For More Information Contact:

Emlea Chanslor, Media Relations 369-6029

Web site: www.capmetro.org

For Immediate Release: January 7, 2003

Capital Metro Board committee to hear update on East 4^th/5^th Street Corridor

Staff will provide an update at a joint committee meeting of the Board of Directors, Wednesday, January 8, 2003, 2:00pm, Capital Metro Headquarters, 2910 East 5^th Street. Capital Metro is considering seeking proposals to prepare a redevelopment master plan for the property owned by Capital Metro in the East 4^th street and East 5^th Street corridor. The land adjoins the railroad right of way owned by Capital Metro.

At the community’s request, the study area for the corridor has been defined by 4^th and 7^th street and IH – 35 and Pleasant Valley in recognition of the anticipated impacts of a redevelopment project on the surrounding area. Only land owned by Capital Metro would be the subject of any redevelopment plan.

Community involvement is critical to the success of this planning effort. Therefore, Capital Metro has committed to a broad community representation both in the structure of the initial proposal review team and in the long-term stakeholder involvement process that will be an integral part of defining the community’s needs once the master planning consultant has been hired.

During the course of the last four months, Capital Metro has met with members of the East Austin community about the concept of the RFP and has asked for specific feedback from the community-at-large on the critical elements required for the RFP. The table below summarizes these meetings:

Date	Meeting Description	Attendees
September 9, 2002	Discussion with the East Cesar Chavez Neighborhood Planning Team on RFP	15
October 9, 2002	Presentation on Transit Oriented Development	125
October 24, 2002	Meeting with Community at Nuevo Leon	220
November 9, 2002	Meeting with Community at Metz Elementary	40
November 13, 2002	RFQ Meeting with ECC Terrazas Branch Library	5
November 18, 2002	Meeting with PODER	10
December 3, 2002	Community Meeting Metz Elementary	30
December 9, 2002	Community Meeting Pan Am Recreation Center	35

In response to community requests, Capital Metro staff are recommending representation from the neighborhood planning teams, PODER, the small business community and an at-large member on the proposal review team. Capital Metro and City of Austin staff will also be on the review team. The following individuals have been invited to serve on the team:

Holly/El Concilio Gavino Fernandez

East Cesar Chavez NPT Joseph Martinez

PODER Susana Almanza

Con Ganas Ray Ramirez

Small Business Cathy Vasquez-Revilla

The next steps for the project are listed below:

Scope of Work Completed for Request for Proposals (RFP) - Capital Metro will be finalizing the RFP during the course of the next several weeks and will provide the finalized version to the stakeholders upon its release.

RFP Released by Capital Metro, after Board of Directors review, asking for proposals to respond to the scope of work identified in the RFP.

Consultants Respond to RFP - Consultant Teams respond to RFP (2-3 month process) through a written proposal, outlining how they would respond to the requirements outlined in the RFP.

Review Team Reviews Proposals - Review team (consisting of CMTA, City and the community stakeholders outlined above) reviews and rates the proposals received.

Planning Consultant Selected - Most qualified firm recommended to develop the plan for the corridor.

Review Team presents recommendations to the Board of Directors for contract awarded.

Planning Consultant Begins Work – The firm chosen for this work will begin work. Please note that this work will be significantly focused on involving the community in how the plan is developed.