Information Items:
Metropolitan Transit Commission Meeting Summary
Resource:
John Muth, CATS, 704-336-3373, jmuth@charlottenc.gov
At its meeting on Wednesday, October 28, 2009 the MTC took action on three items:
Blue Line Extension (BLE) Locally Preferred Alternative:
MTC members unanimously approved moving the 27th Street Station to 25th Street to provide better development opportunities. The 25th Street Station is also more cost-effective, as a Duke Energy substation adjacent to the proposed 27th Street Station would have involved substantial costs for utilities relocation.
CATS staff gave a status report on the BLE's New Starts Update. The cost estimate was updated in April. The revised ridership model approved by the FTA reflects current ridership on the existing Blue Line and forecasts the 2030 BLE daily ridership at 23,800 with total daily ridership along the ultimate 20-mile line at 47,600. The new ridership figures help put the BLE's cost effectiveness index between $16.01 and $20.45, which is solidly in the "Medium" range currently required by the FTA to qualify for federal funds for construction.
MTC Rules of Procedure:
MTC members voted to amend the rules of procedure regarding attendance requirements and term limits for their citizen committees; namely the Transit Service Advisory Committee (TSAC) and the Citizens Transit Advisory Group (CTAG). The attendance requirements for both bodies will be consistent with the attendance requirements for City of Charlotte citizen bodies. Additionally, term limits will be left to the discretion of the member's appointing jurisdiction. The action also approved adding a vanpool customer to TSAC.
FFY 2010/2011 Legislative Strategy: MTC members voted unanimously to adopt the 2010/2011 Legislative Strategy to focus strategy on efforts to advance transit projects and funding at the local, state and federal level. MTC members will use this to guide lobbying efforts on behalf of the MTC. MTC members agreed to present the strategy to their local elected bodies for adoption and use when lobbying for transit funding.
Other Business: At the September MTC meeting, members asked Budd Berro, Director of the Governor's Regional Office, to speak with the Governor's office about endorsing the LYNX Red Line commuter rail as the state's second priority if the I-85 Corridor Bridge replacement over the Yadkin River is not eligible through the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) program. Mr. Berro reported back to the MTC that, at this time, NCDOT is hopeful that the Yadkin River bridge replacement project will receive funding and is not considering an alternate or back-up choice to put forward.
The next MTC meeting will be November 18 at 5:00 p.m. in CMGC Room 267.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center Earns BOMA 360 Performance Designation
Resource:
Dianne Frederick, E&PM, 704-432-4350, dfrederick@charlottenc.gov
The CMGC facility has been recognized by the Building Owners and Managers Association International as a "BOMA 360 Performance Building". This very prestigious designation is only given to those buildings which demonstrate best practices in every aspect of building operations and management.
The BOMA 360 Performance Program evaluates properties in six major areas: building operations and management; life safety, security and risk management; training and education; energy; environment and sustainability; tenant relations and community involvement. CMGC's designation earlier this year as an EPA "Energy Star" facility was one of 34 prerequisites for earning the BOMA 360 rating.
In making the award, BOMA International Chair James A. Peck said, "By achieving the BOMA 360 designation, you demonstrate to the City organization, your tenants and the community that your property is being managed to the highest standards of excellence".
With this recognition, CMGC becomes one of only three buildings in the Southeast and two in the Carolinas to hold the BOMA 360 designation. The Hurt Building in Atlanta and Charlotte's Bank of America Plaza are the other two.
