Mayor & Commission to Vote on Important Park-n-Ride Transit Lot

A PARK-n-RIDE LOT for COLLEGE STATION ROAD?

The ACC Mayor & Commission will cast a final vote this coming Tuesday, May 1st, to determine the location of a proposed Park-n-Ride lot.  Several commissioners have specifically said that they need to hear more from citizens before making a decision, so please let them hear from you!  

The frontrunner location, supported by UGA, is at the interchange of College Station Road at the Loop-10 Perimeter, inside the exit ramp.  A second location under consideration is at the interchange of Lexington Highway at the Loop-10 Perimeter, also inside the exit ramp.  The Commission could also decide to return the funds to the federal government unspent.

Schematic drawings for the two sites can be viewed below.  Both properties will be made available to ACC at minimal cost from GDOT.   The locations would provide 162 and 179 parking spaces respectively, with a construction cost for each in the range of $830 K. 

With the construction cost substantially less than the $2.7 M funds available for the project, it is possible that the park-n-ride lot might be expanded to use up additional construction funds once the location is chosen. In other words, the final projects could be significantly larger than the ones presented in the schematic drawings.

 BIKEATHENS POSITION

Although it seems an unlikely outcome, BikeAthens would support the Mayor & Commission if they decide to return the funds to the federal government.  While we are very positive about the Park-n-Ride concept as a beneficial multi-modal option, we have concerns about the feasibility of such a facility in the locations proposed, especially for the College Station Road location. 

Our concerns are based on the goals and data for Park-n-Ride lots in the ACC Transit Development Plan, adopted December 2005.   We presented these concerns to the M&C in letter and in person, at the time of adoption.  Briefly, we believe that the proposed locations may be too close to major activity centers to serve the function that is intended, and that more suitable locations should be considered, with a view to better long-range planning.

Nevertheless, between the two location options being considered, we would heavily favor the Lexington Road site over the College Station Road site, as it offers a greater diversity of usage and more multi-modal options.  Please review the summary of pros & cons for these sites below, and then contact your commissioners, or attend the voting session on May 1st (7 pm City Hall) and speak up there.

COLLEGE STATION ROAD - PRO:

• Bus service by Athens Transit and UGA Campus Transit is frequent.
  
• Buses serving the area already have high ridership.
  
• UGA would provide funds to help design and maintain the lot.
  
• Direct access to/from Loop-10 (bypassing College Station Road) for locations north of ACC.

COLLEGE STATION ROAD - CON:

• The plan (developed mid-1990s) is outdated and unsuitable given the many changes in the area.
  
• Visual degradation of a scenic gateway corridor to UGA, where much capital has been invested.
  
• ACC Comprehensive Land Use Plan documents call for protection, preservation, and enhancement of gateway corridors.
  
• Negative environmental impact of converting existing greenspace to paved parking. 
  
• No diversity of usage; parking lot would be accessed almost exclusively by UGA students or employees seeking free parking.
  
• Free parking would subvert the UGA parking plan strategy and create a disincentive to use alternative transportation.
  
• Free parking near UGA might attract more cars than the lot might actually serve.
  
• College Station Road access will increase congestion in an already crowded corridor. 
  
• Ingress/egress lanes on westbound College Station Road present serious bicycle/pedestrian and automobile conflicts, even with a re-route of existing sidewalk/greenway.
  
• Demonstrated opposition by citizens in a public meeting; no strong support except the institutional backing of UGA.

LEXINGTON ROAD – PRO:

• Access from and to Loop-10 is near downtown and UGA north campus.
  
• Short, direct connection to the new ACC multimodal center transit hub.
  
• Direct connection to future rail-trail and greenway.
  
• Fewer negative environmental impacts related to water issues.
  
• No visual degradation of existing gateway landscaping.
  
• Potential for expansion for night-use downtown access.
  
• Design could improve the future reconstruction of the Loop-10 interchange.
  
• Use will not negatively affect UGA parking plan strategy.
  
• No public opposition apparent.
  
• No conflicts between bicycles, pedestrians and automobiles.
  
• Diversity of usage far more likely than College Station Road location.
  
• Local government would be required to provide increased bus service to the area.

LEXINGTON ROAD –CON:

• Site is presently underserved by Athens Transit; needs more frequent buses for success.
  
• ACC must provide funds to maintain the lot.
  
• Uncertain whether UGA would provide bus service to the lot.

VIEW M&C DISCUSSION ONLINE

The M&C discussion on the PnR issue from their April 19 meeting can be viewed online by following links at the ACC website www.athensclarkecounty.com

Schematic Drawings of Proposed Sites

College Station site

Lexington Rd site

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