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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCAP 2008-09-22 Item 2C - Briefing - Tukwila Urban Center Plan City of Tukwila Jim Haggerton, Mayor Department of Community Development jack Pace, Director TO: FROM: DATE: Community Mfairs and Parks Committee Lynn Miranda, Senior Planner L ~ September 18, 2008 " Subject: Tukwila Urban Center Plan Briefing Issue On October 23,2008, a Joint City CouncilJPlanning Commission worksession will be held on the public review draft Tukwila Urban Center (ruC) Plan. In preparation for that meeting, Staff would like to review with the Commissioners the work done to date, including a chronology of public workshops held during the planning process and the status of the current draft Plan. Included in this briefing will be the anticipated timeline for public review and plan adoption. Please see the attached materials for a chronology ofthe TUC planning process and a summary of public comments. Background In 2002, Tukwila received a $1.4 million federal grant to prepare a subarea plan for Southcenter, one of the region's urban centers, including the area designated for transit-oriented development (TOD) around the Sounder commuter rail/Amtrak station. The project's objectives were as follows: . Prepare a redevelopment strategy for the TUC that creates more business activity and related property and sales tax revenue in the future, encourages a broader mix of uses and densities in a pedestrian-oriented environment to support improved transit (particularly in northern part of the ruc and the TOD area), improves internal circulation and access to the urban center, and creates a sense of place. . Identify and coordinate the improvements necessary to initiate and support the plan. . Develop regulations and guidelines implementing the plan. . Complete the evaluation of environmental impacts from proposed development and designate the plan as a "planned action". The last briefing to the Council was on May 11,2004 at a Joint City Council/Planning Commission worksession. In 2005, an "administrative review draft" of the plan was prepared by FTB and delivered to staff. The draft Plan consisted of three parts: the vision for the urban center, development standards and design guidelines to implement the vision, and recommended city improvements/actions. The plan was based on the concepts developed over a two year period through six public workshops and three joint City Council/Planning Commission 1 6300 Southcenter Boulevard, Suite #100 · Tukwila, Washington 98188 · Phone: 206-431-3670 · Fax: 206-431-3665 Worksessions (see Attachment A for a chronology of public involvement, and Attachment B for the summary of comments received during the public workshops). Since 2005, Staff and the consultants have been "testing" proposed regulations on development projects in the ruc and using their comments to refme the implementation measures and prepare the public review draft (see Attachment C for a summary of recent activity). Next Steps October 23,2008. · A public workshop on the public review draft ofruC Plan at the Sky Terrace in Westfield Southcenter Mall from 9:30 a.m. to noon. · An evening Joint City Council/Planning Commission worksession with ruc Plan consultants at City Hall from 6 to 9 p.m. Preliminary Schedule November 2008 - February 2009 · Planning Commission review and public hearing on the public review draft ofruC Plan. · Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS) on the ruc Plan as a "planned action" is distributed for public review. January - February 2009 · Staff prepares Planning Commission draft ofTUC Plan for City Council review. March - June 2009 · City Council review and public hearing on Planning Commission draft of ruc Plan. · Final SEIS on draft ruc Plan is distributed June 2009 · City Council adopts draft ruc Plan and implementing ordinances. Attachments: A. Chronology of Public Involvement B. Summary of Public Comments from Workshops C. Summary of Recent Activities 2 A. Tukwila Urban Center Planning Process - Chronology of Public Involvement The following represents a chronology of community workshops and j oint City Council/Planning Commission workshops that have been held to date on the Tul0.\'ila Urban Center (TUC)/Transit oriented development (TOD) subarea plan. Please note that originally, separate workshops were held on the TOD area and the ruc area. Since the TOD area was seen as an integral to the TUC, in 2004 a combined workshop covering both areas was held. Phase I: Developed an understanding of the market forces and forecasts, land use relationships and transportation system in the TUC. May 13,2002 March 25, 2003 Council of the Whole. ECONorthwest briefmg on their preliminary market forecast and trends for the Tukwila Urban Center. Joint City Council/Planning Commission Meeting. Summarized Phase I fmdings on existing land use, transportation and market conditions, issues and opportunities for the ruc study area. Phase II: Prepared preliminary alternatives and a preferred alternative for the TUC/TOD area May 21,2003 June 30, 2003 July 1, 2003 Sept. 15, 2003 Sept. 16, 2003 Nov. 20, 2003 Feb. 26,2004 May 11,2004 ruc Public Workshop #1. Summarized land use, transportation and recent market issues and began refming the vision for the area. ruc Public Workshop #2. Presented several 'broadbrush" concepts based on feed back from 1st ruc Public Workshop. TaD Public Workshop #1. Summarized emerging land use, transportation, utility and market issues and their impact on redevelopment potential for the TaD area. TUC Public Workshop #3. Presented preliminary land use and transportation alternatives, and associated market implications. TOD Public Workshop #2. Presented several alternative land use and transportation concepts for future development, based on feedback from the 1 st TaD Public Workshop. Joint City Council/Planning Commission Meeting. Reviewed the planning process and concepts for the ruC. Presented the preliminary evaluation of market feasibility. Combined ruC/TOD Final Public Workshop. Presented implementation strategies, preliminary recommendations for land use and development policies, and traffic impacts and improvements. Joint City Council/Planning Commission Meeting. Council directed staff and consultants to prepare the draft plan based on the "Mall to Station" scenario, after reviewing the recommended vision and alternative implementation strategy alternatives. B. Summary of Public Comments from Workshops City ofTukwila, Washington Public Workshop #1 On Tukwila Urban Center Plan Summary of Public Comments DoubleTree Suites May 21,2003 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. The first public workshop on the Tukwila Urban Center Plan was held on May 21, 2003. Approximately sixty people attended. The workshop focused on presenting how existing land use, economic and transportation conditions and opportunities could shape the various directions that the Southcenter area can begin to grow. A series of questions was posed to the attendees regarding the future of the area. Public responses to these questions were recorded as "bullet points" during the workshop. These comments have been organized below into four sections: Urban Design, Transit & Transportation, Market and General. Also included is a summary of written comments received after the workshop. Ouestions to the Community: 1. How do you react to what you saw? 2. What do you want to see more of? What works? What doesn't? What do you want to see less of? 3. What do you see in your mind as success? Workshop Comments: Urban Design · Uses bordering the TUC on the north side of 1-405 should be part ofTUC area. · Underground infrastructure such as storm drainage is hindering opportunities for development while fiber optics need to be considered for future development; all infrastructure considerations should be part of the ongoing planning process. t:;---~ f~ ' i' ,-: I ' "t; ~ "- ,~.:. :';i;t"'L,'c,:,'1f -- v~:~-~" 1 . How can the "public realm" emerge? Is it huge buildings; changes in Land use, or Code, or Zoning? (Response: Zoning requirements and market power.) The Idea of "District" as shown in Land Use & Development Opportunities diagram is a good idea; good for retailers. The size of the existing blocks is a point of frustration. The spine connecting Tukwila Parkway on the north through the shopping center to the south is intriguing idea. This is also supported by an east-west spine connecting Strander Boulevard to the Sounder Station. Southcenter Parkway can be another good spine. The idea of a shuttle bus is good. Freeway access is a problem. . . . . There could be clustered nighttime activities with theaters as anchors to draw people. . . Residential is an important component in an urban center, to create nighttime population and safety. Detroit and Phoenix moved residential uses out of their centers, but there was a lack of safety and activity; residential is now being re-introduced in these communities. What type of residential would be appropriate? The Plan cannot dictate housing types but can identify areas, which would be conducive as locations for specific residential housing types: river-oriented townhouses, flats, condos, at a cost range of $180 to $190/SF, but no high-rise residential in the near future. Create amenity, to make it attractive for housing (and other uses). Should be a "town". Centralize Tukwila Pond; make the Pond a major focus. PIano, TX: community with focus on a lake with major plaza. Las Colinas and Fort Worth also have lakes and plazas as focus - large draw for people. There are not enough pedestrian connections from the hotels on the eastside of the Green River to ruc center. Should there be an additional bridge for pedestrians? The Green River Trail is an asset, but underutilized, as uses and buildings back onto the trail. :~~ ~~ ~ ,: --~:.. '. . . . ~~ ~ .y~ ... --ri"t;/ _ _. ._' '- JJ ~.-- """"';.~j~i';~ ....:r4 ... - 'I.. _...~, .. Pm"~ o. }. "'~-L-j .. .~ . . 2 Transit Transportation Location is a major TUC asset! But accessibility is an issue. Civic Uses: should City Hall be in the TUC? Residential uses along the river and Tukwila Pond is a good idea, but not in anywhere else in the center of TUC. From a marketing point of view residential uses need to be located close to amenities. Residential and civic uses surrounding the pond; what about the pond's sensitive ecology? (Audubon Society) Residential if people don't have a car, how can they get there? Two well utilized transit routes already exist. They should be integrated into the area: north south (Seattle- Auburn) and east west (Renton SeaTac). Traveling through the CBD without traffic congestion is important. Auto oriented uses (such as auto repair) in the TUC depend on people getting there by car. Customers need to be able to reach other TUC destinations while they wait for their cars (31/2 hours). Coming in/out by car has to be better. Ease access and circulation conflict. Tukwila needs a bus system that moves people in and around the TUC circulatory bus system. Commuter, shuttle -type service connecting facilities (auto dealers to malls) and car pool area will be great assets. Tukwila is located at the crossroads of access by car, air and sea this is a great asset. Invest in transit to provide easy accessibility to future destinations in the TUC. Addresses (and finding your way) need to be clear and consistent (often the same street has multiple names). Cars need to be able to move freely through the TUC (center) don't create plans that would make it less accessible for cars. Accessibility is crucial for office businesses. Need "super" accessibility! 3 Market to stay. Protect employment in TUC. Provide options for people to live and work (supported by multimodal accessibility). Vacancy rate for office/ retail: "habitual" or "seasonal What type of residential? Where do you put a Safeway? How should Tukwila, Renton and South Puget be tied together in the region? Job creation with economic development (Renton/ Tukwila/ Kent) it is of great importance to preserve jobs. Nighttime activity what kind? Get more people into the area. Office growth should be oriented towards the center of TUC, instead of southward. What will happen to businesses that are auto oriented if more people are brought in? We are a mix of uses. Tukwila does not have a strong "regional voice Tukwila is perceived as a 17,000 people community Retailers at south end of Southcenter Parkway consider it a good business day if 40% of the customers arrive by 3pm. Tukwila makes money!! What is success? Bellevue with high -rises and mix of uses. 1 Question: To bring in more people is what you want or what you need? Response: I think you should leave it, as it is, no need for residential (businesses that rely on car customers as Firestone and car dealers thrive as they are). Response: Bring in more retail! Consider other developments outside of TUC as potential liability Segale property and their planning needs to be considered! Identity of place rather than image of absentee landlords. Need market support. Who can stay and who needs to go to transform Tukwila Urban Center? Retail has kpi-Aq 4 General A lot of family activities and a sense of community would be a great asset for the TUC. Residents should attend the TUC workshops, not only business representatives. Summary of Written Comments Received: Do not push out warehouse/ industrial. Keep in as much employment as possible. Do not drop the idea of having a light rail connection. Hotel occupancy is down. Need to do something to get folks to stay in TUC hotels, especially on weekends. Occupancy rates are terrible, particularly from Thursday through Sunday. The City has spent millions of dollars a year to market hotels in SeaTac and Tukwila. Do not turn the central Tukwila core into the ugly set of high -rises that now pollute the central Bellevue core. These buildings obliterate the view and beauty of the area. One of the strengths of the Tukwila area is its accessibility to smaller companies trying to get started, and to the wide diversity of people who live and work in the area. Wants to maintain a down home ambience. Envisions a more developed waterfront incorporating riverfront office specialty retail. East side of river for hotels. Easy access to the river from the Southcenter area and Southcenter Parkway. Wants to find a way to find a viable place in the area for warehouse /distribution/light industrial facilities don't push these uses out. 5 City ofTukwila, Washington Public Workshop #2 On Tukwila Urban Center Plan Summary of Public Comments Embassy Suites Hot~l June 30, 2003 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. The input received at the workshop - from both verbal and written comments - is summarized below. The comments have been organized into four sections: Land Use & Urban Design, Implementation, Others, and Summary of Written Comments. Workshop Comments: Land Use & Urban Design . There is a 200'+ setback along the Green River to protect the Chinook Salmon, an endangered species. How much setback is appropriate for the uses proposed along the river's edge? Ifresidential is a land use, which the community supports, the setback can be of any depth, from 50' to 200'. Residential is a great idea, even ifthere are possible problems with wildlife, i.e. salmon. . The proposed ideas are impressive; there is something missing. The idea of civic functions is missing, with civic center functions connecting their current location on the hill to the Center or locating directly in the Center. Library, Youth Center, Post Office, even a Hotel wi Convention Facility. ~; I~_. ~ "'-.. ~,tIp~. O~lE-tc.T . W/pJ:rMc.... ,I "'. -./ :...Ll~ Tffl~ l~.! _ '" , " \ " · If residential were located at the river, would it include retail 1 . services? Yes, it could such as ground floor retail with residential above, in specific strategic locations. (comer store, not competing with Center retail). All districts would be planned to be mixed-use, with special attention to where uses are located. Tukwila Pond is a very good area to focus energy; make it feel that the entire ruc is part of a unified business community. An example is PIano, Texas where business focuses on a lake as central feature. Uses (office and residential) don't back up directly onto the lake but leave a public realm ledge with space in between. . Southcenter Parkway as a "spine" is a good idea, the idea of the Pond as a spine is a good idea. Expand the idea by adding other amenities, like an amphitheater. The idea of 4 . ,. - . \. districts in the rue is a good idea. Transportation and transportation improvements need to service pattern.s of development rather than traffic improvement decisions being made in the absence of the physical realities of the center and its proposed changes. Currently people leave the center in the evening. If residential would become a use, other residential support uses would need to be brought in, together with other evening activity which would help the center. Evening activity should be focused on the pond, (like in Providence, RI). . The pond edge (space between the pond and adjoining development) needs to be a place where people can walk and relax. There needs to be room for open space (a park-like setting) and activity, a little of both. The north half should be developed, the south half should be park/open space/natural. . There should be a marker/ monument marking the axis; where the pond becomes the meeting place (a meeting place for all kind of reasons!) The pond as a meeting/gathering place is a good idea, with multiple linkages/ connections. (a raising of hands showed a larger number of people supporting the idea of a portion of the' . ~; pond edges being kept as natural open space rather than being ringed with development). If the center is to become a walkable district, there \OIW"L.A ~'O -Ic~uo ~~-rre- ( .~~. -.~ ~ . . 1Jr-'~';\J' };Ffv\l-,.\ <- . . ,y~~~ -~ ~-.. . .... -. -,.-' - ".-~~ -.~ 'V~ -k'-' - .l-J~~ ~err( tf- .4\lvfTl~~. ~ ~l 2 needs to be reasons for people to walk. The idea is restructuring the center, not redevelopment. The ideas shown in Alternative 3 are good; the idea of three (3) zones is not a good idea. Alternative.3 makes best use of the pond as the focus. The idea of Southcenter Boulevard as a focus is not a good idea. The Pond as focus, with a spine is a better concept. The idea is a "walkable", "nice center" . Alternative 3 should expand retail further south into an extended long L-shape, extending all the way to the south end of the TUC site, to include the Big Box retail zone on the east side of the TUC, at Minkler. In Alternative 3, can residential uses being extended to border the pond? While that is a possibility, it would probably require shifting retail uses further south. Where do hotels fit in? Hotels locate well at the edge of the river; they combine well with residential uses, to have the residential district feel. Hotel/lodging could be anywhere in the TUC. .~---'------~'\ ' {' 1""'\ - 1 ~ - ~ \~ ..? NoT 1?f.)t>V6H l}.'.~-!2!-. ~;. ,_..... _--f~ _ i "'-'o...-f"::.. : ( J..r:r- 2- '.- c-",- N.VvH \"'c~lo- f"WGF-., . . . . · In Alternatives 1 and 3, there may not be enough area dedicated for workplace. Alternative 2 has too much workplace; there should be a medium between the two approaches. u . . What is workplace as a land use? Where is it going? It includes office, warehouse and distribution. The neo-traditional ideas about the Urban Center as shown in the Alternatives are good, particularly as a transit-focused Urban Center, The focus of the TUC as workplace is to stay, which maintains a big daytime population. . Implementation · Do improvements/changes in the public realm come first; what leads? For example, in the case of Strander Blvd.: Put in streetscape improvements first, prioritize changes, establish cost estimates for intended changes and determine how to implement changes. Are changes treated as City incentives, or are they incremental ~ ? improvements, implemented as you go along? Or are they done all at once, with payback later? (public expenses/private expenses or shared expenses). 3 . Concern over piece-meal implementation. . Is the idea of creating districts tied to the idea of market absorption, like 20-year absorption cycles? FTB believes that cycles of change are shorter, more like 7 to 10 years. Others . The Segale project, which is being planned south of the TUC, has large-scale plans that may compete with the TUC. To date no information has come forward to know what exactly is being planned. (Segale's representative at the workshop offired the following: Segale bought Gateway Business Park (600 acres) from Boeing. The property is being planned by Design Workshop as a mixed-use/ multi-use development, with a major focus on residential, not as a retail mall.) Summary of Written Comments Received: . The City should work with the developers, etc to get a drugstore to come in. One has to go over to Renton or up the hill to the Safeway in McMicken Heights to buy any of the many products a drugstore carries. Many of the workers in the area would like to take care of errands on their lunch break or after work. Perhaps a drugstore/ grocery would be good. . Do not turn the central Tukwila core into the ugly set of high-rises that now pollute the central Bellevue core. These buildings obliterate the view and beauty of the area. One of the strengths of the Tukwila area is its accessibility to smaller companies trying to get started, and to the wide diversity of people who live and work in the area. Wants to maintain a down home ambience. Envisions a more developed waterfront incorporating riverfront office & specialty retail. East side of river for hotels. Easy access to the river from the South center area and Southcenter Parkway. Wants to find a way to find a viable place in the area for warehouse/distribution/light industrial facilities - don't push these uses out. . As the city develops plans for the Southcenter business area, 1'd like to be notified of the coming workshops because I think our business community would be very well served by ensuring that trees, native plants, drought-tolerant plants, and landscaping for wildlife are part of this plan. 4 City ofTukwila, Washington Public Workshop #1 On Transit-oriented Development (TOD) Plan Summary of Public Comments Embassy Suites Hotel July 1,2003 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. The input received at the workshop - from both verbal and written comments - is summarized below. The comments have been organized into three sections: Land Use & Urban Design, Opportunities & Constraints, and Implementation. Workshop Comments: Land Use & Urban Design · If residential uses are proposed for the TOD, how do odors from the Renton Sewage Treatment facility affect housing? (Odor control technology is being used to upgrade facility in the near future.) · The impact of noise and vibration are issues; while noise is easy to mitigate, vibration is not. · There should be more pedestrian connections, more people movement space and fewer cars in the TOD. · What are ideas about building density and height for the TOD? · Ifthere are tall buildings in the TOD what are the requirements for vertical clearance from the power lines? ff~tt~p'"r i.kL, ~ " -"<?,u ~~ ~ > .r"-- ~~ "~1\- - \f l.2:.~(f,1J~ ~ ~_- · Similar to the TUC, the TOD needs a focus area. · One vision for the TOD includes residential/office/ and retail/mixed-use. Retail would be neighborhood -serving retail; building heights would 1 range from 65-ft to 125-ft. Another vision for the TaD is high-density suburban, pointing to "place", a well- designed neighborhood, good signage, a place, not reaching for the freeway, but being a place on its own. Residential-serving support retail like a grocery store is important. Location of retail near the station is a good idea. The TaD needs to be a destination, not just a pass-through. It should have small- scale retail, like a place to hang out. The station needs to have a park (a greenish square), a place to linger, with cafes. Parking should be discouraged for residential/office uses. What does the word: "Tukwila" mean? It is the Indian name for a tree type. Looking from the station platform, you could see the river, looking west you would see Longacres . . Park, looking east you .~,tr~....&o ..~ would see the connection to the mall, and you would know where you are; there would be a sense of orientation. West Valley Highway is a separator, it is too wide and pedestrian unfriendly. Create connections, integrate access! Are residential uses a viable option for the TOD? Is the presence of the power line and the railroad tracks a deterrent for residential development? Perhaps office uses are a better alternative? Residential development is a good idea for the TaD, it will bring residents to the valley floor. Residential uses need support services, like an elementary school; if that is provided it would work. Tukwila has historically been a crossroad: it misses a light rail station, a modal transfer station, where all modes come together in one place. This may lead to considering two alternatives: "l~ ',Iv~i.'t;; --" - .:~ - :;.~!:;... : -.-- - - . . . . . . . . . . . ~~_~~-:~:<7 ~____d_-. 7----rl- . . 'r- Tt:. ..~ ;.~: !~r.:~y~_ -,;, ~1'~L! -",~J'~ . Uwi r.It'-:t!\J.'I~lJ1'-.'S n-\~~*~'Il~_ ~~Jr~ ;)\. i;;rfi;~~~~~f;.if:~~::-~ .,-.- - '" ~'1 1"1'- t4t~~ A. Mixed- use/residential-oriented alternative B. Dense-activity oriented alternative Is residential a viable use for the TaD site? Site size? . 2 Opportunities & Constraints . Can the two railroad easements be consolidated together with the Puget Energy high-voltage power line easement, all pushed to the eastern edge of the site? . The number of trains using Sounder Station will be increased; Amtrak will have 26 trains per day stopping at Sounder Station. The station should be made more accessible. The idea is to bring people from SEA TAC airport to the station to take the train to Portland or Va,ncouver, BC. e There will also be an increase in freight trains. . Regarding the issue of rail line consolidation into one shared easement, this alternative should no longer be pursued as an option due to the planned increase in train frequency on the tracks. . Current landowners (6-8) may not want to participate in any changes; however the transit station is a fact. If in addition tracks would be moved, then there could perhaps be a vision for change. . Can high-tension power lines be moved east? This requires further research. . If all constraints remain, should the station just become a train stop with a parking lot? Or should it be a station with an in-town feel? e Consider expanding the TaD boundary to the west, to the edge of the Green River! . What is happening with the Boeing Longacres project, is it real, and how many people will be on the Boeing site? . There are a number of regional components like the BRT and the 405 improvements. How do they interplay with the TOD? Implementation . What is a realistic time factor regarding development of the TaD, and what is the length oftime for transition? Is there a moratorium, and how will that affect plans? (the current development moratorium will end in August; it will most likely be extended for another 6 months, until plans for the TaD are completed.) . How long will it take to implement the TOD - there is concern over the length of , time required to implement the TOD. . What happens in the transition phases when implementing this kind of a project? What happens to parking, now, in the interim and at final built-out? o There are concerns about the costs involved to achieve the TOD. . There is concern that this project needs to be expedited quickly; and if railroads don't commit within a reasonable timeframe to move ahead (lyear), current development patterns should remain, to function as they are today. . Will each alternative have its own market analysis so people could judge on the viability of each alternative? (There will be a general market analysis about trends in the market. This will befol/owed by afinancial analysisfor the preferred alternative at a later point in the study.) · There is a need for project milestones and key decisions with a time line to track project progress. 3 City of TukwUa, Washington Public Workshop #3 On Tukwila Urban Center Plan Summary of Public Comments Embassy Suites Hotel' September 15, 2003 1 p.m. to 3 :30 p.m. The input received at the workshop - from both verbal and written comments - is summarized below. . Create connections to the transit center both on Strander and Baker Boulevards in the long term. Strander will be mainly for vehicles and Baker for pedestrians. . Really like both alternatives. Want to do both of these concepts. . Keep going with these two concepts! . Love Mall to Pond connection better. It makes the ruc core more special. Hope the Westfield will expand toward the Tukwila Pond. The Tukwila Pond should be a focus of the ruc core. The Pond has to change dramatically. (Many participants supported the Mall to Pond connection.) . Either overpass or underpass across Strander for the north-south connection between the Mall and Pond may mitigate traffic congestion. · Indoor space could be considered instead .of the open linear connections for the TUC Core because of rainy weather in Tukwila. WorkshoD Comments: ~> - t~ri#"'t-1~=~ If" j-"~l~tT_~~" -. p :...:... - - . ~':6~#~v;.){!,;,,~i?'iJg;,-y~ 3L .',' 1~'~ fu.. -!", ,,-j'~"* -- t-:./.-.,.--..---.-...r-..--...-;;-----1~-"'-~.-~.,,~~ ~ ~- -, A. _.!'....~~,rj;.~@:k_~_ _. /,__--_-~_:__ o:-~ a,..~ot'..r.vJi-.--Cr'. - "h.. ~ :;;:.;~. ~ t ....,.. .~. {~Of.~ t t..p f~- ~ ~ L~; f:: ~-" -q..<........... f~' -----.~-";--. 1 The distance from the esplanade to the Tukwila Pond is a concern. It seems too close to protect vegetation and provide a panoramic view of the Pond. Check the distance again. Do not develop the Tukwila Pond. The Tukwila Pond should be kept as the Pacific North West kind of amenity. Keep the distance from the Tukwila Pond to surrounding developments. Do Pond to Mall linkage! Invest most money to this improvement. Improve Southcenter Parkway and S. 180 through signage guidelines - requires minimum investment. Which changes are better, big public changes or incremental changes? It should be between these two, since neither Mizner Park nor Santana Row is commercially successful. Focus not only on the pond but also on the river. Make the river more recreational and introduce cafes, office parks and housing. H-shape structure composed by Strander Boulevard, Mall-Pond connection and the Green River is important. The Mall-Pond connection and river should provide different activities. Station should be located on Baker in both alternatives. connection to the housing in the TOD area. Both concepts are great, but mall owner will not control anybody else's properties. The issue is who do first, either the mall or city. Need to project how much Tukwila will grow to determine how much housing is necessary in the future. Currently, there are 17,000 people. Like Southcenter Parkway median concept. Do not take out any functional convenience for retail. Median on Southcenter Parkway will cause a visibility issue. Taking out a left-turn lane from Southcenter Parkway will reduce the capacity. . . . . . . . . . . . . . '~'!.t:;i",jjl,'~ ," ~ . :::t' -,;~W' t~tt*-- -.il?.!) of ~P[). =tMillm_-~-~~:c ----:-- ~ ---~ ~ "_ . '1I~~fllil ~ . ~ ~f:~.J~__ _:f~..,~).~Jht~tr1~1;_ ~ ~ 1 ~-<A1;~~~ i-'t~~- fnitiaf Catalyst 2 City ofTukwiJa, Washington Public Workshop #2 On Transit-oriented Development (TOD) Plan Summary of Public Comments Doubletree Guest Suites September 16, 2003 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. The input received at the workshop - from both verbal and written comments - is summarized below. W orkshon Comments: · The TOD area is expanded and the original wedge-shape area is now in the Phase II. What is the current status of moving the railroad tracks? · The focus of both schemes is moving toward west (the Mall) and away from the original TOD area. Concern is that investments are also moving away from the area. · The original TOD area is under moratorium and cannot do an}1hing with it. Need to know when it will be expired? · Having residential up to Andover Park West is a good idea. · Like both alternatives! (Many people supported both concepts) · Prefer Mall-Pond concept. (Multiple people supported this concept.) · Prefer Baker concept because of the better connection from tIle transit center to the mall. (Some people supported this concept.) · The Mall expansion will affect both concepts. Need to know what the mall owner really wants to do and what improvements will happen to Klickitat. · Show Strander extension in all drawings. ri/;t'. . Both concepts are excellent! Strander and Baker bave to be connected 10 the relocated station and have to go through to Boeing. Timing issue is also crucial. ~ 1m " " rr-~-~ I CV'~-. U - -- -,-,,- ) ~- " - -:..~.-.--.:....: !-, ~ ti:fit. .. 0" J' ~_....~ -~ -:, <_.-- . ~~ ~.{'( ~ ~. f I O"Jo __ ~ ~rl;c' ;~~~\\-!':~~ii~:!;~ :-..- -;.~ ~E"':":;2?7~im~i<<:-?'~~- '= -t-. - "0 <f)P'1"1: . ~,~ -":l;'F ~t" ~f2 . '{ I Move Mall to Pond connection toward west and locate retail stores on the west side of pond. There are fewer constraints. If do something on the Tukwila Pond, do it now! Create all three connections in the long run including Baker and two Mall to Pond connections. Expand the retail cluster on Baker and create an esplanade along the river. Locate TOD core along the river with convenience retail and cafe. Like to see something by the river that is convenient for walking along the river. (Multiple people supported this idea.) Need to coordinate with the Army Corp. Engineer about developments along the i. river. In Baker alternative, the distance between the transit center to the Mall might be too far. A shuttle bus service should be considered. Like new bridge on extended Baker Boulevard. A pedestrian bridge across West Valley Hwy may be necessary. Enough commuter trains are necessary to make something happen around the station. Bring in civic uses such as a visitor information center. -±1 A;g4 4. 2 City ofTukwila, Washington Public Workshop #4 On Tukwila Urban Center Plan & Transit-oriented Development (TOD) Plan Summary of Public Comments Double Tree Hotel Guest Suites February 26th, 2004 1 :00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Implementation Strateev . The Tukwila Pond still looks very urbanized. It will destroy water habitats. Should create viable natural environment on three edges at least. Water comes down from the hill and flows into the Tukwila Pond. Connect Tukwila Pond to the Green River with a creek. . On the south side of the Tukwila Pond, move 168th street to the south and produce more space between the pond and development. (Underground power line goes through abutting the planned 16Sth street and it looks like a sidewalk.) . ***More than a half people supported the idea to implement the Mall to Station fIrst and nobody opposed. . Should change Tukwila before it dies. . Like to see more housing along the river. (There are townhouses along the river but they are not visible enough from a distance.) . Open space is precious for wildlife habitats and plants. Interpreted displays of wildlife habitats and plants are good for public and environmental education. . Convention center in the "wedge" is a good idea. . Asphalt/permeable surface issue should be written in the policy document. . Relocate the city hall on the south side of the Tukwila Pond. rf.;rr';~'~'if"~ !." ;. '''''" ,.' I "~1 ~~~~;<<~'~:~,,,.~, ,:,<}~ :~}~:,,:;\l ht> l),lI<"J;1g {iu~l.': ~.L~~ :-::):_.~.~-,' .:-:-'-. . - 1.-.~ -~ ~-:'~; -:.;H~i ~~':Fr.-"":"",: t :q~:r .1." ,,' 1 Land Use & Development Policy Should permit as high buildings as possible ifF.A.R. allows. Put conditional use permit for the area between the mall building and Tukwila Parkway. Extend 12/140 area all way up to Tukwila Parkway. Housing in the ruc Core will be impacted by traffic and noise. the Tukwila Pond is better for housing. Five-story housing is too tall. Should be three stories. Height transition toward the Green River is a good idea, i.e. lower height limit along the river. Office may not be feasible in the ruc because TUC is a retail area. . . . . . . . f~!~~---":: '", ~'"';'~~>I~.~" '-;' :,,__ __" - =-~_r. - =-.'~ _ .,. - -~ ~ _._~ -"- : ff,W:'nf!,il~-J.:iIl~,T;T;;';';i.t-~f;::;_ ; .l ".' I .~ t~li'"f~"-~'~ !-5-ti ->.'"~-~ !)~j~; ',I :L -I l 1 . " r .."'. :1.:;~.~ 1 , \"0' l4~.\lJ 1 The south side of l' -'. l ~~- __~l:~~~;~21.~l~;~~!.I;~~ " r/~,-- ';1 " l \d L ~"-.- - -- 1. . ". ,r~' . ~". -...:~. ~:'-'" .'. '.. . -"~ - - - ..............---..--. - : -<" ".., 0"".- - t.- . . . rI ~ .....:. - . - /~~$'__._ ~-t;". """J~L,",,,;_~ ./ ..;;.,,~ ~.....-;~;-d~~~~__~~~~'PI_- -~Ct.."<i;r.. + :w~- - (.1).--t~{~. !-~i.l 1 ~ ~ ~~~~q' ... {,uF!' _ Traffic Impacts & Necessary Improvements . Need to study traffic impacts beyond 2020. . The 61 st Street Bridge should be relocated to the T-intersection of Andover Park West and Tukwila Parkway because Andover Park West will be a major arterial in the ruC. (There is an elevation change between Southcenter Boulevard and Tukwila Parkway and Tukwila Parkway needs to be moved to the south to relocate the bridge.) . Traffic improvements proposal is not as aggressive as land use change proposal. Should think about how to bring people in the ruc including mass transit. . Need aggressive solution such as a system that people want to try. . Use Klickitat improvement to instigate LRT connection to the TUC. -::'1.~~ l-~'P' u-. . ,t.fih l~llf~1-~.:!~";.Ij"> t;'{.m t>f 1-' h~~6<iV~ , ,c '" d t::::i~~ ~~:~j , / ~ ~ / - ..-~J((it#j 't;'t- . " FT' .1 ~ t!':;c~~. ':.'. .jJt.itJ--~&.s. ~ "-"! -.'~' l-~"'l__ -....: --4 _'> ~ !~. ,r- ~ l~~' 2 c. Summary of Recent Activities (2005 - 2008) Since the administrative review draft of the TUC Plan was delivered to Staff by FTB, Staff has worked on the following activities related to the Plan: A. Plan Review . Key DCD and Public Works staff reviewed the Plan. . After their initial review, Staff sought peer review and a "reality check" ofthe Plan's recommendations by: o Organizing an Urban Land Institute Technical Advisory Panel worksession (comprised of local public and private experts in real estate, development, planning and finance) to review the Plan concepts and proposed implementation measures. o Meeting with local and regional mixed use, housing and retail developers on an individual basis to [md out "does this plan work" and "what else is needed to get the types of development we need?" These meetings were very informative and, in general, confirmed the plan's direction and strategies for redevelopment. Staff further refined their comments on the plan based on these peer group discussions. B. Plan Implementation Even though the plan has not yet been adopted, three key points should be noted: 1) The City has been successfully applying for funding to construct some of the key projects identified to implement the plan; 2) The City has worked with Metro, Sound Transit and WSDOT to ensure that local and regional transportation investments in Tukwila strongly support the TUC vision; and 3) The types of development envisioned in the Plan are already being proposed in the TUC. The following list of projects underscores the points outlined above: Mall to Station Scenario e Pedestrian Bridge across the Green River - Tukwila received $200,000 in Transportation Enhancement funds to prepare a type, size and location study for the bridge - an important landmark for the TUC. The bridge will create a direct link between the rail station and the adjacent areas planned for transit-supportive, high density mixed use development, the Southcenter Transit (bus) Station, and shopping and employment areas in the urban center. . New Southcenter Transit (bus) Station - King County Metro and the City of Tukwila are designing the new transit center using funding from Metro, Westfield Corporation, and Tukwila. Remaining TOD grant funds will go towards design and construction. . Permanent Tukwila Commuter Rail/Amtrak Station - Sound Transit is developing preliminary engineering and construction plans for the Station. Sound Transit will be relocating the station to line up with the pedestrian path leading to the urban center. Project construction will be phased, dependent on available funding. . Westfield Mall's Transit Connection - As part of the Mall expansion, Westfield is integrating transit and retail by constructing a direct pedestrian link from the Mall to the new Transit (bus) Station on Andover Park West. Transit Oriented Development (TOD) Area: . Moratorium - The moratorium was successful in preserving land available for redevelopment and restricting land uses that do not implement the vision for the TOD area until TUC Plan is in place. . Tukwila Station - A 300 unit condo development is proposed, capitalizing on its location just north of the Rail Station. It will include 5,000 sq. ft. ofretail space. . Relocation of Union Pacific Railroad - The City of Renton, as part of the Strander extension project, received a grant to relocate the UP line adjacent to the BNSF line, opening the area up for redevelopment. To ensure this is able to occur, Tukwila preserved a 100 foot right-of-way in the parcel proposed for the Tukwila Station development. Renton anticipates track relocation will occur in 2009/1 O. Other Projects: A number of significant redevelopment projects have occurred in the urban center. Again, even though the Plan was not been adopted, Staff worked with developers to ensure these projects consistency with the Plan's overall goals and vision: . Westfield Shoppingtown Southcenter . Southcenter Square - Redevelopment of the Penny's Warehouse site . Baker Boulevard Retail Center - Redevelopment of warehouse/industrial into retail/office. Included public frontage improvements. . California Pizza Kitchen - redevelopment of Fatigue property; included publicly accessible plaza with amenities at key intersection. . Radovich Project - Redevelopment of the old Texaco site at the comer of Tukwila Parkway and Andover Park East into retail; includes public frontage improvements. . Tukwila Pond - A master plan for the pond "edges" and park that enhances and broadens the functions of the pond in its role as an urban refuge for humans and wildlife is currently underway. Next steps also include studies on viable water quality improvement options. The Pond is a focal point of the TUC Plan.