October Public Meetings

The next GRTC Public Meetings are scheduled for October 26 & 27, 2015. 
The GRTC Pulse (Bus Rapid Transit) Project Partners will present a status update, ongoing activities and long-range timeline for the Project at Public Meetings, conducted on an informal basis.  Members of the public are encouraged to share their feedback with Project team members. Members of the Media are invited to attend. The informal public meetings are identical in content and location. Please plan to attend the one convenient for your schedule. 
Monday, October 26, 2015 at 6:00 – 7:30 pm
Library of Virginia
800 E. Broad Street, Auditorium
This location is conveniently accessible via the GRTC Bus System and is near the Downtown Transfer Plaza.  Free parking is available in the Library parking deck with entrances accessible from 8th and 9th Streets.  Street parking and metered parking is also available. 
Tuesday, October 27, 2015 at 12:00 – 1:30 pm
Richmond Public Library, Main Branch
101 East Franklin Street
This location is conveniently accessible via the GRTC Bus System (Route 16 Grove). Two-hour free on-street parking is available on surrounding streets. Paid parking is available in the parking garage entrance located at Grace and 2nd Streets. 
Anyone unable to attend one of these meetings may submit comments by November 13, 2015 to:
e-mail:  brt@ridegrtc.com
Mail: GRTC Transit System
c/o Ashley Mason, Marketing & Public Relations Specialist
301 East Belt Boulevard
Richmond, VA 23224
804-358-3871
If you require an American Sign Language interpreter, please contact Ashley Mason at least 3 days prior to the meeting you wish to attend, either by phone 804-358-3871 EXT. 364 or by e-mail: amason@ridegrtc.com. If you require Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) paratransit services, please schedule a reservation with GRTC’s CARE or CARE Plus. You may contact us by phone (804) 782-CARE (2273), email grtc.cvan@mvtransit.com, or fax (804) 474-9993. Please note that all GRTC buses are ADA-compliant with kneeling capability, wheelchair ramps and mobility device space.

Public Meeting materials will be added online at http://www.ridegrtc.com/brt/public-meetings/.

Greater Richmond Chamber supports BRT

In a statement submitted to GRTC, The Greater Richmond Chamber publicly supports the GRTC Pulse (Bus Rapid Transit) project. Mark Hickman, Senior Manager of Government & Community Affairs, released the letter from The Greater Richmond Chamber: The Greater Richmond Chamber votes to support the GRTC Pulse Bus Rapid Transit Project The Chamber's Richmond Business Council and Henrico Business Council recommend that the Chamber Board endorse the project. Richmond, VA - The Board of Directors of the Greater Richmond Chamber votes to support the Bus Rapid Transit project (BRT). The decision came on the recommendation of the Richmond Business Council and Henrico Business Council of the Greater Richmond Chamber, having each voted at their most recent meetings to support BRT. The BRT is an innovative and cost-effective transit solution with successful national and international models. It drastically cuts travel times and increases mobility, convenience and reliability. Often referred to as "light rail on wheels," BRT contains features similar to light rail or metro systems but at a fraction of the cost. The Richmond Region's GRTC Transit System is leading the design and implementation of this important inter-jurisdictional BRT project along the Broad Street corridor from Willow Lawn to Rocketts Landing, to be completed in 2017. The Greater Richmond Chamber prioritizes workforce development and Millennial attraction and retention. "Reliable, shorter commute times mean more passengers, better access to more jobs and a better workforce for more local businesses," said Kim Scheeler, President and CEO of the Greater Richmond Chamber.  "Millennials value having multiple transit options, and this large generation is quickly becoming the nation's workforce.  BRT is critical to ensuring that Greater Richmond remains attractive to young professionals who will play a vital part in the region's future economic growth." In addition to providing effective and efficient transit service that drastically reduces current travel times, BRT can also stimulate economic activity and investment along its corridor. Here in Greater Richmond over a twenty-year period, BRT is expected to generate an increase of $1.1 billion in property values alone.  In addition, BRT will be a catalyst for additional development of transit-oriented residential and retail space in the corridor. With each endpoint anchored in Henrico County, and the center of the line in the City of Richmond, BRT is a collaborative project that will connect our metro area with much-needed mass rapid transit along a crucial urban corridor. BRT will bring immediate benefits to the Willow Lawn and Rocketts Landing areas, and connect current and future developments like Libbie Mill and the Stone Brewing Co. facility.  Scheeler noted, "The Chamber believes that BRT will be a foundation for an improved, expanded transit system across the entire service area and is the crucial first step in a regional mass transit plan." "The Greater Richmond Chamber fully supports BRT as a much needed forward-thinking and long-term investment in creating a first-class rapid transit system for our region," said Chair Sam Young today at the Greater Richmond Chamber Board meeting.  "The Greater Richmond Chamber encourages the GRTC BRT Project Partners to continue to engage in active outreach and positive reception to the diversity of stakeholders and perspectives whose feedback has helped inform and improve this breakthrough project." About Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) According to the National BRT Institute at the Center for Urban Transportation Research, BRT is an innovative, high capacity, lower cost public transit solution that significantly improves urban mobility. BRT integrated systems use specialized buses to quickly and efficiently transport passengers to their destinations. BRT is customized, flexible and state-of-the-art, resulting in more passengers and less traffic congestion. BRT is much more reliable, convenient and fast than regular bus services because it contains features similar to a light rail or metro system, according to the Institute for Transportation & Development Policy. The current GRTC bus line serving the Broad Street corridor is among the most utilized by passengers in the GRTC Transit System but faces several challenges that hinder effective transportation, access and development along this geographic and economic center for the region. The planned BRT project will address those challenges and lay a foundation for long-term success that will benefit businesses, workers, shoppers, visitors and transit users of all ages and backgrounds. BRT will allow GRTC to implement improvements to connectivity and efficiency across the entire GRTC transit system that stem from major enhancements in the BRT corridor. BRT will also focus on improving roadway safety, mitigating traffic congestion, addressing parking and incorporating pedestrians and cyclists as part of a multimodal network. Regarding the expected economic impact to the BRT project, the BRT in Cleveland, Ohio is often touted as a successful model and has served as an inspiration for the GRTC BRT project. The Cleveland BRT corridor, once an economically distressed and declining area, has seen $5.8 billion in new investment within five years of completion of their BRT. Business owners there recognized BRT's long-term value and ultimately demanded that additional stations be added to the corridor. ### About the Greater Richmond Chamber The Greater Richmond Chamber is building a thriving business community by supporting the success of its members, providing a strong business voice and developing leaders and entrepreneurs. The Chamber, a not-for-profit business membership association, is the voice of business in the City of Richmond and the counties of Charles City, Chesterfield, Goochland, Hanover, Henrico, New Kent and Powhatan, as well as the Town of Ashland. www.GRCC.com @GRChamber Contact    Mark Hickman Greater Richmond Chamber (804) 783.9316  mark.hickman@grcc.com Chrystal Neal Greater Richmond Chamber (804) 783.9310 Chrystal.Neal@grcc.com

GRTC Pulse Project Update: Semi-Final Design Phase Begins

The GRTC Pulse (Bus Rapid Transit) Project enters the semi-final design phase in Fall 2015 with several key milestones completed.

In July 2015, the conceptual design phase ended. This design was presented to the public for feedback at two public meetings on July 27 and 28, 2015. Additionally, the conceptual design was presented to the City of Richmond’s Urban Design Committee (UDC) on August 20, 2015 and the Planning Commission (PC) on September 8, 2015. Both the UDC and the PC voted unanimously to recommend the conceptual design of the Pulse project, and provided specific feedback for the project partners to investigate and consider moving forward into the next phase of design work.

On September 15, 2015, GRTC announced receipt of the fully executed, approved TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) Grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation (US DOT) in the amount of $24.9 Million. After slight shifting of station locations between the award of the TIGER Grant in September 2014 and the end of the preliminary design phase in Summer 2015, another Section 106 review was conducted in compliance with the National Historic Preservation Act to both confirm and ensure that “no adverse effect” would occur to any historic and archaeological sites along the project corridor. Public comment and participation is a part of the Section 106 process, as well. With these reviews complete, the US DOT finished processing the awarded grant. This receipt of the fully executed grant means the project remains on schedule and the Federal funds are in the bank.

The next phase of design will continue to include public engagement and feedback. The partners, comprised of the Commonwealth of Virginia (DRPT & VDOT), City of Richmond, GRTC and Henrico County, are collaboratively working to explore the feasibility and thoroughly address the recommended UDC and PC suggestions. They will also investigate and review, to the degree possible, other public concerns submitted during the public feedback process. This will include a detailed public response to each item including why or why not a recommendation is feasible with thorough technical explanation.  Members of the community and other stakeholders should expect an increased frequency of face-to-face engagement opportunities as the team is committed to working responsibly and comprehensively with the public. The semi-final design will be presented at public meetings on October 26 and 27, 2015 and also posted online at http://www.ridegrtc.com/brt/documents/. The project team plans to present the semi-final design to the UDC and PC at meetings held in November 2015. 

GRTC Pulse service will be operational in October 2017, providing improved quality of life with a faster, more frequent, improved, modern, urban transit service to better-connect the Greater Richmond Area. The Pulse is a high quality, high capacity modern transportation system that will serve a 7.6-mile route through the high-density and high-ridership areas along Broad Street to Main Street in the City of Richmond, with a terminus point at Rocketts Landing in the east and in Henrico County at Willow Lawn in the west.

Planning Commission Public Meeting September 8th

You have another opportunity to hear an update and contribute your comments about the Conceptual 30% Design of the GRTC Pulse (Bus Rapid Transit) Project. If you missed the July Public Meetings or the Urban Design Committee Presentation, this is another place to be engaged and informed on the latest news.

• Planning Commission (PC) Meeting: Tuesday, September 8th at 1:30pm in the 2nd Floor Council Chambers of City Hall, 900 E. Broad Street.

The public is welcome to attend! You are also welcome to submit comments for the consideration of the PC, and can do so by emailing them to Jeff Eastman at jeff.eastman@richmondgov.com. All persons attending the meeting are requested to register on the attendance sheets that have been placed on the chairs and are also available at the table by the room entrance. Once you have completed an attendance sheet, it should be provided to the Commission staff.

We appreciate your continued engagement in this project!

View the Conceptual 30% Design documents HERE.

Missed the July Public Meetings? Check out the PowerPoints, display boards and more HERE.

Bus Rapid Transit Basics HERE.

Benefits of Bus Rapid Transit HERE.

GRTC Pulse is a high quality, high capacity rapid transit system that will serve a 7.6 mile route through the high-density and high-ridership areas along Broad Street to Main Street in the City of Richmond, with two terminus points at Rocketts Landing in the east (bordering City of Richmond and Henrico County) and Willow Lawn in the west (in Henrico County).

Ann's Soul Food supports BRT

In a statement submitted to GRTC, the City of Richmond's Urban Design Committee and the Planning Commission, Ann’s Soul Food publicly supports the GRTC Pulse (Bus Rapid Transit) project. 

Alexander Sally, President of Ann’s Soul Food (located at 216 E. Broad Street) released a letter regarding the 3^rd Street westbound station location:

“I feel that the positioning of the Bus Stand will help to increase visibility and potentially increase the number of transit riders who will have access to patronize my restaurant whether they are waiting for the bus arrival or in between transfer waiting on a connection.

During the previous change of relocating the bus to the hub station on 9th Street, my business suffered significant loss in customers.  Many of my senior customers shared with me that it was a challenge for them to have to walk such a long distance to reach our establishment.”

Richmond Association of REALTORS supports BRT

In a statement submitted to GRTC, the City of Richmond's Urban Design Committee and the Planning Commission, the Richmond Association of REALTORS publicly supports the GRTC Pulse (Bus Rapid Transit) project.

Elizabeth Hancock Greenfield, Vice President of Government Affairs & Member Services, released the letter from the Richmond Association of REALTORS®:

"On behalf of the Richmond Association of REALTORS®, I would like to offer comments on GRTC’s Pulse line because REALTORS have a vested interest in their communities, not only today, but also 20 years from now. This is because their clients aren’t simply buying a house. They’re buying into a community. That said, we are in support of the proposed bus rapid transit line for several reasons.

First, study after study has shown that all types of property values increase when a BRT line is created. Residential, commercial, and industrial values all have statistically significant increase in value, based on their proximity to the line. The closer the property, the more significant the increase. In addition, businesses report increased patronage when adjacent to BRT.

Second, when done correctly, a BRT system can reap an enormous economic benefit for the region and there are numerous success stories. Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Las Vegas, Ottawa, and Eugene have all received returns on their investments into BRT. However, it’s important to note that government support for transit oriented development is the strongest predictor of success.

And lastly, it’s important to view the Pulse as a transportation option for everyone, not just those who rely on public transportation as their primary mode of getting around. The two largest age demographics, the millennials and the baby boomers, have made their preference for accessibility and public transport clear. In fact, the ridership of people who don’t depend on public transportation has proven to be critical to the success of BRT systems.

In conclusion, when done correctly and with the affected localities’ full commitment to transit oriented development, the Pulse will put the Richmond region on par with its competitor regions. It has the full support of the Richmond Association of REALTORS. Thank you for your work on the BRT system and for the opportunity to offer comments."

Project Partners Present Conceptual Design at UDC and PC

Two milestone presentations happen before the Greater Richmond Area welcomes the Worlds! Before we ride into UCI bike land, we first present on the Conceptual 30% Design of the GRTC Pulse (Bus Rapid Transit) project to the City of Richmond's UDC and PC. 

"What's the UDC and PC?" you ask.

The UDC is the Urban Design Committee, and here's what they do:

"The Urban Design Committee (UDC) is an advisory board to the Planning Commission that reviews development on public property or in the public right-of-way. In their work, the UDC encourages high standards of urban design and an improved community appearance. Additionally, the UDC evaluates and recommends design overlay districts proposed by neighborhood groups.

The Richmond Urban Design Committee (UDC) is a ten member advisory committee created by City Council in 1968. Its purpose is to advise the City Planning Commission (CPC) on the design of City projects. The UDC reviews projects for appropriateness in "location, character and extent" and for consistency with the City's Master Plan and forwards recommendations to the CPC. The UDC also advises the Department of Public Works in regards to private encroachments in the public right-of-way."

The PC is the Planning Commission, and here's what they do:

"The Planning Commission is responsible for the conduct of planning relating to the orderly growth and development of the City, including adequate and appropriate resources for the housing, business, industry, transportation, distribution, recreation, culture, comfort, convenience, health and welfare of its population."

The Conceptual 30% Design of the Project will be presented at two upcoming  City of Richmond Public Meetings:

• Urban Design Committee (UDC) Meeting: Thursday, August 20th at 10am in Council Chambers (2nd Floor) of City Hall, 900 E. Broad Street
• Planning Commission (PC) Meeting: Tuesday, September 8th at 1:30pm in the 5th Floor conference room of City Hall, 900 E. Broad Street

The public is welcome to attend! You are also welcome to submit comments for the consideration of the UDC and PC, and can do so by sending them to Jeff Eastman at jeff.eastman@richmondgov.com 

We hope to see you there, or in the community soon!