The Connecticut DOT and Transit-Oriented Development

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT) has embraced the concept of Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) and is moving forward on several fronts. What is TOD? It is development – commercial, residential, office space – anchored to a transit center, such as a rail or bus station. The idea is to promote more livable, walk-able, bike-able communities and neighborhoods so that people can live nearer to, or have easier access to, public transportation. Today, the DOT is pursuing TOD connected to train stations in several cities – Stamford, Fairfield, West Haven, New Haven – and for Bus Rapid Transit in Central Connecticut with CTfastrak (link to ctfastrak.com), the dedicated bus roadway project in a corridor through New Britain, Newington, West Hartford and Hartford, with numerous “feeder routes” throughout the region, including Waterbury, Bristol, Farmington and other cities and towns. For the Stamford Transportation Center, the DOT is requesting public input on TOD at and around this station, the busiest New Haven Line station in Connecticut. Comments may be sent to DOT.StamfordTOD@ct.gov. *New* As of January 15, 2013, the Department has received almost 80 e-mails that provided opinions, voiced concerns or gave recommendations regarding the replacement of the original parking garage at the Stamford Transportation Center.  Among the e-mails, the comments could be put into 15 groups.  The Department has provided responses to these comments, click here. *New* For more on this project, click here. For FAQs on this project, click here. For DOT Commissioner James P. Redeker’s op-ed comments on the project, click here. For Governor Dannel P. Malloy’s announcement of an Advisory Council to work with Commissioner Redeker on selecting a developer for the Stamford project, click here. For the Stamford Project Scope, click here. For the DOT’s Project Update, click here. For the RFP on this project, click here. For the Flyer on this project, click here.      For meeting minutes of the November 1, 2012, TOD Advisory Council, click here.    For meeting minutes of the December 17, 2012, TOD Advisory Council, click here.

Public Input Sought on Stamford Parking Garage and Transit-Oriented Development Project at Stamford Transportation Center

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT) is requesting public input on the Stamford Parking Garage and Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Project in Stamford. Comments may be sent to DOT.StamfordTOD@ct.gov. *New* As of January 15, 2013, the Department has received almost 80 e-mails that provided opinions, voiced concerns or gave recommendations regarding the replacement of the original parking garage at the Stamford Transportation Center.  Among the e-mails, the comments could be put into 15 groups.  The Department has provided responses to these comments, click here. *New* *New*The DOT issued a project update for stakeholders on Friday, January 25, 2013. click here. *New* The Department has received responses from developers to a Request for Proposals (RFP) and is now evaluating them. A developer is expected to be selected by the end of 2012. In order to ensure that input and guidance is received from all interested parties, Governor Dannel P. Malloy has appointed a five-member Advisory Council to work with DOT Commissioner James P. Redeker in selecting the proposal that will best serve commuters and the City of Stamford. “As a former mayor of the city, I understand that Stamford is uniquely positioned, and that both residents and businesses alike highly depend on the region’s transportation system for their everyday needs,” Governor Malloy said. “Whatever decision is made by the Commissioner on the redevelopment of the Stamford Transportation Center parking garage site, I’m sure it will reflect both the state’s long term transportation goals as well as the city’s and commuting public’s priorities. In addition to the suggestions and comments that we are inviting the general public to submit, these five stakeholders will ensure that local voices are heard while these important decisions are being made.” “As we embark on this significant transportation/development project, I look forward to input and guidance from all parties,” said Commissioner Redeker. “This Advisory Council will be an integral part of the vetting and decision-making process, so that we deliver a first-class transportation center for the thousands of commuters who travel to and from Stamford every day.” According to the RFP, the purpose of the proposed project is to: 1) Replace the aging 727-space original parking garage that services the Stamford Transportation Center with low maintenance, long service life facilities that accommodate a minimum of 1,000 new spaces; 2) Expand the availability of parking and improve multimodal traffic and pedestrian flow around the Stamford Transportation Center and Station Place; and 3) Minimize the public costs for construction and ongoing operations and maintenance of the parking facilities serving the Stamford Transportation Center by promoting TOD which leverages and enhances the multimodal public transportation services provided by the Stamford Transportation Center. Issues that have been analyzed in depth include operational characteristics, infrastructure needs, TOD, the effects of the alternatives on noise, air, water quality, and cultural and recreational resources, as well as other social, economic and environmental effects, and capital and operating costs.

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