Flyaway
ExpansionHand out at the 8-10-00 meeting added comments in green
In October 1999, the Board of Airport Commissioners (BOAC) for Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) officially initiated an improvement plan for the Flyaway Bus Terminal adjacent to Van Nuys Airport.
The facility, which is owned and operated by LAWA, has been in use at its current location since it opened in 1975. Offering convenient, low-cost transportation services to and from the San Fernando Valley to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), the FlyAway's popularity with travelers and LAX employees has steadily increased to a yearly average of 685,000 passengers. On a daily basis, FlyAway buses average 100 trips, cover 2,900 miles and eliminate over 2,000 cars from local streets and freeways.
The current facility, on the northeast corner of Woodley Avenue and Saticoy Street, consists of a 6,750 square-foot building, a 2,020-space long-term surface parking lot, and a 36-space short-term parking lot adjacent to the terminal. The terminal building includes space for airline ticket counters, seating, vending machines, restrooms, and offices for bus ticket sales and operations. The service operates 24 hours per day, seven days a week, with bus departures to LAX every 15 minutes from 4:45 am. to 8am., every 30 minutes from 8am. to 1am. and on a fixed schedule from 1 a. m. to 4:45 a. m.
Passengers are especially attracted to the FlyAway service because bus fares and parking rates are very reasonable. The round trip adult bus fare is only $6, and parking is $1 per day with a 15-day limit. Parking will increase to $2 per day in October 2000. During peak commuter, holiday and summer travel periods, buses and the parking lot are frequently filled to capacity.
A study of the FlyAway was initiated in response to a Los Angeles City Council action requesting that LAWA look at the terminal and parking needs of the FlyAway service, as well as new services and accommodations that could be added. In particular, the City Council was interested in remote terminal services such as ticketing, baggage check and boarding pass issuance. The consultant, Leigh Fisher and Associates, completed this study for LAWA and submitted a final report in May 1999.
Although the existing terminal was found to be sufficient to handle the current and near future needs of the FlyAway operation, the terminal provides little opportunity to enhance the operation with new services and amenities. Therefore, LAWA has decided to pursue the development of a new terminal as well as an expanded parking area. A parking structure is proposed to create additional spaces and shorten walking distances to the terminal. The additional benefits of a new terminal will be to provide for a more efficient interface with FlyAway buses and other transportation services, improve the flow of vehicles and pedestrians around the terminal, and allow room for additional amenities and services inside the terminal.
In March 2000, the BOAC awarded a contract to Daniel, Mann, Johnson and Mendenhall (DMJM) to provide design and construction administration support services. DMJM is conducting a more detailed study of the space requirements for a new terminal, allowing for new functions such as baggage and flight check-in services and improved waiting areas, restrooms and concessions. Similarly, DMJM is also conducting a more detailed study to assess the need, sizing, location, cost and benefit of expanded parking. An environmental assessment will analyze traffic impacts of the new terminal and parking facilities, and be used to develop a mitigation plan for significant traffic impacts, if any. The design of the terminal and parking area will avoid or mitigate existing and potential traffic and noise impacts on residential areas adjacent to the FlyAway.
A rough timeline and phase breakdown for total completion of the project is as follows:
Program, planning and conceptual design-March 2000 to September 2000
Design development and preparation of construction documents-October 2000 to March 2001
Bid and award process after approval of construction documents-April 2001 to July 2001
Actual construction-August 2001 to October 2002 1
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
FlyAway Bus Terminal Improvement Project WHAT IS THE FLYAWAY IMPROVEMENT PROJECT? The FlyAway Improvement Project is a plan to enhance the existing FlyAway Bus Terminal facility adjacent to Van Nuys Airport at Woodley Avenue and Saticoy Street. Improvements are expected to incorporate more long-and short-term parking spaces, better traffic flow and circulation for the facility, possible ticketing and baggage provisions and added terminal services/ amenities.
HOW MUCH WILL IT COST AND WHERE DOES THE MONEY COME FROM? The initial budget totaled $18 million; however, early development plans indicate the project will probably exceed that amount depending upon the selection of a final design. Project funding comes from LAWA's capital improvement budget and not from FlyAway bus fare revenue.
HOW MANY PARKING SPACES WILL BE ADDED? A final determination of how many parking spaces will be added depends upon a parking-demand analysis now underway. A parking structure with approximately 2,000 to 6,000 long-term spaces is being considered, along with nearly 400 additional surface parking spaces, which will likely include 80 short-term spaces.
DOES CITY PLANNING HAVE TO APPROVE THE PROJECT? Design and construction documents must be submitted to the City's Building and Safety and Fire Departments, Cultural Affairs, the Planning Commission and other appropriate departments for review/ approval. The project will also be reviewed by the Federal Aviation Administration for air safety considerations.
HOW MUCH ADDITIONAL SQUARE FOOTAGE WILL BE ADDED TO THE TERMINAL? A complete design for the terminal has not yet been developed. Preliminary plans indicate the new terminal will probably be between 15,000 and 20,000 square feet. The current facility is 6,750 square feet.
WHAT WILL BE THE ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW PROCESS? All such projects over 10,000 square feet require approval from the City Planning Commission. Currently, this project is going through the City Planning Department for environmental impact review.
WHAT OPPORTUNITIES WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INPUT? Meetings with and presentations to local residents, businesses and community organizations will take place throughout the design and planning phases. The project team will make every effort to provide accurate, timely information to the community and local elected officials. [The first public meeting was held 8-10-00. Prior to that only LAWA, selected community leaders, Chamber of Commerce The CAC and VICA had input.]
HOW WILL THIS PROJECT IMPACT THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITY? During construction, the project should not affect the surrounding community beyond the inconveniences normally associated with construction activity. All work done on the project will comply with City construction ordinances and restrictions, and every effort will be made to minimize the impacts of construction on the surrounding area. Once the new facility is operational, FlyAway traffic on Saticoy Street will diminish. Buses are expected to entirely avoid heading east past Cohasset Elementary School and residential areas, and most automobiles will enter and exit the facility via Woodley Avenue instead of Saticoy Street. Compatibility and improvement in the community, including aesthetic appeal, are also significant factors in the project's design.
[This is an outrageous lie. While autos will enter both from Woodley and Saticoy, all bus operations will enter and exit on Saticoy. All of the high activity areas - Short Term Parking, Taxi Zone, and Bus traffic will directly face the residents on Saticoy!]
WHAT ABOUT LANDSCAPING? Still in the planning stages, attractive landscaping is a top priority to help beautify the surrounding area. When completed, it will compliment and enhance all aspects of the project's design.
WHAT TYPE OF TRAFFIC CONTROL OR MITIGATION WILL BE UTILIZED? Specific traffic control changes have not yet been fully developed; however, close examination and extensive community outreach is being conducted to help ascertain traffic control needs. The project team will work directly with Department of Transportation officials who must analyze and approve all traffic changes. [At the meeting everyone from the adjacent residents strongly opposed the layout. Don Shultz demanded that the residents comments be taken down for study instead of the "facilitators" giving their interpretation of what the resident said.. Arliene Desantis representing then form Joel Wachs joined the demanded that LAWA listen to the residents instead of the paid consultants].
WILL THERE BE ADDED SECURITY MEASURES FOR THE NEW FACILITY? Security coverage by airport police and security officers will expand in proportion to the needs of the new facility.