Subject
title
A resolution to approve a concept plan from the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) for the Rockville Metro Station
end
Department
CPDS - Management & Support
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the Mayor and Council adopt the resolution to approve the Concept 1 Plan from WMATA for the Rockville Metro Station (see Attachment 1 above - Resolution for Approval of Rockville Metro Station Concept 1).
Update
Staff has revised the resolution for approval to reference staff’s engagement with associations, commissions and board; to work together with WMATA to improve wayfinding and to facilitate the construction on needed new housing units; and to request WMATA proceed with the process for joint development of the properties.
Discussion
At the May 6, 2024 meeting, the Mayor and Council voted to endorse the “Concept 1” plan for the Rockville Metro Station. Also at this meeting, the Mayor and Council voted to endorse an extension of the pedestrian bridge over the station platform as an add-on option. This option was endorsed as a separate project for the city from that of the potential development on WMATA property, to allow both projects to move forward independently and avoid delays due to available funding sources, and design development.
The Mayor and Council also directed staff to conduct two public meetings to share the concept design with the community. At these meetings and through public comment, staff received favorable feedback on Concept 1 (See Attachment 2 above - Consolidated Feedback from Community Outreach). Staff also received comments from the Transportation and Mobility Commission (See Attachment 3 above - TCM Letter to M&C re Rockville Metro Station Visioning).
Staff believes that Concept 1 is consistent with the Vision and Design Principles established in WMATA’s study.
Vision
Rockville Station will become an iconic gateway and multi-modal hub that connects the greater area, enhances the experience of downtown Rockville as a destination, and maximizes safety for commuters and residents.
Design Principles
1. Provide convenient connections to transit and safe access for pedestrian and bicycle users.
2. Create an attractive station environment that encourages ridership.
3. Improve wayfinding and integration of the site with surrounding areas.
4. Accommodate a mix of uses and amenities.
5. Support economic development.
To ensure the successful implementation of the concept design, the city is incorporating the “Concept 1” vision into the Town Center Master Plan <https://ehq-production-us-california.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/29cb4df0617c4a26296f623aa28a5fa38758079e/original/1727468143/4316552d6cc31f68e6f063c7e351c062_TCMP_Draft_-_09.25.2024_-_Final_Combined.pdf>, through the Area Visions section (pages 32-33). WMATA staff notes that the inclusion of the concept plan into the City’s policy document provides a greater level of clarity to WMATA with the city’s intent and vision and may incentivize WMATA to look for ways to promote development at this location in coordination with its strategic plan.
Approval of this Concept Plan will be helpful for WMATA’s strategic planning processes. WMATA staff undertakes Joint Development planning studies to evaluate the feasibility of Joint Development at a station location and prepare to bring the site to market through a bid for solicitation. This typically includes due diligence on the site, establishment of transit requirements, preliminary concept design, cost estimates, market and financial analysis, and preparing for WMATA’s Compact Public Hearing. To include the Rockville Metro station in its strategic plan for development, WMATA will conduct its technical process by studying the site in greater detail and primarily look for ways to relocate transit facilities, to enable joint development opportunities.
Should the studies and analysis confirm the feasibility of the project, WMATA staff will seek authorization from the WMATA Board of Directors to hold a Compact Public Hearing, reconfigure transit facilities, and issue a Joint Development Solicitation. Once a developer is selected, a Joint Development Agreement is negotiated that outlines the terms and conditions of the future sale or ground lease of the project. The Joint Development Agreement must be approved by the Board and Federal Transit Administration (FTA). Throughout the planning process, WMATA will coordinate closely with the city.
Following is the general timeline for joint development planning per WMATA’s Strategic Plan for Calendar Year (CY) 2025-2026:
• CY 2025 - Joint Development Study, Board authorizes CPH/ Solicitation.
• CY2026 - If the project is feasible, hold a Compact Public Hearing, and issue development solicitation (for all or a portion of the site - TBD).
• CY2027 - Negotiate Joint Development Agreement, Board and FTA approvals.
To bring the project to fruition, the city will need to actively partner with WMATA to identify funding sources at local, state, and even federal levels.
At the December 9th meeting, the Mayor and Council will conduct a work session on the Town Center Master Plan, including Rockville Metro Station Concept Design. The associated report for this item includes more detailed information related to the Rockville Metro Station (See Attachment 4 above - Rockville Metro Station Section - December 9, 2024, Mayor and Council Work Session Report).
Staff recommends that the Mayor and Council act on the resolution to approve the Concept 1 Plan for the Rockville Metro Station.
Mayor and Council History
Mayor and Council initially discussed the potential for the Rockville Metro Station Concept Designs study on November 25, 2019, as a part of the discussion on the Town Center. At that time, the Mayor and Council requested scheduling a meeting between City and Metro staff and other relevant parties to discuss the potential scope of work. The requested meeting was held on March 4, 2020. Representing the City were Mayor Newton, Councilman Pierzchala, City Manager DiSpirito, staff from Community Planning and Development Services and Department of Public Works, and REDI, Inc. Also in attendance were staff from WMATA and Montgomery County.
On October 19, 2020, WMATA staff discussed the scope of work with the Mayor and Council. With the inclusion of additional public input opportunities as part of the scope at that time, the Mayor and Council expressed their support for WMATA to initiate the study. The Mayor and Council also discussed with staff on April 26, 2021, their initial input on the vision and goals for the station in advance of the community visioning workshops.
On June 21, 2021, the WMATA consultants made a presentation to the Mayor and Council on the results of the two community visioning workshops that took place in May 2021. Feedback from the community workshops and the Mayor and Council comments was incorporated into the preliminary concept designs developed by the technical working group at its workshop on June 14th.
On December 5, 2022, the Mayor and Council received a presentation from the WMATA consultant team on the analysis of the revised Rockville Metro Station Plan concepts and voted to consider Concept 1, Concept 2, and Concept 3a and to eliminate Concept 3b (See Attachment 5 above - December 2022 Mayor and Council Presentation Slides).
On May 6, 2024, the Mayor and Council received a presentation (See Attachment 6 above - May 2024 - Mayor and Council Presentation Slides) on the Rockville Metro Station Concept study and endorsed the Concept 1 Plan to present at two community workshops. The Mayor and Council also voted to support the pedestrian bridge over the station platforms as an add-on option.
Public Notification and Engagement
Staff hosted two public meetings on June 18, 2024 (virtually) and June 24, 2024 (in-person) to inform the community about the Concept 1 plan. Both meetings were included in the city calendar, publicized using the city’s typical communication channels, and were open to the public. In addition, staff presented the plan to East Rockville Citizens Association (ERCA) on June 11, 2024, at their scheduled civic association meeting. A “Feedback Form” was created on the Town Center Master Plan <https://engagerockville.com/towncenter/> Engage Rockville website and the Rockville Metro Station Study <https://rockvillemd.gov/2356/Rockville-Metro-Station-Study> web page to enable community members to provide feedback on the plan.
Boards and Commissions Review
The concept was presented to the Transportation and Mobility Commission at their meeting on June 25, 2024. The Planning Commission discussed the Concept 1 plan on June 26, 2024, as a part of the Town Center Master Plan discussion.
Next Steps
Concept 1 plan for the Rockville Metro Station Design will be incorporated as the vision for the Rockville Metro Station in the Town Center Master Plan, which is tentatively scheduled for adoption in January 2025.