Green Line | Three Carrollton Stations

[drumguy8800]

City of Carrollton information on Tranit Oriented Developments planned for the three DART stations (Downtown Carrollton Station, Trinity Mills Station, North Carrollton/Frankford Station) in Carrollton.

http://www.ci.carrollton.tx.us/development/planning/tod/tod.shtml

[drumguy8800]

All the renderings for the TODs are on this page:

http://www.ci.carrollton.tx.us/development/planning/tod/TOD%20Reports.shtml

[freewaytincan]

I saw that about a year ago or so, I seem to remember. Impressive.

[RobertB]

Here's a story that passed us by a week and a half ago! Congratulations to DART and Carrollton. Note in the second news release (the one with the details), they're talking about Carrollton as a "major hub", strongly implying that Carrollton fully expects commuter rail to become a reality, with a "four-platform transit center" as the largest transfer point outside of downtown Dallas. They call it the "4th major transportation hub of the DFW Metroplex" -- ok, there's DTD, DTFW, but what's the third major transportation hub? D/FW Airport?

I supported Marchant's opponent (http://www.garyrpage.com/) in the election, and I worried that Marchant wouldn't see the urgent need for mobility solutions beyond the usual road-to-nowhere dead-ends. It's encouraging to see him out in front on this issue. On the down side, though: out of $10 million earmarked for Carrollton transportation issues, only $2 million goes to the station design. The other $8 million go into traditional road projects. But the Belt Line tunnel will be essential to making the Carrollton hub work. And while the FM 544 widening may be a typical road-to-nowhere sprawl project, that cat's already out of the bag.

DART News Release
March 25, 2005
http://www.dart.org/news.asp?ID=629

Federal funds secured to start work on future Carrollton DART station

Federal, state and local officials gathered in Carrollton on March 24 to announce that $2 million in federal funds have been set aside to help fund design and construction of a Downtown Carrollton DART Rail Station scheduled to open in late 2010. The station will be located near the intersection of Belt Line Road and Interstate 35E. It is part of the 48-mile Northwest-Southeast Corridor DART Rail expansion. DART presently operates 45 miles of light rail through four cities.

Rep. Kenny Marchant (R-TX) earmarked the funding for inclusion in the Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (TEA-LU) approved by the U.S. House of Representatives in March.

Speakers at the event included Marchant (second from left) and Randall Chrisman, Carrollton representative to the DART Board (speaking) and Carrollton Mayor Mark Stokes (far right).


And additional details:

DART News Release
March 24, 2005
http://www.dart.org/news.asp?zeon=Carrollton

"Marchant Teams with City of Carrollton to Discuss Transportation Funding"

Carrollton, Texas - Congressman Kenny Marchant (TX-24) and the City of Carrollton hosted a joint event today in downtown Carrollton at the Gazebo on the Square to discuss the $10 million in transportation funding Marchant secured for Carrollton upon the United States House passage of the Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (H.R. 3). Featured speakers included Congressman Marchant, Carrollton Mayor Mark Stokes, Michael Morris, Transportation Director for North Central Texas Council of Governments, and Randall Chrisman, Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) board member. They specifically addressed plans for a DART regional passenger rail system, to be built at Belt Line and IH 35.

"The DART station will ultimately serve as a significant transportation focal point for the entire Dallas/Fort Worth region," said Marchant. "I am pleased for the City of Carrollton, as the construction of the station will provide a great opportunity for development and long-term economic sustainability for the area."

H.R. 3 designates $2 million in federal funding for the preliminary design of the DART station. The bill also allocates $6 million for the depression of Belt Line Road below grade at IH35. Both projects are essential to maximize the potential of the regional passenger rail station in downtown Carrollton.

Morris thanked Marchant for his efforts in securing federal funding for the venture, and expanded on the regional impact of the new DART station. "Clearly a home run has been hit! We're taking this DART station and creating a larger vision for the entire region," he said.

Chrisman described plans for the station, which will serve as the fourth transportation hub in the Metroplex region. While affirming that securing these funds gets DART one step closure to their regional transportation goals, he added "this is quite an accomplishment for Representative Marchant, for us and for this area."

Congressman Marchant is the only Republican member from North Texas to serve on the House Transportation Committee. He represents Texas Congressional District 24, which encompasses portions of Dallas, Denton, and Tarrant Counties. Prior to his 2004 election to the U.S. House of Representatives, he served nine terms in the Texas Legislature. Marchant began his career in public service in 1980 as a member of the Carrollton City Council, and proceeded to serve as Mayor of Carrollton for three years.

Belt Line Road Grade Separation
This project will depress Belt Line Road under the railroad tracks near Old Downtown Carrollton, east of IH-35E. Belt Line Road carries over 48,000 vehicles per day, and about 13 trains cross Belt Line daily. Separating these modes of travel and eliminating six railroad crossings will improve local air quality by reducing emissions from idling vehicles, reducing traffic congestion, improving traffic flow through the area, and improving access to the rail station. This project will improve pedestrian linkages between the Downtown Carrollton DART Light Rail Transit Station and future residential development north of Belt Line Road and the Old Downtown retail area.

Old Downtown LRT Station Plan
The Downtown Carrollton Station will be located at the intersection of three railroad tracks that will eventually serve regional rail passenger transit. Given the station's proximity to IH-35E, Belt Line Road, local and regional bus service, and multiple passenger rail servers, this station will be a four-platform transit center that will serve as a regional hub. This area is projected to be the 4th major transportation hub of the DFW Metroplex. The project objective is to develop a plan for a transit center that will accommodate this projected level of transportation activity.

Carrollton will take a leadership role in planning for the ultimate station design with the intent of linking housing, jobs and transit to improve air quality and mobility. Planning considerations will include the architectural theme of the facility; consideration of an enclosed, climate-controlled facility; effective management of the dynamics of freight rail operations adjacent to passenger rail operations; and creation of a station layout that promotes transit oriented development in the adjacent area.

FM 544 Widening
This project will widen FM 544 from a two-lane road to a six-lane divided thoroughfare from FM 2281 to Dozier Road. It will ultimately provide a regional roadway connection between the Dallas North Tollway and SH-121. This project has been actively supported by the cities of Carrollton and Lewisville, TxDOT and Denton County.

[CTroyMathis]

http://forum.dallasmetropolis.com/showthread.php?t=1709

Older thread, same topic.


I yanked all the renderings out. I'll post 'em up for easier viewing.

Again, these are the Downtown/Carrollton Square visions:

[CTroyMathis]

Again, these are the Frankford Rd/North Carrollton visions:

[CTroyMathis]

Again, these are the Trinity Mills visions:

[CTroyMathis]

Lastly, here's some verbage on station area zoning.

Note, Carrollton endeavors to allow for (if developers actually want) high-rise construction in the 'urban core' - which is what is immediately surrounding a station.

[CTroyMathis]

Here are a few more details about those maps posted above.
From here:
http://www.ci.carrollton.tx.us/development/planning/tod/Highlights.html



Urban Core
This will be a high density area adjacent to the future rail station intended to permit a mix of residential (high-rise apartments/condominiums and townhouses), retail, office and entertainment uses. It is intended for use where there is a very high degree of accessibility and availability of infrastructure. It is intended to be separated from low density suburban residential districts.

Minimum Height of Structures: Four stories
Maximum Height of Structures: Unlimited

Urban Center
This will be a moderate density, mixed use district intended to permit residential (mid-rise apartments, condominiums and townhouses), retail, office and entertainment uses but at a lower density than the Urban Core. It is also intended for use where there is a high level of access and infrastructure. It is not intended to be located adjacent to low density residential districts.

Minimum Height of Structures: Two stories
Maximum Height of Structures: Six stories

Urban Fringe
This will be a lower density urban transition district which will be primarily residential in character (low intensity apartments, condominiums and townhouse), but may contain live/work residences where persons can live and work in the same unit. The height of the structures will be reduced in closer proximity to the existing single family neighborhoods.

Minimum Height of Structures: Two stories
Maximum Height of Structures: Four stories, but limited to two stories when within 200 feet of single-family zoned property

Historic Core
This will be a mixed use district of 2-3 story residential (loft apartments/condominiums and townhouses), retail, office and entertainment uses. It is intended to be utilized adjacent to the historic Downtown Square to preserve and enhance the character of this area.

Minimum Height of Structures: Two stories
Maximum Height of Structures: Three stories

[texman]

Ok, after looking at all the plans and PDFs on thier webpage, I don't see how the commuter rail from Denton is going to be worked into all this. The "commuter rail station" faces east-west, following the cotton belt, but how would the north-south DCTA Line (Denton-Downtown Carrollton) be interligned with this? Am I missing something?

[RobertB]

Ok, after looking at all the plans and PDFs on thier webpage, I don't see how the commuter rail from Denton is going to be worked into all this. The "commuter rail station" faces east-west, following the cotton belt, but how would the north-south DCTA Line (Denton-Downtown Carrollton) be interligned with this? Am I missing something?
The freight rail line runs more-or-less below the elevated LRT station. The area marked "Potential Commuter Rail Station Envelope" is what's currently planned as bus bays. They may make some changes here, since DCTA is moving forward apace, but DART and the DCTA should be able to do it without drastically affecting Carrollton's plans.

Here's a highlighted copy of DART's Carrollton plans, with LRT lines in green, freight/commuter lines in blue, and the future station envelopes in red.

[texman]

Now I see. Thanks for pointing that out Robertb. It would be cool if they could put the station directly below the DART platform. I'm imagining something like Park Lane Station with a commuter rail platform below instead of Bus Bays. That way, it wouldnt affect the Carrollton Plans at all.

[dfwcre8tive]

City's rail plan gets $260 million boost
Carrollton: Trains are centerpiece of plan to transform downtown

12:00 AM CDT on Sunday, August 28, 2005
By STEPHANIE SANDOVAL / The Dallas Morning News

Carrollton city leaders' vision of becoming a major hub for light rail moved a step closer to reality with the recent signing of a $386.4 billion federal transportation funding bill. The bill provides Dallas Area Rapid Transit with $260 million for its northwest/southeast light rail expansion. The northwest extension will connect downtown Dallas with the Dallas Market Center, Love Field Airport, Farmers Branch and Carrollton, with a branch extending to the Las Colinas Urban Center in north Irving and D/FW Airport.

DART also is set to receive $2.5 million for preliminary design of the rail station at Belt Line Road and Interstate 35E in downtown Carrollton. Eventually, rail lines from the Denton County Transportation Authority, Burlington Northern and the Cotton Belt are to meet up with DART there. It's a critical step in the city's vision for transforming its downtown area to a mixed-use center for living, shopping, dining and entertainment, built around the rail stations.

"If the train doesn't make it here, all that planning is for naught, so I think certainly that's one of the things we've been always very anxiously watching, is when DART gets the necessary funding to continue the rail service up this line," Carrollton Assistant City Manager Marc Guy said. "Our goal from the local standpoint is to be prepared when the train comes. But the funding for the train is the critical piece of that whole process."

The $260 million guaranteed by the bill has DART officials optimistic that Congress will provide the full $700 million they plan to formally request in September. Farmers Branch officials also say the federal funding bill is an exciting development. Bringing the rail system to Farmers Branch is a return on the investment the city has made since it joined DART in 1983, city traffic engineer David Davis said. "The other reason is that DART has a proven record of increasing the value of property around the stations, and we've recognized that for many years and have done a lot of active planning to ensure that value is realized," Mr. Davis said.

The transportation bill also included $5.6 million to lower a stretch of Belt Line Road in Carrollton. The funding brings to $35 million the amount available for the $150 million project. The work would lower Belt Line Road at I-35E and the highway frontage roads, eliminating multiple at-grade railroad crossings that tie up traffic several times a day, Carrollton urban development director John Webb said. The city plans to build a platform, or esplanade, over Belt Line Road to create a pedestrian walkway between the Historic Old Downtown Carrollton and the future rail station area. "Eliminating the multiple at-grade railroad crossings will alleviate traffic congestion with the freight railroads and help us maximize our opportunities for transit-oriented development," Carrollton Mayor Becky Miller said.

The transportation funding bill also includes $1.6 million for the widening of FM544 in Carrollton to a six-lane divided roadway. This will spur additional development in that area. There also is $3.6 million for improvements to the I-35/I-635 interchange in Farmers Branch.

E-mail ssandoval@dallasnews.com.

[incrediculous]

The minimum set-back for the urban core is 25 feet? That seems... large.

[tamtagon]

Eventually, rail lines from the Denton County Transportation Authority, Burlington Northern and the Cotton Belt are to meet up with DART there.

Mighty mighty.

[incrediculous]

This proposal says 2008.

Isn't that pushed back a few years? When should we see the Orange line up and running?

[tamtagon]

This proposal says 2008.

Isn't that pushed back a few years? When should we see the Orange line up and running?

I think it's, like, 2010??

[incrediculous]

That's an eternity! I wonder what takes so long. I doubt it really takes 5 years to lay another set of tracks and build the stations.

[CTroyMathis]

City's rail plan gets $260 million boost
Carrollton: Trains are centerpiece of plan to transform downtown
12:00 AM CDT on Sunday, August 28, 2005
By STEPHANIE SANDOVAL / The Dallas Morning News
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/city/carrollton/stories/DN-carrprojects_28wes.ART.West.Edition2.420be58.html

Carrollton city leaders' vision of becoming a major hub for light rail moved a step closer to reality with the recent signing of a $386.4 billion federal transportation funding bill.

The bill provides Dallas Area Rapid Transit with $260 million for its northwest/southeast light rail expansion. The northwest extension will connect downtown Dallas with the Dallas Market Center, Love Field Airport, Farmers Branch and Carrollton, with a branch extending to the Las Colinas Urban Center in north Irving and D/FW Airport.

DART also is set to receive $2.5 million for preliminary design of the rail station at Belt Line Road and Interstate 35E in downtown Carrollton.

Eventually, rail lines from the Denton County Transportation Authority, Burlington Northern and the Cotton Belt are to meet up with DART there.

It's a critical step in the city's vision for transforming its downtown area to a mixed-use center for living, shopping, dining and entertainment, built around the rail stations.

More at link...

Obviously, we already know about the Bill passing - just some misc. info related to this thread.

[RobertB]

That's an eternity! I wonder what takes so long. I doubt it really takes 5 years to lay another set of tracks and build the stations.
Given the complexity of the line, especially the segment between Parkland and Walnut Hill, I'm surprised they'll be able to get it done that quickly. Mucho details in this thread: NW to Carrollton: More Complex Than You Thought (http://forum.dallasmetropolis.com/showthread.php?t=3195)

[CTroyMathis]

Planning phase of light rail system to be completed in six months
By Crystal Forester, Staff Writer
11/02/2005
Visit: http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=15502536&BRD=1426&PAG=461&dept_id=528189&rfi=6

Carrollton and DART are six months away from completing the planning phase of the light rail system that will run from downtown Dallas to Carrollton.

"We are just finishing up the planning phase and are about six months away," said Kay Shelton, DART project manager for the northwest corridor of the light rail system.

Carrollton residents can expect to see construction on the rails and stations to begin in mid to late 2006, Shelton said. The first area that will be constructed of the northwest corridor, which will run past Love Field and through Farmers Branch will be the Inwood station, she said.

The first leg of the northwest corridor that will open will be the track from the Inwood station to the Denton station in fall of 2010, Shelton said. The rest of the rail leading into Carrollton will open in late 2010, she said.

There are still plans for three Carrollton locations: Downtown, Trinity Mills and Frankford.

"DART is still committed to doing the Frankford station," Shelton said.

The final decision about having a Frankford station is up to the city, Shelton said. City officials have said they are committed to opening the station.

The reason the station was ever questioned was because the Denton County Transportation Authority plans to run a rail system connecting downtown Denton to downtown Carrollton. When this happens it might affect the ridership at DARTs Frankford station, Shelton said.

"It is a lot of big what ifs at this point," she said.

Right now DART is putting the finishing touches on the plans for the rail stations and has received funding for about half of the $1 billion project, Shelton said.

The portion of the rail running from Farmers Branch to Dallas is partially being funded by the federal government, Shelton said. DART is asking the federal government for a total of $700 million for the rail system.

The portion running through Carrollton will be funded by sales tax money and voter approved bonds, Shelton said.

While DART is in its final planning stage Carrollton has begun to plan for the development of areas adjacent to the planned light rail stations, or transit-oriented development.

"The biggest issue is the master planning and designing the area around the stations," said John Webb, Carrollton's Urban Development Director.

Carrollton has selected Carter & Burgess Inc. to develop a master plan for the Downtown Carrollton Rail Station.

"This project will transform Carrollton into a primary destination and transfer point within the Metroplex," Carter & Burgess Project Manager Allan Zreet said in a released statement. "It will not only improve local and regional access but will also provide an opportunity for Carrollton to develop a true urban center serving as the symbolic center of the city."

City officials hope to have the plan done by late 2006 and will include input from residents, businesses, partnering agencies and public entities.

To prepare for the station, Carrollton has to depress Belt Line Road and the Interstate 35E service roads. The city has been actively seeking funding for this $100 million project. A portion of the funding was received from the Federal Transportation bill, but about $60 million is still needed.

In addition to the depression of Belt Line Road and other road projects funding is also needed for the station areas, which includes parking, land acquisition and streetscape improvements.

So the city created a Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone. This zone will allow the city to use 65 percent of all new property tax revenue collected by the city and Dallas County in the downtown Carrollton and Trinity Mills station areas for the projects.

[RobertB]

There are still plans for three Carrollton locations: Downtown, Trinity Mills and Frankford.

"DART is still committed to doing the Frankford station," Shelton said.

The final decision about having a Frankford station is up to the city, Shelton said. City officials have said they are committed to opening the station.

The reason the station was ever questioned was because the Denton County Transportation Authority plans to run a rail system connecting downtown Denton to downtown Carrollton. When this happens it might affect the ridership at DARTs Frankford station, Shelton said.

"It is a lot of big what ifs at this point," she said.
Very interesting news! Although you don't really gain much by eliminating the short stub from Trinity Mills to Frankford Rd. -- though every bit helps, and this segment does include an elevated segment over an active freight spur. You'd get a lot more bang for the unspent buck if you just stop at Downtown Carrollton, though -- there are a lot of freight spurs north of Belt Line that require DART to play some amazing games with their support columns. On the other hand, Downtown Carrollton doesn't make for as good a bus transfer station as will Trinity Mills.

It's getting pretty late in the process, but it sure would be interesting to see DCTA come into Downtown Carrollton... and the DART Orange Line go from Carrollton to Addison instead of Frankford. Here's a handy map (I've got stations at Josey and between Marsh and Midway, which I think would work).

Thanks for the info!

[CTroyMathis]

As expectations for rail hub grow, DART plan expanding
Carrollton: Officials consider tripling size of development district
12:00 AM CST on Thursday, December 22, 2005
By STEPHANIE SANDOVAL / The Dallas Morning News
Visit: http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/city/carrollton/stories/DN-carrtirz_22wes.ART0.West.Edition2.1025ded0.html

Four years ago, Carrollton city planners expected the development impact of a downtown DART light-rail station to extend for about a quarter-mile.

But with the possibility of the station becoming a hub for several passenger lines, city officials are now considering tripling the area included in the downtown Transit Oriented Development district.

They also want to create a marketing strategy for land near the future Trinity Mills station and establish a Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone to pay for public improvements such as streets and parking.

The reinvestment zone would include both stations and land connecting the two.

The district was established as part of the city's Renaissance Plan in 2002 with officials projecting that the downtown station would have one rail line. But the latest plans have two lines – the Dallas Area Rapid Transit northwest corridor and the Denton County Transportation Authority line – meeting in Carrollton by 2010. And up to three other rail lines might eventually come through the city.

"That just has a broader impact" in luring development to the area than a single rail line would have, said John Webb, the city's urban development director.

City officials hope the rail will bring the same kind of development as seen in other areas, including Plano – a high-density center featuring shops, restaurants, offices and residential uses.

In 2000, the common belief among city planning officials was that rail service would have an impact on development within a quarter-mile radius. In recent years, Mr. Webb said, cities across the country have seen rail service spur development within a half-mile radius.

The district boundaries would be expanded primarily to the west and south.

In doing so, the district would take in a proposed $20 million development with 110 townhouses and 144 condominiums east of Denton Drive and north of Hutton Branch and the Burlington Northern railroad.

That development would help generate revenue for the Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone the city is also creating.

"We had already included this area in there without a developer in hand," Mr. Webb said.

In a Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone, the city and other taxing agencies would continue to receive tax revenues from the properties in the district, City Manager Leonard Martin said.

But a percentage of taxes on any increased property values would go back into the district to pay for public improvements.

Downtown property owners Dave Oldfield and Dick Calvert said during a public hearing on the TIRZ district creation last week that they support the effort.

"We're really excited to see this happen and to see what is beginning to happen all up and down this corridor," Mr. Calvert said.

The city expects to hire consultants to revise the plan for the downtown station development area. The plan would include the expanded boundary and a marketing strategy.

The city also is talking with North Texas Tollway Authority officials about teaming up to develop a marketing strategy for land near the Trinity Mills station, including some land owned by the tollway authority along the Bush Turnpike

"What we need is a professional market study to look at potential," Mr. Webb said.

[FoUTASportscaster]

And rail lines score again. Take that Wendell Cox.

[darkblood]

Well if the DCTA is planning to connect with downtown Carrollton, maybe the DART line could take a left turn when it gets to Frankford and go west. It probably wouldn't go that far, just connecting the Vista Ridge Mall area and Raytheon to DART.

You could also have the DCTA stop at the Frankford Rd station, just so people wouldn't have do a complete railway U-turn to get to the Frankford station when coming from Denton.

[CTroyMathis]

Development for future rail lines continue
12/27/2005
by The Carrollton Leader
Visit: http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=15825578&BRD=1426&PAG=461&dept_id=528189&rfi=6

This year, work continued to prepare for Carrollton's future.

Transit-oriented development was the major topic on everyone's tongue throughout 2005.

By 2030, the population in the (DFW) area will double and the amount of employees in the area will also double. The traffic congestion between Dallas and Fort Worth will increase five times.

In order to alleviate some of the congestion a rail will run from downtown Dallas to Carrollton. The city and DART are now six months away from completing the planning phase of the light rail system that will run from downtown Dallas to Carrollton.

Residents can expect to see construction on the rails and stations to begin in mid to late 2006, Kay Shelton, DART project manager for the northwest corridor said.

While DART is in its final planning stage Carrollton has begun to plan for the development of areas adjacent to the plan for the transit-oriented development.

"The biggest issue is the master planning and designing the area around the stations," John Webb, Carrollton's Urban Development Director said.

In preparation for the future the Carrollton City Council approved the planning boundaries of the transit center areas with stipulations that address residents' concerns.

The tax increment reinvestment zone will allow the city to use 65 percent of all new property tax revenue collected by the city and Dallas County in the downtown Carrollton and Trinity Mills station areas for the projects.

The approved planning boundaries defers the rezoning of a portion of the Old Downtown area, located east of Broadway and north of Hutton Branch and a portion of the area west of Erie along Rosemon. The approved plan also defers the rezoning of 1235 W. Trinity Mills of the Trinity Mills station area.

The rest of the land and 19 acres of a vacant parcel north of Hutton Branch was approved to be formally rezoned.

The move came under recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Commission and after many residents in the area had voiced their concerns.

The original proposed planning boundary encompassed 300 acres in Downtown Carrollton that is suspect to be impacted by the DART Light Rail Station.

The city staff wants a "form-based" ordinance for the Downtown Carrollton and the Trinity Mills Station area. A "form-based" ordinance is flexible by allowing mix of land uses. It focuses on how parking is provided and how buildings relate to the street to create pedestrian-oriented development.

No building permits for the areas within the planning boundaries may be issued, according to the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance. But, the remodeling or repair of existing structures is permitted.

After rumors the Frankford Light Rail Station would be left out of the picture the city council left the station plans on the board.

The North Central Texas Council of Governments Transportation Department modeled the impact of adding the Denton County Transportation Authority's service to the proposed DART service to determine if all three of the proposed rail stations in Carrollton are needed with the adding of the DCTA service, Carrollton's engineering director Cesar Molina said.

The preliminary studies found that leaving the Frankford station would allow that to become an interim central hub for the two rail systems until the Cotton Belt rail line is built and complete which is 10 to 15 years away, Molina said.

DART spokesman Morgan Lyons said the Frankford station is still in their plans, although DART is still waiting to get the results of the NCTCOG study to make the ultimate decision and a meeting is being scheduled to reveal the results, he said.

The federal government even earmarked some funds to help put Carrollton on its way to becoming a central hub.

The city should see $9.8 million in federal funds for transportation projects from a transportation bill that passed through the government.

The bill provides $5.6 million in a direct grant to the downtown grade separation project. This project includes the depression of Belt Line Road as part of the Interstate 35E highway system improvement project and development of the regional passenger rail system.

The measure also allocated $2.6 million for the preliminary design of a DART regional passenger rail station at Belt Line Road and I-35E. This station would be where DART, DCTA, Burlington Northern and the Cotton Belt eventually meet up, but would only be expanded as the need arrives, Molina said.

Another project will receive $1.6 million for the widening of Farm-to-Marketing 544 from a two-lane rural roadway to a six-lane divided urban roadway.

DART officials say the groundbreaking for the Northwest corridor, which runs through Carrollton, is next year and the project should be operational by 2010.

"We have a lot on our plate in terms of building over the next five years," Kay Shelton, project manager of the northwest corridor said.

Although DART is going to help alleviate traffic in the Metroplex it currently has only $1.5 billion in sales taxes, but all proposed projects would cost $3 billion, Shelton said. DART will not have the money to take on additional projects until after 2008, she said.

[dfwcre8tive]

The below link shows renderings for the 3 planned Carrollton stations.

http://www.cityofcarrollton.com/development/planning/TOD/DART_AD_Home.asp

[RobertB]

This just in from Pegasus News:

Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Carrollton buys approximately 7.75 acres near new DART downtown station
http://www.pegasusnews.com/news/2007/feb/14/carrollton-buys-approximately-775-acres-near-new-d/

By Minnie Payne

CARROLLTON — The City of Carrollton has purchased approximately 7.75 acres, the Foxworth-Galbraith Lumber Yard property at 1109 S. Main Street, southeast of Belt Line Road and IH-35E, for future development around the new DART rail system.

“The city remains active in their purchasing land for future TOD with this purchase as a genesis,” said Transit-Oriented Development Manager Peter Braster.

Foxworth-Galbraith Lumber was a willing seller with plans to divide their present inventory between the five remaining D/FW locations.

“We have redeployed our inventory to the other five operations that Foxworth-Galbraith operates in the metroplex,” said Executive Vice President Ted Galbraith.

“It’s a great opportunity for the City of Carrollton. We have enjoyed doing business there [Carrollton] for 50-plus years, and it is an opportunity for us to refocus our energies and resources in fewer locations.”

The proposed downtown Carrollton DART light rail station will be within one-quarter mile of the newly acquired property.

The downtown Carrollton station will be constructed northeast of Belt Line Road and IH-35E. Construction will begin this spring and the light rail passenger service is expected to begin December 1010.

The station has the potential of becoming the fourth major transit hub in the D/FW metroplex joining downtown Dallas, downtown Fort Worth, and DFW Airport.

DART plans to build three passenger rail stations along the IH-35E corridor. In addition to the downtown Carrollton station at Belt Line Road, the Trinity Mills station will be constructed southeast of President George Bush Turnpike at IH-35E, and the North Carrollton station will be located southeast of Frankford Road and IH-35E.

“By acquiring the approximately 7.75 acres and future properties in the vicinity of DART’s three Carrollton rail stations, the city can leverage other investments and funding sources to build a more secure foundation for higher property values and sales tax revenues,” said Assistant City Manager Marc Guy.

“We’ve about reached build-out so it’s imperative that we invest in redevelopment projects to secure a healthy future tax base. This is necessary to sustain essential city services and to fund infrastructure needs. We have a narrow window of opportunity to implement our redevelopment plans.”

Carrollton Mayor Becky Miller said that the arrival of light rail passenger service will provide heightened accessibility to these areas along the IH-35E corridor and will attract new business, retail and high density housing activity. The implementation of the city’s aggressive transit-oriented plans will keep Carrollton competitive with area communities as a high quality of life urban area.
http://media.pegasusnews.com/img/photos/2007/02/14/dartmap_t250.jpg
(bigger image at link)

[dfwcre8tive]

Friday, August 10, 2007
Transit-Oriented Development Realtor Open House August 23
http://www.pegasusnews.com/news/2007/aug/10/transit-oriented-development-realtor-open-house-au/

Realtors working in the Carrollton area are invited to a Transit-Oriented Development Open House Thursday, August 23 at 9:30 a.m. in the Carrollton City Hall Council Chambers (1945 E. Jackson Road).

City representatives will discuss the exciting development opportunities around DART’s three new light rail transit stations and the positive influences on Carrollton’s housing market.

Pre-registration is requested. For more information and to RSVP, call Peter Braster, TOD Manager, at 972-466-3042.

Source: The City of Carrollton

[dfwcre8tive]

Officials reshaping downtown Carrollton around light-rail hopes
12:00 AM CDT on Wednesday, June 10, 2009
By DIANNE SOLÍS / The Dallas Morning News
dsolis@dallasnews.com
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/stories/DN-oldtown_10met.ART.State.Edition1.5110a47.html

CARROLLTON – Samuel Carrera coaxes diners to try a margarita with the chalupas at the Agave Azul Mexican Kitchen. Jan Smith chats up patrons to come hear an Elvis impersonator croon "Heartbreak Hotel" at the Plaza Arts Center.

And architect Dick Calvert courts just one more restaurateur to "anchor" a gazebo-studded downtown plaza that leverages historic cachet and funkiness. Add to the mix: buzz and boasts that this downtown junction will eventually be a hub for three rail lines zipping north and south, east and west, through North Texas.

But can a transit station really deliver commercial bustle? And what must developers and city officials bring to the creative combustion?

...

[dfwcre8tive]

Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Carrollton chooses construction company for transit-oriented development project
By Pegasus News wire
http://www.pegasusnews.com/news/2009/sep/22/carrollton-chooses-construction-company-transit-or/

CARROLLTON — Carrollton’s City Council awarded the South Main Street reconstruction project to Jim Bowman Construction Company. This project will kick off as the first major construction to break ground for transit-oriented development (TOD) in downtown Carrollton.

Reconstruction of South Main Street (between Belt Line Road and DART’s Green Line right of way) will create an enhanced entry into the downtown Carrollton Square area, while providing access to the area’s first catalyst TOD project. Authorized by voters in the 2007 bond election, the reconstruction will include new water, sanitary sewer, and storm sewer lines. In addition, it will be the first project of its kind to incorporate the new city standards for transit center roadway design.

As the city’s catalyst TOD developer, High Street Residential, a division of the Trammell Crow Company, will be constructing 295 apartments, a 460-space parking garage, and retail space in a mixed-use development. Currently under design, the development will take its aesthetic cues from historic buildings of downtown Carrollton and the surrounding neighborhoods. Building construction is expected to begin in the summer of 2010.

To help create a pedestrian-friendly downtown and an entrance to the High Street development, South Main Street’s sidewalks will feature wide decorative paving, October Glory Maple street trees, shrubs and native grasses, ornamental street lights, benches, and trash receptacles. Each of the street trees will have electrical service for holiday lighting. Pioneer Park will be reconstructed to feature a densely planted bosque of Pond Cypress trees and a curvilinear seat wall beneath an existing specimen Live Oak. The Pond Cypress was selected as a unifying element to visually tie the DART platform, plaza, and parking areas, which feature geometric grids of Pond Cypress plantings to the High Street Development area.

“This project is contributing to the sustainability of our city by providing the infrastructure and setting the tone for the TOD catalyst project that will be kicked off next year,” said Cesar Molina. “South Main Street will be the template for all of the streets to be built in downtown Carrollton.”

Included in the South Main Street project is the construction of a nearby interim surface parking lot at the intersection of Vandergriff Drive and Broadway Street. The lot will add 83 parking spaces and will have the same streetscape design elements as South Main Street. This new sustainable parking lot will be constructed with recyclable pavers and grass stone providing an open green space which may be used for special events.

Jim Bowman Construction Company was awarded the bid with the lowest proposal of $1,515,646.66, an amount lower than the city engineers’ estimate. Bowman is noted for several projects within Carrollton, including the recent Francis Perry Estates Neighborhood-Oriented Targeted Infrastructure and Code Enforcement (NOTICE) Project.

The reconstruction project is expected to be complete within nine months, but updates can be found on the city’s website at cityofcarrollton.com in the monthly construction updates.

Source: City of Carrollton

[RobertB]

Jim Bowman Construction Company was awarded the bid with the lowest proposal of $1,515,646.66...
What, they couldn't give an estimate to the ha'penny (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halfpenny_(British_pre-decimal_coin))?

[Speedbump Joey]

What, they couldn't give an estimate to the ha'penny (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halfpenny_(British_pre-decimal_coin))?

Now that is some bean counting.

[NThomas]

What, they couldn't give an estimate to the ha'penny (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halfpenny_(British_pre-decimal_coin))?
I feel bad for Rusty Shackleford Construction Company. Their bid was $1,515,646.67...

[Las Colinas]

Hey have a few shots of the elevated section taken from my iPhone.

This is the space between Trinity Mills and the Downtown Old Carrolton Station.

http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/2991/img0124j.jpg (http://img97.imageshack.us/i/img0124j.jpg/)

http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/222/img0125fy.jpg (http://img40.imageshack.us/i/img0125fy.jpg/)

[dfwcre8tive]

Carrollton officials vote to split residential development around DART Green Line stop into two phases
09:27 AM CDT on Wednesday, October 21, 2009
By DIANNE SOLIS / The Dallas Morning News
dsolis@dallasnews.com
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/stories/102109dnmetcarrollton.23aa97d9f.html

CARROLLTON – The rugged recession is chipping into economic development around a new light-rail station at the downtown plaza here.

The City Council voted 6 to 1 Tuesday night to amend its agreement with Trammell Crow Co.'s High Street Residential so a $40 million project can be developed in two phases, rather than one. The first phase of the project will be near the Green Line extension of the expanding DART system.

"They are biting off what they know they can get done," Peter J. Braster, Carrollton 's transit-oriented development manager said before the council session began.

Council member Matthew Marchant, who led the motion to approve the changes, said he understood the economy has yet to steady itself.

"This is the reality of the marketplace right now,” he said. “We are still on track to have it commence on the date we contracted."

Council member Terry Simmons cast the lone vote against the change, saying he was disappointed High Point officials weren't at the council meeting to address concerns on the night of the vote.

Under the changes, High Point will build the first phase with 170 units and associated retail space in three buildings. The second phase would be the remaining 125 units of the 295-unit project.

The initial phase of the project is valued at $31.6 million and it includes a $13.2 million contribution by the city. The city funds will be used for a parking garage and other plaza improvements at the site near Belt Line Road and Interstate 35.

Residential construction is expected to begin in October 2010 for occupancy in September 2011, Braster said. The Green Line's three stops in Carrollton are scheduled to open in December 2010.

Joblessness in Carrollton in September hit 7.9 percent, nearly double the September rate in 2007, according to the latest figures available from the Texas Workforce Commission.

High Street Residential focuses on old neighborhoods or new residential areas around commerce, culture and housing ventures. High Street has been involved in Dallas ' Uptown, downtown Garland and projects in Austin , Atlanta and Denver.

[dfwcre8tive]

https://www.cityofcarrollton.com/modules/ShowImage.aspx?imageid=2503

http://www.cityofcarrollton.com/index.aspx?page=42

[RobertB]

I wonder if DART will eventually change the station name of the terminus to simply "North Carrollton"? It started out as "Frankford" (after the street), and the current maps show "North Carrollton/Frankford".

Also interesting: the three colors of the signs above are apparently the city's new logo -- three swirls of color on an earthy brown background. I guess they've decided to replace the Bird-In-The-C logo that they've used for as long as I've worked up here... a logo that always seemed sadly ironic, after the Great Egret Massacre of 1998 (http://list.audubon.org/wa.exe?A2=ind9807&L=audubon-pa&P=7653).

[Speedbump Joey]

I wonder if DART will eventually change the station name of the terminus to simply "North Carrollton"? It started out as "Frankford" (after the street), and the current maps show "North Carrollton/Frankford".

Also interesting: the three colors of the signs above are apparently the city's new logo -- three swirls of color on an earthy brown background. I guess they've decided to replace the Bird-In-The-C logo that they've used for as long as I've worked up here... a logo that always seemed sadly ironic, after the Great Egret Massacre of 1998 (http://list.audubon.org/wa.exe?A2=ind9807&L=audubon-pa&P=7653).

North Carrollton would simplify things, IMHO. The station logos are very nice also.

[CTroyMathis]

And the circular aspect of the three Carrollton logos will go nicely with the DCTA A-Train station logos (http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/6682/dctamapworkingfile001hc.png) as well. . .

[CTroyMathis]

A plug for the Carrollton TOD vision(s) : http://bit.ly/6v9Mxu

Other resources:
http://www.cityofcarrollton.com/index.aspx?page=42
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Carrollton-Tx-TOD/70153968674
http://twitter.com/CarrolltonTOD

[CTroyMathis]

Messing around with future possibilities at the Downtown Carrollton station area (for fun) :
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&t=p&msa=0&msid=107076092775440077742.00047f040e069d0a57775&ll=32.955665,-96.90745&spn=0.018185,0.038581&z=15

I did get another confirmation from Dee Leggett at DCTA that there are still goals to extend the A-Train line to Downtown Carrollton as well as a non-stop trip to DFWIA via the Cotton Belt corridor (assuming vehicle compliance/tech met on the latter someday). . .

[Speedbump Joey]

I did get another confirmation from Dee Leggett at DCTA that there are still goals to extend the A-Train line to Downtown Carrollton as well as a non-stop trip to DFWIA via the Cotton Belt corridor (assuming vehicle compliance/tech met on the latter someday). . .

This would be wonderful if it did pan-out.

[electricron]

I did get another confirmation from Dee Leggett at DCTA that there are still goals to extend the A-Train line to Downtown Carrollton as well as a non-stop trip to DFWIA via the Cotton Belt corridor (assuming vehicle compliance/tech met on the latter someday).
It could be possible in the future, but not as the FRA regulations stand today. The DCTA's non FRA compliant trains aren't going to be allowed on Cotton Belt tracks that will require FRA compliant trains. The good news is that DART is a lead agency on a new alternate FRA compliant rules committee. "Alternate" compliant FRA trains may be allowed to mix with FRA compliant trains in the future. then maybe not. We'll just have to wait and see what the new "alternate" compliant rules will be.

Another scenario California is recommending is to allow "alternate" FRA compliant passenger trains with FRA compliant passenger trains. California isn't recommending mixing "alternate"compliant passenger trains with FRA compliant freight trains. If this is the new rules the FRA adopts, it would be possible for DCTA to run both types of compliant passenger trains on the A-Train corridor. This would allow DCTA to buy FRA compliant passenger trains (1) to run on the Cotton Belt with freight trains, and (2) to run with their non FRA compliant trains on the A-Train corridor. FRA compliant freight trains would still have to operate with temporal separation on the A-Train corridor, but could operate with FRA compliant passenger trains anytime.

The best scenario would be that the "alternate" compliant trains could operate in a mix environment with compliant freight trains. Then future Stadler GTWs wouldn't need temporal separation restrictions at all.
New rules for "alternate" FRA compliant trains are being written for crash energy management technology, we'll just have to wait to see what the final new rules will be.

[CTroyMathis]

Some fairly unsurprising 'follow-ups' to throw in here:

Carrollton loses out on transit grant for downtown transit stop
12:42 PM Wed, Feb 17, 2010 | Dianne Solis/Reporter
Source: http://carrolltonblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2010/02/carrollton-loses-out-on-transi.html

The city of Carrollton lost out on an $81 million request for grant money destined for a downtown DART project today. . .

______________________________



Recession rattles Carrollton's plans for transit development
9:22 AM Wed, Feb 17, 2010 | Dianne Solis/Reporter
Source: http://carrolltonblog.dallasnews.com/archives/2010/02/recession-rattles-carrolltons.html

The city of Carrollton hoped some zip in downtown development would emerge with the arrival of a rapid transit station from DART.

The historic plaza with its gazebo and cluster of shops and restaurants provides the building blocks, they reasoned.

But Tuesday night, they gave a second amendment to developer High Street Development unit of Trammel Crow, due to the steep slump in the economy. . .

[aggiejames22]

Last April, the city of Carrollton released a master plan for what to do with their downtown. With the expectation that the green line, cotton belt, DCTA and BNSF to Frisco rail lines will be cruising through, they began to plan and dream of their walkable TODs.

Included in the plan, is 3 million sq of retail/living/office space, a $10 million "transit hall", a 1300 spot parking structure, and a deck park over belt line connecting the original downtown to the dart station (right where that gas station is). The anticipated cost to Carrollton would be around $84 million for the transit hall, deck park, and other infrastructure. All of this would be (hopefully) complete (including cotton belt line AND BNSF to Frisco) by 2025 over 3 phases.

Here is the 92 page report (http://www.cityofcarrollton.com/Modules/ShowDocument.aspx?documentid=4900)
There are some more fancy renderings in the report but here are a few.

http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u33/aggiejames22/DTC2.jpg
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u33/aggiejames22/DTC.jpg

Thoughts?

Deck park over belt line makes sense and i understand they want to expand the downtown north, but it seems like a massive project to lower belt line, and then build over it.

[msutton]

Pretty pictures. Hope they can figure out the funding.

[dfwcre8tive]

I think it's a good plan; if they can stay on schedule to complete it over the next 15 years it should reinvent that whole are. The sooner they get Belt Line buried, the better.

[dfwcre8tive]

Carrollton's Festival at the Swichyard will celebrate city's rail past and future
09:36 AM CDT on Wednesday, October 20, 2010
By DIANNE SOLÍS / The Dallas Morning News
dsolis@dallasnews.com
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/stories/102010dnmetdartcarrollton.25ce8ae.html

CARROLLTON – The first Festival at the Switchyard on Friday launches with a nod to the city's transit past of railroads and its transit future of light rail. DART will offer free demonstration runs of its expanded Green Line every 15 minutes during the street party.

The train will run only between the two stops of Trinity Mills and Downtown Carrollton stations. City officials warn that DART riders will need to use stairs to exit the platform at the Downtown Carrollton Station because the elevator will not operate during the festival.

Turning on the rail switches for test runs will assist in traffic control and may attract more people to the festival, which features live music, said Mayor Ron Branson. "It's the first time we have ever done anything of this magnitude," Branson said. "And we want to get it right so that's the first of many."

...

[oldchap]

D Magazine: Front Row
Why the New Carrollton DART Station’s Art Installation Is Not What It Should Be
By JAMES MICHAEL STARR
September 14th, 2010

Now it’s just months from opening, and I bet you can’t guess what’s inside all those windows. Or rather, to my chagrin, what was supposed to be inside them, but isn’t.

http://frontrow.dmagazine.com/2010/09/why-the-new-carrolton-dart-station%E2%80%99s-art-installation-is-not-what-it-should-be/

I visited Downtown Carrollton station on Friday and saw that there were photographs installed inside the acrylic blocks. The article is slightly outdated. Maybe DART installed the Station Artist's work in the time since this article was published.