RV 2015: Sustainable Corridors: Broad and Specific Looks by Robert Hastings

Sustainability- Have faith in the

Measurable… and the Immeasurable

Robert Hastings, FAIAAgency Architect

TriMet

Capital Projects

2015 Railvolution, Dallas TX

October 28, 2015

Three Points

•How TriMet fashioned a comprehensive Sustainability Program

•Used ENVISION™ to measure the quantitative and qualitative outcomes

•Sustainability Initiative Focus-turning remnant properties (trash) into useful projects (treasure)

Project Overview

•Extension of light rail from Portland State University south

•10 new stations—two on the west side of the Willamette River and eight on the east side

•The Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail Bridge spanning the river from OSHU’s future South Waterfront campus to OMSI

•South terminus on SE Park Avenue in Clackamas County

http://trimet.org/pdfs/pm/Portland-Milwaukie_Map.pdf

http://trimet.org/pdfs/pm/Portland-Milwaukie_Map.pdf

Project Overview• $1.49 billion (50% FTA

funding)• Up to 14,500 jobs created• 7.3-mile light rail extension• 10 elevated structures• 718 vehicle parking at 2 Park

& Rides• 445 bicycle parking• 22,800 weekday rides by 2030• 10 major contracts totaling

~$700m• 5.1m square feet of property

acquired

Corridor Segments

•Innovation Quadrant

•Neighborhoods/Employment Segment

•Neighborhoods/ Recreation Segment

•Downtown Milwaukie Segment

•Green Gateway/ Multi-modal Segment

Sustainability Program Summary

•Create a ‘new normal’ of agency integration of project-wide sustainability initiatives

•Internally- Lead a new direction of ‘State of Good Repair’; build in resiliency

•Externally- make connections to neighborhoods, communities

•Holistic, inclusive engagement, collaborative support, demonstrate TriMet values

•Seek, select, utilize new innovations in measurements for sustainability- Quantitative & Qualitative

Sustainability Program

FTA/EPA/HUD Partnership:• Livability Principles- protect the environment, promote equitable

development, and help to address the challenges of climate change

• Six guiding livability principles

Provide more transportation choices

Promote equitable, affordable housing

Enhance economic competitiveness

Support existing communities

Coordinate and leverage federal policies and investment

Value communities and neighborhoods

From the FTA Sustainability Toolkit, August 2011 edition

Sustainability Program

TriMet Values: holistic approach, be a national leader • Progressively build on previous project experience

• Create a ‘new normal’ of agency integration of project-wide sustainability initiatives

• Internally: Lead a new direction of ‘State of Good Repair’; build in resiliency for daily operations

• Externally: Make connections to neighborhoods, communities, partner with commerce/govt.

Sustainability: Going Beyond the Triple Bottom Line

Conventional sustainability frameworks seek to measure the ability to deliver economic performance, environmental excellence and social contribution.

Quadruple Bottom Line – includes Governance

Quintuple Bottom Line – changes Culture

How do you measure the effectiveness of sustainability strategies spanning these realms?

Program Development

January 2010,TriMet workshop- led by VIA

Architects

• Design/Engineering

• Operations

• Facilities Maintenance

Broad Themes

• Throughout Design, Construction, Maintenance

• Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Program Development

Natural Systems

• Storm water treatments

• Landscape materials

Program Development

Habitat

• Willamette River

• Crystal Springs

• Tacoma Park & Ride

• Trolley Trail & Park Avenue

Program Development

Innovations

• Eco-track

• Eco-roof

• Renewable Energy

• LED Lighting

• Durable Materials

Program Development

28 viable initiatives

Three Categories--Do, integrate into the project

-Consider, needs more information

-Already happening, track quantities and impacts

Program Development

Do - Top 10

1. Smart Track- happening at Park Ave

2. Wayside Energy- happening at Park Ave

3. Pervious Paving- done

4. Eco trackway- done at Lincoln Station

5. Durability- throughout the Project

6. Material Salvage- throughout the Project

7. Bicycle & Pedestrian Connectivity- throughout the Project

8. Art- Sustainability Themes- throughout the Project

9. Provide Habitat- throughout the Project

10.Flex Parking; Zipcar, Getaround- Tacoma & Park Ave P & R

Program Development

Consider

11.Commissioning – in process

12.Vehicle Charging – happening at Park Ave

13.Vegetated Structures – on some system buildings

14.Temporary Art During Construction - done

15.LEED Certification – happening at Center Street

16.Habitat Protection - done

17.Solar Energy (Wind too!) – platform shelters, buildings, Bridge VAWT

18.Transit Oriented Development – in process

Program Development

Already Happening - Track Quantities

19.Solar Energy at Ruby Junction

20.Train Grey Water Recycling Washing

21.Water Quality

22.Landscaping

23.Ecosystems

24.Noise Pollution Mitigation

25.Light Pollution; dark skies initiative

26.Material Selection; local sourcing

27.Construction Sustainability Programs

28.Composite Ties

Program Development

THE NEED FOR A Transit FRAMEWORK

There’s been significant focus on the sustainability of the built environment, but not in infrastructure, which covers larger areas and has wider, more variable impactsThe lack of indicators and assessment methods to comprehensively measure the progress toward sustainable infrastructure has been a barrier to its development.

• Reporting Results- “so what does it all mean?”

Help TriMet evaluate the effectiveness of its sustainability strategy

Identify additional opportunities for sustainable construction

Communicate the effectiveness of sustainability initiatives to internal and external stakeholders

Program Implementation

Tracking/Metrics

• JLA Public Involvement with Parametrix

• ENVISION- new innovative national methodology for transit

• INVEST- new pilot project methodology for Federal Highway Administration

• Reporting Results- “so what does it all mean?”

Program Implementation

Tracking/Metrics

•ENVISIONTM- a complete approach; innovative methodology for infrastructure

Program Implementation- ENVISIONTM

•Provided guidance and tools to further improve the sustainability of the PMLR

•Provide a baseline for future reporting and benchmarking by collecting and displaying sustainability metrics for the design and construction of the PMLR

•Display the breadth and depth of TriMet’s commitment to sustainability in order to educate and hopefully inspire others outside of the agency; and

•Encourage an open and honest conversation about the challenges faced and solutions needed to move forward


•ENVISIONTM is designed to be used as a project assessment tool and to provide guidance for sustainable infrastructure design.

•Applies to all phases of infrastructure development

“The purpose of ENVISIONTM is to initiate a systemic change…to transform the way infrastructure is designed, built, and operated.” -William Bertera


60 Possible Credits in 5 Categories

Purpose, Community, Well-being

Siting, Land & Water, Biodiversity

Materials, Energy, Water

Collaboration, Management, Planning

Emission, Resilience

Source: Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure 2013.


Levels of achievement:1.Improved2.Enhanced3.Superior4.Conserving5.Restorative

Source: Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure 2013.


Qualitative assessment methods- example: turning building demolition into a training opportunity for local firefighters

1. We crosswalk initiatives to the appropriate credit(s), which in this case is “LD1.3 Foster Collaboration and Teamwork.”

2. Using building demolition as a training opportunity shows a shift from ‘business-as-usual’ to a systems view of project design and delivery, helping TriMet earn a “Superior” Level of Achievement for this credit.


Quantitative assessment methodsSustainability

Strategy

Effectiveness

Measure

Potential Measurement

MethodologyUnit

Meaningful Interpretation of

Strategy

Potential/Example of

Meaningful

Interpretation

Smart Track

Engineering

Energy Savings, Air

Emissions Avoided

Measure the total amount of

energy saved due to adjustments

in track geometry over the

proposed lifetime of the system.

This measurement could be

interpreted from the track

profiles created by the Track

Engineer (URS).

Kilowatt Hours (kWh) of

Electricity Saved

Using Agency-Approved Equivalency

Calculators (Such as the EPA GHG

Calculator which can be accessed online at

http://www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/energy-

resources/calculator.html), develop

meaningful equivalency messaging.

"Smart Track Engineering

Saves Enough Energy to

Power X Number of

Portland Homes for One

Year".

Wayside

Regenerative

Energy Storage

Energy Savings, Air

Emissions Avoided

Measure the total energy savings

realized by reconverting energy by

using motors as generators when

braking. This measurement could

be interpreted using existing

systems and architectural plans

prepared by Systems Engineer

(LTK).


Electricity Saved







"Regenerative Energy

Storage Saves Enough

Energy to Power X

Number of Electrical

Vehicles for One Year".

Salvage

Materials from

Selected

Demolished

Buildings

Waste Avoided, Air

Emissions Avoided,

Energy Saved,

Quantity of Oil and

Gas NOT Consumed,

and other metrics.

EPA created the Waste Reduction

Model (WARM) to help solid

waste planners and organizations

track and voluntarily report

greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions

reductions from several different

waste management practices.


Electricity Saved, Tons of

Emissions Avoided, Tons of

Waste Beneficially Reused,

Gallons of Gasoline Saved,

and more.

WARM allows users to compare baseline

scenarios of material consumption with

alternative, more sustainable scenarios. The

JLA team could populate material recovered

(tons) from buildings using data collected by

Stacy and Witbeck.

"During construction, the

PMLR team salvaged X tons

of building materials for

beneficial re-use. This has

the same impact on the

climate as planning X

number of trees."

Bicycle

Access/Bike -

Ped

Connection/

Flex Bicycling

Several, including

gallons of gasoline

saved, air emissions

avoided, and number

and type of non-

motorized transport

users.

The Transportation Research

Board has published data on how

bicycle access affects ridership.

Using this data as a baseline, the

JLA project team could apply a

framework for evaluating non-

motorized transportation benefits

and costs developed the Victoria

Transport Policy Institute in

British Columbia.

The "Units" of measurement

could be as diverse as the

categories of non-motorized

transport benefits and costs,

which include "Improved

walking and cycling conditions

", "Increased walking and

cycling activity", "Reduced

automobile travel", "Land Use

Impacts", "Economic

Development", and "Cost".

In the category of Reduced Automobile

Travel, examples of meaningful metrics

include congestion reduction, road and

parking facility cost savings, consumer savings,

accident reductions, energy conservation and

air emissions reductions.

"The PMLR makes it

possible for X number of

people a year to use their

bikes and public transit to

get to work. This amounts

to a savings of X gallons of

gasoline each year."

Wayside

Regenerative

Energy Storage

Energy Savings, Air

Emissions Avoided

Measure the total energy savings

realized by reconverting energy by

using motors as generators when

braking. This measurement could

be interpreted using existing

systems and architectural plans

prepared by Systems Engineer

(LTK).


Electricity Saved







"Regenerative Energy

Storage Saves Enough

Energy to Power X

Number of Electrical

Vehicles for One Year".


• Gideon Urban Micro Business Incubators (GUMBI) – Clinton Station

• Heads and Tails – SE 17th Corridor

• Sparrow Commons – ODOT Pit/South Milwaukie

• Update on Brooklyn Tool Kit

“The Portland-Milwaukie light rail alignment shall weave itself into the natural, economic and human fabric of the adjacent neighborhoods more than any previous TriMet alignment. For, rather than TriMet distinguishing this alignment as a system within Portland, it will become the city itself.”

Overarching Goals for All of the Projects

• Leverage highest and best use of TriMet-owned station area parcels

• Facilitate the early approval, support and guidance from BDS, BOPS, PBOT

the City of Milwaukie and Clackamas County

• Engage a diverse range of developers (non-profits, small scale builders,

etc.),

spread the wealth of potential partners

• Utilize existing public and private sector financing partnerships

• Move toward "in-the-ground" or "completed by" ribbon-cutting time-line

Clinton Station Gideon Urban Micro Business Incubators

(GUMBI) Goals:

• Activate station area

• Create business incubators on TriMet-owned 16 x 800 foot parcel

• Jumpstart future station area development

• Adjacent to heavy freight rail corridor

• Occupancy scheduled for April 2012

• 4 Buildings at 16 foot widths

PrecedentBy Green Gables

• Green building and usury practices

• Fully leased with waiting list

Proposed: Gideon Urban Micro Business Incubators

(GUMBI)

• Same sidewalk width as PMLR 90% drawings

• Same amount of stormwater management as 90% drawings

• 50% of on-street parking for north side of Gideon

GUMBI ROW and Stormwater Management

Stormwater Treatment Between Buildings Stormwater Treatment in ROW

Existing 90% Drawing

ProposedGideon Incubators

1. Market analysis undertaken

2. Presentations made to TriMet's real estate managers

3. Developer of Front Street Project fully engaged

4. Project conceptually approved and unconditionally supported by BDS, BOPS,

PBOT

Next Steps:

• Properties purchased by TriMet

• TriMet issues RFQ/P

2013 status of GUMBI:

1. TriMet initiated and led RFQ/ RFP

2. Selects developer; ‘Reworks’

3. Highly innovative TOD approach; small foot print commercial, maker spaces

4. ‘Intertwine’- highly supported by City of Portland

5. Inspires other actions; private development with City collaboration

Next Steps:

• Final permitting

• Construction begins early 2016

GUMBI: Today

SE 17th Avenue

Corridor Improvements

TriMet-owned

properties

slated for

TriMet bus

driver parking

TriMet

purchase but

no identified

use

Near Term and Far Term Development Recommendations for SE 17th

Avenue (Heads and Tails)

Goals for Heads and Tails:

• Determine highest and best use for all parcels

• Build ridership

• Provide parking for TriMet

• Provide neighborhood-scale retail services for residents and workers

• Preserve appropriate expansion opportunities for TriMet

MicroIncubator ground floor

Residential apartments or condos aboveSmall commercial spaces on ground floor

2-story loft units shown above, parking in

between

Typical small commercial spaces on ground floor

Small, economical apartment flats shown above

(cyan), parking in between

Potential Development Configurations

A B-1 B-2

Apartments over

Micro Commercial

Loft Apartments with

Commercial in Three Buildings

Eff. Apartments with

Commercial in Three

Buildings

Sitework

Building

$130,000

$1,468,500

$130,000

$1,981,500

$130,000

$2,515,500

Total Construction $1,598,500 $2,111,500 $2,645,500

Soft Costs $559,475 $739,025 $925,925

Total Development Cost (TDC) $2,157,975 $2,850,525 $3,571,425

Capitalized Value $1,826,082 $2,542,643 $3,437,987

GAP ($331,893) ($307,882) ($133,438)

Gap as % of Cap Value -18.2% -12.1% -3.9%

Project Economics

Gaps can be reduced or eliminated with ten or more units to qualify for the Transit Tax Credit

RECOMMENDATION #1

Utilize PG&E site and Center Street “Heads” for near term

TriMet parking and potential for long term future TriMet or

Private development.

RECOMMENDATION #2

Create fertile RFQ process for development of “tails”

Possibilities Project Recommendations

Potential Partners

• Smaller, design/develop or design/build entities

• Reach

• Proud Ground

• Habitat for Humanity

• Portland YouthBuilders

• Hammer&Hand

• Green Gables

• Neil Kelly

• Benson High School

• Umpqua Bank

• American Institute of Architects

Work with a diverse set of builders and developers rather than a single firm.

Status of Heads and Tails Project to Date

1. Presentations made to TriMet's parking and real estate

managers

2. Exploratory discussions undertaken with a range of non-profit

and for profit developers

3. Concepts approved in principle by BOPS, BDS, PBOT

Next Steps:

• Further conversations with not-for-profit development groups

• Hold for-profit developer round table discussion with TriMet prior

to issuing RFQ/P

Heads and Tails Projects: Today

1. TriMet initiated and led RFQ/ RFP

2. Selected developer

3. Highly innovative TOD; market rate housing, retail, parking

4. City of Portland support

Next Steps:

• Finalize developer/TriMet agreement

• Close funding gap

•Construction; mid 2016

SE 17th Avenue- SE Boise to SE Mall Streets

SE 17th Avenue- SE Boise to SE Mall Streets

Enhancing the Brooklyn Neighborhood

• Tapping into existing improvement funding programs

• Improving safety, security, circulation and sense of pride

• Facilitating the residents opportunity to improve their homes

The Brooklyn Toolkit

• Additional Street Trees• New Bike Boulevard• Improved pedestrian circulation/green

streets• Additional streetlights

• Energy audits and improvement grants• Additional curb ramps• Fast-track granny flat permitting and

financing

TODAY TOMORROW

Toolkit Could Include:

New Curb Ramp

Opportunities

Existing Streetlights

Green Street &

Bike Boulevard

Opportunities

Street Tree Gaps &

Opportunities

Potential Accessory

Dwelling Units

The Brooklyn Toolkit

ODOT Gravel Pit, Co-Housing Development

Sparrow Commons

Co-Housing Precedents

• Low Impact to Neighborhood

• Shared Open Space

• Community Resource

Co-Housing Promotes:

• Neighborhood livability

• Sense of community

• Reduced infrastructure & pavement

• Smart building considerations

Sparrow Commons Illustration by Dave Carpenter

Status of Sparrow Commons

• Unofficial conceptual approval by City of Milwaukie Development Staff

• New City of Milwaukie housing code to be adapted by City

Council, March, 2012

• Specific User Identified

• All other work on hold until determination by TriMet