WELCOME. Purpose of the Open House. Update you on the project. Present a draft recommended plan. Receive your input

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1 WELCOME Purpose of the Open House The Town of Smiths Falls has initiated the Beckwith Street Redevelopment Plan that includes the preparation of a streetscape functional design for the renewal of Beckwith Street in the downtown core. The purpose of this open house is to: Update you on the project Present a draft recommended plan Receive your input Please identify any issues and concerns that you would like to see addressed during the study. You are invited to fill out a Comment-Questionnaire Form and leave it in the box provided, or return it to us by mail. Comments can also be submitted by to: trdunlop@smithsfalls.ca and matt.coffey@parsons.com. Your views and contributions are important to the success of this study! N

2 STUDY AREA Beckwith Street The study area for this study is Beckwith Street, between Elmsley Street and Chambers Street. The study area also wraps around each connecting side street.

3 EXISTING CONDITIONS Angled parking configuration. Narrow sidewalks. Wide vehicle travel lanes. Limited trees or greening. Limited opportunities for active transportation. 15,000 vehicles per day. Curb to curb width is 22.4 metres.

4 2013 DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION AND WATERFRONT INTEGRATION MASTER PLAN Seven Key Priorities for the Overall Plan 1. SERVICE SUSTAINABILITY to find operational savings and improvements 2. FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY for the effective management of town finances and assets 3. A STRONG COMMUNITY IDENTITY that reflects Smiths Falls evolving culture and long term vision 4. GROWTH & EXPANSION of the commercial tax base and economic development opportunities 5. IMPROVE LINKAGES to the waterfront area 6. TOURISM to support and expand the towns tourism offerings and opportunities 7. PLACEMAKING, the development of a town square and gathering place

5 ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS FOR THE STREET RENEWAL Options Presented to Council on December 18, 2017: Option 1: Retain the street in its current configuration with on-street angled parking. Option 2: Reconfigure the street to include Complete Street features including separate cycle tracks with parallel parking. Option 3: Reconstruct the streets with parallel parking with very wide sidewalks but without separated bicycle facilities. The three alternative concepts were evaluated against the following principles: Consistency with Planning Documents Wider pedestrian zones Visibility to businesses Pedestrian and cyclist safety Traffic movement and safety Loading zones Cost to construct Parking yield Improved accessibility Greener streets Festivals, Patio's, Art, etc. Public Feedback Streets that fulfill the vision and strategic directions of the Town of Smiths Falls Official Plan, the Downtown Revitalization and Waterfront Integration Master Plan. Streets that add attractive sidewalks and surfaces; pedestrian-orientated lighting; street trees and plantings; street furniture; paving patterns; and curb edges. Streets that create a pedestrian orientated street that is business-friendly. Streets that accommodate travellers in all modes, seeking to find a balance that better supports pedestrians and cyclists as priorities. Streets that slow traffic speeds while maintaining adequate through capabilities will be implemented. Streets that help fulfill the vision and strategic directions of the Town of Smiths Falls Pedestrian Study. Streets that are a low cost to construct but provide a high potential for return on investment. Streets that retain an adequate supply of on-street parking for the downtown needs. Complete Streets that inclusive, barrier free and create opportunities for people with all abilities. Streets that are attractive, sustainable and support a healthy and vibrant community. Streets that work in harmony with Smiths Falls natural and physical environment. Streets that create opportunities for activities such as outdoor patios, festivals and special events. Streets that are cost-effective to construct, operate and maintain, and that promote investment in the area.

6 EVALUATING THE OPTIONS Criteria Option 1-Angled Parking and No Cycling Facility Option 2-Parallel Parking & Cycle Tracks Wider pedestrian zone Visibility to businesses Cyclist safety Traffic movement Traffic safety Loading zones Parking yield Improved accessibility Greener streets Festivals, Patio's, Art, etc. Public Feedback Cost to Construct - Least Desirable, - Moderately Desirable, - Most Desirable

7 PARKING SUPPLY RESULTS Number of On-Street Existing Parking Option 1 - Angled Option 2 - Parallel Parking Spaces Supply Parking and No Parking & Cycle Cycling Tracks Tracks Chambers to Main 21 (2 accessible) 23 (2 accessible) 23 Main to William 23 (2 accessible) 20 (2 accessible) 22 William to Russell 29 (2 accessible) 22 (2 accessible) 21 Russell to Church 23 21(2 accessible) 20 Sub-Total Chambers to Church 96 (6 accessible) 87 (8 accessible) 86 Church to Gladstone/Daniel Gladstone/Daniel to Elmsley Sub-Total Church to Elmsley 19 (1 accessible) (2 accessible) TOTAL 120 (7 accessible) 101 (10 accessible) 101 (all accessible) Potential of Spaces on Side Streets TOTAL Approximately 640 spaces exist in downtown Smiths Falls today. Of those spaces, approximately 120 spaces are on Beckwith Street today.

8 OPTION 1: ANGLED PARKING ARRANGEMENT REFINED BASED ON PUBLIC FEEDBACK Concept #1 What we learned from the study and heard from you: Desire to keep things the way they are Desire to maintain angled parking and the wide street look Desire for wider sidewalks Desire to improve safety for pedestrians Desire to incorporate of flex space / shared space / festival space Desire to reduce speed for vehicles The Revised Concept (Summary) Cross Section Angled parking is maintained. Parking yield is reduced from existing to 101 spaces. Additional accessible parking spaces (each block). During Construction Ultimate Design 40 degree angle parking provided for safe vehicle movements, but lower parking yield Wide parking spaces (3.0 metre) are maintained. Sidewalks widths are increased marginally Raised intersections provided at Russel and Main Street. Sidewalk plantings mid block and at intersections

9 DESIGN OPTION 2: PARALLEL PARKING WIDTH CYCLE TRACKS Refined Based on Public Feedback Concept #2 What we learned from the study and heard from you: Desire for wider sidewalks. Desire to improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists. Desire to improve accessibility for all users. Desire to incorporate of flex space / shared space / festival space. Desire to reduce speed for vehicles. Desire to link the Downtown with the waterfront area. The Revised Concept (Summary) Parallel parking replacing angle parking. Cross Section Wider parallel parking spaces proposed. One-way single lane cycling tracks included both north and During Construction south bound with a dooring buffer. Ultimate Design Raised intersections at Main and Russel to reduce vehicle speed. Sidewalk and tree plantings mid-block and at intersections. Improved accessibility for all users. Wide sidewalks for streetscaping and shared spaces. Provides 101 parking spaces on Beckwith Street. Provides the highest use of the wide street.

10 THE CASE FOR CYCLING Cycle lanes conform to Complete Street policies of the Official Plan and the Ontario Cycling Strategy Smiths Falls is strategically located to benefit from the increase in cycling tourism in Ontario. Connect downtown with local and regional trail networks. Rideau Trail Smiths Falls is located along Trans Canada Trail Network and the Cataraqui Trail. Route 6 Carlton Place to Smiths Falls Route 8 Perth Smiths Falls - Merrickville Capitalize on Lanark County Cycling Resources Cycling connections to businesses on Beckwith Street to boost revenue for local business. The Great Trail (Trans Canada) Source: Ontario Cycling Strategy

11 RECOMMENDED OPTION OPTION 2 Option 2 Parallel Parking Configuration with Cycle Tracks: This solution is based on the following key reasons: There is a need and opportunity to reconstruct the streets to enable them to be consistent with the vision and strategic objectives of the Municipality s Official Plan and the Downton Revitalization and Waterfront Integration Master Plan Option 2 best meets this vision Beckwith Street s 30 metre width provides opportunity to create multi-functional public spaces within the downtown and accommodates travellers in all modes, seeking to find a balance that better supports pedestrians and cyclists as priority modes. Option 2 provides a Complete Street that best meets the needs of all users. The estimated cost to renew Beckwith Street with Option 2 is $137,330 less expensive than Option 1.

12 STREETSCAPING DIRECTION A vibrant, animated, pedestrian and business friendly street Strengthen Smiths Falls as a destination. Create opportunities for street activities such as outdoor patios, outdoor retailing, festivals and special events.

13 STREETSCAPING THEMES Calming measures can include: Green medians and street tree plantings; Bump-outs at cross walks for shorter crossings; and Distinct and/or raised intersections.

14 STREETSCAPING THEMES New decorative street lights system including pedestrian level lighting. New Street greening including street trees and planters.

15 STREETSCAPING THEMES Renewed streetscape environment, including paving stone surfaces and street furniture. Attractive bench seating and waste receptacles. Functional and attractive bicycle racks provided along Beckwith and side street corners

16 NEW NORTH GATEWAY Announce the north entry to Beckwith Street. Reconfiguration of highway type intersection design Shorter crosswalks Grand Rapids, Michigan Cedar City, Utah Town of Ajax, Ontario Minimal additional delay to motorists Potential locations for gateway features. Transition from highway to Downtown core Improved wayfinding Windsor, Ontario Town of Summit, New York.

17 MANAGING CONSTRUCTION DISRUPTION Communications Considerations Two Streams of Communications Environmental Mitigation Strategy Project Phasing Strategy 1. Managing traffic Impacts for the general public and commuters Public Open Houses Option for variable message boards Public Service Announcements Municipal Website, Facebook and Twitter Communications Strategy 2. Managing construction impacts on local residents and businesses Construction Start Notice Meeting with businesses as required Meeting with small groups of residents as required Mailing list (construction schedule look ahead via ) Block Captains Business Open as Usual promotions Contractor incentive / disincentive provisions to expedite Plus work duration Municipal Project Manager Contract Administrator Construction Liaison Officer Contractor Representative

18 Next Steps Thank you for attending! Your feedback is important to us. We encourage you to do the following: Complete a Comment Form and return it to us now, or return it to one of the contacts below. Notify others in the community about the project. Stay updated with the process through the Municipality s website and Facebook page. W. Troy Dunlop, C.E.T. Director of Roads and Public Works Town of Smith Falls trdunlop@smithsfalls.ca Ron Clarke, MCIP, RPP VP, Parsons P: x1526 E: ronald.clarke@parsons.com