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Home My WebLink AboutCDN 2017-03-27 Item 2D - Update - Southcenter Subarea Plan ImplementationCity of Tukwila Allan Ekberg, Mayor TO: Community Development and Neighborhoods Committee FROM: Jack Pace, DCD Director BY: Lynn Miranda, Senior Planner CC: Mayor Ekberg DATE: March 21, 2017 SUBJECT: Update on the Southcenter Subarea Plan Implementation Efforts The Southcenter Plan was adopted in 2014 and includes a chapter on the specific City actions and capital improvement projects that should be implemented to act as catalysts for the types of land uses and more urban form of development envisioned for Southcenter. This memo provides an update on the actions taken to date. BACKGROUND Attached is Table I Summary of Recommended City Actions from the Southcenter Plan. These actions are prioritized in terms of level of need and timing. Projects are anticipated to be undertaken as opportunities arise and City resources are available. It is intended that the City will invest in capital improvements and work jointly with the private sector to create public spaces, new streets, and streetscape conditions that are supportive of the vision, will enhance the pedestrian environment, and create an attractive setting for the City's urban setting. These actions should be viewed as a flexible planning tool that allows re-prioritization of projects based available resources and changing circumstances, needs and conditions. The Public Space and Amenity projects are specifically intended to instigate the types of land use changes in the northern part of the Southcenter area that are envisioned by the community — attracting housing, stimulating a new level and quality of development within the area, creating more pedestrian-friendly areas, and strengthening pedestrian connections between activity areas. The actions related to Streets, Circulation and Mass Transit are required to support the goals of the Southcenter Plan for enhancing access for transit, automobiles, and trucks, breaking up the mega-blocks in the planned pedestrian-oriented areas, improving circulation within and access to the urban center, improving transit service and facilities, and enhancing streetscapes. The Bicycle and Pedestrian Facility projects are intended to extend the network of existing trails and paths within the Southcenter area, connect activity areas (including Tukwila Station, the Green River and Tukwila Pond to neighborhoods and shopping areas), and provide a viable transportation alternative to the car as the area becomes more pedestrian- friendly. DISCUSSION The following projects have been completed or are currently underway: 75 INFORMATIONAL MEMO Page 2 Public Space and Amenities • Multifamily Housing Incentives — Multifamily Property Tax Exemption (MFTE). From 2014 to 2016 a MFTE program was enacted as an incentive to encourage residential development of market rate and affordable housing in a portion of the Southcenter area zoned Transit Oriented Development (TUC-TOD). If a project met certain criteria, the qualified residential units would be exempt from ad valorem property taxes for eight years; twelve years if providing affordable housing. The intent was to "prime the pump" for pioneer multifamily developments. Washington Place was the only project to utilize the program. Staff has met with a developer who is interested in constructing Class A market rate apartments at Andover Park E and Baker Boulevard, adjacent to Washington Place. There are no current comps and Washington Place will not lease up for at least 18 months so they are finding it challenging to get financing. They have asked that the MFTE program be extended through 2017 to increase the feasibility of their project. Street/Circulation Facilities • Pedestrian/Bicycle Bridge over the Green River — connecting the urban center to the Tukwila Sounder/Amtrak Station. $10M project ($8.4M in grants). Design began in 2008; anticipated completion later this year. Bridge piers and foundation in place. The offsite fabrication and painting of the super structure is underway. This project also includes design and construction of a new public space at the eastern landing point adjacent to West Valley Highway and re-design of the Green River trail from the western landing point of the bridge to Christensen Road. • Breaking up the mega blocks with new streets. Two redevelopment projects - Southcenter Plaza and Washington Place - have contributed to a finer block and street grid system by creating half-streets that are consistent with street cross-section standards in the TUC zoning regulations. Bicycle and Pedestrian Improvements • On-street parking and sidewalk improvements — Baker Boulevard. Baker Blvd is the envisioned as the pedestrian "spine" connecting the Mail/Transit Center to the pedestrian bridge and the Tukwila Sounder/Amtrak Station. King County is providing $1 M to fund the design and construction of a "road diet" for Baker Boulevard between Andover Park West and Christensen Road. The new cross-section will include on-street parking, 2-lanes of travel, left turn pocket lanes at intersections, and bicycle lanes in each direction. Also funded are the design and construction of wider sidewalks and access ramps on the east side of Christensen from the intersection with the Green River Trail to Baker Blvd. This project is anticipated to be completed this year. Redevelopment on the north side of Baker Blvd, including the Odin Brewery, 405 Baker Blvd, and California Pizza Kitchen/LA Fitness projects, have constructed wider sidewalks and landscaped tree wells consistent with the TUC zoning requirements for public frontage. WA2017 Info Memos\TUC Implementation Memo CDN 3-27-17.doc 76 INFORMATIONAL MEMO Page 3 * Sidewalk improvements on West Valley Highway — connecting pedestrian bridge to Longacres Way/Tukwila Station. Federal grants are funding the design and construction of sidewalk improvements on the west side of W. Valley Hwy between the pedestrian bridge landing and the intersection with Longacres Way. Funds are anticipated to be released to the City in 2018/19. The City will be looking for funding to design and construct missing sidewalk segments on the east side of W. Valley Hwy. 0 Wayfinding Program for bicyclists and pedestrians. Wayfinding signage will be installed in the vicinity of the pedestrian bridge and at key points on Christensen and Baker Blvd. Pedestrian bridge and Regional Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) grants will fund sign design, construction, and installation. 0 Bicycle Racks. The City is installing bike racks at Tukwila Pond, and bike racks and bicycle repair stations at Odin Brewery and Bicentennial Park. Funding is from a CMAQ grant. FINANCIAL IMPACT None at this time — Informational only. RECOMMENDATION None at this time — Informational only. ATTACHMENT Summary of Recommended City Actions from Southcenter Plan WA2017 Info Memos\TUC Implementation Memo CDN 3-27-17.doc 77 INFORMATIONAL MEMO Page 4 op Attachment Table 1. Summary of Recommended City Actions Short Term Actions Project Public Space & Amenities Street /Circulation Network & Facilities Mass Transit Network & Facilities Bicycle & Pedestrian Facilities Short Term Actions Project 1. Pedestrian infrastructure /path between Baker Blvd & Sounder Station 1. Street/Circulation Network & Facilities 1. Capital Improvements 1. Bicycle & Pedestrian Improvements 2. Service Improvements o Pedestrian Bridge over the Green River o Pedestrian Walkway to Sounder Station o At- grade, signalized pedestrian walkway across W Valley Hwy o Initiate a Wayfinding Program to assist drivers & direct auto traffic o Seek opportunities to add to the street network as redevelopment occurs o Seek opportunities to add on- street parking to Baker Blvd o Intersection improvements o Pursue relocation of Union Pacific tracks o Permanent Sounder Station constructed . o Wayfinding program for pedestrians & bicyclists o Sidewalk improvements - missing sidewalks or those not meeting standards Project 2. Improve Tukwila Pond water quality 2. Service Improvements o Alum treatment & air circulation pumps o Improve stormwater treatment on the north side of the Pond o Install alternative stormwater treatment o Support Sounder Commuter Rail service improvements (Sound Transit project) Project 3. Public Parking Structure o Feasibility & location study Project 4. Multifamily Housing Incentives o Developer incentives feasibility analysis Mid Term Actions Project 1. Tukwila Pond Park improvements 1. Street/Circulation Network & Facilities 2. Service Improvements 1. Bicycle & Pedestrian Improvements o A path /floating boardwalk connecting east o Extend Strander Blvd o Seek route span, frequency & o Bicycle facility improvements INFORMATIONAL MEMO Page 5 Lon Term Actions Project & west sides of Pond to APW via Pond's north edge o Park enhancements on west side of Pond — paths, extend viewing platform, add plantings, wetland restoration o Explore feasibility of expanding Park when redevelopment of property to the south occurs o Extend Trek Dr to APW o Construct S. 168th St. when property redevelops o New roadway from SCP to WVH, south of S 180th routing improvements for those routes serving the urban center (KCO Metro project) o Pedestrian signal crossing enhancements at key intersections o APW /Tukwila Pond Park sidewalk improvements o Sidewalk improvements - missing sidewalks or those not meeting standards Project 2. Improve Tukwila Pond water quality o WSDOT I -405 widening projects, including extent Tukwila Pkwy to WVH (Tukwila & WSDOT project) 1. Capital Improvements o Bicycle access to Green River & Interurban trails from West Valley Hwy o Convert railroad corridors to trails o Sidewalk improvements - missing sidewalks or those not meeting standards Project o Add a variety of aquatic vegetation 2. Roadway Capacity Projects o Southcenter Trolley Lon Term Actions Project 1. Pedestrian infrastructure /path between Baker Blvd & Sounder Station 1. Street/Circulation Network & Facilities 1. Service Improvements 1. Bicycle & Pedestrian Improvements o Pedestrian underpass beneath UP RR to Sounder Station (Tukwila & WSDOT project) o WSDOT I -405 widening projects, including extent Tukwila Pkwy to WVH (Tukwila & WSDOT project) o Amtrak Service Improvements (Amtrak project) o Bicycle access to Green River & Interurban trails from West Valley Hwy o Convert railroad corridors to trails o Sidewalk improvements - missing sidewalks or those not meeting standards Project 2. Tukwila Pond Park improvements 2. Roadway Capacity Projects o Tukwila Pond esplanade o Intersection improvements o Extend Minkler Blvd across Green River to WVH Project 3. Improve Tukwila Pond water quality o Monitor water quality & performance of the stormwater bioswales W:12017 Into Memos1TUC Implementation Memo CDN 3- 27- 17.doc