Put Your Finger On The Pulse!

When we say we want you to keep your finger on the pulse of this project, we mean it! We welcome continued solutions-driven conversations that are targeted at honing in on specific feedback from you.

There are SO many things we welcome and need public feedback on now and through the next phase of design (60% is more detailed than the current conceptual 30%). The next phase of design is August 2015 - April 2016. The list below is a selection of some of the items on which you could leave your fingerprint for the GRTC Pulse.
The big ones are:

• Where can left turns at signals work well for the surrounding locations (businesses, museums, schools, neighborhoods, etc)
• Where can new signals be located
• Where can new/improved pedestrian crossings be added (as for north-south, I think the project team is proposing to add eight new ADA crosswalks across Broad Street for improved pedestrian safety). 
• What type of pedestrian safety technology could/should be used? (Eg, HAWK or Rapid Flashing)
• On a block-by-block basis, where is the best placement of loading zones (the City of Richmond is heavily involved in that particular process because they were working on a City loading zone plan, if I understand correctly)
• Where are on-Broad Street parking spaces essential, used and best between 195 and 4th (the public input on this has been hugely helpful to the engineers, as I understand it, in determining how to best do this for the businesses and neighborhoods)
• What types of pedestrian medians could be incorporated. Eg, Nose 

Construction continues to be a topic on which we get a lot of questions. At 30% design, we aren’t at the detailed day-by-day breakdown yet, but the CMAR will be able to provide that. We are in the middle of the RFP for a CMAR.  The CMAR’s job will be responsible for communicating one-on-one well ahead of any construction beginning at a specific site, then communicating in the weeks leading up to the start of construction on how traffic, parking and pedestrian access will be managed and include access to businesses, residences, etc. They will also be in charge of communicating each week during construction what they are doing. Remember, the weather can impact construction day-to-day.

We also plan to have a daily meeting with the CMAR so we know what they’re doing, too. We intend to post their daily/weekly report on this Blog, and ensure it is communicated through as many social and broadcast outlets as we can reach. The CMAR is also usually responsible for supplying a 24/7 on-call number to everyone. At the July Public Meetings, the project team will have images and footprints showing what the construction could look like.

Meanwhile, we are also brainstorming ideas for how to encourage people to go to the destinations along the corridor (think of the example set by First Fridays in the RVA Arts District). A "Pulse Point," if you will (still working on the idea here, folks). This could include after work Happy Hours at station locations under construction, where people can enjoy the restaurants, bars, shops, etc. For businesses that operate more in the morning and day-side, this could look like breakfast business updates. There are lots of ways to keep people informed and engaged with the locations along the corridor, and encourage other people to check out niches they may have missed before. If you have an idea, share it with us!

With all the great, specific feedback coming in, it is important to note that there will continue to be changes made to the proposed design based on that public feedback and project partner review. For example, the parking preservation was a big change from January to April, and smaller adjustments continue to be made based on continued public and partner feedback. The design will responsively adjust. Therefore, as changes are made to meet public and partner review, there will be modifications to the plan you see today. We think this is a great thing! It means that many of the details of the project are malleable, where many fingerprints can leave an overall positive impression. 

We have already received specific feedback regarding left turn intersections, for example, from Councilman Baliles on behalf of his constituents’ feedback, the Museum District and the Fan District Association. The engineers have taken all those requests and are responding to them like they did the parking feedback. They have a traffic computer model, too, that can simulate existing conditions, and then the conditions once BRT is operational. We saw a preview of it this week, and we should have a video clip to post on the blog soon! The model simulation confirms that the BRT system is designed to meet or improve existing traffic conditions along the corridor.

The proposed bus operating hours are also something we welcome public input on, especially with the growing brewery and late-night restaurant/bar scene in Richmond and Henrico County. Scott’s Addition alone is experiencing a renaissance. We think GRTC Pulse will be a great traveling choice for people who want to drink but travel safely (instead of driving after drinking).

Another July Public Meeting topic will be the first report on local fixed route service interfacing with the new BRT spine. There have been meetings with broader Church Hill on their service needs and requests, as well as connectivity to the GRTC Pulse. Conversations with Fulton are also being pursued to address their existing service and future connectivity to the GRTC Pulse. Population and job growth demographics highlight VCU, Downtown, The Fan, Scott’s Addition, Fulton and the East End (Route 5/Rocketts) as hubs over the next 20 years of big density increase. That’s especially great for revitalization and servicing the people who live within a half-mile or so of the GRTC Pulse line. But we know this system is for everyone in the area, not just those within close range.

So go ahead - put your finger on the Pulse! Ashley Mason and I are both checking the brt@ridegrtc.com email daily, so that is a great place for you to submit feedback and specific ideas. Snail mail is also an option, using the form here.

In Your Own Words - Love for GRTC Pulse!

When we are out on #StreetBeat for Public Outreach, we get a lot of feedback. We listen to ideas, take notes and hear how excited many people are for this new service. We will be sharing "guest blog" posts soon, but want to share now some of the public love for GRTC Pulse from Public Comments:

"I think this project is excellent for Richmond, and I wish it the best success." (Charles Houston, Richmond) 

"I am fully supportive of BRT in Richmond. It can spur large investments in the corridor and help make the city more multi-modal. This also gives a tremendous opportunity to increase pedestrian safety and infrastructure. Contrary to some I believe Richmond does not lack parking! If anything there is too much parking." (Mark Peterson, Richmond) 

"Don’t let parking fears undermine the effectiveness of BRT. A watered-down service will undermine mode-shift and sustainability. An effective system could ease the parking burden while a BRT system In Name Only could amplify parking issues. Keep up the good work and don’t let the negativity get you down." (Aaron Williams)

"Let’s do this right! I support BRT! Please, let us not be afraid to use public space for the best possible use. 10 people who are irate that can’t park right outside their building do not outweigh 1,000 who would have a reasonable way to travel for work and shops. PS-I’m a car owner." (Liz Marshall, Richmond)

"I am a resident/homeowner in Jackson Ward/Downtown. I fully support this project and consider it important to the development of density in Richmond. I am not concerned about the lost parking as I believe this will result in increased access overall." (Rebecca Thomas, Richmond) 

"I look forward to improved public transportation." (Anonymous, April 2015 Public Meeting)

"I love the project and hope it will expand after we finish the first phase. I like the 'GRTC Pulse' logo." (Christopher Tucker, Richmond)

Regarding the April Public Meeting format:

"I was at the earlier info session—Great progress by taking feedback into design upgrades-e.g. parking.  Keep up the good work!" (William Weber, Richmond) 

"Very informative, great communication & socializing with other people. Pretty organized and welcoming. Great presentation and boards. Improvements; pros & cons, project is also concerned about safety & traffic… Good idea to include project workshop sessions for people to participate and interact." (Pauline LaQuindanum, Richmond)

We love you cheerleaders!

"Keep up your excellent work-press on!" (Richard Rumble, Richmond) 

GRTC Pulse Travel Time vs. Your Car

The traffic engineers just ran a new "Vissim" traffic modeling run to determine the total travel time from one end of the line to the other. For you non-engineers (i.e., me!), a Vissim is an innovative visual language for mathematical modeling, simulation, and model-based embedded development. So it lets you simulate like a Pac-Man video game traffic flow for all users of the road and neighboring roads. Vissim is widely used in design, such as for a new Bus Rapid Transit system. The visualizations can be simplistic 2-D or highly complex in 3-D.

The newest data shows that during PM peak travel, if you rode a GRTC Pulse bus from Willow Lawn to Rocketts Landing, it would take 28-31 minutes. In a car, it would take you 20-35 minutes, based on Google traffic mapping during the PM peak travel. On our existing fixed route service, that same trip would take you about an hour and 15 minutes.

Not only will the GRTC Pulse commute be able to get you where you need to be in the same time as your car, it could even be faster than your car with perks like traffic signal prioritization and dedicated lanes.

But what about current GRTC bus riders? Taking a trip down from an hour and 15 minutes to just a half-hour is huge! That's a 40% decrease in travel time. And knowing that a bus will come pick you up every 10 minutes during peak and every 15 minutes off-peak is another huge improvement. This is good news, considering we know our current riders want more frequent and reliable service every day of the week. A BRT is better than both fixed route and express services because permanent stops spur economic growth and increase property values, as well as provide better access to local retail, restaurants, and other businesses along the corridor.

An express bus takes you from one point to another, without stopping in between the two destinations, and thus bypassing all of the businesses, restaurants, housing and healthcare options available. A fixed route takes you from one point to another, but stops a bunch in between your two destinations, which can eat up your time and make bus travel a less efficient option. This is why BRT service is better than both - you stop less often, and operate more frequently, thus providing better and more attractive access and connectivity to major employment, health care, education, retail, and housing along the route.

GRTC Pulse will move you in a frequent, reliable, safe, efficient and affordable (yep, one trip is still $1.50!) manner, making our region a better and more attractive place in which to live, work and play.

Up To Speed

If you're new to learning about the GRTC Pulse, here's a quick starting place to get you up to speed!

Project partners, along with GRTC, remain committed to the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Project called “GRTC Pulse.” We value public feedback and encourage people to continue providing input. These comments will undoubtedly benefit the region with a successful project. Check out this quick read on the history of the project, and if you want to dig deeper, Study and Public Meeting documents can be found HERE. 

These Letters of Support reiterate the themes of why this project will be critical to the region, such as access and connectivity to major employment, health care, education, retail, and housing along the route. Bus Rapid Transit will offer a faster, more reliable travel option to get people to work, school and community destinations. Safety and access will be improved for all modes of transportation, not just for bus riders. Cities thrive when efficient, safe transportation is accessible, frequent and easy to use. Multi-modal choices increase the quality of life and attract new residents to our region. This means that Richmond and Henrico County can expect continued economic development and redevelopment, as well as stimulated property values.

As the Project Partners continue to move through the 30% design phase, the team continues to return to the following basic principles and goals of design, which were created in collaboration with the Policy Advisory Committee (PAC) and the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC):

• Safety and use for all
• Conservation of parking on Broad Street
• North-South connectivity and access (including for pedestrians and bikes)
• Adequate median and lane widths (these are the tools to meet the previous three criteria)

As we continue to receive public participation, these are the recurring themes upon which all parties agree. Current bus riders also want more frequent and more weekend service, of which the GRTC Pulse service will provide, operating every day of the week from Willow Lawn to Rocketts Landing, with a bus arriving at each station every 10 minutes on peak and every 15 minutes off-peak. Planned hours of operation will be 5:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. on weekdays and 6:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. on weekends. This type of service will increase redevelopment along the corridor and more mixed-use development, stimulate an improved jobs-housing balance, and provide enhanced economic opportunities. Between September 2017 and October 2017, BRT operations will be tested and accepted. Final BRT operations will begin by October 2017.

Please note the 4th/5th Street station is potentially becoming the 3rd/4th Street station.

(CLICK HERE TO ENLARGE)

Since 2010, public participation has been encouraged with opportunities to participate in the Public Comment and feedback process. Public Meetings were advertised and held on: February 24 & 25, 2010; October 19 & 20, 2010; August 27, 2013; May 20 & 21, 2014; January 26 & 27, 2015; April 6 & 7, 2015. In between these meetings, public comment continued to be solicited. People can continue to submit written comments either via email to the project team or by mail.

Public Outreach efforts have been ongoing since 2010, and have increased during the 30% conceptual design phase, which is still happening now. Also right now in the project, GRTC is in the process of selecting a Construction Manager At Risk (CMAR). CLICK HERE to see the Procurement page. Once a CMAR is awarded by the GRTC Board of Directors, they will develop, in conjunction with the City of Richmond, Henrico County and the Project Partners, a specific construction timeline for each section of the entire project so that everyone knows how long they expect to be working and where, what they will be doing, and how they will continue to provide access. All of that will be communicated to the public prior to and during construction.  

Study and Public Meeting documents can be found HERE. Technical reports still in progress have an ETA publishing date listed online, as well, so that the public knows when to expect new technical information. Technical details will be increasingly refined during the 60% design phase next, with continued guidance and feedback from project partners, as well as participation from the public. The next Public Meetings for the project are scheduled for July 27 & 28, 2015.

GRTC knows its website is the reliable destination for customer information, and continues to update the BRT section often. However, in an effort to better address frequently asked questions and provide fun, quick access to project information, this new Blog was created this Summer. The blog will likely become the weekly and daily place for construction updates once construction begins in 2016. Additionally, updates will continue during the 60% design phase next, with ongoing public participation and refined details, such as loading zones and left-turn access. GRTC is committed to responding to the needs of the communities served, will continue to welcome public feedback and provide exceptional customer service.

Support for Bus Rapid Transit

We appreciate the support of community partners and leaders! Did you know 21 Letters of Support were submitted along with GRTC's TIGER Grant Proposal in 2014?

CLICK HERE to read those letters.
And CLICK HERE to read the TIGER Grant Narrative from 2014.

So let's recap. The Broad Street Corridor Rapid Transit Study was the first stage of the Bus Rapid Transit project.  The study activities started in 2010.  They included coordination with stakeholder groups, public meetings, alternatives assessment and development of environmental impact analysis. After completion of the Broad Street Rapid Transit Study in Spring 2014 and with endorsements and assistance from the Virginia DRPT, the City of Richmond and Henrico County, GRTC Transit System applied for a TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economy Recovery) Grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT).  On September 13, 2014 DOT Secretary, Anthony Foxx awarded GRTC a TIGER grant in the amount of $24.9M.

Overall cost of the Project is supported with matching funds from the Commonwealth of Virginia, the City of Richmond and Henrico County. CLICK HERE to read our earlier blog post, "Follow the Money," to see who pays for what and how much.

Construction, Green Space and Parking

Right now in the project, we are in the process of selecting a Construction Manager At Risk (CMAR) (CLICK HERE to see the Procurement page). Once a CMAR is awarded, they will develop, in conjunction with the City/County and Project Partners, a specific construction timeline for each section of the entire project so that everyone knows how long they expect to be working and where, what they will be doing, and how they will not impede access. All of that will be communicated to the public prior to and during construction. This blog will likely become the weekly and daily place for construction updates to be posted. 

The project schedule has a window for total construction between May 2016 – August 2017, of which construction time at each station is estimated to be four to five months, depending on below-ground and above-ground obstructions and utilities, which have been surveyed. Why does a station require several months to construct? Because of those utilities below ground and any above-ground obstructions. Additionally, the stations will have 911 emergency call boxes installed and CCTV security cameras monitored by local police and GRTC. The stations will also have off-board fare collection kiosks, which require fiber-optic. This station installation is more complex than the current amenities provided at some existing local bus stops.

Will green space be destroyed? The CMAR will be able to address concerns about this throughout the corridor, but think about where buses currently operate curbside and co-exist with the trees there, and where BRT buses will operate in the median in the future. For example, the beautiful trees in the RVA Arts District down to Adams Street are in the sidewalk. The stations and GRTC Pulse travel lanes are in the middle of the road there. Therefore, those trees will continue to provide green space and shade in the sidewalk. Any landscaping in the middle of the road at the stations is currently low-profile and will remain low-profile (think small bushes), so as not to obscure the view of storefronts on either side of the road, and also to keep visibility of pedestrians high.

What about a parking update? As of the 30% design phase, approximately 412 parking spaces are expected to be retained on Broad Street between Thompson Street and 4th Street that were initially projected to be lost. These spaces were saved by working with local businesses and the City of Richmond. All on-street parking will be removed between 4th Street and 14th Street to accommodate curb-running exclusive BRT lanes. Currently, parking is prohibited in this section of the corridor between 4th Street and 14th Street during peak hours (7AM‐9AM and 4PM‐6PM). There are approximately 1,015 existing on-street parking spaces on the side streets within one block of Broad Street between Thompson Street and 14th Street that should not be affected. In the same section, there are approximately 9,800 off-street parking spaces within one block of Broad Street. Implementation of BRT will neither change nor affect these off street parking spaces. Options continue to be vetted through the public input and project partner process.

What about that parking study? The parking study is being reviewed by the Project Partners, and is anticipated to be posted online on July 23, 2015, prior to the next public meetings. Preservation of parking, as you are aware, has been a big effort by the project team to respond to public feedback. The partners have been working with businesses and neighborhoods, as well as large groups like VCU, to identify where parking is essential on Broad Street or not utilized presently. This was so important to the project team that after the January public meetings, they redid the engineering design to preserve more parking than is currently utilized. With further feedback in April, the engineers have worked, in some cases, on a block-by-block basis to address the feedback for the 30% design.

It is important to note that during the next phase of 60% design, there will still be public participation and details to be refined, including loading zones and left-turn access, for example. As the engineers explain, the 30% design is conceptual, and the 60% design becomes more detailed. So please keep sending us your feedback! 

Can I see the TIGER Grant? Sure! Check the Project Narrative out here and the Letters of Support for it here.

What about Special Events? The decision to grant access to any event causing a road closure (on which local fixed route or GRTC Pulse service) will operate is up to the City of Richmond’s Special Events procedures. That includes involvement from the Richmond Police Department, The CAO Office, the Director of City Parks & Rec, Chief of Fire, and Chief of Police. GRTC Pulse will be capable of moving lots of people quickly, conveniently and in a multi-modal-friendly capacity to and from special events.

Upcoming Opportunities to Support GRTC Pulse

Our next Public Meetings about the GRTC Pulse are scheduled! Both meetings are identical in content and will be held at the University of Richmond Downtown location at 626 East Broad Street, Suite 100. Attendees may use the Broad Street entrance at the corner of 7th and Broad Streets.

University of Richmond - Downtown is conveniently accessible via the GRTC Bus System. There is also street parking and metered parking available. Several paid parking decks are located nearby, including a deck adjacent to the building on 7th & Marshall Streets.

Save the dates, but note the different times:
Monday, July 27 at Noon - 1:30PM
Tuesday, July 28 at 6PM - 7:30PM

We also request your voice of support in person at the Richmond Urban Design Committee (UDC) meeting on Thursday, August 20th at 10AM at the 5th Floor Conference Room of City Hall. There will be a public comment period. This is an excellent opportunity to support transit!

As always, we love public participation! Share your letter of support for this project (email here). Voice your feedback or concerns either by letter (click here) or by email (email here). We appreciate you and thank you!

Follow the Money

The Project Team receives a number of frequently asked questions, which you can check out HERE. But one may require a better, layman's speak break-down. It's about money! Who pays for what? How much? How does funding work anyway?

Here’s how the funding works:

• The Federal level funding is for capital expenses (physical assets).
• The State level funding is for operational expenses, and GRTC Transit System receives a portion determined by the Commonwealth of Virginia. Other transit systems in the Commonwealth receive operational funding from that same pot of money, and each system receives a portion based on the state’s formula (things like performance indicators, efficiency, ridership).
• Local level funding is also for operational expenses, and it depends on the jurisdiction. For example, Chesterfield County will only ever pay for service in their county. Their dollars do not go to City of Richmond service (so even though Richmond and Chesterfield are co-owners of GRTC, their dollars are still designated only for their jurisdictions). That also means that City of Richmond dollars do not go to Henrico County service. Each jurisdiction is responsible for paying for the service within their jurisdiction. Your question about why is Henrico County contributing a proportionally smaller dollar amount now makes sense: because the proportion of BRT service in their jurisdiction is small compared to the City of Richmond jurisdiction. Any future expansion into Henrico County would require Henrico dollars; in other words, City of Richmond dollars would not go to fund Henrico County expansion.

There has also been some confusion in the public about the cost breakdown: 

Total estimated cost of the Bus Rapid Transit project is: $53.8 Million

Preliminary Engineering phase: $4 Million, of which:
                               City of Richmond funded $160,000
                               DRPT Grant funded $640,000
                               Surface Transportation Program funded $3.2 Million. (STP: state flexible funds that can be used to improve the condition and performance of any state or federal highway/bridge/tunnel/any public road/transit capital projects/etc.)

Final Design and construction is expected to cost $49.8 Million, of which:

                                TIGER Grant: $24.9 Million

                                DRPT $16.9 Million

                                City of Richmond $7.6 Million

                                County of Henrico $400,000

                                SUM of this is $49.8 Million

SUM of $49.8 Million + $4 Million = $53.8 Million, the total estimated cost of the entire project. 

Common Goals

As the Project Partners continue to move through the 30% design phase, which is considered a "conceptual" level, the team continues to return to the following basic principles and goals of design, which were created in collaboration with the Policy Advisory Committee (PAC) and the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC):

• Safety and use for all
• Conservation of parking on Broad Street
• North-South connectivity and access (including for pedestrians and bikes)
• Adequate median and lane widths (these are the tools to meet the previous three criteria)

As we continue to receive public participation, these are the recurring themes upon which all parties agree. And these four basic principals are in line with the initial project Goals and Objectives:

1. Improve local and regional mobility
• Increase transit ridership
• Improve access to the regional transit network
• Improve transit service in high ridership areas
• Decrease travel times in the corridor study area
• Increase transit reliability and on time performance
• Minimize negative impact on transit and auto operations in the corridor
• Increase transportation system productivity (passengers/hour) within the corridor
2. Support economic development along the corridor
• Improve transit access to existing and future developments
• Create connections between transit and centers of employment, education, residence, shopping, culture and entertainment
• Provide opportunities for joint development of transit stations and facilities
• Provide improved mobility and mode choice to Enterprise Zones planned for redevelopment
3. Promote livable, transit-oriented development
• Provide high-capacity transit facilities at locations where existing and future land uses make them mutually supportive
• Promote improved pedestrian connectivity between transit services and adjoining land uses
• Encourage transit usage for different trip types and purposes
• Support mixed land use and community design that foster reduced auto use
4. Create a multi-modal transportation system with attractive travel choices
• Create a premium transit route with service characteristics that make it competitive with the private automobile
• Integrate premium transit service with local bus, bicycle, pedestrian, private automobile and intercity travel modes
• Provide safe, convenient and attractive transfer facilities
• Create opportunities for future upgrades or additional premium transit services
5. Optimize return on public investment
• Develop cost-effective transit solutions
• Capitalize on existing local and regional transit facilities and operations
• Support state, regional and local plans
• Maximize funding opportunities from state, local and federal sources
6. Enhance environmental quality
• Minimize and mitigate negative impacts to the human and natural environment
• Contribute to improvements in regional air quality

But we'll let these letters of support speak, too, as to why we are doing this project, why it is needed, and what benefits are coming as a result.

So who is on the Policy Advisory Committee (PAC)? Representatives of the following agencies or groups: 

• Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation  
• GRTC 
• City of Richmond 
• Henrico County 
• Greater Richmond Chamber of Commerce 
• Greater Richmond Partnership 
• Richmond Regional Planning District Commission 
• Richmond Metropolitan Authority 
• Venture Richmond 
• Virginia Commonwealth University 
• Virginia Department of Transportation 

And the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) has representatives from the following agencies or groups:

• City of Richmond, Community Development 
• City of Richmond, Department of Public Works 
• Henrico County, Department of Planning 
• Henrico County, Department of Transportation 
• Richmond Regional Planning District Commission 
• Virginia Commonwealth University
• Virginia Department of Transportation

What about project stakeholders so far? They include, but are not limited to:

• City of Richmond Department of Public Works 
• Henrico County Department of Public Works 
• Virginia Department of Transportation 
• City of Richmond Department of Economic and Community Development 
• City of Richmond Department of Planning and Development Review 
• Henrico County Department of Community Revitalization 
• Henrico County Economic Development Authority 
• Rocketts Landing Property Management 
• Virginia Commonwealth University 
• Downtown Neighborhood Association 
• Shockoe Bottom Neighborhood Association 
• Anthem 
• Willow Lawn Property Management 
• City of Richmond Chief Administrative Officer Staff

We Love Public Participation!

We love public participation! Feedback from the public has been integral in decisions made by the project team. In April 2015 after our last Public Meetings we received requests for more meetings. We continue to meet with businesses, neighborhood associations, and other interested groups upon request in between Public Meetings. Here is a recent Q&A about how to request meetings, what constitutes a Public Meeting by rule, and how to remain informed. Of course, this blog is one way we are expanding public outreach!


Q: Can I request a public project presentation meeting?

A: You can request public project presentation meeting for interested parties of the project, however, with public comment it would be classified as a “Public Meeting,” which must follow FTA rules. This requested meeting is different from an informal neighborhood or group neighborhood meeting where specific neighborhood associations invite GRTC to attend.

The most important FTA requirement for a Public Meeting by GRTC is that notice of the meeting must be “published in the newspaper of general circulation in the urbanized area. The notice must be published at least fourteen (14) days prior to a scheduled meeting. The notice must contain a basic description of the contemplated service changes…and the time and place of any planned face-to-face or electronic Public Meeting.” The date, time, location, content and ADA information must be included as well. The next statement is not legally required, but we do it: “To ensure that all segments of the community are included in the process of sharing information, GRTC and the applicable jurisdiction will use some or all of its available communication tools to publicize Public Meetings aggressively. Communication tools can include e-mail campaigns, media relations, paid advertising, on-board communication, and others (e.g., social media, website, etc.).”

We are working on all of those things described above right now. For example, we will record a voice announcement of the July Public Meetings to air on all of our buses beginning one month before the meeting. We will also, as we did for the April Public Meetings, advertise the Public Meeting notice in the following papers at least 14 days prior to the dates: Richmond Times Dispatch, Richmond Free Press, Chesterfield Observer, Henrico Citizen and The Progress Index.

GRTC holds quarterly Public Meetings for the GRTC Pulse (BRT) project. The previous Phase I quarterly Public Meetings were January 26 and 27, 2015, and April 6 and 7, 2015. The next quarterly Public Meetings will be held at 626 East Broad Street, Suite 100. Save the dates, but note the different times, which are in response to requests for both mid-day and early evening opportunities to attend:

Monday, July 27 at Noon - 1:30PM

Tuesday, July 28 at 6PM - 7:30PM

As soon as the next quarterly Public Meeting venues are secured, it will be posted online here: http://www.ridegrtc.com/brt/brt-now/ and also posted updates on Facebook and Twitter. We will continue to remind followers through social media leading up to the Public Meetings.

You can find a list of all the Public Meetings we held, and informal neighborhood meetings we were invited to attend, here: http://www.ridegrtc.com/brt/public-outreach/ . We also encourage you to continue the ongoing Public Comment process in writing. The Public Comment Form is here: http://www.ridegrtc.com/media/news/Comment_Form_BRT.pdf and can be mailed or emailed (brt@ridegrtc.com) to GRTC. Whenever you have new input in between the formal Public Meetings, please submit it in writing. This ongoing process allows the lines of communication to remain open, and we can efficiently receive, document and respond to comments in a timely manner. Even though we are nearing the end of Preliminary Engineering Phase I and moving soon onto Semi-Final Design Phase II, there will still be time in this next phase (30% to 60% design) to try to incorporate some changes, based on Public Comment. However, any recommendations must also be considered with the alignment impacts, utilities, access, safety, etc. Informal meetings will also continue, when GRTC is invited.

Another important aspect in between Public Meetings is Public Outreach. Ashley Mason and Carrie Rose Pace are new employees, and it is their initiative right now to personally meet with businesses and people along the corridor. This outreach began shortly after they started their jobs, and continues. You can view the Public Outreach schedule here: http://www.ridegrtc.com/brt/public-outreach and also follow us on social media to find out where and when we go out. Twitter and Facebook have been tested for this “street beat,” and will grow and be a useful tool. As they go door-to-door, they are learning what information is most often requested, and what visuals are most essential for the information folder they present. Their goal is to provide the most up-to-date information on a block-by-block basis and facilitate connections.

Q: Why can’t I request another Public Meeting to be held according to FTA rules before the July Public Meetings?

A: Public Meetings are held quarterly, with continued Public Comment received in between these meetings. This allows at least two months for the Public to comment and also for the design team to digest those comments. As explained above, preparation for the July Public Meetings continues. This is a multi-month process, not a quick two-week turn around.

Q: Why can’t I request another informal neighborhood meeting?

A: You may! We continue to present when neighborhoods/groups invite us. These are informal meetings, specific to the neighborhood(s) or business associations who invite us. The inviting group is responsible for setting up the venue and coordinating a mutually agreeable date and time, within reason.

Q: Can I request an informal meeting for next week?

A: All invitations for GRTC to present are subject to the presenter’s schedules of availability. But please continue to submit invitations for us to meet! You can email brt@ridegrtc.com, and we will continue to coordinate as we have before. Please note that as we enter the Summer months, some people may take typical Summer family vacations, which may impact some availability.

Q: Why can’t we see a list of all upcoming neighborhood meetings?

A: We are invited on a case-by-case basis, and schedule informal meetings/presentations as requested. As such, and to remain courteous of the hospitality extended to us by their invitation, we do not publicize these individual meetings. They may, at their discretion, publicize to their neighbors. You can find the list of all informal meetings under Public Outreach: http://www.ridegrtc.com/brt/public-outreach

Q: Why can’t the project team change impacts on my block immediately?

A: Any change to one block creates ripple effects outward from your block. This means not only your block must be considered, but also every other block impacted as a result of a design request. When feasible, design requests from Public Comment are very helpful.

Q: How can businesses find out the latest news on the project, and how soon?

A: Website updates are ongoing as well as social media implementation, and a plan to start a Blogger. Once any project decisions are finalized, information will be communicated.

Q: Have there been any changes since the last April Public Meeting and the informal multi-neighborhood meeting?
A: Parking preservation was requested more on the south side of Broad Street by the Savory Grain, based on April Public Meeting feedback. Recent Museum District neighborhood suggestions for left-turn access are being made and considered for feasibility.

Q: What are some of the biggest topics considered recently?

A: Since January, the design team has been working intensively on big safety topics like north-south access across Broad Street (which gets into medians, signals, left-turns, and crosswalks), parking (which gets into medians and left-turns), dedicated left-turn lanes for automobiles (which gets into parking, signals and crosswalks), and travel lane widths (which gets into parking and corridor safety). These were all topics addressed at the April Public Meetings. They continue their work on how the “limbs” of local service will branch into and from the “spine” of the BRT. The team is taking into account as many factors as they possibly can to improve the safety, efficiency and accessibility of the entire corridor. They do take into account specific feedback given from businesses, neighborhoods, advocacy groups, etc. This is why the Public Comment process is so helpful, whether written or at Public Meetings.

Shout-out from the Mayor!

The GRTC Pulse project team is excited about continued regional support.  Here is a recent shout-out!

In the May 18, 2015, Vol. 7 Issue 5 edition of Building the Best Richmond, Richmond City Mayor Dwight C. Jones released the following statement about GRTC Pulse:

 Technical Assistance for GRTC Pulse

“I would like to thank U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx for including Richmond, as one of the seven cities, to receive support from a new technical assistance program-LadderSTEP.  The assistance program will help promote thoughtful planning and economic growth related to our planned GRTC Pulse transportation project.  GRTC Pulse will help revitalize communities, create pathways to work, and connect hardworking people to a better quality of life by providing service along the majority of Broad Street from Willow Lawn in the west to Rocketts Landing in the east.  The route will include fourteen stations and over three miles of dedicated travel lanes.  The $24.9 million federal TIGER grant that was announced in September will fund half of the final design and construction costs.  The remaining funding is in the form of a 50% match by state, City and Henrico County.”