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County Administrator's Report 12. 1.

BCC Regular Meeting

Discussion

Meeting Date:	10/03/2013
Issue: Letter From Board of County Commissioners in Support of ECAT Stops at Local Simon Properties
From:	Joy D. Blackmon, P.E.
Department:	Public Works
CAO Approval:

RECOMMENDATION:

Recommendation Concerning the Letter From Board of County Commissioners in Support of ECAT Stops at Local Simon Properties - Joy D. Blackmon, P.E., Public Works Department Director

That the Board accept and authorize the Commission to sign the provided letter, from the Board of County Commissioners, in support of Escambia County Area Transit (ECAT) stops at local Simon Properties (Cordova Mall and University Town Plaza).

ECAT has not had stops on the grounds of either of these shopping centers in recent years. The County and ECAT would like to work with Simon Properties to implement strategic interior locations for the placement of benches/bus shelters to better serve the mall patrons, as well as, Escambia County residents. The existing bus stops border these properties, with buses picking up and dropping off riders on major roadways, and are not very conducive to ease of access, especially during inclement weather.

BACKGROUND:

Escambia County Area Transit (ECAT) has not had stops on the grounds of either of these shopping centers in recent years. The County and ECAT would like to work with Simon Properties to implement strategic interior locations for the placement of benches/bus shelters to better serve the mall patrons as well as Escambia County residents. The existing bus stops that border these properties are not very conducive to ease of access, especially during inclement weather, as people embark and disembark on major roadways.

The Florida-Alabama Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) recently sent a letter to Mr. Payne on this subject (attached), and has provided staff with a Monthly Ridership Fact Sheet, detailing the number of riders ECAT brings by these mall properties daily (attached).

Staff believes that, working together with the manager of the local Simon Properties, ECAT will be able to provide better service to the mall patrons of Escambia County.

BUDGETARY IMPACT:

N/A

LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS/SIGN-OFF:

N/A

PERSONNEL:

N/A

POLICY/REQUIREMENT FOR BOARD ACTION:

N/A

IMPLEMENTATION/COORDINATION:

Staff will work with Simon Properties regarding infrastructure improvements related to ADA and construction of infrastructure to install benches/shelters.

Attachments
Letter from BOCC to Simon Properties
Letter from TPO to Simon Properties
Ridership Fact Sheet