Working Together to Integrate High Speed Rail with Caltrain and Communities
by Yoriko Kishimoto and Kelly Fergusson
In November 2008, Californians voted for Proposition 1A, High Speed Rail. Today, Peninsula communities are wrestling with the implications of this enormous project running through our downtowns. Yes, we voted for it. But we did not give up the right or responsibility to plan and control our future. We must ensure that community voices are represented. We need to think long-term – 100 years or more out into the future – and make sure this project is done right.
Representatives of several Peninsula cities have been meeting weekly on an ad-hoc basis for the past couple of months. These meetings have served as a forum for dialogue with a variety of stakeholders, from rail agency staff, to neighborhood groups, to innovative and visionary urban design professionals.
Working together, officials from some cities recently penned a “mayor’s letter” to the High Speed Rail Authority (HSRA) that captures the hopes and concerns they hold in common. As stated in the letter, these include maintaining connectivity between areas on either side of the right-of-way, keeping local roads open, protecting the walkable and bikeable nature of the communities, and the desire to work “collaboratively to develop optimal urban design alternatives.”
Cities want scenarios that address these concerns to be studied in HSRA’s upcoming Environmental Impact Report (EIR). Inclusion of agreed-upon alternatives for a balanced and rational analysis will provide a sound foundation for future decision-making. Cities “look forward to working together [with HSRA] as partners for the duration of the process from design to construction,” states the draft letter that is being adopted by the various city councils and/or being signed by their mayors. In response, the HSR Authority has to its credit already agreed to share a draft of the scoping report and early drafts of its EIR so that the public can be assured of a transparent process during the long and complex environmental analysis period.
We see all upside and no downside to this dialogue, and to continuing to meet in this forum for education and exchange of innovative urban design ideas. So far these meetings have been a great opportunity to set a positive tone, and for city officials, city staff, and interested stakeholders to network and communicate regarding HSR and its impacts. The alternative would be to cede all the decision-making to the HSR – an option that many view as unpalatable, and likely to result in sub-optimal outcomes.
Now, some of the cities that have attended the meetings are reviewing a “Memorandum of Understanding” to formalize the ad-hoc group. . This will increase transparency and provide a more structured decision-making framework. Five cities need to sign on in order for the “Peninsula Cities Coalition” group to be formalized.
Next up on our agenda is the possibility of proceeding with a Design Charette for cities participating in the coalition. With the participation of world-renowned design professionals, project finance experts and technical staff and consultants as well as residents, businesses, commuters, and other key stakeholders, a Design Charette would be an intensive effort to flesh out ideas for an future urban landscape that would include HSR in various scenarios including tunnel, trench, at-grade, and elevated options. A charette increases understanding through intensive development, visualization, and critique of conceptual alternatives. This will be an opportunity for a true integration of land use, transportation and urban design, to create a long-term vision of sustainable local communities. Join us in this exciting effort to bring our communities together to create a positive future.