Held at the offices of the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority

March 7th, 2002 - 1:30 p.m.

MINUTES

APPROVAL OF BOARD AGENDA FOR MARCH 7th, 2002

NEW BUSINESS AND BOARD COMMENTS

ADJOURNMENT

Motion was made by Mr. Lester and seconded by Mr. Stapleton to approve the agenda of the March 7, 2002 meeting. The meeting agenda was approved unanimously.

Mr. Paul Mullins presented the month’s activities:

Multi-modal Passenger Terminal (MMPT)

Finalized the MMPT Concept report and it was recently mailed to the team members. 

A draft report was prepared summarizing the MMPT program requirements for Concept 6 which identifies the next steps in the MMPT concept implementation.  Coordinated with City of Atlanta staff regarding the Spring Street Bridge design has taken place.  Staff has strategized the development of a steering committee for Concept 6 implementation.

Rail Corridor Implementation Work  

Continue to have discussions with CSX regarding the capacity analysis scope and Berkeley simulation model.  A newsletter has been prepared summarizing the activities of the rail program in December 2001 and January 2002.  Continued efforts related to the development risk and prioritization of station sites along the Macon corridor are taking place. Coordination with the City of Macon regarding the federal funding for the Macon terminal station site is on the way.  Participation in a New Town Macon-sponsored Brown Field conference is scheduled.  The Conference will focus on the 1700 acres adjacent to Terminal Station.

Grade Crossing Safety Implementation

Getting close to providing a report on recommended priority activities on improving the grade crossings in the Macon Corridor, the final report should be available soon.  A meeting with Henry, Fulton, Monroe, Macon-Bibb counties and cities along the Atlanta-Macon corridor took place regarding the implementation plan work efforts. Draft closure and separation recommendations are to be completed in April 2002.  Additional meetings will be held with agencies to review recommendations and final closure.  Other recommendations will be prepared by June 2002. Participation in the FRA/TRI-RAIL quarterly safety meeting is scheduled on February 21, 2002 in Atlanta.

Dr. Ross added that the next steps Financial Plan which indicates how the process will take place with the resources available, should be available at the next meeting Ms. Gay raised the question about which rail lines are going to be used and if there is some degree of information that can be shared.

 

Mr. Mullins responded by indicating that this would be determined by the capacity study, which includes input from the platform operators and looking at the future freight movement. A definitive answer could not be determined until the kick off takes place and the timeframe is at least a nine-month process.

MMPT Next Steps

Mr. Roberts discussed the recommended next steps on the logical process for the MMPT.

Mr. Roberts indicated that various parts of the property is in public hands, Marta, City of Atlanta and some Stakeholders who own some property or have development rights.  The first step is to assemble Real Estate and Development Rights for the MMPT, with particular attention to the area between Forsyth and Spring Streets.  Title work is underway and is contracted by GDOT.  Anticipation of the initial Title Report is to be complete by the end of April 02. 

The second step is to secure FY 2002/3 funding: Both the House and Senate have approved Governor Barnes’ recommended to match $2.575 million in the FY 2002 supplemental budget.  Combining these additional funds with the funds from the 2001 Budget and the city of Atlanta will allow financial leverage close to 27 million towards property acquisition. 

The third step is to secure a FTA grant.  A preliminary scope of work has been supplied to the Federal Transit Administration and once the available match and immediate action scope are determined an application will be filed by GDOT. Once the development rights are acquired, various construction projects need to be implemented such as demolition of the Georgia Power Building and amending the Spring Street Bridge design and to finalize the Spring Street Bridge construction schedule. 

The final step is to schedule a Stakeholders meeting.  Concept 6 as adopted has been sent to several stakeholders.  With the PMT direction a meeting will be scheduled for the week of March 26^th to kick off this series of next steps including four specific technical elements.  

Mr. Lester raised the question about MMPT achieving a revenue service for regional express bus service. 

Mr. Ritchey responded by indicating that GRTA will be implementing over the next few years approximately 180 additional buses in the express bus service. How these buses will work in downtown Atlanta is vitally important. This facility will have an immediate near term need for the GRTA Express Program.

Mr. Bruning expressed concern over the involvement of MMPT and the Express Bus Service and questioned the routes of these additional 180 buses.

Mr. Ritchey responded by indicating that a study is currently under way which will define exact routes with consideration of the city of Atlanta and the streets.

Mr. Hubbert requested that a expense breakdown on what has been spent to date be provided to the members of the committee.

Ms. Gay requested an on-going monthly update slot on the PMT Report for a greater level of detail for the Multi-modal Passenger Terminal.

GRTA Northwest Connectivity Study update

Mr. Heimer presented the Northwest Connectivity Study update.  Mr. Heimer indicated that the study would look at all the alternative transportation modes, commuter rail, light rail, heavy rail and bus rapid transit.  An objective of the study is to look at the benefit this transportation choice will have on the congestive area and meet the demands of the existing population. It will starts around the mid-town Arts Center area and link the activity centers.

Adjournment: