.September's meeting will be a priority setting
"refresh" event with active members.
Stay tuned for a report
Fsrn's letter to the Bridge Authority and City/County officials about the San Rafael Transit Center Relocation.
Raymond Santiago
Principle Planner
Golden Gate Transit District
1011 Andersen Drive
San Rafael, CA 94901
July 13, 2018
RE: San Rafael Transit Center Concepts
The Federation of San Rafael Neighborhoods met July 11 with Bridge District representatives Ron Downing, Adam Dankberg, and Paolo Schwartz in a frank Q & A about the four proposed concepts. Federation members came to a consensus to endorse the Whistlestop Block concept, the most promising of the four, with several caveats.
As designed, this concept creates a welcoming gateway to San Rafael with the historic 1929 NWP Depot building regaining its traditional transit hub role while providing convenient access to buses and trains. This concept also looks like the safest pedestrian, bicycle, and vehicular proposal. There is room for improvement, however.
1. The three bus bays on Third Street must be relocated to an adjacent space.
2. The four bus bays that line Tamalpais should also be relocated to decongest this narrow street, and to eliminate potential damage to the depot building.
3. The block west of the Whistlestop building (Third to Fourth Streets, Tamalpais to Lincoln) might be acquired to house the seven relocated bus bays.
4. Were #3 to occur, the historic taverns (“Taxi Office aka Trevor’s” on Tamalpais and “Tavern on Fourth”) must be preserved.
5. The Whistlestop building must be preserved. We are in favor of the building as a transit hub, and see great potential at that location as a public welcome center with commercial space.
6. A vehicular, pedestrian and bike route study to schools, between the Whistlestop Block concept and downtown and East San Rafael must be prioritized. There is potential for rerouting of buses on Lincoln.
With the SRTC relocation, we are concerned about the potential sale of the Bettini Center. Were the SRTC relocated near the Whistlestop building, the current Bettini Center holds promise for an enhanced downtown square and a safe crossroads for our residents and visitors. There are excellent opportunities for housing nearby. It is our hope that discussions with the City and leadership from both the City and GGBHTD would preserve the current Bettini Center area for public usage.
Two years ago the Federation sponsored a visioning session with City, County, non-profit, the GGBHTD, and neighborhood representatives. Consistent with our recommendations to you today, the consensus of that September 21, 2016 meeting was,
The Federation’s goals for this gateway location include:
• Efficient flow of traffic from the 101 freeway and on city streets
• Safe pathways for pedestrians and cyclists traveling all directions
• An appealing, aesthetic, and welcoming townscape
• Respect for our City's natural setting and history
We truly appreciated the candid discussion with the GGBHTD on July 11th. There was synergy, problem solving, and agreement that the above goals could be realized in the Whistlestop Block concept with the adjustments we recommend. Neighborhood members felt their voices were heard, and anticipate the ideas generated from that discussion will bear fruit, as we remain in contact on this very important issue.
Very truly yours,
Amy Likover, Chair
The Federation of San Rafael Neighborhoods
alikover@aol.com
415-450-1520
Principle Planner
Golden Gate Transit District
1011 Andersen Drive
San Rafael, CA 94901
July 13, 2018
RE: San Rafael Transit Center Concepts
The Federation of San Rafael Neighborhoods met July 11 with Bridge District representatives Ron Downing, Adam Dankberg, and Paolo Schwartz in a frank Q & A about the four proposed concepts. Federation members came to a consensus to endorse the Whistlestop Block concept, the most promising of the four, with several caveats.
As designed, this concept creates a welcoming gateway to San Rafael with the historic 1929 NWP Depot building regaining its traditional transit hub role while providing convenient access to buses and trains. This concept also looks like the safest pedestrian, bicycle, and vehicular proposal. There is room for improvement, however.
1. The three bus bays on Third Street must be relocated to an adjacent space.
2. The four bus bays that line Tamalpais should also be relocated to decongest this narrow street, and to eliminate potential damage to the depot building.
3. The block west of the Whistlestop building (Third to Fourth Streets, Tamalpais to Lincoln) might be acquired to house the seven relocated bus bays.
4. Were #3 to occur, the historic taverns (“Taxi Office aka Trevor’s” on Tamalpais and “Tavern on Fourth”) must be preserved.
5. The Whistlestop building must be preserved. We are in favor of the building as a transit hub, and see great potential at that location as a public welcome center with commercial space.
6. A vehicular, pedestrian and bike route study to schools, between the Whistlestop Block concept and downtown and East San Rafael must be prioritized. There is potential for rerouting of buses on Lincoln.
With the SRTC relocation, we are concerned about the potential sale of the Bettini Center. Were the SRTC relocated near the Whistlestop building, the current Bettini Center holds promise for an enhanced downtown square and a safe crossroads for our residents and visitors. There are excellent opportunities for housing nearby. It is our hope that discussions with the City and leadership from both the City and GGBHTD would preserve the current Bettini Center area for public usage.
Two years ago the Federation sponsored a visioning session with City, County, non-profit, the GGBHTD, and neighborhood representatives. Consistent with our recommendations to you today, the consensus of that September 21, 2016 meeting was,
The Federation’s goals for this gateway location include:
• Efficient flow of traffic from the 101 freeway and on city streets
• Safe pathways for pedestrians and cyclists traveling all directions
• An appealing, aesthetic, and welcoming townscape
• Respect for our City's natural setting and history
We truly appreciated the candid discussion with the GGBHTD on July 11th. There was synergy, problem solving, and agreement that the above goals could be realized in the Whistlestop Block concept with the adjustments we recommend. Neighborhood members felt their voices were heard, and anticipate the ideas generated from that discussion will bear fruit, as we remain in contact on this very important issue.
Very truly yours,
Amy Likover, Chair
The Federation of San Rafael Neighborhoods
alikover@aol.com
415-450-1520
OUR NEXT Meeting
Featuring homemade cookies!!!
STAY TUNE FOR DETAILS ON OUR NEXY MEETING
