Why the South Corridor?
Prior to selecting the South Corridor, 10 total corridors and multiple alignments were formulated throughout the study area. While each area could benefit from increased public transportation service, the following criteria categories prioritized the South Corridor as the initial investment corridor for BRT service.
Meeting the demand for population and employment growth
The need for an enhanced transit investment is driven first and foremost by continuing growth in the Greater Grand Rapids region. The West Michigan MSA of Allegan, Kent, Muskegon and Ottawa counties is projected to increase 20% from 1,089,000 in 2000 to 1,312,000 in 2025.
Downtown Grand Rapids is the largest employment center in the four-county MSA, with 66,000 jobs projected by 2030. As the business hub of Kent County, it is likely the principle transfer point for any transit product, especially for people living in the south corridor.
The south corridor has expected population growth of 227,000 in 2030, including 35,000 residents in downtown Grand Rapids. During this same timeframe, the number of jobs in the south corridor is estimated to be 159,000.
Providing access to transit dependent communities
A high percentage of transit dependent communities exist in the South Corridor. In the year 2000, the corridor exceeded the GT2 Study area in six of eight transit dependent categories, including students, no-car households, mobility-impaired population, households below poverty, minority population and public transportation users. The concentrations are even greater in the downtown Grand Rapids area. These transit dependent and environmental justices communities would benefit most from an enhanced transit investment.
Serve major activity centers
Major activity centers are found throughout the south corridor, including special non-work trip generators such as universities, museums, hospitals and large employers that would produce typical weekday work trips. Downtown Grand Rapids has the greatest number of major activity centers. The Van Andel Arena and DeVos Place Convention Center are the most notable special event venues downtown. The Van Andel Arena has a 12,000 plus capacity and attracts family shows, concerts, and sporting events. DeVos Place provides 1,000,000 sq. ft. of event space for meetings, conventions, trade shows, performing arts and touring events.
Numerous colleges and universities, hospitals and research centers have also made Grand Rapids a growing leader in the medical industry. There are currently 8,000 jobs on “Health Hill” including research and medical jobs. The St. Mary’s Health Care campus provides an additional 5,000 jobs. Both campuses are expanding which will increase employment, number of students and number of patients.
Five college campuses are located in the South Corridor including Grand Rapids Community College with enrollment in 2007 of 26,000 and providing job training and re-training to employees of more than 600 companies.
Increase Transit Ridership
Ridership in the greater Grand Rapids area has continued to grow, more than doubling in the last 10 years. In recent years, Rapid ridership on 26 fixed routes has increased 6.4 million riders in 2005 to nearly 9.1 million in 2008.
The Silver Line will operate 10-20% faster than existing services due to more limited stops, exclusive travel lanes, and signal prioritization. Making a connection at Rapid Central Station, the Silver Line connects with the three largest employment sub-areas in downtown Grand Rapids without a transfer at Rapid Central Station. The direct connection saves in to 25 minutes of travel time for key employment destinations such as “Health Hill” where parking is already limited. This enhanced service level will likely attract more transit riders, as it would become more available and convenient for passengers.
Reduced Congestion and improved mobility
Without transit choices, households turn to increased automobile travel for access to jobs, education, and other venues. Statistics in the region verify an increased dependence on cars. Auto ownership, total daily vehicle hours of travel, and average trip time are all rising at a substantially faster rate than the region’s population growth rate. Vehicle hours are forecasted to increase 162% between 1990 and 2015. The average trip time is projected to double during the same period of time.
US-131 and Division Avenue already suffer from severe congestion levels primarily due to population and job growth within that corridor. The service value for these roads will continue to deteriorate through 2025. Enhanced transit service in the corridor would divert persons from their cars to buses, alleviating some of the congestion and improving mobility.
Promote Transit-Supportive Land Use
The accelerating suburbanization around West Michigan has raised concerns about desirable regional development patterns, the negative impact of sprawl, and long-range preservation of the high quality of life enjoyed by area residents.
An assessment of land use patterns, plans, and policies for local jurisdictions in the South Corridor found that more transit supportive development is adjacent to Division Avenue versus US-131. These land use patterns are expected to continue in the future, with medium density residential, mixed use and commercial frontage on Division Avenue north of 28th Street. The downtown Grand Rapids central business district already contains the most transit-supportive land use development in the region with high-density office and residential buildings.
There are numerous plans already for transit-friendly development with emphasis placed on Division Avenue – the historical main gateway to Grand Rapids. Grand Rapids, Kentwood and Wyoming have or are developing transit-oriented development plans that encourage mixed-use development along transit routes in the corridor. Community and business leaders for Kentwood and Wyoming have also conducted a design charrette for Division Avenue in order to identify assets in the corridor, locate stations for maximum development potential, and to prepare mixed-use design concepts for the station areas.
Stimulate Economic Growth
In addition to transit supportive land use plans and policies, potential development and redevelopment opportunities were identified in the South Corridor. Over the last 10 years, downtown Grand Rapids has already seen a resurgence of development ranging from the arena and convention center to high-density residential developments and mixed-use projects with ground floor retail and housing above. Warehouses continue to be converted to office space and residential applications.
The Silver Line is expected to provide a transportation foundation and station-area impetus that can spur new investment, development, redevelopment, and new jobs in the South Corridor of the greater Grand Rapids region.
