-Capacity Transit System Plan and Project Development

Planning, alternatives analysis and project development for a 3.1 mile high-capacity transit system through Baton Rouge’s urban core.… … … … … … … … … …W H E R ENicholson Corridor

3-mile long, half-mile wide corridor encompassing Downtown, the State Capitol, the Arts and Entertainment District, the Mississippi Riverfront, Old South Baton Rouge Neighborhood, and Louisiana State University.… … … … … … … … … …P R O J E C T C O S T$2.76 million

… … … … … … … … … …C O N TA C TAmanda LaGrange Federal and States Grant Coordinator 7NÅKM�WN �\PM�5IaWZ�8ZM[QLMV\phone: (225) 389-3100 email: ALaGrange@brgov.com

Title PageW H Y I S T H I S P R O J E C T T H E B E S T C H O I C E F O R A T I G E R P L A N N I N G G R A N T ?State of Good Repair�� Re-establishes public transit in the Corridor�� Well-funded and supported by key organizations�� Implements existing plans to achieve multiple

community goals

Economic Competitiveness�� Creates ladders of opportunity�� 8ZW^QLM[�MNÅKQMV\��PQOP�Y]ITQ\a��INNWZLIJTM�UWJQTQ\a�� Increases low-income residents’ access to jobs�� Increases economic productivity of the land�� Capitalizes on current development patterns�� Incentivizes private development

Livability�� Improves accessibility within economically

disadvantaged neighborhoods �� Enables car-free, active lifestyles�� Provides reliable access to nighttime entertainment�� Increases intermodal connectivity �� Decreases expenditures on private vehicles

Sustainability�� Prevents urban sprawl�� Relieves dependence on gasoline�� Reduces VMT & GHG emissions

Innovation�� Facilitates new public-private partnerships �� Utilizes new intelligent transportation information

systems and clean energy technology

TIGER Planning /ZIV\�ZMY]M[\�

$1.76 million (63%)

Local match $1 million (47%)

Leveraged funds (not included in project cost)

$0.9 million

FY 2014 TIGER - GRANT APPLICATION NICHOLSON CORRIDOR HIGH CAPACITY TRANSIT SYSTEM PLAN II

P R O J E C T D E S C R I P T I O N . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1Project Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1Current Road and Transit Conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3Outcomes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3Expected Users . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4Project Scope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

P R O J E C T PA R T I E S . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

G R A N T F U N D S A N D S O U R C E S / U S E S O F P R O J E C T F U N D S . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8Use of Funds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8Operation and Maitenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

S E L E C T I O N C R I T E R I A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9Primary Selection Criteria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9Secondary Selection Criteria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 7Results of Benefit-Cost Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 8

P R O J E C T R E A D I N E S S . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 9

F E D E R A L W A G E R AT E C E R T I F I C AT I O N . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 2

B I B L I O G R A P H Y . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 3

Table of Contents

FY 2014 TIGER - GRANT APPLICATION NICHOLSON CORRIDOR HIGH CAPACITY TRANSIT SYSTEM PLAN III

F I G U R E SFigure 1: Regional Context for the Nicholson Corridor High-Capacity Transit System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Figure 2: Major Attractions Along Nicholson Corridor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Figure 3: Proposed HCTS in Relation to Major CATS Bus Lines (in blue) and the Proposed Regional Rail (in orange) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Figure 4: Median Annual Household Incomes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 1

Figure 5: Population by Age in the Corridor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 1

Figure 6: Housing Tenure in the Corridor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 1

Figure 7: Employment within ! Mile of the Proposed HCTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 1

Figure 8: Potential and Planned Development and Redevelopment . . . . . . . . . . . 12

TA B L E STable 1: Project Development Fund Sources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Table 2: Project Development Fund Uses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Table 3: Potential Engineering and Construction Fund Sources (preliminary estimates) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

R E L E VA N T P L A N N I N G D O C U M E N T SFor easy review, the project team has provided a number of web links to relevant plannning documents.

Baton Rouge-New Orleans Intercity Rail Feasibility Study www.braf.org/assets/docs/reports/Intercity%20Passenger%20Train%20Study%202014.pdf

Baton Rouge/East Baton Rouge Sustainable Government Operations Plan http://brgov.com/dept/planning/pdf/SUSTAINABILITY%20PLAN%20FINAL.pdf

Baton Rouge Parking Study www.downtownbatonrouge.org/FinalReport122304_lowres.pdf

Business Improvement Grant (BIG) www.downtownbatonrouge.org/devEconomic.asp

Capitol Park Interpretive Plan www.downtownbatonrouge.org/Capitol%20Park%20Interpretive%20Plan_lowres.pdf

CATS transit reforms implementation plan www.brcats.com/Images/Interior/3-2013%20implementation%20plan%20.pdf

Complete Streets Policy www.brgoodwood.com/Zoning_Information/Goodwood_FINAL_PropOwners_2013_0416.pdf

Downtown Development District Implementation Projects http://ow.ly/waDrH

Louisiana Speaks Regional Sustainability Plan http://downloads.cpex.org/stateplanning/LASpeaks_Downloads/RegionalPlan/01_SectionOne_LouisianaSpeaksRegionalPlan.pdf and http://www.louisianaspeaks-parishplans.org

Downtown Development District Strategic Plan www.downtownbatonrouge.org/downloads/pdf/DDD_Strategic_Plan_Final_Draft.pdf

Downtown Greenway www.epa.gov/livablecommunities/pdf/greencapitals/batonrouge-high.pdf

Downtown Residential Façade Grant Program www.downtownbatonrouge.org/devRes_facade.asp

Downtown Visitors’ Amenities Plan www.downtownbatonrouge.org/02-053_DowntownVisitor’sAmenityPlan_lowres.pdf

FUTUREBR Comprehensive Plan http://brgov.com/dept/planning/pdf/FBRPlanE.pdf

FUTUREBR Strategic Implementation Plan http://brgov.com/dept/planning/pdf/FBRStrategicE.pdf

LSU Nicholson Gateway Plan http://sites01.lsu.edu/wp/nicholson/

Old South Baton Rouge Strategic Plan http://cpex.org/downloads/old-south-baton-rouge-revitalization

Plan Baton Rouge Phase II www.downtownbatonrouge.org/downloads/pdf/PBRII_091105_low_res.Final.pdf

Riverfront Master Plan www.downtownbatonrouge.org/downloads/pdf/BRR_ExecReport_092906_sm.pdf

Numerous plans have been completed for this area since 1998. They all support the kinds of improvements that the Nicholson Corridor HCTS would bring.

FY 2014 TIGER - GRANT APPLICATION NICHOLSON CORRIDOR HIGH CAPACITY TRANSIT SYSTEM PLAN IV

Appendix A – Letters of SupportAppendix B – Wage Rate CertificationAppendix C – ScheduleAppendix D – Budget and Scope of WorkAppendix E – Grant Coordinator Job Description

Appendices

FY 2014 TIGER - GRANT APPLICATION NICHOLSON CORRIDOR HIGH CAPACITY TRANSIT SYSTEM PLAN V

Project Description

Baton Rouge

Mid City South

Downtown

Town Square Hub

FLORIDA BLVD

LSU

Old South Baton Rouge

Mid City North

Figure 1: Regional Context for the Nicholson Corridor High-Capacity Transit System

Figure 2: Major Attractions Along Nicholson Corridor

P R O J E C T A R E AFew other places within Baton Rouge have been at the center of so many planning efforts. From Plan Baton Rouge and Baton Rouge Riverfront Master Plan to the Downtown Greenway renderings, Nicholson Corridor is depicted over and over again as a place transformed by new development, pedestrian-friendly amenities and new, multi-modal \ZIV[XWZ\I\QWV�WX\QWV[��)�]VQÅML�^Q[QWV�and plan for high-capacity transit in the corridor will synthesize past planning efforts and provide a clear and meaningful path forward.

The proposed Nicholson Corridor High-Capacity Transit System (HCTS) route connects several of Baton Rouge’s major attractions. It passes through the central business district, surmounts the Interstate 10 barrier, is adjacent to vibrant but disadvantaged neighborhoods to the east, and hugs the banks of the Mississippi to the west.

Since the mid-1990s the Nicholson Corridor has had some of the most actively growing institutions and uses in the region. Louisiana State University (LSU), the southern anchor of the corridor, has 30,000 students and 6,500

Old South Baton Rouge

FY 2014 TIGER - GRANT APPLICATION NICHOLSON CORRIDOR HIGH CAPACITY TRANSIT SYSTEM PLAN 1

faculty and staff. In addition to being a center of employment for faculty, staff and service workers, the campus also hosts the popular Tiger Stadium (with an attendance capacity of over 100,000) as well as other major athletic facilities including the Pete Maravich Assembly Center, a 13,200-seat multi-purpose arena that hosts LSU’s Division I basketball, gymnastics and volleyball teams. Other LSU athletic facilities in the Corridor include:

�� Alex Box Stadium/Skip Bertman Field - baseball stadium (seats 10,000)

�� Carl Maddox Field House - indoor track (seats 3,000)

�� Bernie Moore Track Stadium - outdoor track (seats 5,700)

Downtown Baton Rouge has seen substantial investment since the adoption of Plan Baton Rouge in 1998, and has grown steadily through civic improvements and development of VM_�WNÅKM��PW][QVO��ZM[\I]ZIV\[�IVL�entertainment venues. At the north end Q[�\PM�;\I\M�+IXQ\WT�IVL�;\I\M�WNÅKM�IVL�administrative buildings.

Recent public investments in the area include the ongoing construction of a

Downtown Greenway – comprised of parks, plazas and multi-use pathways – a façade improvement program, new public library, and Complete Streets policy resulting in new sidewalks, crosswalks, signalized intersections and bike lanes.

Old South Baton RougeThe Nicholson HCTS will also travel through Old South Baton Rouge (OSBR), a culturally historic but under-resourced neighborhood located between the LSU campus and the downtown business LQ[\ZQK\��<PQ[���[Y]IZM�UQTM�IZMI��PWUM�to over 11,000 residents with a median income less than half of the Baton Rouge Metropolitan Area and United States’ median incomes.

A historic African-American neighborhood, Old South Baton Rouge is still culturally rich, but suburban growth and increased mobility has led to a steady population decline over the past several decades. Blight and poverty now plague this once vibrant community.

Recent planning in the area (including the OSBR Strategic Plan) has highlighted the community’s dedication to its revival

and the importance of this culturally historic neighborhood to the regional economy. Because the neighborhood’s access to public transit is severely limited, the HCTS will provide a critical link for residents to jobs and the downtown business center.

[ Project Description ]

Vacant commercial buildings in the Old South Baton Rouge Neighborhood are ripe for adaptive reuse.

FY 2014 TIGER - GRANT APPLICATION NICHOLSON CORRIDOR HIGH CAPACITY TRANSIT SYSTEM PLAN 2

C U R R E N T R O A D A N D T R A N S I T C O N D I T I O N S

Nicholson Drive is a four-lane thoroughfare carrying over 30,000 vehicles a day - many of which are large trucks travelling at high speeds. Currently, there is no public transit option to move people between LSU and the Capitol.

With more than 3,700 housing units and two million square feet of new KWUUMZKQIT�IVL�WNÅKM�XTIVVML�WZ�under construction along this three-mile route, solutions are needed to address issues such as constrained road space and limited parking options.

The Nicholson Corridor HCTS is poised to be a major amenity for the City-Parish and will play a role in further stimulating economic development by providing new, comfortable transportation options without adding more vehicles to the road.

O U T C O M E SThe Nicholson Corridor is of strategic importance in Baton Rouge. It is a gateway from I-10 to the downtown business district and LSU. Because of its prominence, the transformation of this area is critical to the economic competitiveness of the city. A Corridor

HCTS will connect LSU to the Central Business District and State Capitol, in addition to many public attractions and amenities in-between. This three-mile corridor contains the most important places in this region. The HCTS will provide much-needed transportation options for residents and employees along the Corridor and capitalize on current development patterns to maximize the amount of private investment leveraged by every public dollar spent.

High-capacity transit will meet community goals from numerous planning and public engagement efforts over the past two decades to:

�� Connect Downtown to LSU, Old South Baton Rouge, and the riverfront

�� Protect and enhance existing under-resourced neighborhoods

�� Support a thriving, livable and walkable downtown

�� Incentivize and sustain a high rate of private investment

�� +ZMI\M�IKKM[[QJTM��MNÅKQMV\�U]T\Q�modal transit connections for a wide range of users, especially low-income and limited mobility populations

[ Project Description ]

Acadian

Mississippi R

iver

Nicholson D

r

North St

Downtown

Highland R

d

Government St

Florida Blvd

Central Baton Rouge is constrained by I-II0 and the Mississippi River.

Parking is at a premium in downtown Baton Rouge and on LSU’s campus.

FY 2014 TIGER - GRANT APPLICATION NICHOLSON CORRIDOR HIGH CAPACITY TRANSIT SYSTEM PLAN 3

E X P E C T E D U S E R SThe Nicholson Corridor is home to more than 33,000 jobs, of which 41% and 26% are in the public sector and education, respectively. The Corridor is also home \W�W^MZ��������ZM[QLMV\[��\PZMM�Y]IZ\MZ[�of which rent their homes. Over half the area’s residents are between the ages of 18 and 39 with a median household income of $28,000 – less than half the Baton Rouge Metro median of $65,000.

This data characterizes the Corridor as a community of young, lower-income ZM[QLMV\[�_PW�_QTT�OZMI\Ta�JMVMÅ\�NZWU�increased access to jobs, educational WXXWZ\]VQ\QM[�IVL�PQOP�Y]ITQ\a��INNWZLIJTM�housing that will accommodate a range of household sizes and types. Given the makeup of the employment and resident base, HCTS ridership is expected to be high.

P R O J E C T S C O P EPublic Engagement Program: Tiger Planning Grant = $300,000 The public engagement program will create a broad and inclusive public involvement and communications strategy, focused on study-area residents,

[ Project Description ]Within ! mile of the Corridor, there are more than 6 proposed construction projects projected to bring an estimated 2 million square feet of commercial buildings, thousands of new jobs and 3,200 new, multi-family housing units to the area.

Nicholson Drive Master Plan for the Louisiana State University Campus.

The Onyx Residences, a housing project under construction on Third Street in Downtown Baton Rouge, is one block from

a proposed transit stop.

The proposed Van Buren Grocery store in the River District project, near a proposed transit stop on

Nicholson Drive.

High-capacity transit will synthesize the momentum in Baton Rouge to create an attractive and well-designed

downtown corridor.

FY 2014 TIGER - GRANT APPLICATION NICHOLSON CORRIDOR HIGH CAPACITY TRANSIT SYSTEM PLAN 4

[ Project Description ]property owners and low-income households. Outreach will build on existing engagement efforts, and continue through project development and implementation.

�� Public engagement plan and communications strategy

�� Series of public charettes, workshops and open houses

�� Focus groups and interviews with key stakeholders

Alternatives Analysis: Existing FTA grant through CATS = $900,000 (leveraged funds - do not count toward local match)The alternatives analysis will compare each mode alternative with a “no build” scenario using guiding principles and evaluation criteria established through the public engagement process

�� )T\MZVI\Q^M["�.ZMY]MV\�J][��+WZZQLWZ�BRT, Modern streetcar

Criteria for comparison may include:�� Ridership projections�� Capital costs�� Operation and maintenance costs�� Life cycle cost savings �� <ZIV[Q\�][MZ�JMVMÅ\[��QVKT]LQVO�ZML]KML�

household travel costs

�� Reductions in vehicle miles traveled and greenhouse gas emissions

�� Environmental mitigation strategies�� Impact on historic and cultural

resources�� Economic development incentivized�� Redevelopment potential

�� New housing incentivized

Environmental ROD/Preliminary Engineering: Local Traffic Impact Fees (local match) = $1,000,000 Tiger Planning Grant = $912,000 TOTAL = $2,216,098Preliminary engineering

�� Locating of stations and corollary improvements

�� Preliminary station design

�� Location and preliminary design of maintenance facilities

Environmental ROD ,M^MTWX�NMLMZITTa�ZMY]QZML�MV^QZWVUMV\IT�and engineering documentation in preparation for the HCTS construction. Tasks will include:

�� Scoping meeting, including written comments from public and affected federal, state and local agencies and interested parties on record

�� Create a detailed description of study areas and project need

�� Present “no build” or proposed action alternatives

�� Consider Federal Transit )LUQVQ[\ZI\QWV��.<)��ZMY]QZMUMV\[

�� Evaluate probable impacts on social, economic and environmental considerations for each alternative including construction period and long-term operation. Impacts include:

- Noise levels - Residential / business displacement - Change in development patterns and

land use - +WUU]VQ\a�LQ[Z]X\QWV�L]M�\W�\ZINÅK��

noise, displacements and parking changes

- Safety considerations - Effects on parks and historic sites - ,MOZILI\QWV�WN �IQZ�_I\MZ�Y]ITQ\a - Encroachment on wetlands/ÆWWLXTIQV[��MKWTWOQKITTa�[MV[Q\Q^M�areas, hazardous waste sites

- Changes to wildlife habitat - 7^MZITT�IM[\PM\QK�Y]ITQ\a�WN �\PM�IZMI

Grant Administration and Supplies: Tiger Grant = $245,000

FY 2014 TIGER - GRANT APPLICATION NICHOLSON CORRIDOR HIGH CAPACITY TRANSIT SYSTEM PLAN 5

City of Baton Rouge and East Baton Rouge Parish (City-Parish) The City-Parish is the lead applicant for the TIGER FY 2014 planning grant application and maintains jurisdiction of the Nicholson Drive project area (Nicholson Corridor). The City-Parish provides an array of public services including public protection such as XWTQKM��R]^MVQTM�[MZ^QKM[��ÅZM�IVL�-5;#�PMIT\P�IVL�P]UIV�[MZ^QKM[#�IVL�^IZQW][�infrastructure including community development and public works.

Louisiana State University (LSU) LSU is located on the southern end of Nicholson Corridor. It is a research QV\MV[Q^M�QV[\Q\]\QWV�IVL�\PM�ÆIO[PQX�university for the State of Louisiana. LSU’s total enrollment exceeds 30,000 students, and includes a College of Agriculture as well as a Mechanical +WTTMOM��)[�WVM�WN �\PM�\WX�Å^M�MUXTWaMZ[�in East Baton Rouge Parish, LSU is a growing player in transportation issues surrounding the University.

LSU has announced its plans to recreate the Nicholson Drive Corridor that travels through its campus. The Nicholson Gateway Plan completed by LSU

calls for the transformation of this � �IKZM�XZWXMZ\a#�Q\�Q[�\PM�TIZOM[\�underdeveloped tract of University property, adjacent to the campus core near Tiger Stadium. The site will include a mixed-use housing center and a student residential district. The mixed-use center will be designed as a town center, geared to attract students, sports fans and the surrounding community.

Baton Rouge Area Foundation (BRAF) BRAF is a community foundation with more than $608 million in assets. BRAF’s essential functions include connecting Baton Rouge area philanthropists with VWV�XZWÅ\[�\W�MV[]ZM�\PM�VMML[�WN �\PM�community are met. BRAF has also initiated and managed civic leadership projects. BRAF’s Plan Baton Rouge initiative underpinned the rebirth of downtown Baton Rouge and is returning life to neighborhoods between LSU and the city center. The Foundation’s latest civic initiative is the Water Campus. This more than $300 million facility will be located on the Nicholson Corridor and will be a world-class research institute focusing on best available science on water management and coastal issues. )LLQ\QWVITTa��*:).¼[�NWZ�XZWÅ\�IZU��

Commercial Properties Reality Trust, will be the developer of the Water Campus and the IBM Services Center, a one-WN�I�SQVL�UQ`ML�][M��������[Y]IZM�NWW\�residential and commercial software development center. Both of these properties are located along the proposed HCTS.

The East Baton Rouge Redevelopment Authority (RDA) The RDA was created by the Louisiana State Legislature in 2007. The mission of the RDA is to return vacant and blighted property to productive use, fostering redevelopment through facilitating partnerships and creating a vibrant and globally competitive community. It is OW^MZVML�Ja�I�Å^M�UMUJMZ�*WIZL�WN �Commissioners appointed by the Mayor-President, Baton Rouge Area Foundation and Baton Rouge Area Chamber. As a partner in the Nicholson Corridor HCTS Plan, RDA will be actively reviewing the Corridor’s many developable properties that have sat dormant for decades. Many of these properties have contributed to blight and neglect in the area and bringing them back to a productive ][M�_QTT�JM�JMVMÅKQIT�NWZ�JW\P�\PM�+Q\a�Parish and the residents along the Nicholson Corridor.

Project Parties

FY 2014 TIGER - GRANT APPLICATION NICHOLSON CORRIDOR HIGH CAPACITY TRANSIT SYSTEM PLAN 6

Capital Area Transit System (CATS) CATS is the regional transit authority of the Baton Rouge metropolitan region and is funded by the Parish. The agency is under consideration to serve as the operator for the new HCTS. CATS XZW^QLM[�Y]ITQ\a�UI[[�\ZIV[Q\�[MZ^QKM[�QV�East Baton Rouge Parish for a population of 430,317 and within a service area of �!��[Y]IZM�UQTM[�QV�\PM�KIXQ\IT�ZMOQWV��+)<;�XZW^QLM[�Å`ML�ZW]\M�[MZ^QKM��XIZI�transit service for disabled passengers, contractual service to Southern University and seasonal service for special events. Recently, CATS has announced plans to move forward with an alternative analysis to explore the possibility of bus rapid transit service along the Nicholson Corridor, which could eventually be converted into the three-mile HCTS connecting LSU with downtown.

The State of Louisiana (State) The State has been an integral player in the beginning phases of the development for the Nicholson Corridor HCTS. Recently, the State transferred control of three corridors in Baton Rouge, including the Nicholson Corridor, to the City-Parish to assist the efforts of local planning WNÅKQIT[�_PW�MV^Q[QWV�I�ZM^Q\ITQbML�

transportation system serving cars as well as bicyclists and pedestrians. The State will continue to play a role throughout the development of the HCTS.

[ Project Parties ]

The segment of Nicholson Corridor included in as part of the proposed

HCTS has excellent bicycle and pedestrian facilities along the Mississippi River, and offers a multitude of intriguing

local activities to stop at along the way.

FY 2014 TIGER - GRANT APPLICATION NICHOLSON CORRIDOR HIGH CAPACITY TRANSIT SYSTEM PLAN 7

GRANT FUNDS AND SOURCES/ USES OF PROJECT FUNDSU S E O F F U N D STo execute the proposed Nicholson Corridor HCTS Plan for a mixture of funding would be leveraged and sourced from existing federal grants, local \ZINÅK�QUXIK\�NMM[�IVL�\PM�ZMY]M[\ML�FY 2014 TIGER Discretionary Grant. A detailed budget and budget narrative can be found in Appendix D.

Local matched funding would come primarily from the City-Parish’s \ZINÅK�QUXIK\�NMM[�\PI\�IZM�TM^QML�WV�the developments along the Nicholson Corridor. The City-Parish has committed up to $1 million from this funding source to support this project. A letter of commitment is included in Appendix A.

In addition, CATS has received an FTA grant in the amount of $900,000 to complete an alternative analysis for Nicholson Corridor which will be leveraged in the development of the Plan.

<PM�+Q\a�WN �*I\WV�:W]OM�Q[�ZMY]M[\QVO�$1.76 million from the FY 2014 TIGER Discretionary Grant program, 49% of needed funding, to complete the Nicholson Corridor High Capacity Transit System Plan.

O P E R AT I O N S & M A I N T E N A N C EA detailed operations and maintenance plan will be produced during the project development phase and alternatives analysis. A detailed preliminary budget estimate can be found in Appendix D. <PM�XZMTQUQVIZa�XTIV[�NWZ�ÅVIVKQVO�operations rely on funding from:

�� Economic improvement district (i.e. the Downtown Development District)

�� Fare box collection

�� Advertising

�� LSU user fees

�� Federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) funds

Table 1: Project Development Fund Sources

Funding Source Amount StatusLocal traffic impact fees (local match)

$1,000,000 Committed

Existing FTA grants via CATS (leveraged)

$900,000 Committed

FY 2014 TIGER Funds $1,760,000 Applied for

TOTAL Project Funding $2,760,000

TOTAL with leveraged funds $3,660,000

% TOTAL Project Funding TIGER

63% Applied for

% TOTAL Project Funding Local Match

47% Committed

Table 2: Project Development Fund Uses

Funding Use AmountGrant administration and supplies $245,000

Public Engagement $300,000

Alternatives analysis $900,000

Environmental ROD/Preliminary Design & Engineering

$2,200,000

TOTAL Fund Uses $3,660,000

FY 2014 TIGER - GRANT APPLICATION NICHOLSON CORRIDOR HIGH CAPACITY TRANSIT SYSTEM PLAN 8

Selection CriteriaThe proposed Nicholson Corridor HCTS Plan will have a positive, long- term impact on Baton Rouge. The Plan meets or exceeds each of the 8ZQUIZa�;MTMK\QWV�+ZQ\MZQI�IVL�XZW^QLM[�KWV[QLMZIJTM�JMVMÅ\[�[]XXWZ\ML�Ja�the City-Parish, residents and stakeholders. A HCTS along Nicholson Cor-ZQLWZ�_QTT�XZW^QLM�IV�MNÅKQMV\�\ZIV[XWZ\I\QWV�KWVVMK\QWV�JM\_MMV�LW_V\W_V��employment centers, residences, attractions and regional transit services.

P R I M A R Y S E L E C T I O N C R I T E R I A

1. State of Good RepairThe Nicholson Corridor HCTS Plan is the cornerstone of the Corridor’s continued transformation, linking recently announced developments to the downtown business center. Many plans have been completed for this area including LSU’s Nicholson Gateway Plan, which presented high-capacity transit concepts as a strategy to tie together corridor assets while addressing vehicle congestion and multimodal access. The Parish’s Comprehensive Plan, FUTUREBR, also made recommendations to transform Nicholson into a high-capacity corridor.

Despite its importance to the Parish, the Nicholson Corridor has no public transit service. Previously, CATS service to the

LSU campus was eliminated and now LSU Tiger Trails, a private bus system, is the only transit service along the corridor. The proposed project will not only unify service between the downtown business center and LSU, it will also connect residents and travelers to regional transportation services, including a proposed regional rail line to New Orleans, via the CATS bus hub located I\�\PM�6WZ\P�*W]TM^IZL�<W_V�;Y]IZM�downtown. It could also be used as an alternative evacuation route. The map on this page shows the proposed Nicholson HCTS, major CATS bus lines and the link to the proposed regional rail.

CATS and the City-Parish and its partners will work together to best integrate the HCTS into the current

+)<;�J][�ZW]\M[��ITTW_QVO�NWZ�MNÅKQMV\�and focused bus service delivery within the proposed transit alignment. This approach will help make transit more cost effective, as well as provide a market for the HCTS from opening day.

As the jurisdictional agency, the City-Parish will take the lead in both the planning and development of the project.

Figure 3: Proposed HCTS in Relation to Major CATS Bus Lines (in blue) and the Proposed Regional Rail (in orange)

Town Square Hub

Cortana Mall Hub

Proposed Regional

Rail

Proposed HCTS

Major Bus Lines and

Stops(in blue)

Mall of LA Hub

FY 2014 TIGER - GRANT APPLICATION NICHOLSON CORRIDOR HIGH CAPACITY TRANSIT SYSTEM PLAN 9

Along with its partners, the City-Parish is committed to the development of an HCTS and together, have already started planning for its construction, maintenance and operation along the Nicholson +WZZQLWZ�·�IT\PW]OP�UWZM�[XMKQÅK�IVL�LM\IQTML�plans will be determined through the completion of the Nicholson Corridor HCTS Plan. The City-Parish and partner agencies have proposed a tax QVKZMUMV\�ÅVIVKQVO��<1.��IZMI�IZW]VL�\PM�0+<;�and an economic improvement district (EID) along the Corridor that will generate funding for the construction and maintenance of the HCTS. In addition to funding sources already committed, remaining local, state and federal funding will be secured to complete construction. Operations and maintenance will be a mix of generated funding from the EID, farebox and advertising opportunities, and LSU Operations transfers in addition to other QLMV\QÅML�[W]ZKM[��

2. Economic Competitiveness?Q\PQV�\PM�XI[\�aMIZ��[QOVQÅKIV\�QV^M[\UMV\[�and recently announced developments, totaling more than $740 million from both public and private sources, have started to stimulate economic growth and transform the Nicholson Corridor. In addition to these recently announced developments, downtown Baton Rouge has seen a resurgence since the adoption of Plan Baton Rouge in 1998 and has steadily grown \PZW]OP�KQ^QK�QUXZW^MUMV\[�IVL�OZW_QVO�WNÅKM�

[ Selection Criteria: Primary ]IBM Services Center http://www.ibmlouisiana.com/jobs

1*5�Q[�J]QTLQVO�I�UIRWZ�WNÅKM�[XIKM�IVL�ZM[QLMV\QIT�facility in downtown Baton Rouge that will bring at least 800 new software development and maintenance jobs to the capital city.�� Distance from proposed stop: Adjacent�� Date announced: March 2013

�� $55 million investment

The Water Campushttp://thewaterinstitute.org/stay-connected/news/2013/12/17/World-Class-Water-Campus-to-be-Built-in-Downtown-Baton-Rouge

A 30-acre research hub that aims to bring together world-class scientists who will look for ways to restore and protect Louisiana’s shrinking coastline.�� Distance from proposed stop: Adjacent�� Date announced: December 2013

�� $300 million investment

LSU Nicholson Gateway Corridor https://sites01.lsu.edu/wp/nicholson/

A 28-acre retail-housing and student residential center near Tiger Stadium.�� Distance from proposed stop: 1 block�� Date announced: January 2013

�� <PM�ÅZ[\�XPI[M�Q[�OI]OML�I\�ITUW[\�����UQTTQWV

The River District http://www.wbrz.com/videos/river-district-revitalization-

gaining-steam/

A 34.8-acre mixed-use development proposed on Nicholson Drive between downtown and LSU that will contain 800 residential units, a hotel and ��������[Y]IZM�NMM\�WN �KWUUMZKQIT�[XIKM�

�� Distance from proposed stop: Adjacent

�� Date announced: January 2014

�� $365 million investment

State Capital

Water Campus

River District

LSU Campus

Downtown

IBM Campus

FY 2014 TIGER - GRANT APPLICATION NICHOLSON CORRIDOR HIGH CAPACITY TRANSIT SYSTEM PLAN 10

space, institutional uses, restaurants, entertainment, housing and hotels. This [QOVQÅKIV\�LM^MTWXUMV\�ZMÆMK\[�JW\P�the City’s commitment to the urban core as well as residents’ desires to come downtown.

Major public investments totaling more than $30 million include:

�� Ongoing construction of a $2.5 million Downtown Greenway – comprised of a series of parks, plazas and multi-use pathways in the Downtown area and along the Mississippi riverfront

�� Downtown façade improvement program

�� New $19 million public library in \PM�6WZ\P�*W]TM^IZL�<W_V�;Y]IZM

�� Implementation of a Complete Streets policy – including construction of new sidewalks, crosswalks, signalized intersections and bike lanes

The development of a HCTS will improve access to jobs for residents living in disadvantaged areas along the Corridor. The proposed HCTS will travel through a residential neighborhood, home to over 11,000 residents. More than

half of this population is between the ages of 18 and 39 with a median household income of $28,000, less than half the Baton Rouge Metropolitan area’s median of $65,000 and nearly half of the United States’ median income of $52,000.1

6MIZTa�\PZMM�Y]IZ\MZ[�WN �\PM�ZM[QLMV\[�in the area are renters. The proposed HCTS will connect these residents to the more than 33,000 jobs currently located _Q\PQV�I�WVM�Y]IZ\MZ�UQTM�WN �\PM�XZWXW[ML�alignment. Many of these employers are also some of the top employers in the Parish including: Louisiana State University, the State of Louisiana and the City-Parish.

In addition to projects planned or underway, the Corridor contains a large

1 U.S. Census Bureau

[ Selection Criteria: Primary ]

Figure 5: Population by Age in the Corridor

Total population: 11,043

70+

55-69

40-54

25-39

18-24

10-17

<10

0 1000 2000 3000 4000

Figure 7: Employment within ! Mile of the Proposed HCTS

26%Education

4%Hotel

41%Public

19%Office

4%Retail

6%Industrial

Total Jobs: 33,359

Figure 6: Housing Tenure in the Corridor

12%

75%

13%Rent

Own with a mortgage

Own free and clear

Nicholson Corridor

Baton Rouge (City)

East Baton Rouge (Parish)

Louisiana

U.S.

$28k

$65k

$48k

$45k

$52k

Figure 4: Median Annual Household Incomes

Source for Figures 4-7: 2010 U.S. Census Block-level data for East Baton Rouge Census tracts 24, 28.01, 51 and 52.

FY 2014 TIGER - GRANT APPLICATION NICHOLSON CORRIDOR HIGH CAPACITY TRANSIT SYSTEM PLAN 11

amount of other developable land. A buildable TIVL�[]Z^Ma�[PW_[�\PI\�_Q\PQV�I�Y]IZ\MZ�UQTM�WN �\PM�XZWXW[ML�ITQOVUMV\�\PMZM�IZM�Å^M�acres of buildings suitable for adaptive reuse, 73 acres of vacant land and 50 parcels with strong redevelopment potential. If these areas are developed in accordance with the FUTUREBR Comprehensive Plan, there will be an additional 3,200 housing units and enough development to support an additional 13,000 employees.

The City-Parish and its partners also plan to use a number of economic development tools to spur investment along the corridor. This will further incentivize redevelopment along Corridor and grow and sustain investment in the downtown KWZM��<PM�\MIU�_QTT�KZMI\M�I�ÅVIT�\WWTSQ\�I[�XIZ\�WN �\PM�XZWXW[ML�XZWRMK\��<PM�UW[\�[QOVQÅKIV\�of these tools include:

Tax Increment Financing (TIF)

�� Administered through the City-Parish

�� )�[QOVQÅKIV\�UMKPIVQ[U�\W�MVKW]ZIOM�development

�� The City-Parish has implemented a number of TIF districts in Downtown and will be reviewing the Corridor to see if additional TIF districts are viable.

Along the proposed route, there are more than six anticipated construction projects, projected to bring an estimated two million square feet of commercial buildings, thousands of new jobs and 3,200 new, multi-family housing units to the area.

Housing development in progress:

River District: 1800 units

River House: 224 units

Standard: 274 apartments

525 Lafayette: 95 rental units and 9 townhomes

The Onyx: 28 units

Commerce Building: 90 units

LSU: 1,200 units (student and faculty housing)

+WUUMZKQIT���WNÅKM�LM^MTWXUMV\�QV�XZWOZM[["

LSU:���������;.�ZM\IQT����������;.�WNÅKM

Onyx: 5,600 SF commercial

Commerce Building"���ÆWWZ�ZM\IQT�KWUUMZKQIT

River District: ��������WNÅKM����������commercial, 40,000 SF grocery, 220-room hotel

River House: 36,000 SF

Water Campus: 1.5 million SF of research campus, 4,000 workers

Total development potential (not including active projects):

120 total acres of new and redevelopment

�������VM_�RWJ[���� �ZM\IQT��� � �WNÅKM�

3,200 new multi-family housing units

+6,000 population

+3,000 households

+600 children

New project value: $637.2 million

Figure 8: Potential and Planned Development and Redevelopment

Vacant land (yellow)

Redevelopable land

(light orange)

Planned projects

(dark orange)

1/4 mile buffer

[ Selection Criteria: Primary ]

FY 2014 TIGER - GRANT APPLICATION NICHOLSON CORRIDOR HIGH CAPACITY TRANSIT SYSTEM PLAN 12

Economic Improvement District Allows targeted control of project ÅVIVKQVO�IVL�LM^MTWXUMV\�_Q\PW]\�KZMI\QVO�IV�ILLQ\QWVIT�ÅVIVKQVO�J]ZLMV�on county and municipal taxing units.

The City-Parish recognizes the importance of encouraging economic growth throughout the Corridor, and will be developing additional tools to do so during the planning process. Tool development for the Nicholson Corridor _QTT�QVKWZXWZI\M�MNÅKQMVKQM[�JM\_MMV�\PM�application and approval processes.

The proposed project also aims to increase connections between multiple modes of transportation that will link the users of the HCTS to regional transportation. These connections, described below, will NIKQTQ\I\M�I�UWZM�MNÅKQMV\�IVL�INNWZLIJTM�movement of people, business and culture across the city, parish and state. An integrated fare system will provide a seamless transit experience and allow riders to move from bus to HCTS to regional passenger rail with ease.

Bus TransitCurrently, the new CATS bus hub located at the downtown North Boulevard Town

;Y]IZM�_QTT�[MZ^M�I[�\PM�KMV\ZITQbML�J][�access for riders of the HCTS. Future improvements to the CATS bus system will expand service between the Corridor and outlying areas so users can transition seamlessly between standard bus and high-capacity transit to reach popular destinations.

Trail ConnectionsThe Downtown Greenway is a functional green network of pedestrian and bicycle paths that reconnect disjointed neighborhoods with the central business district, the Mississippi riverfront, leading activity centers and two major universities to provide sustainable transportation options. The project includes a 2.75 mile pedestrian and cycling corridor that will feature green infrastructure to promote alternative forms of transportation into and around the downtown area, and the City has received approximately $3 million to implement the project. HCTS will increase access to this amenity.

Bicycle ConnectionsThe City-Parish is in the process of implementing a city-wide Complete Streets policy that will be integrated into the Plan. In addition, the City-Parish has a number of bike facilities located

throughout downtown Baton Rouge including the Mississippi River Levee bike and walking path adjacent to the proposed transit stops. This path is also part of the Mississippi River Trail system (http://mississippirivertrail.org)

Pedestrian ConnectionsThe downtown grid system provides an extensive sidewalk system to ensure local connection to and from the HCTS. The Plan will also identify areas along the corridor that are in need of pedestrian amenities to connect residents to the new HCTS.

Regional Passenger RailPlanning of a regional rail is advancing – a coalition of Baton Rouge and New Orleans stakeholders are proceeding with a detailed study, and a concrete proposal has emerged. Passenger rail services from Baton Rouge to New Orleans would XZW^QLM�I�[INM�IVL�MNÅKQMV\�\ZIV[XWZ\I\QWV�option service as a foundation for economic competitiveness and a healthy regional economy. The proposed stops for the HCTS are located near the stops for the major bus routes, which also share a transit hub with the proposed passenger rail.

[ Selection Criteria: Primary ]

FY 2014 TIGER - GRANT APPLICATION NICHOLSON CORRIDOR HIGH CAPACITY TRANSIT SYSTEM PLAN 13

3. Quality of LifeThe proposed Plan would exceed all of the goals of the Partnership of Sustainable Communities’ Six Livability Principles. Below is a summary of how the HCTS would build upon the livability principles along the Nicholson Corridor.

Provide More Transportation ChoicesThe Plan meets the livability principle goal of providing safe, reliable and economical transportation choices to:

Enhance/reduce the cost of user mobility: The HCTS will provide a reliable and convenient transit option for residents, community members and visitors to the Nicholson Corridor where there is currently no public transit service. It will connect to multiple modes of transportation thus encouraging community members to use the HCTS rather than the automobile, thus reducing mobility costs.

Enhance connectivity, increase transit options and reduce congestion: The Baton Rouge area was ranked by INRIX as the 34th worst congested among U.S. Metro

Areas.2 Though today’s congestion on the Nicholson Corridor is primarily concentrated south of I-110 and around Tiger Stadium on game days, vehicle congestion along the corridor will worsen with the upcoming construction WN �\PM�ILLQ\QWVIT�PW][QVO��WNÅKM[�IVL�commercial buildings. The proposed HCTS is poised to be a major amenity to the City-Parish and will play a role in providing new transportation options and linking to existing multi-modal transportation choices without adding more vehicles to the road.

Serve economically disadvantaged populations, non-drivers, students, persons with disabilities: The Nicholson Corridor HCTS will serve a multitude of populations including the listing above. These populations are currently without a public transit option, and any HCTS option offered will need to account for the needs of these passengers. The Plan will address these needs through QLMV\QÅKI\QWV�WN �VM_�\MKPVWTWOa�IVL�MY]QXUMV\��[\WX�[XIKQVO��IVL�ZMI[WVIJTM�headway to enhance access to goods and services for this population.

�� �16:1@�Q[�IV�QV\MZVI\QWVITTa�ZMKWOVQbML�ZMIT�\QUM�\ZINÅK�information company: http://www.inrix.com/default.asp

Coordinate transportation/land-use planning; community participation: As previously mentioned, this HCTS proposal stemmed from a number of planning processes including the FUTUREBR Comprehensive Plan and the LSU Nicholson Gateway Plan. These plans QVKT]LML�[QOVQÅKIV\�X]JTQK�QVX]\��;XMKQÅKITTa��.=<=:-*:�NWK][M[�WV�\PM�regional relationship between land use and transportation planning.

Promote Equitable and Affordable HousingThe Nicholson Corridor is prime for redevelopment and will see a substantial QVKZMI[M�QV�PW][QVO�[\WKS�I[�QLMV\QÅML�QV�the economic competitiveness criteria. The Plan will use planning interventions, improved regional transit and public right-of-way to promote multimodal mobility around these new housing locations and developable properties. Priority will be given to disadvantaged portions of the corridor and mechanisms for lowering the combined cost of housing and transportation. The City-Parish will develop a place-based housing strategy for future development that considers the impact of the HCTS, commercial development and a blighted property redevelopment strategy.

[ Selection Criteria: Primary ]

FY 2014 TIGER - GRANT APPLICATION NICHOLSON CORRIDOR HIGH CAPACITY TRANSIT SYSTEM PLAN 14

Enhance Economic CompetitivenessThe Nicholson Corridor HCTS will be pivotal in connecting nearby residents to the dense, downtown employment center – as well as the recently announced development projects – and linking them to goods and services along the Corridor including the only full-service grocery store in the area slated for completion by the end of 2014 - part of a mixed-use River District. It will also directly serve LSU students, faculty and staff, reducing parking constraints and providing alternative transportation to and from the downtown transit hub. Visitors to Baton Rouge will enjoy modern and convenient transportation to cultural attractions throughout the length of the Corridor from hotels in Downtown.

Support Existing CommunitiesPlanning efforts sustaining recent economic development activities in the area and linking residents to jobs in the downtown business district will JMVMÅ\�IVL�PMTX�\W�ZM^Q\ITQbM�UIVa�WN �the neighborhoods along the Corridor. In particular, the transformation of vacant land and parcels available for redevelopment positively impacts the surrounding communities. This is already taking place through a few of

the housing developments underway, and described earlier in this application, which include mixed-use development on previously vacant land or repurposed properties. Additionally, the City-Parish will coordinate with the Redevelopment Authority (RDA) to develop a plan for vacant or blighted properties to bring them back to productivity following the guiding principles of FUTUREBR. Affordable housing policies developed as XIZ\�WN �\PQ[�8TIV�_QTT�JM�MY]ITTa�QUXWZ\IV\�in order to retain existing residents as the neighborhood is revitalized.

Coordinate and Leverage Federal Policies and InvestmentsIn 2012, the City-Parish’s Downtown Development District received a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Greening America’s Capitals technical assistance grant for the Downtown Greenway project to create design schemes that most effectively meet the \ZIV[XWZ\I\QWV�VMML[�[XMKQÅK�\W�*I\WV�Rouge. These green infrastructure MTMUMV\[�XZW^QLM�MV^QZWVUMV\IT�JMVMÅ\[�while sparking new investments and redevelopment in the city’s core. The Downtown Greenway will be coordinated in the Nicholson Corridor HCTS Plan and will link to a proposed stop.

In addition, the City-Parish has received both a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Choice Neighborhood Planning Grant and a U.S. Department of Justice Byrne Criminal Justice Innovation Grant to create place-based plans in neighborhoods just north of the targeted Nicholson Corridor. The City-Parish will use lessons learned through these place-based initiatives to support the Nicholson Corridor HCTS plan.

Value Communities and NeighborhoodsPrimary goals of the HCTS will be to support, strengthen and connect existing neighborhoods along the Corridor to major attractions and the region through increased access to transit and pedestrian and bike connections. The City-Parish and its partners will fully integrate the community and representative organizations such as homeowners associations and business districts into the planning process and soliciting input from residents on all aspects of the Nicholson Corridor HCTS plan.

[ Selection Criteria: Primary ]

FY 2014 TIGER - GRANT APPLICATION NICHOLSON CORRIDOR HIGH CAPACITY TRANSIT SYSTEM PLAN 15

4. Environmental SustainabilityThe City-Parish is dedicated to providing a greener and more-sustainable environment for current residents and for future generations to come. The proposed Nicholson Corridor HCTS supports this commitment through this proposed HCTS project as well as through the following existing plans.

Baton Rouge Sustainable Government Operations Plan: This plan works to reduce City-Parish vehicle usage and set reduction goals, reduce the amount of City-Parish vehicle miles traveled in 2010 by 15% in 15 years, create incentives for a walk, bike, or carpool to work program for City-Parish employees, and create incentives for City-Parish employees to use public transportation.

Louisiana Speaks Regional Vision: The Vision recommends the revitalization of the Old South Baton Rouge neighborhood along \PM�6QKPWT[WV�+WZZQLWZ�IVL�[XMKQÅKITTa�calls for the implementation of the Old South Baton Rouge Plan.

The sprawling suburban development and auto-centric culture has contributed to the high level of greenhouse gas emissions in East Baton Rouge Parish. The Parish is

currently a non-attainment zone under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.3 It was also ranked by Smart Growth America as 216th out of 221 metro areas with the worst sprawl. The Nicholson Corridor HCTS will reduce greenhouse gases while preparing for population and economic growth.

According to a study conducted for the Louisiana Department of Natural Resources, 27% of greenhouse gas emissions produced from the consumption of fossil fuels is the result of the transportation sector in Louisiana.4 The proposed HCTS will likely lower vehicle miles traveled (VMT) and positively QUXIK\�IQZ�Y]ITQ\a�QV�\PM�LW_V\W_V�IZMI��<PM�KW[\�JMVMÅ\�IVITa[Q[�KWUXWVMV\�of the Nicholson Corridor HCTS Plan will entail trip generation modeling in order to estimate reductions in VMT and greenhouse gas emissions for each mode alternative.

The Nicholson Corridor HCTS will positively impact community health through increased physical activity and the ability to walk and bike around

3 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 20134 Louisiana Department of Natural Resources

\PM�+WZZQLWZ��4W]Q[QIVI�ZIVS[�ÅZ[\�QV�the nation for its high prevalence of adult obesity and 6th in the nation for childhood obesity.5 In Louisiana 65% of adults are either obese or overweight6 – a fact that imposes a real cost to families and the community. Cardiovascular exercise, such as walking and bicycling, provide far-reaching health JMVMÅ\[�QVKT]LQVO�ZML]KQVO�\PM�ZQ[S[�WN �cardiovascular disease, hypertension, colon cancer, and Type II diabetes. Changing the built environment to promote physical activity is a preventative and proactive approach. The Nicholson Corridor HCTS Plan will provide area residents and visitors with opportunities to increase their physical activity through walking and bicycling amenities in the area, and transit access for travel to housing, employment, and entertainment and recreation facilities.

5. SafetyLouisiana and East Baton Rouge Parish have staggering records for unsafe vehicular travel. The U.S. Department of <ZIV[XWZ\I\QWV�6I\QWVIT�0QOP_Ia�<ZINÅK�;INM\a�)LUQVQ[\ZI\QWV¼[�;\I\M�<ZINÅK�,I\I�

5 Pennington Biomedical Research Center, 20136 Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals

[ Selection Criteria: Primary ]

FY 2014 TIGER - GRANT APPLICATION NICHOLSON CORRIDOR HIGH CAPACITY TRANSIT SYSTEM PLAN 16

NWZ�������[PW_�\PI\�4W]Q[QIVI¼[�\ZINÅK�fatality rate per 100,000 is 1.4 times higher than the national rate of 10.39 fatalities per 100,000.7 The estimated cost of these crashes for the State is $5.6 billion.8 In addition, the Parish ranks third out of 64 parishes in the state for injuries per 100,000 drivers.9 And Nicholson Drive is one of the most dangerous roadways according to Baton Rouge 8WTQKM�,MXIZ\UMV\�ÅO]ZM[��<W�ILLZM[[�these crash statistics, the City-Parish aims to reduce the number of vehicles on the roadways through the development of the Nicholson Corridor HCTS Plan. The Plan will also take into account potential causes for these crashes along the Corridor and work to alleviate them through design elements of the HCTS.

High-capacity transit and redevelopment along the Nicholson Corridor will also increase the number of individuals along the roadway. These natural “eyes on the street” will increase surveillance and mutual policing. Transit stops will be designed to provide good visibility and follow Crime Prevention by Environmental Design Guidelines. The

7 NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis, 20118 Helmut Schneider, 20129 Ibid

City-Parish and its partners will work to identify new methods of emergency ZMXWZ\QVO�IVL�[INM\a�MY]QXUMV\�\PI\�KIV�be installed along the HCTS that will allow for passengers to communicate with the drivers and police.

S E C O N D A R Y S E L E C T I O N C R I T E R I A

1. InnovationThe City-Parish will achieve an innovative IVL�MNÅKQMV\�0+<;�QV�\PM�6QKPWT[WV�Corridor and will look for ways to incorporate the latest technology into the design of the project. Examples of these innovations might include:

Bike share and car share integration: Although bike sharing and car sharing have been very popular and integrated into the transportation systems throughout the United States, Baton Rouge currently does not have this type of program. The Nicholson Corridor HCTS Plan will investigate the feasibility of bringing this program to the area.

Advanced bus and streetcar models: The Nicholson Corridor HCTS Plan will

review the most advanced bus and streetcar models for the City-Parish to use in the creation of the HCTS including regenerative breaking, electric bus and clean diesel.

Solar station shelters: Solar station shelters will be considered in the design of the HCTS to reduce the utility cost.

2. Partnership<PM�+Q\a�8IZQ[P�PI[�ZMKMQ^ML�[QOVQÅKIV\�support from key stakeholders for the Nicholson Corridor HCTS Plan from a wide variety of agencies, organizations, businesses and legislators. See Appendix A for all letters of support.

-TMK\ML�7NÅKQIT[

�� U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu�� U.S. Representative Cedric

Richmond�� Baton Rouge Metropolitan

Councilwoman Tara Wicker

State, Regional and Local Government

�� City of Baton Rouge/Parish of East Baton Rouge

�� Capital Region Planning Commission (metropolitan planning organization)

[ Selection Criteria: Secondary ]

FY 2014 TIGER - GRANT APPLICATION NICHOLSON CORRIDOR HIGH CAPACITY TRANSIT SYSTEM PLAN 17

�� East Baton Rouge Parish Housing Authority

�� Downtown Development District �� Capital Area Transit System (CATS)

Local Businesses, Associations, and Foundations�� IBM�� Moreno Properties�� Baton Rouge Area Foundation�� Commercial Properties Reality Trust�� East Baton Rouge Redevelopment

Authority

Local Universities�� Louisiana State University

R E S U LT S O F B E N E F I T- C O S T A N A LY S I SAs a major component of the proposed alternatives analysis, the City-Parish and its partners will develop a comprehensive KW[\�JMVMÅ\�UI\ZQ`�\W�][M�QV�\PM�M^IT]I\QWV�of both mode and alignment options for a HCTS. However, for the purpose of this planning application, the following high-level summary describes the anticipated JMVMÅ\[�OIQVML�\PZW]OP�\PM�KWV[\Z]K\QWV�of the Nicholson Corridor HCTS.

Transportation BenefitsAs a component of a larger regional transportation system, an HCTS plays a pivotal role in connecting transitioning urban neighborhoods with employment centers and linking to other mass transit system elements (bus rapid transit, standard bus systems, light rail, etc.). Redevelopment BenefitsAn HCTS can stimulate more dense development and a greater mix of uses near the line. To the extent that these are private uses, the City/Parish can receive U]T\QXTM�Å[KIT�JMVMÅ\[�[]KP�I[�QVKZMI[ML�property and sales tax revenues. Streetcar also reduces the need for and costs of structured parking for both private developers and public institutions, which IT[W�JZQVO[�IV�MV^QZWVUMV\IT�JMVMÅ\� Economic Development Benefits<PM�MKWVWUQK�LM^MTWXUMV\�JMVMÅ\[�WN �an HCTS include providing an amenity that helps attract and retain businesses and urban professionals, particularly young creative types, who often prefer to live close to work and want reliable alternatives to owning and driving a car.

Other Benefits�� Increased business opportunities

such as retail, shopping, restaurants and other services that support increased transit and pedestrian activity as well as residents from existing nearby neighborhoods

�� Opportunity to build innovative partnerships or utilize new transportation programs and technology

�� Increased transit ridership for “choice” riders as well as transit-dependent users

�� 8ZW^QLM[�IKKM[[�\W�NI[\��MNÅKQMV\��convenient, and comfortable transit

�� 7NNMZ[�UWZM�MY]Q\IJTM�IKKM[[�\W�\ZIV[Q\�for low-income and student riders

�� Increased bicycle and pedestrian use

�� Expanded access to education and jobs Short-term job creation and economic activity during construction

�� 4WVO�\MZU�IQZ�Y]ITQ\a�IVL�MUQ[[QWV[�improvements

�� Increased access to recreational, cultural and entertainment amenities

�� 8W[Q\Q^M�PMIT\P�IVL�Y]ITQ\a�WN �TQNM�impacts

�� Lessens reliance on cars and fossil fuels

[ Selection Criteria: Results of Benefit-Cost Analysis ]

FY 2014 TIGER - GRANT APPLICATION NICHOLSON CORRIDOR HIGH CAPACITY TRANSIT SYSTEM PLAN 18

Project ReadinessThe Nicholson Corridor HCTS Plan will build off of momentum gained in the Corridor through the many economic development announcements made within \PM�XI[\�aMIZ��<PM�XZWRMK\�_QTT�JMVMÅ\�NZWU�a highly collaborative team with a shared vision and experience working together to create this transit system.

P R O J E C T S C H E D U L EA detailed project schedule is included in Appendix C.

A S S E S S M E N T O F P R O J E C T R I S K S A N D M I T I G AT I O N S T R AT E G I E S The City-Parish and it its implementing partners have included the development of a HCTS along the Nicholson Corridor in their planning documents. In September 2011, there was a major legislative approval for this project by the City-Parish’s Metropolitan Council of the FUTUREBR Plan that incorporated the HCTS along Nicholson Drive. This project does not present any [QOVQÅKIV\�KPITTMVOM[�WZ�ZQ[S[�I[�UIVa�of the supporting partners have created

extensive planning documents for many of the developments for the area and have participated in the City-Parish’s comprehensive planning process.

The Nicholson Corridor HCTS Plan also does not present any implementation challenges related to right-of-way IKY]Q[Q\QWV��XMZUQ\\QVO��IXXZW^IT[��WZ�agency coordination. The project is under +Q\a�8IZQ[P�KWV\ZWT�IVL�_QTT�VW\�ZMY]QZM�any additional legislative approvals. The future implementation of the plan will be conducted by the City-Parish, so no other IXXZW^IT[�IZM�ZMY]QZML�NWZ�\PM�XTIVVQVO�WN �the Nicholson Corridor HCTS.

E N V I R O N M E N TA L A P P R O VA L S Although environmental clearance will need to be prepared for the construction of the HCTS, the planning of this KWZZQLWZ�LWM[�VW\�ZMY]QZM�MV^QZWVUMV\IT�clearance. The City-Parish is planning to move forward with the environmental clearance during the planning project and will work closely with the FTA environmental specialist and FTA regional staff through this process.

S TAT E A N D L O C A L P L A N N I N GFUTUREBR Regional Transit Vision The Nicholson Corridor is an integral part of FUTUREBR’s transit vision featuring three primary components:

�� A robust bus system based on multiple transit hubs

�� A high-capacity transit system from the State Capitol to the Mall of Louisiana

�� A regional rail connection to New Orleans with one stop Downtown and one stop at the Mall of Louisiana

All of these transit systems should be integrated and connected through common stops. A new high-capacity transit system along the Nicholson Corridor will connect Baton Rouge to W\PMZ�ZMOQWVITTa�[QOVQÅKIV\�TWKI\QWV[�IVL�NIKQTQ\I\M�NI[\MZ��UWZM�MNÅKQMV\�IVL�affordable movement of people, business and culture across the city, Parish and state.

Currently, the Nicholson Corridor has extremely limited public transit service, despite its importance in the Parish. Due

FY 2014 TIGER - GRANT APPLICATION NICHOLSON CORRIDOR HIGH CAPACITY TRANSIT SYSTEM PLAN 19

to the loss of LSU as a major supporter of the CATS system, service to the campus was largely cut, and LSU Tiger Trails, a private bus system, is the only transit service. It is assumed that the Nicholson HCTS will largely replace the Tiger Trails route along Nicholson, and in addition, restore a high capacity transit experience to the LSU Campus.

CATS Bus SystemCATS has recently implemented a revised bus route system based upon the recommendations in FUTUREBR. Several new transit hubs have been created, expanding the service area. There will be several lines that connect to the regional rail stops to New Orleans. Regional Passenger RailPlanning for the regional rail system has proceeded apace – a coalition of Baton Rouge and New Orleans stakeholders has conducted a detailed study, (http://connect.cpex.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/BR-NOLARail_StrategicBusinessPlan_FINAL_February2014.pdf) and a concrete proposal has emerged. Passenger rail services in the Baton Rouge to New Orleans corridor will provide a safe and

MNÅKQMV\�\ZIV[XWZ\I\QWV�WX\QWV�[MZ^QVO�I[�I�foundation for economic competitiveness and a healthy regional economy. It Q[�MVMZOa�MNÅKQMV\�IVL�XZW\MK\[�TWKIT�MV^QZWVUMV\IT�Y]ITQ\a��_PQTM�NW[\MZQVO�communities that are both livable and interconnected. By offering a safe and convenient way to evacuate large numbers of people without increasing highway congestion along Interstate 10, the passenger rail service will provide evacuation routes during a natural disaster and provide easy access to Baton Rouge’s Medical Centers. Integrating a Nicholson Corridor High-Capacity Transit SystemThe proposed route of the HCTS connects the State Capitol, running through the North Boulevard Hub/Town Center, the LSU campus, and the Medical Centers (Baton Rouge General and Our Lady of the Lake), all the way to the Mall of Louisiana. There it connects with both a major bus hub and the regional rail station to New Orleans. It would provide an important high-capacity transit link between the major employment centers, popular shopping areas, and much of the new and existing residential housing in the Parish. In addition, the proposed

stations for the Nicholson Corridor HCTS are located near stops of major bus routes. This interconnectivity will allow a seamless transit experience. The fare systems would be integrated, allowing riders to move from the bus to the high capacity system with ease. FUTUREBR Land Use VisionThe Nicholson Corridor HCTS is an implementation project that will help realize objectives of numerous regional and local planning efforts, including FUTUREBR. The FUTUREBR Plan focuses on integrating transportation and land use planning in order to concentrate

[ Project Readiness ]

Visualization of a potential streetcar along Nicholson Corridor from FUTUREBR Comprehensive Plan.

FY 2014 TIGER - GRANT APPLICATION NICHOLSON CORRIDOR HIGH CAPACITY TRANSIT SYSTEM PLAN 20

new development and redevelopment in existing urban areas that already have [QOVQÅKIV\�QVNZI[\Z]K\]ZM�\W�[]XXWZ\�new residents, businesses and jobs. This approach maximizes public resources to leverage private investment and enhance existing communities so they better meet the needs of current and future residents and workers. Additional Corridor-level policies and programs, such as a Complete Streets policy, an economic improvement district, and an updated zoning code, will work in concert with the HCTS to support more economically productive and livable land use patterns in Baton Rouge’s urban core.

T E C H N I C A L F E A S I B I L I T Y The Nicholson Corridor HCTS Plan will pull together multiple plans that have been initiated in the area and further develop the design and engineering studies that need to be completed prior to the HCTS construction. The Nicholson Corridor HCTS Plan will leverage the detailed Alternative Analysis moving forward from CATS on the Nicholson Corridor. It will also use data generated from the FUTUREBR planning process and the LSU Nicholson Gateway Plan

that both called for the creation of the HCTS while accounting for the recent explosion of economic development projects that will be constructed within the next few years along the corridor. Both the Alternatives Analysis and the Plan will work to develop costs for the development of the HCTS and design criteria.

The City-Parish has developed a scope of _WZS�NWZ�\PM�XTIVVQVO�ÅZU�\MIU�\PI\�_QTT�be selected as part of the project and can be found in Appendix D.

F I N A N C I A L F E A S I B I L I T Y

Through its work on the HUD Choice Neighborhood Planning Grant and the DOJ Byrne Criminal Justice Innovation Grant, the City-Parish has gained experience coordinating and administering federal funds and working with partnering agencies in the development of transformative, place-based plans. The City-Parish has also had prior experience collaborating with the RDA, CATS, Baton Rouge Area Foundation, and Louisiana State University. The City-Parish through its Finance Department is very versed

QV�ITT�NMLMZIT�ZMY]QZMUMV\[�ZMTI\ML�\W�grant accounting and auditing and has a portfolio of more than $49 million in grant funding.

For this program, the City-Parish will appoint a Grant Coordinator who will act as the single point of contact for the project and be responsible for all the project reporting and schedule tracking. A job description for the Grant Coordinator can be found in Appendix E. The Grant Coordinator will form a leadership team of partners who will guide the development of the Nicholson Corridor HCTS plan with the selected planning ÅZU�\MIU��<PM�+Q\a�8IZQ[P�Q[�LMLQKI\ML�to the development of this project and PI[�KWUUQ\\ML����UQTTQWV�QV�\ZINÅK�QUXIK\�fees to the project. The commitment letter can be found with the support letters in Appendix A.

[ Project Readiness ]

FY 2014 TIGER - GRANT APPLICATION NICHOLSON CORRIDOR HIGH CAPACITY TRANSIT SYSTEM PLAN 21

Federal Wage Rate Certification <PM�+Q\a�8IZQ[P�_QTT�KWUXTa�_Q\P�ITT�NMLMZIT�ZMY]QZMUMV\[��8TMI[M�ZMNMZ�\W�Appendix B�NWZ�I�[QOVML�KMZ\QÅKI\QWV�NZWU�\PM�5IaWZ�8ZM[QLMV\�WN �\PM�+Q\a�8IZQ[P�\PI\�[\I\M[�KWUXTQIVKM�_Q\P�\PM�.MLMZIT�?IOM�:I\M�:MY]QZMUMV\�

FY 2014 TIGER - GRANT APPLICATION NICHOLSON CORRIDOR HIGH CAPACITY TRANSIT SYSTEM PLAN 22

Bibliography�� NHTSA’s National Center for Statistics and Analysis. (2011). <ZINÅK�;INM\a�.IK\[�;\I\M�<ZINÅK�,I\I�

�� Helmut Schneider, P. (2012). �����4W]Q[QIVI�<ZINÅK�:MKWZL[�,I\I�:MXWZ\� Baton Rouge, Louisiana: Department of Information Systems and Decision Sciences, Louisiana State University.

�� INRIX. (n.d.). 16:1@�<ZINÅK�;KWZMKIZL. Retrieved April 17, 2014, from http://inrix.com/scorecard/

�� Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals. (n.d.). Louisiana Council on Obesity Prevention and Management. Retrieved April 17, 2014, from http://new.dhh.louisiana.gov/index.cfm/page/804

�� Louisiana Department of Natural Resources. (n.d.). Inventory of Greenhouse Gases in Louisiana. Retrieved April 17, 2014, from http://dnr.louisiana.gov/assets/docs/energy/reports/LA_GHG_inventory_report.pdf

�� Pennington Biomedical Research Center. (2013, October). Reducing Childhood Obesity in Louisiana. Retrieved April 2014, from http://www.pbrc.edu/prism/docs/PRISMReport_web.pdf

�� U.S. Census Bureau. (n.d.). American Fact Finder.�:M\ZQM^ML�)XZQT�������NZWU�P\\X"��NIK\ÅVLMZ��KMV[][�OW^�NIKM[�VI^�R[N�XIOM[�index.xhtml

�� U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2013, December 5). +]ZZMV\Ta�,M[QOVI\ML�6WVI\\IQVUMV\�)ZMI[�NWZ�)TT�+ZQ\MZQI�8WTT]\IV\[��Retrieved )XZQT�����������NZWU�P\\X"��___�MXI�OW^�WIYX[����OZMMVJS�IVKT�P\UT

FY 2014 TIGER - GRANT APPLICATION NICHOLSON CORRIDOR HIGH CAPACITY TRANSIT SYSTEM PLAN 23