Blueprint for Tomorrow Fairhope City Council February 9, 2008

Eastern Shore Public Transit Study Gresham Smith & Partners McDonald Transit Associates 2008

Purpose of the Study Identify transportation needs for residents, employers, and visitors in the cities of Daphne, Fairhope, and Spanish Fort Identify transportation needs for residents, employers, and visitors in the cities of Daphne, Fairhope, and Spanish Fort Develop financially feasible recommendations to meet those needs Develop financially feasible recommendations to meet those needs

Background County population projected to increase by 29% County population projected to increase by 29% In the three cities: In the three cities: –35% increase in population over 10 years –35% increase in traffic congestion over 10 years –Traffic and population growing at 3% each year

Projected County Population

Population Growth

Employment Concentrations

Auto Ownership % of Households with <1 available automobile

Commute Patterns FromTo # of Workers % of Total Baldwin County 45,20868% Mobile County12,61519% Escambia County, FL1,6953% Escambia County, AL5271% Mobile CountyBaldwin County3,4255% Escambia County, FLBaldwin County1,9753% Escambia County, ALBaldwin County7521% Total in these categories66,197100%

Public Meetings 65 attendees at 3 meetings 65 attendees at 3 meetings Generally supportive of public transit Generally supportive of public transit Need good marketing efforts Need good marketing efforts Need to change people’s mindsets to get them to ride Need to change people’s mindsets to get them to ride Service would need to be all day, not just 8 to 5 Service would need to be all day, not just 8 to 5 Must engage employers Must engage employers

Service Options Based on analysis and input develop list of possible services Based on analysis and input develop list of possible services Take an evolving approach Take an evolving approach Be specific enough now to engage public in next round of meetings Be specific enough now to engage public in next round of meetings Present in unbiased way Present in unbiased way

ROUTE 1 –Highway 98 Spanish Fort to Fairhope –30 minute frequency –6:00 am to 8:00 pm –Monday through Saturday –Timed transfers at Thomas Hospital

ROUTE 3 Fairhope East West Resort Fairhope East West Resort Marriot Grand - downtown Fairhope – Thomas Hospital Marriot Grand - downtown Fairhope – Thomas Hospital Sixty minute frequency Sixty minute frequency 6:00 am to 8:00 pm 6:00 am to 8:00 pm Monday through Saturday Monday through Saturday Positive connection at hospital – Route 1 and 4 Positive connection at hospital – Route 1 and 4

ROUTE 4 Fairhope – North South Local Fairhope – North South Local Sixty minute frequency Sixty minute frequency 6:00 am to 8:00 pm 6:00 am to 8:00 pm Monday through Saturday Monday through Saturday Positive connection at hospital – Route 1 and 4 Positive connection at hospital – Route 1 and 4

OPTION A Enhance BRATS Enhance BRATS –Increase number of vehicles serving area –Add more trips to Baylinc –Maintain demand response and subscription basis of service

OPTION B Enhance BRATS Enhance BRATS Add carpool and vanpool program Add carpool and vanpool program –Work through SARPC –Carpool matching first –Vanpools as demand warrants –Work closely with employers

OPTION C Enhance BRATS Enhance BRATS Add carpool and vanpool program Add carpool and vanpool program Add bus routes Add bus routes –Six days a week to start –At least 12 hours per day –Full size bus on Route 1 –Small buses on all other routes

BRATS Demand-response based system Demand-response based system Provides fixed route service from specific sites with timed transfers to other parts of county Provides fixed route service from specific sites with timed transfers to other parts of county Monday through Friday 6 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Friday 6 a.m.-6 p.m. Special contract service on weekends Special contract service on weekends Efficient mode for large employer transportation (drop off at one location) Efficient mode for large employer transportation (drop off at one location)

Public Meetings Need connectivity; emphasis on sidewalks and bicycle access Need connectivity; emphasis on sidewalks and bicycle access Roads need to be safer for pedestrians and bicyclists Roads need to be safer for pedestrians and bicyclists Discussion about various funding ideas Discussion about various funding ideas Need service for commuters to Mobile, Pensacola Need service for commuters to Mobile, Pensacola Need ferry service across bay Need ferry service across bay Must be reasonably priced Must be reasonably priced

Stakeholder Interviews Few of the transportation needs are being met today Few of the transportation needs are being met today Service not available all day or in evenings Service not available all day or in evenings There is a need for transit service because of: There is a need for transit service because of: –Aging population –Cost of fuel –Congestion –Tourism

Stakeholder Interviews Most do not see enough support for a local tax to fund transit service Most do not see enough support for a local tax to fund transit service Need for public transit services will increase Need for public transit services will increase

Next Steps – for BFT - Add carpool and vanpool program - Add carpool and vanpool program –Work through SARPC –Carpool matching first –Emergi-ride program for commuters –Pull major employers together – match large areas of needs –Vanpools through BRATS as demand warrants –Communication of benefits of utilizing mass transit

E ASTERN S HORE T ECHNOLOGY AND Research P ARK Fall, 2008 Presented by: Vern George George Henry George Partners Charles Dilks DilksConsulting

27 PURPOSE OF THE EFFORT  PREPARE A STRATEGY TO ACHIEVE A STRONG TECHNOLOGY SECTOR IN THE EASTERN SHORE ECONOMY

28 FOCUS OF THE CONSULTANT WORK  CAN WE DO IT? Yes, we can  Is the resource base sufficient?  WHAT CAN IT BE?  Achievable job and related growth  HOW DO WE DO IT  Strategies and actions required

29 HOW DO WE DO IT?  Marketing to Existing Technology Companies  Creating a Joint College University Center  Developing a Technology and Research Park  Enhancing Entrepreneurial Services with state of the art Incubator  Efficient Organization for Implementing the Strategy

30 WHAT WILL IT CREATE?  Impressive Total Ten Year Tech Growth of 1,100 to 2,300 Jobs  Increased Governmental and Private Business Revenues

31 WHAT IS NEXT for BFT timeline?  Combined forces with BCEDA’s Energy Innovation effort.  Hire a professional to organize and begin efforts  Formulate Governance Structure

Technology Innovation Center IMPLEMENTING A PRIVATE/PUBLIC PARTNERSHIP TO REDUCE DEPENDANCE ON PETROLEUM

G-H-G Recommended Strategies Market to existing technology companies Market to existing technology companies Create a joint college/university center Create a joint college/university center Develop technology/business parks Develop technology/business parks Enhance entrepreneurial services Enhance entrepreneurial services Create a special purpose entity Create a special purpose entity –Identify startup funding –Hire a permanent Executive Director