Ann Arbor Downtown Streetscape Framework Advisory Committee Meeting #2. Advisory Committee Meeting #1 6/10/2014

Transcription

1 1 Ann Arbor Downtown Streetscape Framework Advisory Committee Meeting #2

2 Today s Agenda 2 Introduction Brief overview of public engagement June 12 th Big Picture Network Analysis Street-level Discussion Next Steps Goal Review Potential Pilot Projects Next Meeting

3 Project Team: Advisory Committee 3 Advisory Committee Members Ingrid Ault Ken Clein Jim Curtis Galaan Dafa Shannan Gibb-Randall Roger Hewitt Joe Malcoun John Mouat Mae Sander Llyod Shelton Nancy Shore Maura Thomson Sue Gott Parks Advisory Commission and Think Local First Planning Commission and architect with Quinn Evans Downtown property owner Ann Arbor resident, downtown employee at ArborMetrix Landscape architect with Insite Designs DDA Board and owner of Redhawk and Revive and Replenish Ann Arbor resident, Founder & President CKM Capital DDA Board and architect with Mitchell and Mouat Architects Ann Arbor resident UM Student, A2 Commission on Disability Concerns getdowntown Program and AAATA Main Street Area Association University of Michigan Stakeholder 5/1/2014

4 Project Process 4 PHASE 1 Project Initiation Goal review, engagement kick-off PHASE 2 Analysis & Goal Setting Kick-off, Site Tours, Street Analysis, Workshops PHASE 3 Framework Development Criteria, Typologies, Street Plans, Guidelines PHASE 4 Implementation Strategy Toolkit, Implementation Guide, BMP s, Recommendations PHASE 5 Final Documentation Drafts, Boards Approvals Advisory Committee Meeting Public Meetings

5 Project Activities 5 Advisory Committee #1 Meeting summary Focus Group Interviews ALT Committee / Travel Way Users City Staff: Technical/Environmental/Construction/Maintenance Technical Transportation (AAATA) Economic (DDA Board Members and business owners) Public Space Users (special events, permitting, parking system) Developers/architects Inventory & Analysis Mapping Key network maps

6 What We Heard Key Issues & Opportunities Balance between keeping it funky and clear guidelines and standards critical Bikes and pedestrians Improve safety for both groups, make it better for bikes in the street so they are off the sidewalk Deliveries and Waste Handling Varies by area, need consistency/education, need for enforcement Large trucks (e.g. Beer trucks) can be problematic Surging demand for sidewalk occupancy in areas without adequate sidewalk space Will require careful consideration of re-allocating right-of-way uses Meeting accessibility needs for all users Some streets lack coherent character and need an clearer identity E.g. William Street, parts of Washington, Huron Need to clarify roles, responsibilities, and policies for street management, enforcement, and project implementation DDA, City, Developers, Private users, Citizens, Event planners, etc. Lots of experimenting has been in the past, need to pursue best practices Tree planters, landscaping beds, pacing materials, furnishings, etc. Framework needs to support commerce & activity and intervene appropriately Activating less used spaces vs. supporting high use 6

7 7 Ann Arbor Downtown Streetscape Framework Public Engagement Overview

8 Public Engagement June 12th 8 Rolling Workshop (11:30am to 4:30) Two groups of staff/consultants will visit locations in downtown to conduct on the spot surveys and solicit feedback. People will be asked to. Identify issues & opportunities (preserve, enhance, transform) Map existing (or ideal) routes into town using their preferred mode of transportation Share big vision ideas Fill out feedback form Public Workshop (6:30 8:30) Kick-off meeting. Soft-start with analysis boards for viewing Overview presentation Group visioning / brainstorming Small group mapping activity (same mapping exercises as rolling workshop) Report out small group results Next Steps / fill out feedback forms Online Feedback Online feedback forms Wikimapping site for conducting the same mapping exercises online Streetscape-Plan.html#.U5XjVfldV8H

9 Rolling Tour Locations 9 Group 1 (red) Fourth (at Catherine) Main Street (at Huron) Ashley (at Liberty) Fifth (at Library Lane) 1 Group 2 (purple) South University (at Church st.) State Street (at N. University) William Street (at Maynard) Washington (at Division)

10 10 Ann Arbor Downtown Streetscape Framework Street Network Analysis

11 Streetscape Framework Key Considerations 11 Function / mobility Priority Capacity for autos, trucks, transit, bikes, pedestrians Accessibility (aka universal design ) Complete Streets as a network Design character and Context District uses and building form Adjacent land uses Materials, streetscaping, cultural resources, etc.

12 Framework Network Components 12 Functional elements of the networks Vehicle network Transit network Bike network Pedestrian network + environment Street activity and commerce Parking system Building uses and functions

13 Vehicle Network 13

14 Vehicle Network KEY ANALYSIS POINTS 1. Heavy traffic on pedestrian streets (e.g. Main Street, State Street) 2. MDOT Roads 3. Truck Routes: How deliveries are handled, etc. 4. One-Way pairs: navigation, business support, traffic speed reduction Residential areas feel + function like thoroughfares (e.g. 1 st Street) 14

15 Transit Network 15 AAATA Bus Routes Transit Center Bus Stops Low Boardings Boarding Count Route Count High Boardings

16 Transit Network KEY ANALYSIS POINTS 1. High bus volumes (Washington + 5 th Ave) 2. Bus heavy intersection and turning zones 3. Future high capacity bus corridors / connection? 4. Opportunity for reviving a LINK type loop route downtown 16 * Transit Center

17 Bike Network 17 Bike Network & Facilities Bike Lane Shared Use Path Sharrow Segment Suggested Bike Route Trail Signalized Intersections 4-Way Stop Sign Intersections Bike Rack Bike Locker Existing Midblock Crossing Proposed Midblock Crossing

18 State Main Bike Network Huron Liberty Washington KEY ANALYSIS POINTS 1. Limited east-west bike lane connections. William St (no facilities), Liberty + Washington (transit + many cars). Huron opportunity? 2. Bike riding and parking on congested pedestrian streets; safety issues with peds. 3. One-way streets tend to invite either wrong-way cycling or sidewalk riding 18 William S. Univ.

19 Pedestrian Experience 19

20 Ground Floor Street Characters Retail / Mixed-Use Mixed Streets 20 Office Front Office

21 Ground Floor Street Characters Institutional 21 Service Residential Parking

22 Pedestrian Experience 22 KEY ANALYSIS POINTS 1. Huron = perceptual edge of town, barrier to movement 2. Improve pedestrian connection between Main St. and Kerry Town + State St. 3. Service ( Back of House ) streets need continuity and enhancement (lights, sidewalks, etc.) 4. Street tree sites and maintenance. 5. Alleys and pedestrian corridors need safety improvements (i.e. lighting, visibility, etc.)

23 Street Activity 23 Public Space Use Sidewalk Permits Advertising Music Performance Outdoor Seating Restaurant Retail Vending cart Waiting Area # of Street Events

24 Street Activity 24 KEY ANALYSIS POINTS 1. Regularly closed event streets 2. Other event streets 3. Highest / increasing demand for sidewalk occupancy and limited sidewalk space

25 Parking System 25 Parking System Metered Streets Metered Space Meter / Space Post epark Machines Gated Lots Permit Only Lots Metered Lots Parking Structure

26 Parking System 26 KEY ANALYSIS POINTS 1. Streets to explore for alternative parking space uses 2. Off-peak parking on Huron (will improve pedestrian feeling too) (Church does this Sundays) 3. Potential for early AM parking converted to loading zones

27 Building Use 27 Building Uses Retail / Dining / Mixed-Use Office / Mixed Use Residential Industrial / Service Institutional / Public Transportation / Utility Parking Deck Open Ground Uses Parking Lot Private Open Space / Parking Public ROW Public Park / Open Space

28 Building Use Ashley Terrace (2008, 93 units) A2 City Apartments (2014, 156 units) 414 N. Main (Under Con., 16 units) 411 Lofts (2009, 96 units, 342 bedrooms) Metro Lofts (2007, 14 units) 413 E. Huron (Under Con., 208 units, 513 beds) The Varsity (2013, 181 units, 415 bedrooms) Corner House (2003, 42 units) 28 KEY ANALYSIS POINTS 1. Recent increases in higher density residential uses (2009+) 2. Pre-2009 higher density residential uses 3. Public/Institutional uses often need activation of street 4. Key commercial zones Tower Plaza Ashely Mews / Townhouses Zargon West (2012, 99 units, 200 beds) University Towers 618 S. Main (Under Con., 164 units, 195 beds) Zargon (2009, 66 units, 248 beds) Landmark (2014, 175 units, 610 beds)

29 Ashley Main 4th 5th State Functional Composite Miller / Catherine Potential Priority Functions Commerce / Event Streets Transit Streets Bike Connectors Image Streets Service/Residential Streets 29 Huron Washington Liberty 1 st N. University William S. Univ.

30 30 Ann Arbor Downtown Streetscape Framework Street-Level Discussion

31 Critical Issue & Opportunity Streets 31 State Street Narrow sidewalk and too many demands Huron Street Auto-Focused William Multi-modal balance Character Washington Service oriented historically but transitioning

32 State Street 32 Key Issues: Narrow ROW and sidewalks lots of demand for sidewalk uses Limited parking Increasing demand for café space Pedestrians everywhere

33 Huron 33 Key Issues: Not a pleasant space for pedestrians Becomes a psychological barrier to movement downtown MDOT road + truck route Inactive building ground floors

34 William 34 Key Issues: Lack of character Frequent lane shifts / transitions No bike facilities Low light levels at night safety concerns Residential frontages

35 Washington 35 Key Issues: Back of house uses (service, parking lots, loading zones) Changing land uses (new residential developments) large pockets of inactive uses Lane shifts High volume of bus traffic

36 36 Ann Arbor Downtown Streetscape Framework Next Steps

37 Plan Goals (measures for success) A Starting Point 37 Identity & Character: MEMORABLE Mobility & Access: CONNECTED Commerce & Activity: ECONOMICALLY VITAL Implementation & Management: SUSTAINABLY MANAGED 1. Strengthen Downtown s identity and unique sense of place 2. Ensure a vibrant and attractive pedestrian experience 3. Celebrate Downtown Ann Arbor s unique history, culture, and neighborhoods 4. Improve connectivity, accessibility, and effectiveness for all mobility modes 5. Maintain a safe, accessible and legible downtown environment 6. Support active, healthy living and a high quality of life 7. Strengthen downtown as a center of commerce and a catalyst for activity 8. Encourage economic development by leveraging quality streets to attract and retain business and residents. Property values. 9. Create well-planned, managed, and maintained streets through effective coordination and use of best practices 10. Enhance sustainability promote social equity and environmental health 11. Maintain flexibility in the street design to adapt to changing needs Community & Stewardship: EMBRACED 12. Support community stewardship, partnerships and investments in the public realm 13. Engage citizens in promoting downtown streets as attractive and valuable public open spaces Stakeholder 5/1/2014

38 Next Steps 38 Public Engagement June 12 th You are welcome to attend and we encourage you to invite others Next Advisory Committee Meeting Draft networks / functional priorities Determine date for next AC meeting

39 39 Ann Arbor Downtown Streetscape Framework Thank you!

40 40 Ann Arbor Downtown Streetscape Framework Typology Development Stakeholder 5/1/2014

41 Street typing 41 High activity commercial (retail) Moderate intensity mixed (office) Lower intensity retail or mixed Campus or green space Residential Through traffic and truck priority C C C Business access and activity priority A B B Bicycle/pedestrian or community transportation priority E E E Transit priority D D D

42 Land Use Context 42

43 Transportation Priorities 43

44 Context + Priority 44

45 Applying the typology 45 E B C B A D C D B E A D E A C

46 S. State Street ~67 S. University Ave ~67 Main Street ~77 High Activity Commercial (retail) 46 Priority 1. Pedestrians and patrons 2. Parking and loading/delivery 3. Multimodal travel (vehicles, bicycles, transit) Programming Café dining and outdoor retailing Festivals, events, summer streets Features and Elements Flexible design 2-way operations Curbside parking /loading (managed) Curb extensions, platforms, parklets Bicycle corrals Type/terminology Main street

47 E. William Street ~67 E Washington St. ~65 E. Huron Street ~80 Moderate Intensity (mixed); Lower Intensity (retail or mixed) 47 Priority 1. Multimodal access TO (pedestrians, parking, loading, transit stops, bikes) 2. Multimodal access THROUGH Programming Traffic priority (Huron) Transit priority (Washington) Bicycle priority (William) Building entrances Some café seating/outdoor retailing Landscape Transit shelters, bike parking Parking access (minimize!) Features and Elements Generally 2-way operations Curbside parking /loading Curb extensions, bus bulbs Queue jumps, bicycle facilities Type/terminology Urban arterial; Green arterial Transit corridor; bus boulevard Bicycle boulevard

48 S. State Street ~67 Washtenaw Ave ~85+ S. University Ave. ~70+ Campus or Green Street 48 Priority 1. Active transportation OR 2. Multimodal through connections Programming Building access Strolling, lingering, green space access Low intensity activity Features and Elements May be one or two way May be multi-lane Landscaping Dedicated facilities for modal priorities Type/terminology Parkway; Green arterial Transit boulevard Bicycle boulevard; community greenway

49 Catherine/Miller Ave ~67 N. 1 st Street ~70+ S. Ashley Street ~70+ Residential/Community Street 49 Priority 1. Active transportation AND/OR 2. Neighborhood/community uses Programming Porches, yards, plantings Parking Slow multimodal travel Neighborhood block events Features and Elements Narrow lanes (may be one way or two way) May be discontinuous vehicular connections Buffered sidewalks Type/terminology Bicycle boulevard; community greenway Neighborhood street

50 Sidewalk Dimensions 50

51 Sidewalk Dimensions 51

52 Sidewalk Dimensions 52

53 Sidewalk Dimensions 53

54 Sidewalk Dimensions 54