los angeles union station master plan - dec. 4, 2012
DESCRIPTION
Presentation by the architectural team of Grimshaw/Gruen and Metro staff on the proposed Union Station Master Plan project which will develop Metro’s vision and plan to guide future development at the station, including transit operations, enhanced pedestrian access, and new private and/or public real estate development. Presented at the community kick- off meeting on Dec. 4, 2012, at Metro HQ in downtown Los Angeles.TRANSCRIPT
LA Union Station Master Plan
> Project Background
> Master Plan Process
> Site Context
> Passenger Experience
> Station Architecture
> Transit Access & Circulation
> Q and A
> Breakout Sessions
Presentation Outline
Project Background
Union Station History
Union Station Today
Union Station Today
Metro’s Union Station Property
Mozaic Apartments
Union Station Today
Metro’s Union Station Property
Mozaic Apartments First 5 LA
Union Station Today
Metro’s Union Station Property
Mozaic Apartments First 5 LA
M.W.D. HQ
Why a Master Plan?Three Considerations…
(1) L.A.’s Expanding Transit System
Existing Rail System
Transit System: Existing and New
> Adopted 1996
> Almost 11M sf. of entitlements; 7M sf. entitledto Union Station property
> Almost 6M sf. still available for development
> Flexible entitlements and floor area transfer
> Union Station Development Agreement with the City of Los Angeles
Alameda District Specific Plan
(2) Existing Entitlements
(3) High Speed Rail
What are the Goals of the Union Station Master Plan?
Project Goals
> Accommodate current and future transit needs
> Create an iconic place of extraordinary design
> Protect and enhance Union Station
> Improve access and connectivity to the city around us
> Maximize the value of Metro’s investment in the property
> Incorporate the best sustainability features for the site
Master Plan: Finding a Team
> March 2011
> April 2011
> July 2011 –June 2012
> Selected Team
> August 2012
Board directs Master Plan and formation of the Union Station Master Plan Advisory Committee
Union Station transfers to Metro
Metro procurement process, Vision Boards
Gruen Associates / Grimshaw Architects
Work begins, 24 month process
> Community Outreach Plan
> Union Station Advisory Committee
> Internal Stakeholders
> ULI Advisory Services Panel
- Linkages Study
Paddington StationLondon
Stakeholder Involvement
What is a Master Plan?
> Study site technically, quantitatively and qualitatively
> Develop a game plan for how the property and buildings will be developed over time
> Intent is to guide future work so that it is cohesive
> Future work includes short term, medium, and long range work
Bjilmer Station Amsterdam
Master Plan
> Data Collection & Analysis(defining the program)
> Draft Alternatives
> Final Plan
> Stakeholder Outreach(throughout)
> Concurrent Market Study
Southern Cross Station Melbourne
Process
Master Plan Schedule
Data Collection/AnalysisProgram Definition
Draft Master Plan Alternatives
Preferred Plan
Issues we have heard from stakeholders
> Union Station feels isolated from the rest of the City
> Wayfinding inside/outside of station is not clear
> Pedestrian connectivity between Union Station & nearby neighborhoods/sites is poor
> Bikes should be better accommodated
> Property improvements need to accommodate varied users and programs
> Security and safety concerns exist
> Poor acoustics prevent speech intelligibility for paging
> Concern about the impacts of HSR
Ideas we have heard from stakeholders
> Desire to maintain the civic quality of the site
> Desire to retain the character and support the cultural identities of adjacent neighborhoods
> Desire to develop more retail amenities
> Desire for Union Station to be a destination unto itself
> Opportunity to support local visual and performing arts programs at Union Station
> Desire for connection to Los Angeles River
> Potential to change the character of Alameda
> Interest in appropriate development (mixed use, hotel, etc.)
Master Plan Consultant Team
Gruen Associates Prime Consultant / Project Management / Master PlanningGrimshaw Architects Design Leader / Master Planning / ArchitecturePoint C, LLC Strategic Advisors on Transportation Finance, Funding & EntitlementsFehr & Peers Transportation Planning / Traffic Engineering / Parking / ConnectivitySener Transit Engineering for High Speed RailCityworks Design Urban Design (SBE)The Robert Group Community Outreach (SBE)Mia Lehrer + Associates Landscape Architecture (SBE)Historic Resources Group Historic Restoration ConsultantBuro Happold Sustainability / Building Engineering / SecurityWiltec Traffic Consulting (SBE)Psomas Infrastructure / Entitlement AssistanceVCA Engineering, Inc. Civil Engineering (SBE)Wagner Engineering and Survey Surveying (SBE)Diaz Yourman & Associates Geotechnical (SBE)Davis Langdon Cost PlanningMARRS Services, Inc. Cost Estimating (SBE)Exponent Fire / Life SafetyDavis Blueprint Printing (SBE)
Site Context
Contextual Timeline
Union Station Context
Points of Interest
Historic Resources
Events
Events
Open Space
Vision Plans in the Vicinity
Vision Plans in the Vicinity
Bicycle Linkages
Pedestrian Experience
Vignes St. Environment
US-101 & Busway Environment
Pedestrian Experience
Alameda St. Environment
Cesar E. Chavez Ave. Environment
Pedestrian Access
Site Context Opportunities
> Strengthen programmatic connections to cultural destinations
> Consider LAUS as a centerpiece in a network of historic sites
> Determine how open space can be better utilized and contribute to the downtown network (present & future)
> Develop concepts for the perimeter environment to vastly improve the pedestrian & bicycle experience
> Consider development & urban design possibilities in relation to the changing areas around
> Coordinate master plan work with local planning efforts
Historic Passenger Experience
Parking & Entrance
Ticketing
Waiting Hall
North Patio
Harvey’s Restaurant
Queuing
Platform Canopy
Arrivals Board
South Patio
Taxi Loading
Trams
Red Line Introduction (circa. 1991)
CurrentPassenger Experience
The Tunnel
East Portal
Patsaouras Plaza
Passenger Concourse
Passenger Concourse
Queuing
Waiting Hall
Parking
Circulation Diagram - 1939
Circulation Diagram – 2012
Station Architecture
Historic LAUS
Historic LAUS
Historic LAUS
LAUS- 2012
Entrance
Lobby
Ticketing
Ticketing
Waiting Hall
Restaurant
Patios
Arcades
Details
Transit Access and Circulation
Where do passengers arrive?
How do passengers arrive?
Weekday Trips to Union Station
Transit: Boardings + Alightings
24.6%
18.6%36.6%
11.8%4%
> High Speed Rail
> Run-Through-Tracks Project
> Regional Connector
> Patsaouras Plaza Project
> LA Streetcar
> Regular Metro Bus Service Updates
Future Transit Service Expansion
Pedestrian Circulation
Level of Service A
Level of Service B
Level of Service C
Level of Service D
Level of Service E
Level of Service F
> Bikes permitted at no charge on Metro Bus and Rail, Metrolink, and Pacific Surfliner
> Most bike racks not highly visible
> Planned bike lane on Cesar E. Chavez Avenue
> Bike Station under consideration
Bike Access and Parking
On-Site Parking
~4,000 Spaces
One Gateway59%
MWD19%
Mozaic Apts.10%
Adjacent Off-Site Parking
~8,400 Spaces
Caltrans District 7
14%
Hall of Justice12%
Lot 37%
Intersection Operations
Transit Access Opportunities
> On a daily level, Metro Rail has substantial capacity to serve passenger demand at Union Station
> Run-Through Tracks and Regional Connector projects would add capacity and improve service efficiency and operating flexibility
> Primary pedestrian circulation pattern is outward from the Gold Line and Metrolink platforms toward Red/Purple Line trains and DASH buses in the morning, and reversed in the evening
> Pedestrian Tunnel is less congested than anticipated
Transit Access Opportunities
> Emerging demand and support exists for bike-sharing service at Union Station
> Parking on site is not fully utilized
> Vehicular trip generation from existing uses reflects high levels of transit, walk, and bicycle use
> Traffic Congestion is moderate at most locations on the perimeter
LA Union Station Master Plan
Key Questions
>What do you like about Union Station today?
>What is your vision for Union Station?
>What would make Union Station a destination? New uses?
>What short and long-term improvements should be a priority?
Questions?
Jenna HornstockDeputy Executive Officer Countywide [email protected]
Project Website:www.metro.net/projects/LA-union-station