SAFETY ADVISORY AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE
The Safety Advisory and Transportation Committee Meeting was held on March 28, 2006, at 5:06 p.m. with Chairman Hogan presiding. Members present were Mr. Carey. Mr. Lakeman, Mr. Link, and Mr. Ritter were absent. Members of Council present were Mr. Ruane and Mrs. Russell (arrived at 5:15 p.m.). Due to the lack of a quorum, no official action was taken.
AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS
There were no additions or deletions. Members accepted the agenda as presented.
BRIEFING ON DELDOT PROJECTS (Gary Laing)
Mr. Laing, Municipal Liaison for DelDOT, advised members that the Wyoming Mill Extension Project had been prioritized as a project for the Fiscal Year 2006 Earmark Program. He also stated that DelDOT’s Director of Finance will review the appraisal which was provided by the City of Dover for the donated land.
Mr. Laing stated that the South Governors Avenue Project final right-of-way plans should be completed by the end of the year. If pending funding is received for the acquisition of the rights-of-way, construction could start in the Spring of 2008. DelDOT is working with the Bond Bill Committee and has submitted a project prioritization list, which was compiled using the letter and the City of Dover project prioritization list previously submitted by the City.
Mr. Laing advised members that the North Dover Toll Plaza at Scarborough Road will become an automated toll plaza on or about April 1, 2006. It was determined that over seventy-five (75%) percent of the vehicles using that toll plaza utilized e-z pass. The toll workers for that plaza will be reassigned to other locations and a change machine will be installed.
Mr. Hogan stated that a letter was sent to Secretary Wicks and each of the local Legislators requesting a meeting with them to discuss the City transportation projects. Mr. Laing advised members that he would contact Secretary Wicks to determine if this meeting could be scheduled for May.
Mr. Carey suggested that signs be installed at both ends of Crawford Carroll Drive. He also advised members that the wrong street sign may be installed at the end of Rustic Lane, which runs along the Lowe’s store. Mr. Laing stated that he would look into both issues.
PRIORITIZATION OF ADDITIONAL TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS
Water Street Railroad Crossing - Eden Hill Farm
Mr. DePrima, City Manager, introduced Dr. Tom Barnett, partner in the development of the Eden Hill Medical Facility, and presented members with an overview of the project area to illustrate the entrances, which are projected to be located at Saulsbury Road, Clarence Street, and in the vicinity of the current farm entrance. Since the State of Delaware does not allow any new railroad crossings, another option is to reopen the Water Street crossing. Mr. DePrima stated that this entrance could be used to access the downtown area, as well as Kent General Hospital. He also noted that this project should be listed on the City’s project prioritization list because of its importance and suggested that a letter be sent to Secretary Wicks requesting this consideration.
Dr. Barnett advised members that the 140,000 square foot medical office building, which has been fully leased, is expected to be constructed by March or May of 2008. BDL Medical Facilities, an Albany, New York, group that does a significant amount of medical office building construction, has been hired for the construction. Dr. Barnett noted that more office space is needed since he and four (4) other surgeons, along with two (2) more surgeons starting this summer, will be working in a 3,000 square foot office. A second medical office building is currently in the design phase and will include a daycare facility, elderly care facility, and a coffee shop. Dr. Barnett noted that a Water Street crossing would expedite trips to Kent General Hospital. He stated that his group has been involved in the process of developing the pattern book for the development of the Eden Hill Project and if Clarence Street is brought through from Forrest Avenue and the Water Street railroad crossing is built, it would make the project easily accessible. Dr. Barnett noted that he has meetings scheduled with DelDOT officials to further discuss these issues.
Mr. Ruane asked if the Kesselring railroad crossing could be traded for the crossing that is needed at Water Street. Mr. DePrima noted the crossing was a product of DelDOT analysis and is a part of the land use plan by DelDOT. He also noted that the Kesselring railroad crossing could not be traded for the Water Street crossing because it is considered a driveway. Mr. Laing noted that there were two railroad crossings closed in the Town of Wyoming.
Mr. Hogan advised members that, due to the lack of a quorum, the Request for Prioritization of the Water Street Railroad Crossing - Eden Hill Farm would be forwarded to Council without a recommendation from the committee.
Intermodal Transportation Terminal
Mr. DePrima stated that at one time, consideration was given to converting the current Water Street bus stop into parking for the courthouse and combining the local and interstate bus service at a site near the future rail service. He noted that Ms. Juanita Wieczoreck, Director of the Dover/Kent County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), suggested a more enhanced intermodal transportation center with supporting utilities, such as office space and housing. Mr. DePrima suggested that a letter be sent to Secretary Wicks regarding this consideration.
Ms. Wieczoreck stated that DelDOT has proposed a transit oriented development which would enhance the land use by combining residential, retail, or office development. She noted that the proposal includes a one (1) story building that could be utilized by both local and interstate bus services. By having the site as an activity center, people would be present most of the time, which would increase the safety of the location and support the transit activity. Ms. Wieczoreck suggested that this project could become a public/private partnership in which a private entity would construct the facility in exchange for the lease of the space.
Mrs. Gloria Coleman, 122 Sweetgum Drive, stated that she was concerned with the decency and safety of the present location of the interstate bus station. She noted that there is no shelter for bus patrons other than the Shell gas station, and no separation between the drop-off location and vehicles patronizing the gas station. Mrs. Coleman felt this was a catastrophe waiting to happen. She proposed that a meeting be scheduled with DelDOT, a representative from both Greyhound and Trailways, and concerned citizens to discuss the issue.
Mr. DePrima stated that the bus station was moved from its original location at Bay Court Plaza to a site outside the City and then relocated to its current Dover Shell location at 127 South DuPont Highway. There had been numerous issues with that location, including buses dropping off and picking up patrons in wrong locations, bus patrons parking their vehicles on the neighboring properties, patrons going to neighboring properties and asking for change or to use the restroom. Mr. DePrima noted that the Dover Shell is zoned for multiple uses and a site plan has been submitted which shows drop off and pick up locations, and parking areas for gas patrons, bus patrons and buses. He also stated that there is a March 31, 2006 deadline for having these areas striped in the parking lot and there is a $100/ per day fine for each day after the deadline that the striping is not complete.
Mr. Carey suggested that the newest building at the George & Lynch site could be utilized as a bus station until funding becomes available for development. This would provide a safe environment for picking up and dropping off bus patrons. Mr. Laing stated that it would require an expenditure of money that is not currently available. He noted that it would also present security and legal issues.
Mr. Ruane stated that he appreciates the City enforcing the zoning laws; however, there should be a larger responsibility of protecting the welfare, safety, and health of the citizens. He questioned how the City can allow a licensed carrier to provide such inadequate services. Mr. Ruane’s understanding was that there was no rent paid, only that the ticket salesperson would receive a rebate for the number of tickets that have been sold. He felt that a meeting should be held with the Division of Carrier Licensing to determine what guidelines have to be met in order to be a licensed bus service.
Mr. Cecil Wilson, former Dover NAACP President, noted that there was a great deal of opposition to the location of the bus station, fearing that crime would increase and it would attract low income people. Mr. Wilson felt that transportation should be for all people, not just low income or homeless people. Mr. Ruane advised members that the Federal Transportation Bill establishes intermodal facilities as a priority and includes a section that covers this issue. He noted that the State of Delaware has the option of utilizing Federal transportation funds. Ms. Wieczoreck noted that it is a new funding program and they are considered discretionary funds.
Mr. Hogan advised members that, due to the lack of a quorum, the Request for Prioritization of the Intermodal Transportation Terminal would be forwarded to Council without a recommendation from the committee.
BRIEFING BY CITY MANAGER - SUPPORT OF GRANT APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL FUNDING OF PARKING FACILITY
Mr. DePrima advised members that Mayor Speed and Council President Williams sent a letter to Senator Thomas Carper requesting that $4M be included in the Transportation HUD bill for the construction of a parking facility within the City of Dover. He noted that it is a HUD Economic Development Initiative Grant that requires submission by Legislatures and Federal Representatives. Mr. DePrima advised members that possible sites for a parking garage would be the City Hall or Bradford Street parking lots. He also noted that the Schwartz Center was previously awarded a grant from the same program in the amount of $1M. Dr. Barnett advised members that a parking garage has been planned for the Eden Hill Development.
There being no further business, Chairman Hogan declared the meeting adjourned.
Meeting Adjourned at 6:18 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Kenneth L. Hogan
Chairman
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