It does mention that the existing RH station would close.
BACKGROUND In September 2000 Trinity Railway Express (TRE) opened the Richland Hills Station. In May 2016 the City of Richland Hills withdrew its membership from Fort Worth Transportation Authority. Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) has requested Trinity Metro to close or relocate the station due to its policy of terminating all bus or train service to any city that withdraws from DART. The developer of Trinity Lakes, a 1,600-acre master planned community, has approached Trinity Metro regarding a transit-oriented development that would include a new TRE station in the Trinity Lakes development. The new station would be 0.9 mile east of the existing Richland Hills Station, and if constructed, would be named Trinity Lakes Station (see Exhibit). We believe that this proposed facility and location are well suited to serve as the relocated station for the Richland Hills Station. Further, we are unaware of any alternative location or potential proposal that provides equivalent value to Trinity Metro and TRE. We have been in discussions with the developer and have proposed a summary of potential deal points as follows: 1) Duration The project timeline would be 24 months in duration beginning with the Trinity Metro Board of Directors approval and ending with the first revenue service day at this location. 2) Cost Sharing a. Initial engineering estimates indicate a station cost to be $6,000,000. We are considering a 50% cost- sharing with a total anticipated expense for Trinity Metro to be at $3,000,000 for the station. Any revenue realized from the sale of the current Federal Transit Administration (FTA) fixed assets (the current Richland Hills Station), or FTA awarded grant funding could help offset this liability and any additional costs associated with the station. b. Trinity Lakes will also pursue funding alternatives that will offset its expenses. 3) Planning a. Planning Consultant Role: The Planning Consultant is to obtain FTA environmental clearance for the proposed rail station and provide station schematics that show station location, platform configuration, parking demand and locations, bus, car, and pedestrian access, and a conceptual estimate. Board of Directors Action Item 3 Meeting Date: March 26, 2018 Item Number: BA2018-36 Page: 2 Item Title: Proposed Trinity Railway Express (TRE) – Trinity Lakes Station The Planning Consultant would coordinate closely with Trinity Lakes and Trinity Metro. The Planning Consultant would complete its work in 6-9 months. b. Planning Consultant Selection: The Planning Consultant would be a subcontractor to a n IDIQ (Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity) consultant that is under contract with Trinity Metro. Trinity Lakes can select and negotiate scope and fee with t h e Planning Consultant with Trinity Metro’s assistance and subject to Trinity Metro’s approval. c. Planning work needs to comply with FTA procedures. Since FTA does not deal with private entities, Trinity Metro is to lead the coordination and communication with FTA and Trinity Lakes with the Planning Consultant's assistance. d. Funding for Planning Work: To be split 50% between Trinity Metro and Trinity Lakes. Trinity Metro would pay the IDIQ and Planning Consultant invoices upon Trinity Metro’s receipt of Trinity Lake’s 50% share. This fee is included in the $3,000,000 total for Trinity Metro’s financial commitment. 4) Design a. Design Consultant Role: Provide final construction plans, specifications, and estimate for bids; and obtain permits from applicable entities including FTA, Trinity Metro, DART, City of Fort Worth, and TxDOT. T h e Design Consultant shall coordinate closely with Trinity Lakes and Trinity Metro, and comply with TRE, Trinity Metro and City of Forth Worth standards. Trinity Metro will assist the Design Consultant to obtain permits. The Design Consultant should complete its work in 6-9 months. b. Design Consultant Selection: Similar to 3.b, above c. Funding: Similar to 3.d, above. 5) Station Parking a. Initial station parking area identified by the Planning Consultant shall be furnished by Trinity Lakes. b. Land for parking: Shall be arranged to accommodate planned needed parking spaces at any given time in one consolidated area. The transition of parking area to a new location, or to a structured garage, will be discussed, planned and approved in consultation with Trinity Metro prior to implementation of any move. 4 Meeting Date: March 26, 2018 Item Number: BA2018-36 Page: 3 Item Title: Proposed Trinity Railway Express (TRE) – Trinity Lakes Station c. Trinity Metro shall have full control of station parking whether it's free or paid, and can utilize a private company to operate and control parking. If a private company is utilized, an effort to coordinate the private company with Trinity Lakes into a combined parking management program would be undertaken. d. Trinity Lakes will have the right to move and/or convert the parking to structured parking in the future. Trinity Metro and Trinity Lakes will agree to work together and cooperate to achieve Trinity Metro’s station parking goals and requirements, and also Trinity Lake’s project objectives as it relates to the initial and long-term station parking. 6) Construction a. Contractor Role: Construct the project utilizing plans and specifications furnished by the Design Consultant, and obtain Certificate of Occupancy. Contractor would coordinate closely with Trinity Metro, Trinity Lakes, and TRE. TRE shall provide railroad safety training to Contractor's personnel and flaggers when necessary. Construction should last 9-12 months. b. Contractor Selection: Trinity Metro would bid the project using FTA approved procurement process. 7) Utilities a. Utility Provision: Trinity Lakes shall bring water, electricity, and communication to the TRE property line near the proposed station area, at no cost to Trinity Metro. 8) Station Access Road from Trinity Boulevard a. Access Road: As a public road, Trinity Metro shall have full access to the station on access roads. The access road will be designed by Trinity Lakes’ planning and engineering team, in consultation with Trinity Metro, at no cost to Trinity Metro. b. Access Road Construction: Shall be coordinated directly with Trinity Lakes and aligned with projected development plan and can be constructed by either Station Contractor or Trinity Lakes, at no cost to Trinity Metro. c. Access Road Availability: Access Road will be complete and in place prior to the station opening. 5 Meeting Date: March 26, 2018 Item Number: BA2018-36 Page: 4 Item Title: Proposed Trinity Railway Express (TRE) – Trinity Lakes Station 9) Bus Service a. Trinity Metro would provide public bus service to the proposed station in accordance with its service plan. No bus transit service is currently operating at the Richland Hills Station. b. Private bus services operating near the station area require Trinity Lakes and Trinity Metro's approval. 10) Maintenance a. Track and Station Maintenance: TRE would continue to maintain the track and right-of-way. Trinity Metro to maintain station platform and amenities within TRE's right-of-way. b. Station Parking Maintenance: If the parking is fully controlled by Trinity Metro, then the parking shall be maintained by Trinity Metro. If it is managed and incorporated into a shared parking program, then it will be maintained by the parking manager or Trinity Lakes. 11) Grant Opportunities a. Trinity Lakes and Trinity Metro shall jointly seek and apply for applicable grants to fund the proposed station, park and ride lot/garage, station access road, Loop 820 access road and infrastructure necessary for opening of station. 12) Former Trinity Metro’s Board of Director Ken Newell a. Former Trinity Metro Board of Director Member Ken Newell, is a principal in the Trinity Lakes development. Trinity Lakes and Trinity Metro agreed, prior to the commencement of negotiations with Trinity Lakes, on a protocol that demonstrates Trinity Metro’s commitment to transparency and the avoidance of even the appearance of conflicts. b. Mr. Newell proposed that he voluntarily refrain from communicating with the Trinity Metro Board of Directors in connection with his role in the Trinity Lakes development for two years from the date his successor on the Trinity Metro Board of Directors was installed—that is, until October 30, 2019, and in all events until after the Trinity Lakes station is completed. 6 Meeting Date: March 26, 2018 Item Number: BA2018-36 Page: 5 Item Title: Proposed Trinity Railway Express (TRE) – Trinity Lakes Station 13) Opportunity for Competing Proposals a. As noted above, Trinity Metro is unaware of any comparable site or opportunity in general that provides equivalent benefits to Trinity Metro within one (1) mile of the current station. However, if this proposed transaction is recommended by the Commuter Rail Committee, Trinity Metro will continue to negotiate with Trinity Lakes, but will not enter into any binding contract with Trinity Lakes regarding the station for not less than 30 days from the date of the committee’s action. During that 30-day period Trinity Metro will invite other competing proposals which Trinity Metro will promptly evaluate for their potential benefit and utility to Trinity Metro. If Trinity Metro identifies one or more competing proposals with potential benefit and utility to Trinity Metro equivalent to or greater than Trinity Lake’s proposal, Trinity Metro will present the competing proposal(s) to the Commuter Rail Committee for consideration. Trinity Metro will publicize its invitation to receive competing proposals by placing that information on its website, the Star-Telegram and Commercial recorder. RECOMMENDATION The Commuter Rail Committee finds that this proposed transaction is necessary, convenient, and useful to the performance of Trinity Metro’s statutory purposes and powers and recommends that the Trinity Metro’s Board of Directors approve the deal points with Trinity Lakes and authorize the President/Chief Executive Officer to develop and execute a Development Agreement with Trinity Lakes based on the approved deal points for the construction of the Trinity Lakes TRE Station and the removal of the existing Richland Hills TRE Station. Subsequent contractor actions (construction and other expenditures) will follow Trinity Metro’s procurement procedures and will be presented to the Committee and Board of Directors for specific approvals.