Transit as a Catalyst for a Winning Region: A Denver Case Study Maria Garcia Berry May 17, 2018
Regionalism is Born 1960s 100-year Flood 1970s School Desegregation and Busing Annexation Wars 1980s Retail Wars Denver International Airport Convention Center 16 th Street Mall 2
Regionalism Grows Up 1990s: Formation of Metro Mayors Caucus Sports Facilities T-REX Project - Rail and Roads TABOR – Taxpayers’ Bill of Rights 2000s: Water Wars FasTracks - Expansion of Transit Growth and Development The Great Recession 2010s: Statewide Transportation Challenges Marijuana – The New Mile High City 3
The Early Years of Transit 1960s: Denver Tramway Company files for bankruptcy and transfers assets to city- owned Denver Metro Transit 1969: RTD was created by the Colorado General Assembly 1973: Voters approved .05% sales tax for RTD 1974: Denver Metro Transit becomes part of RTD 1994: Central Connector Light Rail Line opens 2000: Southwest Light Rail Line opens 2002: Central Platte Valley Spur opens 4
Laying the Groundwork for FasTracks • Proposed “Guide the Ride” expansion failed in 1997 (57% to 43%) – Dysfunctional board – Conceptual Plan – “trust us with your money” – The “yes” campaign spent $650,000; “no” $50,000 • In 1999, CDOT and RTD collaborated on two ballot measures approved by the voters – Granted CDOT authority to pledge federal revenues to retire debt – Allowed RTD to seek additional bonding authority for rail construction – TREX expanded I-25 and built 19 miles of light rail 3
Laying the Groundwork for FasTracks • By 2001, RTD Board and local communities began collaborating on a comprehensive, region-wide transit plan called FasTracks • Legislature granted RTD authority to go to ballot, by petition, in May 2002 • Formal review and unanimous approval of plan by DRCOG (Regional MPO) • Two light rail corridors opened in 2000 and 2002 • Southeast Line under construction 4
FasTracks Plan • 122 miles of new light rail and commuter rail • 18 miles of bus rapid transit (BRT) • 57 new transit stations • 31 new Park-n-Rides with over 21,000 new spaces • Enhanced suburb-to- suburb bus service • Development of Denver Union Station 5
Keys to an Effective Campaign • Research, Research, Research! – Between June 2002 and March 2004, privately funded entities conducted 3 baseline polls and 24 focus groups • Throw out all preconceived notions and myths as to who supports transit and who doesn’t • Start Early – Research started shortly after legislature granted RTD the authority to go to an election • Utilize data gathered to assist public policy makers • Be Inclusive and Proactive – Use the issue to bring divergent views but common interests together • Pick the “right” election cycle 6
Things We “Expected” to Learn • Transit riders most likely to support • Higher income households less likely to support • Republicans will never vote to increase taxes for transit • It won’t make a difference in “my lifetime” 7
Key Findings of Research • Voters wanted something done now to address traffic – 12 years was too long • Usage does not equal support • Highways alone would not solve congestion • General awareness of the success of light rail • Voters did NOT know about the FasTracks Plan – needed major education 8
Understanding the Voters • Understand your voting “world” – Develop a “voting model” on how to win in each county – Not all counties are equal – each have different populations and voting patterns • In Denver metro area: – Voters wanted a specific plan/map – Voters wanted choices and options in transportation – Roads alone were not the answer; but roads weren’t the enemy either – one size doesn’t fit all – Voters wanted something done NOW! 9
Challenges Faced by the Campaign • Very competitive election year – Open Senate seat – Presidential election – Campaign budget increased by 15 – 20% – Ballot clutter – Colorado has a very long ballot • Governor and Executive Director of CDOT opposed the campaign • Rocky Mountain News editorialized against the campaign 13 times 10
Key Messages • The Map was key • Translated the cost - 4 pennies on a $10 purchase • The time is now (“Population Explosion”) • Can’t stop growth - must plan for it (“Highways Not the Answer”) • FasTracks provides choices (“New Door to the City”) • Unanimous support of all 32 Mayors in the region 11
Election Results • Final results: YES – 57% NO – 43% • All Republican majority counties voted for FasTracks • One out of three Democratic counties voted against FasTracks 12
The Elements of Success • Created a disciplined, focused, flexible campaign plan – Anticipate changing world of electoral politics – Plan for surprise events • On-time/On-budget delivery – RTD and the region had undertaken large infrastructure projects and delivered them on time and on budget • What it takes – Strength, passion, commitment, courage and unbridled determination to deliver • Great city and region – Need desire and political will to be a great city and region • Vision – Should be lofty, but attainable – Should capture the region’s imagination • A plan – Must have a specific plan 13
What it Takes to Win • Start early • Political will • Business/community/environmental support • Public buy in – research is key • Plan for implementing • Strong public education campaign • Gauge the economy and the impact on voter • Choosing the best election cycle possible 14
RTD Today • Service Area Statistics – Population: 3.03 million – Cities and Towns Serviced: 42 municipalities, 8 counties – Square miles in service area: 2,342 • Ridership – Average weekday boardings: 336,576 – Annual boardings: 100,942,818 • Total Operating Budget – 2017: 626.1 million • Fixed Routes – Commuter Rail: 2 – Light Rail: 8 – Bus: 132 15
FasTracks Progress 2013: W Line opened 2014: Denver Union Station opened MetroRide opened 2016: University of Colorado A Line opened B Line opened Flatiron Flyer opened 2017: R Line opened 2019: G Line and N Line scheduled to open 15
Leveraging Federal Funds • $5.6 billion spent since 2004 election • $1.767 billion in federal funding • Federal funds equal 33.8% of overall budget Project Total Cost Federal % Federal Flatiron Flyer $190 M $0 0% Central Platte Valley $48 M $0 0% West Rail Line $678 M $309 M 44% Central $117 M $0 0% Southwest Corridor $178 M $120 M 80% North Metro $837 M $0 0% Eagle P3 Project $2.3 B $1 B 52% R Line $677 M $0 0% Southeast Corridor $879 M $525 M 60% 15 Southeast Extension $232 M $92 M 43%
Private Investment Follows Transit • Nearly $3B in private investment around Union Station since 2009 • 77% of office space build in last decade in the Denver Tech Center along I-25 • 40% of multifamily units proposed or under construction are within ½ miles of rail transit 15
Questions? Maria Garcia Berry CRL Associates, Inc. 1660 Lincoln Street, Suite 1800 Denver, CO 80264 303-592-5466 mgarciaberry@crlassociates.com 16
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