Draft Final ReportHouston Intermodal Center

Multimodal TerminalMarch 2006

Executive Summary Breakdown

By

Fuad Kareem

ex·ec·u·tive sum·ma·ry (defintion): an overview of the main points of a business plan or proposal

houston intermodal center

multimodal terminal

executive summary

executive summary:

The Houston Downtown Management District (HDMD) encompasses a 1,178-acre area in downtown Houston within which private owners pay an assessment for the purpose of improving conditions and revitalizing downtown. the HDMD’S 2001-2005 Service Plan included studies to determine if an intermodal center/multimodal terminal serving multiple modes of transportation is feasible. The perception of the downtown community is that an intermodal center/multimodal terminal would benefit downtown Houston whether it is located within the boundaries of the HDMD service area by enhancing access to the multiple forms of transportation that serve downtown.

draft final report (HICMT)page a

March 2006

Three goals were determined by the Steering Committee that were going to be the primary study goals of the Intermodal Center/Multimodal Terminal for the city of Houston

houston intermodal center

multimodal terminal

executive summary

Study Goals: Improve Transportation and Mobility Enhance Economic Investment and Opportunity Sensitivity to Site Characteristics

draft final report (HICMT)page c

March 2006

this goal had several objectives to help support it. the following objectives were determined the most useful in fulfilling this goal which included accessibility and intermodal connectivity:

houston intermodal center

multimodal terminal

executive summary

Objectives: Operation and Maintenance - measured the annual increment cost in current year dollars for operating such a facility. Intermodal Connectivity - looks at the ability of an alternative site to take on current transportation serves while looking at future routes. Accessibility - want to see how easy the site will be accessed. Travel Time Savings – how much time it will take to get from one major activity center to the other.

draft final report (HICMT)page c

March 2006

second goal which looks at the cost of realizing such a project and how good of a profit it would turn. it had several objectives to attain the goal including environmental impacts to consistency with land use patterns.

houston intermodal center

multimodal terminal

executive summary

Objectives: Consistency with Land Use Patterns - looks at the relationships of existing and local use patterns and trends. Proximity to Existing Planned Development - addresses the what developments are actually close to the alternative sites. Proximity to Developed & Redeemable Land - addresses the amount of the existing and planned developments close to alternative sites. Resident/Neighborhood Sentiment - addresses at the relationship of community involvement in the project and how they feel about it.Business Community Sentiment - level of support or opposition against such a project.Environmental Impacts - addresses the historical context of the area which could be affected by the project.

draft final report (HICMT)page c

March 2006

third goal which looks at the actual site itself and how the project is going to look and feel

houston intermodal center

multimodal terminal

executive summary

Objectives: Positive Community Impact – will compare size and location of the site to community goals.. Avoid Business and Resident Relocation - seeks to reduce the number of businesses and residents who could potentially be displaced by the project. Personal Security – focus on protection of the area for consumers. Environmental Clearance/Remediation - addresses at the cost of getting the site ready to for a transit center. Visibility – concerned with how well the transit center(s) will be seen in the community. Capital Cost – addresses the total cost of implementing this entire project. Ease of Site Acquisition – addresses the ease of acquiring the potential site. Ability to Phase Construction – addresses the ability to expand the size and/or function of a facility on a particular site.

draft final report (HICMT)page e

March 2006

feasibility study provided four case studies which were comparable to what was to be done in Houston

houston intermodal center

multimodal terminal

executive summary

Case Studies: Forth Worth Intermodal Transit Center – Fort Worth, Texas.McAllen Transit Center – McAllen, Texas.Tower City Center – Cleveland OhioUnion Station and Gateway Plaza – Los Angeles, California

draft final report (HICMT)page e

March 2006

Union Station and Gateway Plaza- Lost Angeles, CAsource: http://web2.airmail.net/ahhughes/transitpictures/images/bus%20transit%20center%20behind%20Los%20Angeles%20Union%20Station.jpg

types of transportation: highwayscarpools/vanpools local arterial streets light rail transit bus rapid transitcommuter rail intercity rail high-speed rail high occupancy vehicle (hov) lanes bus transportation airports

houston intermodal center

multimodal terminal

executive summary

summary divides the city of houston into seven zones in which all of the zones could support the transit facility. they were then evaluated against certain criteria such as connectivity to existing transportation infrastructure. zone A was determined to be the preferred area based on these criteria. From there seven locations were identified within zone A that were capable of accommodating the transit facility.

draft final report (HICMT)page k

March 2006

houston intermodal center

multimodal terminal

executive summary

this was used to try to determine the different scenarios for ownership, management and operation of the Intermodal Center/Multimodal Terminal. there were five options that the feasibility study established:

houston intermodal center

multimodal terminal

executive summary

Operating Model: Direct Public Ownership (Land and Improvements)

Public operation or Private (Contract) Operations Public and Private Lease Tenants

Direct Public Ownership (Land and Improvements) Direct Operation or Contract Operation Public and Private Lease Tenants

Public Ownership/Long-Term Private Ground Lease or Individual Tenant Leases Public Ownership/Long-Term Public Ground Lease or Individual Tenant Leases Mixed Ownership and Lease Arrangements (Subdivided Site)

draft final report (HICMT)page q

March 2006