From: Vision 2020 Strategic Goal #2 Committee Beatification Program. RE: Executive Summary of Strategic Goal #2 Beautification Program

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1 June 20, 2011 To: Mayor Alan Hanks, Rapid City Common Council From: Vision 2020 Strategic Goal #2 Committee Beatification Program RE: Executive Summary of Strategic Goal #2 Beautification Program On September 22, 2010, the Vision 2020 Strategic Goal 2 Committee was formed in an effort to develop strategies for achieving the following Goal: Goal 2: By 2020 Rapid City will develop and implement a beautification program beginning with the appearance of its entrances and expanding to the overall community that embodies a consistent theme that is welcoming, aesthetically pleasing and pedestrian friendly. Over the past eight months the Committee has evaluated various strategies that would serve to achieve this goal. The following five priorities, in highest ranking order, were deemed most critical to successfully meeting this goal. 1. Construct welcome signs at major entrances to Rapid City 2. Bury overhead utility lines 3. Remove or reduce billboards 4. Perform more active code enforcement 5. Construct/repair sidewalks, bike lanes and bike trails connecting the City Below each priority is discussed in more detail with specific recommendations for program implementation. Priority 1: Construct Welcome Signs at Major Entrances to Rapid City This priority includes constructing new welcome signs at level 1 entrances. Level 1 entrances include Highway 44, I-90, I-190, Hwy 79 and Hwy 16. Once completed Level 2 entrances should receive similar treatment. Level 2 entrances include Sheridan Lake Road, West Chicago, Nemo Road, Haines Avenue, Sturgis Road and Deadwood Avenue. Exhibit A shows recommended locations for these welcome signs. The welcome signs should have a centralized theme that is uniform and visually pleasing. Recognizing that some entrances into Rapid City have unique characteristics that could be individually highlighted, it may be suitable to slightly modify the welcome sign theme to emphasize those attributes. For example, Hwy 44 follows Rapid Creek

2 and as such the welcome signs, while still adhering to a centralized theme, could incorporate some homage to the waterway. The welcome signs should also attempt to incorporate sustainable features such as porous concrete, solar lighting, rain barrels, rain gardens, use of local materials, use of recycled materials and other environmentally conscious elements. Priority 2: Bury Overhead Utility Lines This priority would include burying overhead utility lines in order to reduce visual clutter. When the opportunity arises all level 1 and level 2 corridors should be considered for overhead utility line removal. Level 1 corridors include Highway 44, I-90, I-190, Hwy 79 and Hwy 16. Level 2 corridors include Sheridan Lake Road, West Chicago, Nemo Road, Haines Avenue, Lacrosse Street, Mall Drive, E. North Street, Cambell Street, Catron Boulevard, Sturgis Road and Deadwood Avenue. Exhibit A demonstrates level 1 and level 2 corridors. It is further recommended that a City Ordinance be drafted concerning the burying of overhead utilities when City or State construction projects allow for the opportunity. It should also discourage the installation of new overhead utilities. As this priority has a significant cost associated with it there should be considerable discussion with the PUC, utility companies and City to determine the financial impact and possible funding sources. Priority 3: Remove or Reduce Billboards This priority would include reducing the size and number of billboards currently located in and around Rapid City. The focus should first be on level 1 and level 2 corridors. Priority 4: More Active Code Enforcement This priority would call for actively seeking out code infractions with a goal of improving the appearance of our level 1 and level 2 corridors first. As there are a significant number of codes to enforce, this committee would recommend focusing efforts on those that impact visual appearance. Examples would include tall grass/weeds, broken sidewalks, recreational vehicles parked in the right-of-way, vehicles parked in yards, vehicles parked on unpaved areas of the boulevard, tree limbs impairing pedestrian, bicycle and vehicle movements, excessive signs and banners on property, etc. The committee also recommends exploring ways to incorporate active code enforcement with Rapid City s annual Clean-Up-Day event. Other communities have enlisted programs where a neighborhood sees a canvassing by code enforcement officers followed up with a community cleanup effort and then a re-canvassing of the

3 same neighborhood one year later to ensure compliance. Other potential programs could include adopt a highway. Priority 5: Construct/Repair Sidewalks, Bike Lanes and Bike Trails Connecting the City This priority would give greater consideration to connecting the city through multimodal transportation opportunities. Specifically, this priority would encompass providing greater access for pedestrians and bicyclists. Like the other priorities, the recommendation would be to concentrate on level 1 and level 2 corridors. Attention should be centered on repairing existing sidewalk and bike trails where their condition has failed, and also on installing new sidewalk, bike trails and bike lanes where they currently do not exist. In an effort to ensure sidewalks and bike trails remain in good condition, the City should inspect them on a frequent basis and take necessary action to keep them passable.

4 32 ST 6 ST DEADWOOD AVE N 7 ST OAK AVE ANDERSON RD BUNKER DR KYLE ST 3 ST MAPLE AVE CRANE DR PINE ST OAK ST BRIGGS ST TOWER RD LIBERTY BLVD SPRUCE DR 151 AVE NEMO RD W HIGHWAY 44 MERRITT RD HIDDEN VALLEY RD STURGIS RD SOUTH CANYON RD NATIONAL GUARD RD SILA PL JAKE RD BALDWIN ST ALBERTTA DR CHAPEL LN MUIRFIELD DR OKPEALUK ST INTERSTATE ST DUNSMORE RD EXHIBIT A LEVEL 1 AND LEVEL 2 ENTRANCES AND CORRIDORS UNIVERSAL DR CANYON LAKE DR PARK DR DEADWOOD AVE JACKSON BLVD SHERIDAN LAKE RD RAND RD W CHICAGO ST W OMAHA ST 38 ST 36 ST RANGE RD SAMCO RD LIEN ST N PLAZA DR W MAIN ST JANET ST ARROW ST W FLORMANN ST HARNEY DR SKYLINE DR S HIGHWAY 16 S HIGHWAY 16 TOWER RD FOX RD W OMAHA ST MILL ST 12 ST WEST BLVD 11 ST SAMMIS TRL COBALT DR SILVER ST 9 ST WEST BLVD N MALL DR 7 ST 5 ST CATRON BLVD CHIEF DR N 7 ST 4 ST HAINES AVE NORTH ST OMAHA ST FRANKLIN ST 3 ST VIKING DR WOOD AVE 1 ST N MAPLE AVE NEW YORK ST OAKLAND ST ELK ST BLAINE AVE TEXAS ST MINNESOTA ST STUMER RD ELM AVE PARKVIEW DR W NIKE RD E DISK DR RAMP MILWAUKEE ST N LA CROSSE ST E OMAHA ST E MAIN ST E FAIRMONT BLVD 143 AVE CENTRE ST E SAINT PATRICK ST IVY AVE NEVA WAY LUNA AVE FIR DR DERBY LN WILMA ST CAMBELL ST SEGER DR E NORTH ST JESS ST S HIGHWAY 79 CREEK DR S HIGHWAY 79 TISH BLVD RAMP SEDIVY LN MARLIN DR DYESS AVE 225 ST E MALL DR EGLIN ST VALLEY DR S VALLEY DR BEALE ST MARLIN DR OLD FOLSOM RD ELK VALE RD N ELK VALE RD RAMP E ANAMOSA ST JET DR PIONEER DR JOLLY LN E MINNESOTA ST COUNTRY RD CHEYENNE BLVD SHARP DR AVENUE A TWILIGHT DR VISTA DR BENNETT RD WEST GATE RD S INTERSTATE 90 SERVICE RD HOMESTEAD ST ELMER ST RESERVOIR RD STACY ST ENNEN DR LEROY ST ALBERT LN PLUTO DR SOUTH SIDE DR LAMB RD GISI RD CARLIN ST GREEN DR LONG VIEW RD DUNN RD KENNY RD W BOX ELDER RD SKYLIGHT DR MORNINGLIGHT DR MORRIS LN TWINING ST FOX TRL RADAR HILL RD HIDDEN SPRINGS RD ELLSWORTH ST CREEKSIDE DR RADAR HILLS DR 228 ST 229 ST MAPLE ST N ELLSWORTH RD S ELLSWORTH RD MORNING VIEW DR 149 AVE AIRPORT RD RAMP RTR RD PRAIRIE RD LINE RD E HIGHWAY 44 BRADSKY RD RAMP INTERSTATE AVE QUIET PL 225 ST ± HIGHWAY 1416 Level 1 Corridors Level 2 Corridors Level 1 Locations Level 2 Locations CAPUTA LOOP DAWKINS RD

5 Vision 2020 Strategic Committee Goal #2

6 Committee Members Pat Roseland Steve Doshier Aaron Costello Wes Storm Craig Tieszen Van Lindquist Robert Ellis Linda Lea Viken Scott Engmann Gary Brown Ruth Brennan Suzan Nolan Jerry Cole

7 Vision 2020 Strategic Plan Develop strategic plan to help guide city government in preparing for the future Community Asked: How do you envision Rapid City looking in the year 2020? What would you like Rapid City to be in the year 2020?

8 Vision 2020 Input Stakeholders meeting: September 2009 (80 respondents) Meeting with City Council: October 2009 (10 respondents) Public input via Rapid City web page: November 2009 (29 respondents) Rapid City employee feedback: December 2009 (126 respondents) Rapid City Department Heads: September 2009 (15 respondents) Total Respondents: 260

9 Vision 2020 Strategic Plan Input summarized 5 goals established Attract and expand high skilled businesses Regional hub for medical, education, tourism, etc Develop interconnected parks, arts and recreation Accessible, safe and convenient transportation system Our task

10 Vision 2020 Goal #2 By 2020 Rapid City will develop and implement a beautification program beginning with the appearance of its entrances and expanding to the overall community that embodies a consistent theme that is welcoming, aesthetically pleasing and pedestrian friendly.

11 Rapid City Report Card Input 1200 citizens randomly surveyed 456 responses What we are doing well Where we need to improve Responses compared to national benchmarks Much Above, Above, Similar, Below, Much Below

12 Rapid City Report Card (Much Above) Availability of paths and walking trails Preservation of natural areas such as open space, farmlands and greenbelts

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15 Rapid City Report Card (Above) Ease of bicycle travel Quality of overall natural environment

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19 Rapid City Report Card (Similar) Run down buildings, weed lots, and junk vehicles seen as a major problem Ease of walking

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23 Rapid City Report Card (Below) None

24 Rapid City Report Card (Much Below) Overall appearance of Rapid City Code enforcement (weeds, abandoned buildings, etc.) Sidewalk maintenance Cleanliness of Rapid City

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29 Goal #2 Priorities 1. Construct welcome signs at major entrances to Rapid City 2. Bury overhead utility lines 3. Remove or reduce billboards 4. Perform more active code enforcement 5. Repair and/or construct missing sidewalks, bike lanes and bike trails connecting the City

30 Priority 1 Construct Welcome Signs at Major Entrances to Rapid City

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38 Priority 2 Bury Overhead Utility Lines

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41 Priority 3 Remove or Reduce Billboards

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44 Priority 4 More Active Code Enforcement

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47 Priority 5 Repair and/or Construct Missing Sidewalks, Bike Lanes and Bike Trails Connecting the City

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53 Goal #2 Priorities Summary 1. Construct welcome signs at major entrances to Rapid City 2. Bury overhead utility lines 3. Remove or reduce billboards 4. Perform more active code enforcement 5. Repair and/or construct missing sidewalks, bike lanes and bike trails connecting the City

54 Where Do We Go From Here? Create stakeholder groups to initiate priorities Seek public input Determine costs and funding sources Develop action plan Implement

55 Questions?