55C - RESO - FIXED GUIDEWAY PROJECT

Home Browse Search

Figure 1 -2 illustrates the Study Area for the Santa Ana - Garden Grove Fixed Guideway Project. The Study Area was defined to support the development and evaluation of a broad range of modal alternatives that satisfy the goals and objectives of the study. It encompasses SARTC and existing and planned development surrounding the rail station; employment, government, commercial and cultural activity centers in the Civic Center and downtown Santa Ana; and, existing neighborhoods, businesses, and activity centers in central Santa Ana and east Garden Grove. Planned development and areas that offer future development and redevelopment opportunities were also considered, as were planned regional transportation system improvements such as OCTA's Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) program, and Metrolink service expansions. rrr ^t r. r Santa Ana and Garden Grove are mature, densely populated, and ethnically diverse cities located in the heart of Orange County, California. Transit service equity is an important issue for the Study Area, where the median household income is slightly above the U.S. Census Bureau poverty level threshold and approximately 17.8 percent of households are without an automobile and therefore must rely on ridesharing, public transportation or non - motorized transportation for all of their travel needs. Approximately 91 percent of the Study Area population is non - white; approximately 31.9 percent are under the age of 15 and therefore not eligible to drive an automobile.' More than half of Study Area residents use modes of transportation other than the single- occupant automobile for their travel to /from work including approximately 13.8 percent of Study Area residents who use public transportation .2 Santa Ana and Garden Grove's overall vision for the Study Area includes a transit system that integrates seamlessly with the community, provides connections to regional Metrolink and Amtrak commuter rail services at the SARTC, and is compatible with the established urban character. The purpose of the SA -GG Fixed Guideway Project is to: • Improve Transit Connectivity within the Study Area; • Relieve Congestion by Providing Alternative Mobility Options; • Be Sensitive to the Character of the Community; • Increase Transit Options; • Improve Transit Accessibility to and within the Study Area; and • Provide Benefits to the Environment through Improved Air Quality. ' US Census 2000. Y Census: Journey to Work 2000. LPA Decision Report July '2014 55C -25 1.2 1 Page