Station Area Development & Connectivity
Station Area Development & Connectivity
The San Joaquins service and its accompanying stations provide opportunities to encourage complimentary development patterns by increasing development densities near San Joaquins stations and improving connectivity with other modes of transportation within the communities served. In addition to potential benefits from minimizing land consumption needs for new growth, increased dense development near San Joaquins stations concentrates activity conveniently located to these stations. The increased activity promoted by supportive land uses also benefits the use of the San Joaquins, generating additional ridership and promoting connectivity throughout the State. A dense development pattern can better support a comprehensive and extensive local transit and shuttle system, bicycle and pedestrian paths, and related amenities that can serve the local communities.
Applying transit-oriented development (TOD) measures around rail stations is a strategy that works for large, dense urban areas, as well as smaller central cities and suburban areas. TOD measures are generally applied to areas within about one-half mile of stations but can extend up to a mile or greater. TOD also accommodates new residential and commercial growth on a smaller footprint, conserving agricultural lands and open spaces that may otherwise be developed. Local governments play a significant role in implementing station area development by adopting plans, policies, zoning provisions, design criteria, and incentives for higher densities, and by incorporating a mix of urban land uses. The responsibility and powers needed to focus growth and station area development guidelines in the areas around San Joaquins stations reside primarily with local government. SJJPA has identified seven key strategies which can help ensure that the San Joaquins become an instrument for encouraging TOD which can be found HERE.
Current Transit Oriented Developments
The San Joaquins currently serves 18 rail stations, most of which are multi-modal transportation hubs and many are located in traditional city centers. The linked Table presents the existing amenities and services at San Joaquins stations, as well as a preliminary assessment of their potential for new TOD. TOD opportunities are considered low at San Joaquins stations that are located in outlying areas away from the city centers/downtowns, while the highest potential for new TOD at San Joaquins stations is likely to be in the major cities. To encourage TOD, SJJPA is working to improve the usability of stations and Thruway Bus stops. Comprehensive assessments have begun with the objective of updating and improving signage at and near stations and stops to enhance the experience of riders. There are several large TODs that have developed or are being developed in the vicinity of both existing and planned San Joaquins stations. In addition to encouraging TOD, SJJPA is working with local and regional governments to improve transit connectivity at the stations linked below, along with other stations.
Hanford TOD
The Cross Valley Corridor (CVC) plan aims to develop improved transit connectivity between communities...
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The Cross Valley Corridor (CVC) plan aims to develop improved transit connectivity between communities that lie east and west of Hanford Station. Initially planned as an express bus service between Lemoore NAS and Exeter, the full plan would see passenger rail service along an existing rail line from Huron to Porterville. Like SJJPA, the Tulare County Association of Governments and its local partners are looking to the future of their region by enhancing local transit connections for Kings and Tulare County residents to the planned California High Speed Rail station. Phase 1 of the CVC Operations Plan was released in July 2023 and their website launched in September 2023, where you can subscribe to their quarterly newsletter.
Bakersfield TOD
The Bakersfield Amtrak station is very accessible to the heart of downtown.
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Bakersfield TOD
The Bakersfield Amtrak station is very accessible to the heart of downtown. The station is within walking distance of two hotels, the convention center and arena, many government office buildings, the county library, the city’s ice and aquatic centers, a movie theater, Mill Creek Linear and Central Parks, and numerous affordable and market-rate housing options. This site offers continued opportunities for the station to catalyze transit-oriented development.
Oakley TOD
SJJPA has been coordinating with the City of Oakley to implement a San Joaquins station for several years.
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Oakley TOD
SJJPA has been coordinating with the City of Oakley to implement a San Joaquins station for several years. The City has recently completed a feasibility study to determine the best location for the proposed station. The SJJPA/SJRRC 2018 TIRCP award included the construction of the station platform and track, while the City of Oakley is developing local access elements and parking facilities. Rapid development and growth is taking place in eastern Contra Costa County, and a new San Joaquins station is anticipated to encourage TOD in the vicinity. SJJPA, in coordination with the City of Oakley, Amtrak, and BNSF Railways began the platform design phase in 2021, and construction is slated to begin for the Oakley Station Platform Project in early 2024.
Sacramento TOD
SJJPA has plans for four new stations in Sacramento.
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Sacramento TOD
SJJPA’s plans for four new stations in Sacramento provide a great opportunity to not only leverage TOD that is already underway (especially around the planned Midtown Station), but to encourage TOD from the presence of new San Joaquins/ACE rail stations. In addition to Midtown, Natomas and Old North Sacramento hold promise for TOD in the immediate vicinity of the planned station sites. Near the Midtown Station, the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission (SJRRC) in 2021, partnered with the Capitol Area Development Authority and EAH Housing on two affordable housing development projects in competing for funding from the Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities (AHSC) Program.
EAH Housing’s On Broadway 140-unit affordable housing project was awarded a $29 million AHSC grant on January 26, 2022. The On Broadway project will be located on Broadway Avenue, less than a mile from Midtown Station. The AHSC grant has $10 million for transportation improvements that includes street improvements, $6.1 million for two new ACE railcars, and $1.3 million for improvements to Midtown Station. SJRRC worked with BRIDGE Housing on the submittal of a 2023 AHSC grant for the 440 Arden Way project in the vicinity of the future Old North Sacramento Station. SJRRC and SJJPA will continue to seek other future affordable housing developments to partner on providing TOD near future Valley Rail stations. In early 2023, SACOG in partnership with the City of Sacramento, SJRRC, SJJPA, and Sac RT applied for a Strategic Partnership – Transit planning grant from Caltrans for TOD planning in the area that includes the Old North Sacramento Station and two Sacramento light rail stations along Del Paso Boulevard. SJRRC will be the lead for this planning study if the application is successful.
A 244-acre mixed-use TOD called The Railyards is currently being developed on land immediately north of the Sacramento Valley Station, which San Joaquins trains currently share with Capitol Corridor trains. Plans call for a mix of housing types, a large retail component of over one million square feet, a significant level of office space at 2.3 million square feet, a new Kaiser medical center, and other uses such as a hotel and recreational cultural land uses. SJJPA supports The Railyards development as a way to activate the environment surrounding the station and believe it will engender additional rail ridership.
Stockton Cabral Station TOD
The Robert J. Cabral Station (Cabral Station) serves as the Downtown Stockton Station for the San Joaquins. This station serves all San Joaquins trains to/from Sacramento.
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Stockton ACE Station (Cabral Station) TOD
The Robert J. Cabral Station (Cabral Station) serves as the Downtown Stockton Station for the San Joaquins. This station serves all San Joaquins trains to/from Sacramento. The City of Stockton has expressed interest in highlighting the rail connections available at the station. SJJPA is very supportive of the City’s efforts to encourage development in downtown Stockton as it will not only improve connectivity and walkability to the station, but will greatly improve the surrounding neighborhood, which will likely lead to ridership increases on the San Joaquins. In support of furthering development around the station, SJRRC received a grant in the amount of $2 million for a streetscape improvement project along East Channel Street, which directly connects the Cabral Station to the new development and greater downtown, as well as San Joaquin Regional Transit District’s Downtown Transit Center. This project is expected to begin construction in 2023. Additionally, in early 2023 the City of Stockton partnered with the SJRRC, SJJPA, San Joaquin COG, and SJ RTD on a Strategic Partnership – Transit planning grant from Caltrans for TOD in downtown Stockton which will include Cabral Station and the Stockton Transit Center. San Joaquin COG submitted the application, which will be led by the City of Stockton if successful.
In 2019, SJRRC partnered with Visionary Home Builders and the City of Stockton on their Grand View Village affordable housing development, located 0.50 miles west of Cabral Station. The development was awarded $17.9 million of funding from the AHSC program, including $4 million to purchase an additional ACE rail car and $202,000 for improvements to East Channel Street.
In 2021, SJRRC partnered with Service First of California on a successful AHSC application for the Hunter House Project (awarded January 26, 2022). The Hunter House project will be located on the 600 block of North Hunter Street about 0.8 miles from Cabral Station and about 1 mile from San Joaquin Street Station. This 120-unit affordable multifamily housing project for special needs populations will be four stories with a mix of one – and two – bedroom apartments and an underground garage. The $27 million AHSC grant award has $9.4 million for transportation improvements that includes street improvements, $2.5 million for a new ACE railcar, and $1.35 million for improvements to Cabral and San Joaquin Street stations.
Richmond TOD
The Richmond Station is located in between a previously developed TOD.
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Richmond TOD
The Richmond Station is located in between a previously developed TOD that includes several hundred units of housing, along with a few shops that greet people entering/exiting the BART/Amtrak Station complex. There is also another TOD under construction at the other entrance/exit to the station. Additionally, there is a large bus depot at the station, providing excellent transit connectivity. Richmond TOD is a good case study in TOD for the San Joaquins as it is one of the most densely developed station areas in the system.
Madera TOD
SJJPA worked with several agenencies to find an improved location for a relocated Madera Station.
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Madera TOD
SJJPA worked with the Madera County Transportation Commission, along with the City of Madera and County of Madera, to find an improved location for a relocated Madera Station. The existing station has limited use, no transit connections, poor access to SR-99, and its location is expected to see only marginal growth in employment and transportation demand.
From this coordination effort, a relocated Madera station is being implemented by SJJPA for a location just north of the new Avenue 12/High Speed Rail grade separation. With Avenue 12 being a primary transit corridor for Madera County, the relocated station north of Avenue 12 will be consistent with the growth of Madera between State Route 99 and the BNSF line; will provide the opportunity for TOD in the station vicinity; and will be closer to Madera Community College. The Madera Station Relocation Project environmental review process was approved by the SJJPA on January 22, 2021. SJJPA final design is underway and Phase 1 of the project will be operational (the relocated San Joaquins station) by 2025, with future phases integrating the San Joaquins station to the planned Madera High Speed Rail station. SJJPA assisted and supported Madera County and the City of Madera on a successful 2021 Caltrans Sustainable Transportation application to initiate planning work to update an existing specific plan for the station area and for Southeast Madera County. This important planning work began in mid 2023.
Communities like the Sugar Pine Village will benefit greatly from this station relocation and additional transit connectivity provided to the San Joaquins.
Sugar Pine Village
Sugar Pine Village
Fresno TOD
SJJPA sees a great opportunity to encourage further development of the downtown in between the Amtrak and future HSR stations.
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Fresno TOD
While most TOD planning is focused on the immediate vicinity of the future HSR station in Fresno, which lies about one mile to the west of the Amtrak Station, SJJPA sees a great opportunity to encourage further development of the downtown in between the two stations. Also, development is already happening. Several multi-family housing developments have recently been completed or are underway within walking distance of the station.
Connectivity with modes other than the automobile is particularly important for first-mile-last-mile trips, while also serving to promote equitable transportation in disadvantaged/priority communities throughout California. In addition to helping increase ridership, improved transit and micro-transit connections support a more sustainable California by reducing energy consumption, automobile VMT, and greenhouse gas emissions.
BART
San Francisco Bay Ferry
The responsibility for providing connectivity to San Joaquins stations resides primarily with local and regional transit agencies. SJJPA is monitoring existing transit services and encouraging local and regional transit agencies to improve and expand transit services that connect to San Joaquins stations. SJJPA is also requesting that transit agencies promote their connection to the San Joaquins onboard their transit services and at their stops/stations. SJJPA is working to improve the coordination of fares and service schedules with connecting transit services and will seek funding opportunities to Implement transit-transfer programs for San Joaquins passengers. In partnership with local and regional agencies, SJJPA is pursuing Caltrans Sustainable Planning grant(s) in 2023 and 2024 to study increased connectivity at San Joaquins stations focusing on improving service to underserved disadvantaged/priority populations. This planning would include studying new technologies and creative ways to improve service connectivity to disadvantage/priority populations throughout the San Joaquin Corridor.
Network Integration Connectivity Study
In 2021, SJJPA undertook a connectivity study focused on the San Joaquin Valley stations and service to disadvantaged communities. This effort included the development of a GIS tool which shows transit routes which provide connectivity to each San Joaquins station, population density, and disadvantaged communities as defined by CalEnviroScreen. Findings of this effort were presented to the SJJPA at the July 22, 2022, Board Meeting and the report was released July 2022. This work is helping the SJJPA focus on strategies and partnerships with local and regional providers to improve connectivity to San Joaquins stations. The “Station Specific Strategies Table” from this study highlights strategies for each existing and future San Joaquins station. Here is link to the full Network Integration Connectivity Study Report.
Fresno FAX
Bikes On Board
In 2021, SJJPA completed and published the “South of Merced Integration Study”. This work focused investigation on how best to provide continued connectivity to downtown Hanford, Corcoran, and Wasco once HSR Interim Service begins operation (and Merced becomes the San Joaquins southern terminus). SJJPA coordinated closely with local and regional partner agencies on this study. As a result of this effort, SJJPA has entered into an MOU with Kings CAG, Kings County Area Public Transit Agency (KCAPTA), Tulare CAG, Tulare County Region Transit Agency, and Visalia Transit to partner in the development of the Cross-Valley Corridor Phase 1 Bus Service and the planning and implementation of the Cross-Valley Rail Project. SJJPA also committed to working with KCAPTA and Visalia Transit to seek state funds to provide increased local/regional transit connectivity for the San Joaquins between Hanford and Visalia.
SJJPA and other Kings-Tulare local/regional agencies partnered with Tulare County Regional Transit Agency (TCRTA) on their successful $33.8 million 2022 TIRCP application for electric buses and shuttles for the Cross-Valley Corridor that will initially enhance connections with the San Joaquins (until HSR operations begin). In 2023, SJJPA partnered with the City of Hanford, Kings CAG, Tulare CAG, Fresno CAG, Kings County Area Public Transit Authority (KCAPTA), TCRTA, and CHSRA on a Caltrans Sustainable Communities Planning grant for Kings-Tulare HSR station area TOD and connectivity planning and Cross Valley Rail (Porterville – Huron) planning. The City of Hanford is the lead agency for this grant application. SJJPA also approved an MOU with Kern Transit to work in partnership to provide increased Kern Transit connectivity between Wasco and the future Bakersfield HSR Station once HSR Interim Service begins operations.
Kings Area Regional Transit