A Multimodal Transportation Center for St. Augustine?

[thelakelander]

Public Meeting Scheduled

St. Augustine Multimodal Transportation Center Study

In concert with the City of St. Augustine, St. Johns County and the St. AugustineSt. Johns County Airport Authority, the North Florida TPO is studying options for a multimodal transportation center in the St. Augustine area. A public meeting is scheduled Thursday, Aug. 29 from 6 – 8 p.m., in the Alcazar Room, St. Augustine City Hall at 75 King Street. Please attend to review location options and let us know your preference.

With the potential to restore Amtrak service on the FEC rail line and to develop regional commuter rail, we are evaluating potential sites for a future transportation hub where people can connect to rail through many transportation options. A new multimodal center will enhance economic development and tourism, while providing new mobility choices to connect the St. Augustine area with the North Florida region.

Site options were selected by a GIS-based suitability analysis using weighted criteria. Factors considered include population, employment, accessibility via rail, plane, car, bus, trolley and bike, and environmental impacts.  A stakeholder working group was formed with government officials, economic development experts, community activists, rail historians and interested citizens. The group has worked to identify potential sites, weight selection criteria and evaluate parcels ensuring a thorough and objective assessment.

Source: North Florida TPO

Here are a few sites that have been considered over the past decade:

St. Augustine Airport



Carrera Street at US 1



Former FEC San Marco Avenue Station



FEC San Marco Avenue Station during the 1960s

[cline]

I think the airport location is weak.  I like the location at Carrera Street- very close to downtown which is a huge draw.  Although that site seems small.

[spuwho]

A true multimodal would be to build the train station opposite the airport, but the airport is somewhat distant from the historical center. This would require either some frequent bus service or a trolley/streetcar recirculator to serve tourists and commuters. Essentially more "modes".

The old FEC depot, while quaint, can not be used in its original configuration because FEC sold off a large parcel that cut out the original ROW. FEC still owns the land along US1 except for that retail center.

So if the old depot was used, it would have to be moved closer to the ROW in use, or there would be a very large platform.

Having a new station on the San Sebastian tidal flat would be ideal for tourism and commuters except for the fact that parking would be at a premium for commuters and people would have to walk/bus from the city parking garage on Castillo Drive.

There is a alot of public parking in and around the old FEC HQ building, so it is possible a walkway to the tidal flat could be build over US1.

[cline]

A true multimodal would be to build the train station opposite the airport, but the airport is somewhat distant from the historical center. This would require either some frequent bus service or a trolley/streetcar recirculator to serve tourists and commuters. Essentially more "modes".

I agree.  The airport location would be truly multimodal.  I guess I was looking at it more through a rail-centric lens and getting people downtown efficiently.

[thelakelander]

The old FEC depot, while quaint, can not be used in its original configuration because FEC sold off a large parcel that cut out the original ROW. FEC still owns the land along US1 except for that retail center.

So if the old depot was used, it would have to be moved closer to the ROW in use, or there would be a very large platform.

A couple of years ago, this station was selected to be reopened for Amtrak service.  A sketch at the time, included a large platform extending from the building.  It can be seen in the graphic below:

[cline]

So I'm assuming that this multimodal center would serve as the stop location for All Aboard Florida if/when it gets extended north?

[thelakelander]

I've heard that they may skip St. Augustine altogether (stopping in Daytona Beach instead) if/when they initially extend to Jax.

[cline]

Wait, what?  I think that would be a big mistake.  Daytona a bigger destination that St. Augustine?  I think not.  This isn't the 80s- people don't go there for spring break anymore.

[thelakelander]

I hope that doesn't happen.  I hope they both end up being stops.  However, if St. Augustine does become a stop along AAF's path into Jax, I think we seriously have to question the feasibility of commuter rail between St. Augustine and Philips.  With BRT still being pushed between DT and Avenues, the only area with no overlap is basically Northern St. Johns County (Nocatee, Palencia, etc.).

[cline]

I kinda look at AAF and commuter rail as serving different markets.  AFF being more inter-city while commuter rail is serving more the Jax region.  That said, I know that it has been stated that BRT would have no affect on being able to get the Feds to fund commuter rail along Philips- I don't know that I agree.  I think BRT effectively ends that corridor as being a candidate for commuter rail.  The SW and North corridors are still viable options though.

By the way what is the status on the JTA commuter rail study?  Haven't heard much about it in awhile.

[thelakelander]

Here's the sites being evaluated for the St. Augustine Multimodal Transportation Center:



Site 1: Airport
Site 2: FEC property
Site 3: US 1/Old Mission Ave Site (Fountain of Youth Owned parcel)
Site 4: US 1/Carrera St
Site 5: Broudy's Parcel
Site 6: West Augustine Spur parcel

[JeffreyS]

Perhaps if St. Augustine can get the center and AAF signals it's move towards Jax it will finally kill the Bad idea of BRT on Phillips.

[acme54321]

I don't see how they city would not push for the Carrera St.  location.  St Aug. is one of the only walkable tourist cities that could be that closely served by rail in the state.

[cline]

Site #6 seems like a really odd location. 

[JayBird]

Though I like the airport location, that map shows quite some distance between that and where ppl usually go