Turning Regionalism Into New Funding – St. Lucie County

August 10, 2011

New Funding

St. Lucie has received approximately $6 million in new transit funds since January 2010

Does Regionalism = New Funding?

Regional Context

Treasure Coast: Indian River, Martin & St. Lucie Counties

Challenges: Riders need access to

destinations across county lines

Martin & Indian River: regional malls

Indian River State College: all 3 counties

Regional Coordination -- Need

Large transportation disadvantaged population Almost 10% of total County

County geography Almost 700 square miles Rural areas Urban areas without sidewalks

Port St. Lucie – Among top ten most populated cities in Florida

Regional Bus Connections

Indian River to St. Lucie

St. Lucie to Martin Martin to Palm Beach Planning: Mobility from

Indian River to Palm Beach

Indian River Mall

IRSC Ft. Pierce

Treasure Coast Mall

IRSC/ Martin Memorial

Tri-Rail

Transit Partnerships

Formal Boards & advisory committees

Informal Staff level coordination

St. Lucie meets at least quarterly with all Treasure Coast transit partners

St. Lucie will participate in 10+ meetings related to regional transit issues in 2011

Metropolitan Planning Process

Transit representatives on various TPO boards/committees: TPO Board - 2 TPO Technical Advisory Committee – 2 TPO Citizens Advisory Committee Regional Transit Organization (RTO)

RTO Transit Technical Advisory Committee

Treasure Coast Transportation Council (TCTC) Several LCB members serve as members or

alternates on other TPO boards/committees

Treasure Coast Transit Meeting (TCTM)

Quarterly meetings Attendees:

Community Transportation Coordinators from Indian River, St. Lucie & Martin

TPO/MPO Staff Transit Staff Social services agencies FDOT – District 4 Guest speakers

Southeast Florida Regional Partnership

Regional planning effort Funded by HUD/EPA/DOT Monroe County to Indian

River County 200+ public, private, non-

profit, & civic stakeholders Administered by South

Florida Regional Planning Council

Southeast Florida

Port St. Lucie Urbanized Area – 2000 Census St. Lucie + Martin = Port St. Lucie

Urbanized Area One Transportation Management Area

(TMA) St Lucie and Martin regional

commitments

Regional Job Access Reverse Commute (JARC)/New Freedom Program

St. Lucie is designated recipient for TMA JARC/New Freedom joint, competitive

selection process with Martin Each LCB approves regional Program of

Projects

St. Lucie/Martin Regional Transit Development Plan

Completed in 2009 Regional List of potential, phased

improvements 2nd Regional TDP minor update

St. Lucie/Martin Regional Long Range Transportation Plan Completed in 2011 Public meetings held in

Transportation Disadvantaged areas Cost Feasible Plan – 1st Transit Project

Regional Transit Organization (RTO) Treasure Coast RTO Board

Elected officials from Martin & St. Lucie Economic Development members

RTO Duties Review operating & capital needs Address & resolve regional transit issues

Transit Technical Advisory Committee (TTAC) – local government staff

National Spotlight Visit by FTA Administrator

Peter Rogoff Fort Pierce Intermodal

Transit Facility Transportation

Disadvantaged location Numerous funding partners Improved livability &

connectivity Sustainable development

Fort Pierce Intermodal Transit Facility

Funding

$6 million in new transit funds since January 2010: State of Good Repair Grant for 14 buses, some for

demand response system - $4,500,000 Additional Municipal Services Taxing Unit (MSTU)

funds due to millage increase - $644,000 Port St. Lucie Intermodal Transit Station capital -

$350,000 US 1 transit infrastructure shared w/ Martin County -

$500,000 Administrative support for RTO - $86,000 Fee in lieu for transit shelters from local developers

- $32,250

Regionalism = New Funding

Proactive transit projects that promote regional partnerships attract funding

Regionalism is a goal of funding agencies

Document Coordination Efforts

Transportation Disadvantaged Service Plan

Transit Development Plan Unified Planning Work Program Grant applications

Thank You!