Friday, January 19, 2007

Carrollton’s new DART railways to be completed by end of 2010

By Minnie Payne

The downtown Carrollton station will feature DART's new elevated platform design.

Residents of Carrollton and surrounding areas anticipate using DART’s new light rail transit line, with three station sites along an existing railroad right-of-way, by late 2010.

According to Peter Braster, Carrollton’s first Transit-Oriented Development Manager, within the next 5-10 years, Carrollton will no longer have vacant land for significant development. Passenger light rail transit provides the means to allow for high density redevelopment.

The demise of growth in the last new green-field developments ends the city’s potential revenue from traditional sources. To sustain the city without tax increases, redevelopment of suburban residential/commercial neighborhoods into higher density mixed-use communities must take place.

“Redevelopment is the answer to increasing our tax base and moving forward,” said Braster.

“Transit-oriented development will promote higher density mixed-use urban design around a light rail transit station, as well as pedestrian activity and alternative modes of transportation.”

Braster, 42, comes to Carrollton with excellent credentials. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from Clarkson University in Potsdam, New York. He has over 20 years of public and private experience in engineering large transportation projects including highway, airport, and light rail system, managing real property, real estate acquisition, public administration and governmental relations.

“The citizens of Carrollton have embraced the project and are anticipating its arrival,” said Braster. “The city is prepared to experience and foster revitalization better than any other city has done in the metroplex.”

Carrollton stations

The downtown Carrollton light rail transit station will be at the northeast corner of Belt Line Road at Broadway Street, 1/10 mile east of Interstate Highway 35E. This station will provide one of the city’s greatest opportunities for growth over the next 15-20 years, Braster said. The arrival of DART’s light railways in 2010 will provide easy access to this area and attract businesses and retail activity. DART also has plans for an east-west line along the Cotton Belt Railroad connecting Fort Worth and D/FW Airport to Addison and Plano by 2030. Also proposed is another north-south line which will connect Frisco with Irving along the Union Pacific alignment. These three light rail transit lines and Denton County’s commuter rail plans will make downtown Carrollton the fourth most significant transportation hub in the DFW area, thus the potential for much commercial and residential development.

Trinity Mills Station will be near the intersection of the President George Bush Turnpike and I-35E, which can accommodate east-west commuters from the turnpike, as well as north-south commuters from I-35E. The City has bought the former 12-acre Home Depot site and is actively pursuing other properties in the area. It is expected that residential, retail and office facilities will be built east of the station on the actual old Home Depot site. In addition, DART plans to develop its already acquired bus transit center property, once the Green Line Light Rail Transit Project opens.

North Carrollton Station, the last on the line, will be on the south side of Frankford Road, east of I-35E and will attract riders not only from Carrollton, but also from Denton County – including Lewisville and Denton. Mixed-use development opportunities don’t exist here, as with the other two stations, because of the already developed warehouse district. However, there are opportunities for town homes and/or condos on the north side of Frankford Road. The City will leverage any development in this area with not only it proximity to the rail station, but to the Indian Creek Golf Course, said Braster.

Significant building and renovation will take place at each station, particularly the downtown station. The goal is to provide: a walkable design with the convenience of pedestrians, not automobiles; a transit station as a prominent feature of a neighborhood center; a mixture of uses in close proximity to each other, including office, residential, retail, and civic uses; high density, high-quality development within a 10-minute walk; design that encourages the use of walking and bicycling for daily needs, as well as reduced and managed parking.

“The development around the stations allows for alternative modes of transportation, in that you will not need to rely on a car as the sole means of transportation,” said Braster.

“The demographics of people who typically move into transit-oriented development neighborhoods are young single people, young couples who have no children, and empty-nesters”

Carrollton Mayor Becky Miller said that she is pleased that the DART railways will not only benefit Carrollton by the transit-oriented development to be built around it, but will also benefit the environment.

“It will help our air quality by taking drivers off the road,” Miller said.

According to Assistant City Manager for Development Services Marc Guy, transit-oriented development near the three light rail passenger stations will offer exciting new opportunities for stores and restaurants, office buildings, and housing choices that have never been available in Carrollton.

“With Carrollton’s prime location these are going to be highly desirable places for people to live, work and invest in our community,” said Guy.

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