1

Windsor LocksTransit-Oriented

Development StudyPublic Meeting #1

January 23, 2013

2

Tonight’s AgendaI. NEW HAVEN, HARTFORD, SPRINGFIELD RAIL CORRIDOR

INITIATIVE

II. STUDY INTRODUCTION

III. THE VISION

IV. MARKET ANALYSIS

V. BUILDING THE VISION

VI. DETAILED CONCEPT PLANS

VII. NEXT STEPS

VIII. DISCUSSION

3

NHHS RAIL Project

4

NHHS RAIL Project

5

DOT Environmental Assessment

• 2013 LOS-D/E

• Bridge street intersection traffic impacts (2030 Year -LOS F)

• Mitigate to pre-existing conditions

• Initial DOT mitigation initiatives• Church street• Signal removal

6

2008: Station Relocation

¼ mile radius

½ mile radius

Proposed station locationExisting

platform location

2012 CT Public Transportation Commission Report- “The Windsor Locks rail relocation is the highlight of the recommendations”

7

2008 Ferrero Hixon Master Plan

1. Rediscover sense of community pride

2. Create vibrant walkable mixed use community

3. Bring activity / residents back to downtown

4. Stabilize/ preserve and enhance

5. Investigate short term implementation strategies

6. Capitalize on current and future reinvestment opportunities

8

What is TOD?MIXED-USE WALKABLE DEVELOPMENT CENTERED

AROUND TRANSITCharacteristics:• High Quality Pedestrian and Civic Spaces• Multi Modal Transportation Options• Concentrated Density• Variety of Housing Options• Complementary Mix of Uses• 5 Minute walk for daily needs

9

Current InitiativesNHHS High-Speed Intercity Rail Project………….....DOTCRCOG Sustainable Codes…………………….……Clarion

CRCOG Corridor Market Study …………………….Jonathan Rose

Historic Station Rehabilitation………………………..TBD

Windsor Locks Downtown Zoning Update………...Windsor Locks

Transit Oriented Development Study……………….Fuss & O’Neill

10

Collaborative ProcessSteering Committee Members

1. Mike Barille (Chair)2. Jared Carillo3. Thomas Maziarz4. Carl Philbrick5. James Roche Jr.6. Rick Sarandrea7. Bill Walters 8. Vincent Zimnoch

11

Collaborative ProcessStakeholder Meetings

Representatives from:• Department of Transportation• Housing Authority• Library • Board of Education• Planning & Zoning Commission• Police/ Fire• DPW• Ahlstrom• Town of East Windsor• Business Community

12

The Vision

13

Transportation Network

• North south connectivity• Alternative Main Street bypass• Mobility options

• Interconnected alley's/lots

• Minimize pedestrian/vehicle conflicts on Main Street

14

Street Improvements

PROPOSED - NORTH OF CURVEAA- Alternate 2 – Diagonal Parking

10’MULTI-USE

PATH ±4’ TREE

WELLS

11’ TRAVEL LANE

11’ TRAVEL LANE

18’DIAGONAL PARKING

10’WALK

4’TEXTURED

STRIP

8’ PARKING

PROPOSED BRIDGEAA

11’TRAVEL LANE

5’SEPARATOR

5’CYCLE TRACK

5’CYCLE TRACK5’

SEPARATOR

11’TRAVEL LANE

7.5’WALK

A A

15

Bridge Street Improvements

PARK AND BIKE / WALK LOT

PROPERTY LINE MODIFICATION

FUTURE RIVER ACCESS &

WALK

BIKE STORAGE

CYCLE TRACKS

STONE TRUCK APRON

GATEWAY LANDSCAPE / SIGNAGE / VERTICAL

ELEMENT

STREETSCAPE TO TOWN

GREEN

16

Open Space Network

17

Redevelopment Opportunities

Commercial Real Estate Market

04/22/2023 18

Windsor Locks Train Station

• 15,816 ridership per year- 2010• 30,972 ridership per year- 2030*• 133 Windsor Locks daily boarding's 2030*

• AMTRAK projects by 2030– 25 daily round trips or 50 one-ways per day– 30 minute headway during peak hour– 60 minute headway midday

• 107 new parking spaces requiredSource: Environmental Assessment W-ZHA

Railroad Stations• Rail enhances market potential, it does not

create market

• Commuters are not known to be a strong market for retail– Commuters typically demand “grab-and-go” goods– Union Station in New Haven over 1 million in ridership

• 2,400 square feet of retail today• 10,000-15,000 square feet potential

W-ZHA

Office ConsiderationsMany of the Towns where stations will be located

have lost employment including Hartford, New Britain, West Hartford, and Windsor Locks

W-ZHA

Windsor Locks has the advantage of the airportMajor Employers:• Bradley Airport• Hamilton Sunstrand• Bombardier• C & S Wholesale Grocers• Ahlstrom

Retail Considerations• Concerned about walking connections

between existing retail and station location

• Need to create a quality urban “center” in Downtown

• Potential for more eating/drinking establishments as part of mixed-use project

W-ZHA

Residential Real Estate Market

23

Zimmerman/Volk Associates, Inc.

CHANGING DEMOGRAPHICS The housing market is now dominated by the two largest

generations in American history.

TheMillennials 78 Million1977-1996

TheBaby Boom

75 Million1946-1964

Town Population: 12,570Households: 5,2551- & 2-Person HHs: 63.5%Median Household Income: $61,200Housing Units: 5,465Percent Ownership: 78.8%Percent Single-Family Detached: 71.5%Median Housing Value: $198,050

2012 WINDSOR LOCKS OVERVIEW

Zimmerman/Volk Associates, Inc.

Windsor Locks Households by Lifestage: Empty Nesters & Retirees 62%Traditional & Non-Traditional Families20%Younger Singles & Couples 18%

Target Markets For Downtown Windsor Locks:Younger Singles & Couples 76%Empty Nesters & Retirees 16%Traditional & Non-Traditional Families 8%

HOW MANY AND WHO ARE THEY?

675 HOUSEHOLDSwould be likely to rent or buy housing units in Downtown

Windsor Locks each year

Target Market Preferences:Multi-family for-rent: 50%Multi-family for-sale: 23%Single-family attached: 27%

Possible 250 Dwelling Units:Multi-family for-rent: 125 unitsMulti-family for-sale: 58 unitsSingle-family attached: 67 units

DOWNTOWN RESIDENTIAL MIX

Catalyst Project130 to 170

dwelling units?

28

Building the Vision

29

Sequential Approach

30

Sequential Approach

31

Sequential Approach

32

Sequential Approach

33

Potential Full Build Out

34

Potential Full Build-out

35

Detailed Concept Plans

36

Station Site Concept Plan

37

Historic Reuse

38

Chestnut Circle

39

Roundabouts

40

Bridge View Square

41

Public Squares

42

St. Mary’s Triangle

43

Montgomery Mill Concept

44

“Soft Lofts”

45

What’s Next?

• Refine development sequencing with market analysis

• Zoning regulation assistance for long term vision

• Key site implementation techniques

• Final report and public presentation - July 2013

46

Discussion