RTD service, EcoPass uptake and bike programs highlighted as tools to revive Boulder Junction; commission hears transit pilot and parking access questions

City and Chamber transportation staff on July 23 described a suite of transit and travel-demand-management efforts intended to increase access and activity in Boulder Junction, including EcoPass distribution, a new RTD service plan for Depot Square Station and business engagement in a city pilot called Boulder Clean Commute.

Will, presenting for Boulder Chamber Transportation Connections, said the chamber has issued more than 100 EcoPasses in recent weeks (residential, business and temporary passes) and reported strong participation in Bike to Work Day events. "We're over 50 neighborhood EcoPasses just since our last meeting in May. It's actually 53 as of an hour ago, and over 27 business EcoPasses," Will said.

Service changes and RTD parking access Transportation staff said RTD service changes are expected to take effect around Aug. 31, and that the Depot Square Station Park-and-Ride garage has been listed by RTD as having about 75 parking spaces. Will and other speakers cautioned that RTD still needs to publish final service details and that payment kiosks within the station may not have been operational while the station was closed. "Most of that hinges on RTD in terms of fulfillment of service schedule," Will said.

Boulder Clean Commute and TDM pilots Will said local businesses including Casiopeia, Logan's and Zeal Restaurant are participating in a pilot to reduce vehicle miles traveled through employer incentives; he described a pilot incentive of roughly $5 per day to employees who log trips. The pilot is funded in part by Boulder Chamber grant funds and city matching.

Wayfinding and parking access remain barriers Multiple speakers tied the district's low street-level activity to wayfinding and parking access. Commissioners and staff described drivers circling the neighborhood and missing garage entrances in the pedestrian plaza, and noted temporary street signs are subject to weather and vandalism. "The issue is not one of cost because all street parking in the neighborhood is also a pay to park. It is actually wayfinding," one commissioner said.

Public request and park updates A member of the public, relayed via Commissioner Rebecca Dumaschel, asked the commission to install mirrors on the Goose Creek Multi-use Path near blind corners to improve visibility for pedestrians and cyclists. Parks and Recreation staff were scheduled to provide an update on the pocket park at the commission's September meeting.

Hot-bus, Via Mobility and longer-term routes Commissioners asked about re-routing Via Mobility's hot-bus across 30th Street; presenters said Via Mobility (an RTD partner) is the operator for that service and that rerouting did not appear likely in the immediate RTD service changes planned for this fall. Staff encouraged commissioners and businesses to provide on-the-ground feedback to RTD via service-change email channels.

Quotes from the meeting "We're over 50 neighborhood EcoPasses just since our last meeting in May. It's actually 53 as of an hour ago," Will said when describing EcoPass uptake. "Most of that hinges on RTD in terms of fulfillment of service schedule," he added about the Depot Square station service changes.

Next steps Staff said they will link RTD service and Depot Square parking details to the commission and that Parks and Recreation will appear in September with an update on the pocket park and potential phase-two amenities. Transportation Connections staff also requested that commissioners forward lived-experience comments to RTD's service-change email address so planners can factor local observations into final service schedules.

Speakers Will (Boulder Chamber Transportation Connections, presenter) Rebecca Dumaschel, BJAD chair Kevin Krause, commissioner Regan Brown, city staff (referenced) Chris Jones (referenced; asked staff to track EcoPass counts) Member of the public (request relayed via Commissioner Dumaschel)

Authorities [{"type":"other","name":"RTD service-change process and Depot Square Station Park-and-Ride information","referenced_by":["Will"]},{"type":"policy","name":"Boulder Clean Commute pilot (city-chamber partnership)","referenced_by":["Will"]}]

Discussion vs. decision - Discussion: EcoPass issuance, B-cycle outreach, Depot Square garage capacity and payment access, effectiveness of wayfinding, and pilot incentives to reduce vehicle miles traveled. - Direction: staff to circulate RTD station and parking details and to invite commissioners to provide feedback to RTD service-change channels. - Formal action: none taken on service routing or funding at the meeting.