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ATTACHME1vT C SUMMARY REPORT IntroducEion Study Objective The Salem Area Transit District (SAT) operates on a pulse concept whereby 18 routes converge simultaneously on downtown Salem twice each hour. A central pulse transfer point is vital to the operational efficiency of the transit system. Given Salem's geography and street pattern, a central, timed transfer point is the most cost effective way to provide transit mobility throughout the area. For over 15 years, various stud~es by the City and independent consultants have recom- mended that the transit system obtain a permanent off-street facility. The most recent study completed for the City of Salem in 1981 considered over forty potential sites for the transit center. Two sites were recommended-a mid-block alignment in the block bounded by Center and Chemeketa and Church and Cottage; and an alignment using the Senator Block. The Senator Block location is designated as the site for a transit center in the City's Comprehensive Plan for powntown Salem. (Figure 1) In 1984, the Salem Area Transit District recognized the public and private oppor- tunities created by developing a transit center project on the Senator Block. This block is a key bloc!c in downtown Salem and the transit center project is a public investment that will create significant transit, economic, community and design benefits. The County is the majority landowner on the block and, independent of the project, has a long-term need for additional office space to accommodate growth and consolidate Count~~ func- tions. The City has a possible need for additional parking in this area to accommodate a portion of the parking displaced by the Riverfront development and as a supporting ele- ment of the downtown parking strategy. Also, the community desires to take advantage of any potential for private retail, coir.mercial and office activity on the block. Joint development presents the opportunity to integrate the transit uses with these public and private developments, and create value in both financial terms and other community benefits, that public and private sector participants, working together, can capture for their mutual benefit. The purpose of this study is to determine if a transit center joint development project is technically and economically feasible on the Senator Block, to identify the potential joint development opportunities and participants and determine a course of action to realize the benefits of such a joint development venture. I