Rio Plaza FAQ
What is Rio Plaza?
Rio Plaza is an intermodal transportation center, plaza and park for bus, bicycle, pedestrians, and rideshare at Rio Hondo College. The project is designed to serve students, staff, faculty, and the community.
How much will it cost and where are the monies coming from?
$3.5 million has been allocated for the project by the board of trustees from Measure A bond funds.
Where did this project come from?
Rio Plaza has been on the second level project list in our facilities master plan since 2002. The project is a product of the 2002 pre-bond campus-wide facilities planning process. The initial concept has been retooled and renamed to reflect current and future needs of the college. The original project was named the “Welcome Center” which was planned to primarily serve personal automobiles. The initial location was in the upper tier levels of parking and would have removed a significant amount of parking stalls.
Where will it be located?
Rio Plaza will be located at the bottom of the hill on the north bound bus stop adjacent to the first parking tier.
Why is this needed?
Rio Plaza aims to:
• Increase access to Rio Hondo College
• American Disabilities Act compliance
• Encourages alternative means of transportation
• Reduce the demand for on-campus parking
• Provide a seamless transition from external transportation to the main campus
• Reduce carbon emissions
• Encourage fitness and healthy life styles
• Increase safety
• Incentivize alternative transportation.
What are the major components of the project?
1. Bus: Provide “curb-cut in” at bus stop to eliminate backed-up traffic on street and increase rider safety. Provide ample shelter and seating protecting riders from the elements.
2. Bike: Provide a safe and secure special access bike station of lockers for Rio bicyclist. Work with adjacent cities and the county to Connect bike paths from all directions to college.
3. Pedestrian: Work with adjacent cities and county to create/extend sidewalks in front of Rio Hondo College to all points of arrival for pedestrians thereby increasing safety and access.
4. Ride Share (Drop off/Pick Up): Provide a safe and convenient Rideshare Drop off and Pick up Zone at parking tier level 1 with connection to Rio Shuttle
5. Rio Shuttle Stop: Create a shuttle stop on parking tier level 1 adjacent to Rio Plaza for a seamless, accessible (ADA), and safe transition for bus, bike, pedestrian, and rideshare users with ample seating and shade.
6. Security/Safety: Provide 24/7 video surveillance, security patrol, and an emergency Blue light cell tower.
7. Plaza & Flag Poles: Small civic space with flag poles. (US Flag; State, and RHC flag)
8. Landscaping: Create a welcoming, tranquil and aesthetically pleasant environment of native trees, drought tolerant plants, gardens and Special Fundraising/Sponsor projects: Name Bricks, gardens, outdoor furniture
9. Amenities: Provide essential amenities for Plaza users necessary for the transition to and from the college, including Restrooms (changing room space), Hydration station (filtered water), Information Kiosk/Booth, Regional Map display cases, Outdoor Furniture (cement table/bench-chess, chaise, etc), Wifi, and outdoor Recreational opportunities (i.e., cement ping pong table).
What is the timeline for construction?
Basically, the college plans to submit final plans to the Department of State Architect (DSA) for approval by March 2015. It can take DSA up to or more than three to six months (July-October 2015) at which time Rio may begin the bidding process for contractors. Rio Hondo may be prepared for construction by Spring-Summer 2016 (approximately).
How may the campus groups or community participate in the planning?
After initial conceptual design, the college plans on:
1. (January-February 2015) Forming a Rio Plaza Advisory Committee composed of campus constituent groups to provide feedback.
• Increase access to Rio Hondo College
• American Disabilities Act compliance
• Encourages alternative means of transportation
• Reduce the demand for on-campus parking
• Provide a seamless transition from external transportation to the main campus
• Reduce carbon emissions
• Encourage fitness and healthy life styles
• Increase safety
• Incentivize alternative transportation.
What are the major components of the project?
1. Bus: Provide “curb-cut in” at bus stop to eliminate backed-up traffic on street and increase rider safety. Provide ample shelter and seating protecting riders from the elements.
2. Bike: Provide a safe and secure special access bike station of lockers for Rio bicyclist. Work with adjacent cities and the county to Connect bike paths from all directions to college.
3. Pedestrian: Work with adjacent cities and county to create/extend sidewalks in front of Rio Hondo College to all points of arrival for pedestrians thereby increasing safety and access.
4. Ride Share (Drop off/Pick Up): Provide a safe and convenient Rideshare Drop off and Pick up Zone at parking tier level 1 with connection to Rio Shuttle
5. Rio Shuttle Stop: Create a shuttle stop on parking tier level 1 adjacent to Rio Plaza for a seamless, accessible (ADA), and safe transition for bus, bike, pedestrian, and rideshare users with ample seating and shade.
6. Security/Safety: Provide 24/7 video surveillance, security patrol, and an emergency Blue light cell tower.
7. Plaza & Flag Poles: Small civic space with flag poles. (US Flag; State, and RHC flag)
8. Landscaping: Create a welcoming, tranquil and aesthetically pleasant environment of native trees, drought tolerant plants, gardens and Special Fundraising/Sponsor projects: Name Bricks, gardens, outdoor furniture
9. Amenities: Provide essential amenities for Plaza users necessary for the transition to and from the college, including Restrooms (changing room space), Hydration station (filtered water), Information Kiosk/Booth, Regional Map display cases, Outdoor Furniture (cement table/bench-chess, chaise, etc), Wifi, and outdoor Recreational opportunities (i.e., cement ping pong table).
What is the timeline for construction?
Basically, the college plans to submit final plans to the Department of State Architect (DSA) for approval by March 2015. It can take DSA up to or more than three to six months (July-October 2015) at which time Rio may begin the bidding process for contractors. Rio Hondo may be prepared for construction by Spring-Summer 2016 (approximately).
How may the campus groups or community participate in the planning?
After initial conceptual design, the college plans on:
1. (January-February 2015) Forming a Rio Plaza Advisory Committee composed of campus constituent groups to provide feedback.
2. (February 2015) Conducting a campus-wide and community town-hall introducing the project
Why name it Rio Plaza?
The name “Rio Plaza” is just an initial concept name. It has also been referred as “Rio Gateway Plaza”. An inclusive naming process will be conducted encouraging feedback from all campus constituent groups.
Is this strictly a Rio Hondo College project?
No, the college has enthusiastic and supportive partners who will be contributing resources to the project. Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe is one of our most supportive partners. Other partners include, Los Angeles County Public Works, Foothill Transit, Norwalk Transit, MTA, adjacent cities, and others.
Is this strictly a Rio Hondo College project?
No, the college has enthusiastic and supportive partners who will be contributing resources to the project. Los Angeles County Supervisor Don Knabe is one of our most supportive partners. Other partners include, Los Angeles County Public Works, Foothill Transit, Norwalk Transit, MTA, adjacent cities, and others.
