Title
Charlotte Gateway Station Project Phase 1a and 1b Agreements
Action
Action:
A. Adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager to negotiate and execute a Grant Agreement and supporting documents as Recipient of Fiscal Year 2015 TIGER Discretionary Funding from the Federal Railroad Administration in an amount up to $30 million for the Charlotte Gateway Station project,
B. Adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager to negotiate and execute a revised Municipal Agreement between the City and the North Carolina Department of Transportation for the Charlotte Gateway Station project, and
C. Adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager to negotiate and execute a Framework Agreement between the City, Norfolk Southern Railroad, and the North Carolina Department of Transportation for the Charlotte Gateway Station project.
Body
Staff Resource(s):
John Lewis, CATS
John Muth, CATS
Tina Votaw, CATS
Explanation
§ The Charlotte Gateway Station (CGS) Project is the future multi-modal transportation center in Uptown Charlotte and is anticipated to include:
- Inter-city Passenger Rail (Amtrak/NCDOT),
- Inter-city Bus (Greyhound and other inter-city carriers),
- Commuter Rail Services,
- Modern Streetcar (CityLYNX Gold Line), and
- Regional, Express, and Local Bus (CATS).
§ The CGS will be completed in phases, using federal and state grant funding when available.
§ The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has selected the City to receive $30 million in grant funding for Phases 1a and 1b of the Charlotte Gateway Station (CGS) project.
§ The current phases of the project include:
- Phase 1a: The Track, Structures and Signals, and
- Phase 1b: The Intercity Passenger Rail Platform and supporting Improvements.
§ Future phases of the project include:
- Phase 2a: The future multi-modal Passenger Station in Uptown Charlotte and commencement of Amtrak passenger service at the new station,
- Phase 2b: The future removal/decommissioning of certain improvements at the existing Amtrak Station on North Tryon Street. These improvements are located on right of way owned by Norfolk Southern Railroad (NSR), and
- Phase 3: The future bus facilities and the future transit oriented development.
§ These Agreements must be executed by the City by June 30, 2017 in order for the FRA to execute the Grant Agreement by September 30, 2017. Otherwise, the funding could be at risk.
§ The key provisions of each agreement, and additional background information for each action, are attached.
Action A: Grant Agreement with Federal Railroad Administration
- This Grant provides $30 million for CGS Phases 1a and 1b with NCDOT contributing $48.75 million.
- The estimated total construction cost of Phase 1a and 1b is $72.1 million. This includes the construction of two station tracks, supporting bridges, signal work, and a passenger platform.
- The City would use capital funding previously approved for the CGS Project to cover costs for Phase 1a and 1b that exceed $78.75 million, if any.
- In order to enter into the grant funding agreement with the FRA, the City will also need to sign agreements with the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) and the Norfolk Southern Railroad to outline responsibilities for Phase 1a and 1b design, funding, and construction.
Action B: Municipal Agreement with North Carolina Department of Transportation
- Action B authorizes the City Manager to negotiate and execute a Municipal Agreement between NCDOT and the City to outline the responsibilities for each organization as the primary sponsors of this project and recipients of the grant award.
- A Municipal Agreement with NCDOT will allow NCDOT to continue to lead Phases 1a and 1b, including completion of final design, right of way acquisition, procurement of contractors, and construction management.
- Completion of Phase 1a and 1b construction are projected for the end of 2021.
Action C: Framework Agreement with Norfolk Southern Railroad
- Action C authorizes the City Manager to negotiate and execute a Framework Agreement between the City, NCDOT, and Norfolk Southern as required in order to access and perform construction work within NSR’s right of way.
- The agreement includes the following key provisions for construction of Phases 1a and 1b:
§ Access to NSR’s right of way,
§ Construction of signal improvements, and
§ Coordination with NSR relative to its existing freight operation adjacent to the CGS Project.
Attachments
Attachment(s)
Provisions of the Agreements
Resolutions