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Sustainable Intermodal Transportation Facility in Cleveland

 


On September 10, 2010 the NOACA Governing Board approved the following regarding this project: Resolution No. 2010-032 Project Planning Review and Resolution No. 2010-033 Plan Amendment.

Title: Sustainable Intermodal Transportation Facility in Cleveland
Sponsor: Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA)
Name: CUY CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY SUSTAINABLE INTERMODAL TRANSPORTATION FACILITY
Estimated Total Cost: $19,262,913
Proposed Source of Federal Funds: Earmark

History/Background: According to the Cleveland Museum of Natural History (CMNH), their mission is to inspire, through science and education, a passion for nature, the protection of natural diversity, the fostering of health, and leadership to a sustainable future. Through its exhibits, collections, research, as well as educational and public programming, the museum engages people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds in developing a better understanding of its role in conserving and preserving of the world's natural diversity. The CMNH has embarked on an expansion and renovation plan to further enhance the mission of the organization. The CMNH reports it wants to build upon its commitment to conservation and biodiversity, and provide leadership on issues of sustainability and human health. New construction is aimed at meeting Platinum Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Certification. A portion of the project will include the construction of a Sustainable Intermodal Transportation Facility (SITF), the first of its kind in University Circle. The Cleveland Museum of Natural History (CMNH) Board of Trustees has engaged in planning for construction of a SITF.

On April 28, 2010, the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees of CMNH adopted a resolution resolving to pursue federal aid in support of the SITF, request NOACA to consider the museum's SITF project for inclusion in the NOACA long-range Transportation Plan and to work cooperatively with all affected agencies and in accordance with NOACA policies. The CMNH has been working with the University Circle Inc., City of Cleveland, NOACA, GCRTA, The Greater Cleveland Partnership and the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District as it moves forward with its expansion plans. GCRTA has agreed to act as the authorizing agency on behalf of the museum for Surface Transportation Reauthorization bill funds.

Current Conditions: CMNH reportedly serves over 250,000 visitors a year. Over the past five years, the CMNH has experienced over 1.2 million visitors. Surveys indicate that between ten and fifteen percent come from outside Northeast Ohio, with approximately seven percent from out of state. CMNH educates between 80,000 and 100,000 students per year. CMNH also reports that more than 2.5 million people visit University Circle per year. Furthermore, an increase in visitors is anticipated with the completion of GCRTA's Euclid Avenue Health Line and new University Circle Rapid Stations; the construction of a new Museum of Contemporary Art; and the expansions of the Cleveland Museum of Art, the Cleveland Institute of Art, Case Western Reserve University's North West Quadrant, University Hospitals and the Cleveland Clinic.

GCRTA serves the public transportation needs of Cuyahoga County through a vast array of vehicles and routes. GCRTA reports it is working to strengthen its existing network of services to create the best network possible for the public. GCRTA wishes to link with all established transportation services like the Circle Link etc. to its public transportation system creating a transit internet for transit riders. According to the GCRTA, the CMNH SITF is a key to providing more integrated transit services to one of Cleveland's largest attractions and best assets. It could allow GCRTA to connect its Red Line, HealthLine and/or existing bus service to the existing transport services within University Circle creating a more sustainable, efficient, and effective mechanism to visit the University Circle attractions.

According to the CMNH, University Circle area has limited parking and is often unable to support the needs of the 2.5 million visitors a year, as well as the 38,000 plus employees who work in the area. CMNH states that the 2000 Census indicated that only six percent of the work trips from the surrounding area to UC are made via public transportation. CMNH relates that over 25,000 employees drive into the area each day. Furthermore, available parking in the immediate area is estimated at 18,000 spaces and reaches full capacity at peak periods. The CMNH reports that its current visitor parking lot in University Circle has 97 spaces, including four handicapped spaces, and is insufficient for the number of visitors the museum has on an annual basis (over 250,000 per year). The CMNH's staff lot of 60 spaces serves 100 full-time employees and 50 part-time employees and a volunteer base of 276 people. According to CMNH, the City of Cleveland Parking Requirements Chapter 349.04, specify that there be one parking space for every 1,200 square-feet of gross floor area. CMNH reports it has approximately 200,000 square-feet of gross floor area. CMNH further reports that parking for school buses and tour groups is non-existent on the Circle and that buses are required to unload passengers and park along East 105lh Street near the Martin Luther King (MLK), Jr. Boulevard traffic circle, causing increased traffic congestion and unsafe conditions. CMNH additionally reports that, according to Cuyahoga County Engineers (1989-1992, 2000, 2007) studies, East 105th Street has an average traffic pattern of over 12,000 vehicles daily, and MLK, Jr. Boulevard has an average daily traffic pattern of over 57,000 vehicles.

Proposed Project: The Cleveland Museum of Natural History's Sustainable Intermodal Transportation Facility will be located at 1 Wade Oval Drive, Cleveland, OH. The SITF will be adjacent to Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard, which connects directly to I-90 (illustrations). CMNH reports that it is working with GCRTA to link its public transit sendees, including rail, bus, and the HealthLine Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) to destinations throughout University Circle. The facility is designed to encourage biking in University Circle and will be available to patrons of all UC institutions. CMNH will link the SITF to bike trails along Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard, leading to Cleveland's Lakefront State Park, Gordon Park. The SITF will include interpretive and educational programming promoting sustainable transportation. The green roof will enable CMNH to grow native plant species that will be used for primary and secondary education programs and will eliminate storm water run-off. CMNH has engaged Fentress Architects to develop a transformational and energy-enhancing design for the SITF, setting an example for transportation projects nationwide. This project integrates traditional means of automobile transportation with alternative fuel and electric plug-in vehicles, as well as generous parking for bicycles, scooters and motorcycles. The SITF further promotes the museum's commitment to leadership in sustainability, using an integrated multi-transportation design.

Highlights of the Facility include:
  • LEED Platinum Certified.
  • 100,000 sq ft. - built to meet structural requirements to support future two-story expansion.
  • 300 parking spaces including 34 priority parking spaces for alternative fuel vehicles and plug-in stations for electric vehicles, 18 priority parking spaces for scooters and motorcycles, and 60 bicycle rack spaces.
  • Green roof- offering opportunities for outdoor education programs and Ohio native gardens.
  • Ninety-nine to 100 percent storm water recovery system to recycle water for use on museum grounds.
  • Passive fresh-air filtration - thus removing the need for power driven fans.
  • Potential for bicycle rentals and showers in University Circle.
  • Opportunities for linking UC and GCRTA transportation services.
  • Educational interpretive stations throughout the Facility promoting sustainability.
  • The SITF structure is specifically designed to support a future expansion on top of the facility to eventually include a children's wing. The addition will also meet Platinum LEED Certification.
Upon completing construction of the facility, the museum will convert its current visitor lot into school and tour bus parking for the museum and other University Circle institutions. School buses currently park on East 105th Street creating hazardous conditions including traffic congestion and personnel safety concerns. The museum's new bus lot will enable school personnel to enter the museum while leaving their buses in a secure location. The new lot will also be a green locale with a no-idle policy, permeable pavers, 99 -100 percent storm water recovery system, and power stations for heating the buses. According to the CMNH, this lot further promotes the concepts of conservation and sustainability and provides a teachable moment for students when they arrive at the museum. The museum currently employs 145 people.

According to the CMNH Expansion Plan, upon completion of Phase I (Vision and needs professional consultation and analysis; architectural master plan and schematics; exhibit master plan and schematics) and Phase II (design development and construction drawings), the CMNH will begin construction on the SITF, contingent on funding. Following completion of the SITF, the museum will begin phasing in additional expansion and renovation plans. CMNH estimates construction by December 2013 (contingent on funding) and opening (for public use) by February 2015 (contingent on funding).

The estimated total cost, (budget details) provided by the CMNH, is $19,262,913. The CMNH is requesting $10 million in support from the Surface Transportation Reauthorization Bill. The museum will raise $2.5 million in State funding and $6.3 million from private funding sources in addition to the $10 million requested to meet the 80 percent requirement. GCRTA fully supports this project for funding through the Surface Transportation Reauthorization Bill. CMNH is not seeking direct funds from NOACA at this time. CMNH will raise additional funds or provide the additional resources to meet its non-federal matching share. CMNH reports they have sought private sector contributions, State 2010 - 2011 Capital Bill, Economic Development Initiative (EDI) Appropriations, and other federal funding sources.

Staff Comment (Summary):
Plan and Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) Team:
  • This project is consistent with NOACA’s Connections 2030 Plan Goal #3 (Preserve and Improve the Efficiency of the Transportation System), #7 (Reinvestment in the Urban Core) and #10 (Quality of Life through Attention to Aesthetics) and ODOT’s Access Ohio 2004 - 2030 Goal #2 (Economic Development and Quality of Life).
  • Federal-aid Highway (FHWA) funds can only fund eligible expenditures.
  • The sponsor is trying to secure earmark funding. Based on past history of earmark funding and provided the wording is correct, at least some earmark funding would probably be approved.
  • The project may be eligible for Congestion Mitigation Air Quality (CMAQ) funds. Eligibility for CMAQ funding will require an analysis from the sponsor demonstrating pollutant emission reduction as a result of the project.
  • The sponsor should review the cost estimate of each phase at significant review stages of project design development.
  • Recommend committee and public review in order to obtain comments.
Regional Transportation System (RTS) Team:
  • Provide bicycle lockers and showers for employees of CMNH.
Intergovernmental Review and Consultation (IGRC):
If you are a representative of a governmental entity and would like to comment on this project, please email us.

RTA supports this project (as a sponsor of it on behalf of the Natural History Museum). It provides a sustainable transportation facility in this area of University Circle. The sustainable features of this facility are notable as is the potential to assist in creating a transportation hub in this area of University Circle. - GCRTA

Public Involvement:
NOACA encourages comments from the public on this proposed transportation improvement project. Please notify us if you would like to be added to our e-mail notification list for future updates.

Committee Review:
    Regional Transportation Investment Subcommittee (RTIS)/Transportation Advisory Committee (TAC):
  • No comments; recommended for amendment to NOACA's Transportation Plan.
    Bicycle Advisory Council (BAC):
  • Locate the bicycle parking in a convenient location close to entrances. Offer some bike lockers as well as racks. Consider the needs of cyclists in the University Circle area.