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Monday, December 15, 2014

RIO GATEWAY PLAZA: FAQ


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.

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.



Sunday, December 14, 2014

RIO GATEWAY PLAZA: an Intermodal Transportation Center & Park at Rio Hondo College.


The time has come. The time to change the culture of the means by which we get to Rio Hondo College through bus, bike, walking, rideshare and equine (yes, horse).

I would like to introduce you to"Rio Gateway Plaza" an Intermodal Transportation Center and Park at Rio Hondo College. Located at the bottom of the hill, Rio Gateway Plaza becomes the welcome and transition to and from Rio Hondo from vaious points by alternative modes transportation.

We are going to change the culture of how we get to Rio Hondo College through “Alternative Modes of Transportation”.

The targeted alternative modes of transportation here are:

• Bus
• Bike
• Walking (Pedestrian)
• Rideshare/Carpool
• Equine (Yes, Horse)

Outside of a personal automobile, getting to Rio Hondo College hasn’t been easy or convenient. Rio Hondo’s geographic (dis) location makes it a challenge for students, staff and faculty to even consider alternative means of transportation that is convenient.

In these days of heighten environmental conscious, we want to encourage alternative modes of transportation but the fact is that if it’s not convenient it probably not going to happen.

As a former Rio Hondo student, I walked, rode the bus, bummed rides or rode my bike to Rio (before it was stolen). Back then, busses stopped running after 8:30-9:00pm so if you were enrolled in evening courses, which ended at 9:50 pm, you were screwed.

Walking is an adventure, especially at night, when you have to walk in the street most of the way (no sidewalks), with partial to no light, and through a cemetery. It’s just not safe.

Biking remains an unsafe journey as most, if not all, bike lanes, paths and routes from all directions stop about .5 miles short of the college rendering it a risk.

So, as you can see, getting to Rio Hondo College other than in a car is a bit discouraging. Those who walk, bike or ride the bus, especially students, brunt the challenge daily with little complaint. It’s no wonder they don’t go to Cerritos or Pasadena.

So, fast forward over decade, GoRio was finally adopted and implemented to encourage student bus ridership to Rio Hondo thereby increasing access and convenience. It took over ten years of advocacy, many board members and superintendents to realize (believe) the vision. The inspiration to develop and implement GoRio came from my experience as a student at Rio and at Sac State where the student government subsidized (all access) public transportation.

GoRio has always been an aspect of a larger vision whereby alternative modes of transportation are encouraged, supported, and instilled into the campus culture.

Brief outlines of the Components of Rio Gateway Plaza are:

1. Bus - GoRio
a. Curb Cut in Bus Stop for 2-3 buses (relieving back up traffic)
b. Shelter
c. Seating

2. Bike - BikeRio
a. Bike Station: Lockers/Cage
b. Special Access
c. Changing Room in restrooms (small bench)
d. Connecting/Creating bike paths from all directions to college
e. BikeRio Program

3. Walk/Pedestrian - WalkRio
a. Create/extend sidewalks to and from (in front of) Rio Hondo College
b. Increase walking pedestrian safety from all directions

4. Ride Share - RideshareRio
a. Safe and convenient Rideshare Drop off and Pick up Zone with connection to Rio Shuttle

5. Rio Shuttle Stop - RioConnect
a. Bottom Tier Stop
b. ADA Access from/to Bus stop
c. Seating
d. Shelter
e. Queuing (painted lines or rail)

6. Security/Safety
a. 24/7 Video surveillance
b. Periodic patrol
c. Blue light tower

7. Flag Poles
a. US Flag; State, RHC
b. Project Plaque

8. Landscaping
a. Native and drought tolerant plants
b. Trees
c. Gardens
d. Special Fundraising/Sponsor projects: Name Bricks, gardens, outdoor furniture

9. Amenities
a. Restrooms (changing room space)
b. Hydration station (filtered water)
c. Information Kiosk/Booth
d. Regional Map display cases
e. Outdoor Furniture (cement table/bench-chess, chaise, etc)
f. Recreation items (cement ping pong table)
g. Vending Machines
h. Wifi

Benefits of Rio Gateway Plaza:

• Increase economical means of 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

What happens from here? The official roll-out begins to the campus community and the at-large district community through small informational presentations. The first of these roll oust will be to the Associated Students of Rio Hondo College, the Inter-Club Council and any other campus constituents who may allow a presentation.

Soon thereafter or in the interim, the Rio Plaza Advisory Committee will be formed and composed of the various campus constituent groups to provide initial feedback and suggestions.

Thereafter, a campus wide town hall will be conducted to formaly introduce the project to the greater whole.

Feedback and comments will be collected and incorporated from the Advisory Committee and the town hall which the college architects will submit plans to the Department of State Architect for approval.

Soon after state approval the project manager begins planning construction.

During this time, programming begins on the components with user groups and project staff (i.e. BikeRio, WalkRio, RideshareRio etc..).

Shaolin Kung Fu Tournament: Rio Hondo College


Rio Hondo College Hosting Shaolin Kung Fu Tournament


It was an honor to be asked by my friends with the Shaolin Temple USA to host thier Kung Fu tournament at Rio Hondo College. It adds to the diversity of art and culture which Rio Hondo takes great pride in promoting and exposing students to.


San Gabriel Valley Tribune Article: Kung Fu Tournament at Rio Hondo College