BROOKLAND Multi-Modal Transportation & Streetscape Study* NE Washington, DC

Transcription

1 BROOKLAND Multi-Modal Transportation & Streetscape Study* NE Washington, DC The study s goal is to create a multi-modal transportation and streetscape design plan to increase transportation efficiency, enhance pedestrian safety, and strengthen economic development and vitality of the Brookland community. 12 th Street, N.E. Implementation of this project will complement the District s effort to support the establishment of lasting, revitalization initiatives in DC s traditional neighborhood business districts. As such, on behalf of Mayor Anthony A. Williams, the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development launched the restore DC Initiative in January 2002, which designated 12th Street N.E. as one of its Main Streets. *) This presentation focuses on the streetscape portion of the study.

2 THE COMMUNITY Brookland, located in NE Washington DC with 12th Street as its central corridor between Michigan and Rhode Island Avenues, is a neighborhood of rolling hills, with tree-lined streets, eclectic architecture, and a rich artistic and intellectual legacy. It offers many personalities that range from residential neighborhoods and institutional anchors like Catholic University (CUA) to lively commercial areas. Like many communities, Brookland also displays some of the most challenging problems associated with vehicular movement, pedestrian safety, and streetscape aesthetics. Recent construction of the nearby Brentwood Road Shopping Center has resulted in significant increases in pedestrian and vehicular traffic, and a lack of maintenance and safety is evident, resulting in increased burglaries of the commercial businesses. Examples of Brookland s existing streetscape conditions.

3 CONNECTIVITY Deficient vehicular, bicycle and pedestrian connectivity to and from the surrounding neighborhoods results in less business for 12th Street s commercial core than would be expected from a theoretically strong customer base. The Metro and heavy rail tracks worsen this scenario by separating Brookland and the areas to the west. The great advantage of having the Brookland/CUA Metro Station in close proximity to 12th Street is negated by virtually no visible pedestrian connection or way-finding signs to Brookland.

4 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION The first step in unlocking 12th Street s potential to the liking of the community s stakeholders, was the instigation of an extensive public participation process. Through a series of meetings, workshops/ charettes, and community walks, representatives from the residential and business community, neighborhood institutions, elected officials and agencies had the opportunity to be heard and get involved. Collaboration with WMATA, utility companies, ANCs, Brookland Community Development Corporation (CDC), 12th Street Main Street, students and faculty from CUA, and Study/Technical Advisory Committees (SAC/TAC) provided additional input and aided in the formation of the following study goals: The study team created an interactive project website as a tool for the public and agencies to follow the progress, find meeting notices, minutes, and links to relevant District resources, download draft documents, and provide comments. (access through Reduce traffic congestion and travel speeds. Improve parking supply. Promote pedestrian safety. Reduce impact of truck traffic on residential neighborhoods. Enhance transit, bicycle, and pedestrian access and connectivity. Improve the public realm, enhance the sense of place and highlight the unique character of the community. Photos of workshops & community walks.

5 EXISTING CONDITIONS Concurrent with the outreach efforts, the team embarked on an extensive existing conditions assessment as the canvas for developing transportation and public realm recommendations. Strengths and weaknesses were identified and condition levels for sidewalks, street trees, lighting, utilities, and street furnishings were documented in graphic, tabular and textual format (See example to the right: mapping of street tree conditions). The transportation infrastructure analysis included descriptions of parking, roadway surfaces, pavement markings and signing, street lighting and traffic signal operations, traffic and pedestrian counts, collisions, truck circulation, transit and bicycle service. (Page 90 of report)

6 RECOMMENDATIONS Recommendations for transportation and streetscape improvements are a culmination of active participation by and input from community representatives, assistance from DDOT-TPPA, and the efforts of the study team. Where applicable, transportation related recommendations provided the basis for public realm improvements; they are organized by sub-districts to allow for context-sensitive design (see next slide). A set of recommended streetscape improvements is provided for each of the seven sub-districts, incorporating an easyto-use reference system with links to a Streetscape Elements Library. This system was developed to enable the reader to find in-depth and technical information about the recommendations while keeping the central part of the document comprehensible and concise. Right: Content of Streetscape Elements Library (Page 140 of report)

7 Sub-District Plan (Pages of report)

8 The Theme: Sustainability An overall theme of sustainability with social, environmental, and economic aspects unifies the sub-districts without compromising their individuality, appearance and function. By promoting multi-modal transportation and enhancing the streetscape in an environmentally sensitive manner, creating appealing public spaces and vibrant commercial areas, it is intended to encourage the stakeholders stewardship of the public realm and build a socially responsible, enjoyable, sustainable, and economically viable neighborhood. FIVE UNIFYING STREETSCAPE ELEMENTS have been identified to reflect the theme and nature of Brookland s unique neighborhood. If applied contiguously along 12th Street, these elements can tie the corridor s different zones and uses together and create an aesthetically pleasing, safe and vibrant Main Street. (Pages of report)

9 (Pages of report) Sub-district specific recommendations (1)

10 (Pages of report) Sub-district specific recommendations (2)

11 (Pages of report) Sub-district specific recommendations (3a)

12 (Pages of report) Sub-district specific recommendations (3b)

13 (Pages of report) of report) Sub-district specific recommendations (4)

14 (Pages of report) Sub-district specific recommendations (5)

15 Sub-district specific recommendations (6 & 7a) (Pages of report)

16 Sub-district specific recommendations (6 & 7b) (Pages of report)

17 Example of Streetscape Elements Library (1) (Pages 141 & 144 of report)

18 Example of Streetscape Elements Library (2) (Pages 145 & 153 of report)

19 IMPLEMENTATION Transportation Related Long-Term Recommendations The recommendations contained in the report shall provide the District s agencies, residents, private developers and other stakeholders with tools to effectively improve the transportation infrastructure and streetscape design. In accordance with the client s time lines, the team identified short-and long-term improvements and a public investment and implementation strategy, including potential sources of funding. Streetscape Related Long-Term Recommendations TRAFFIC SIGNALS: The existing traffic signals should be upgraded to conform with the latest design guidelines and practices. Signal modifications are necessary at virtually all signalized intersections within the study area and pedestrian phasing and pedestrian signal heads should be added at signalized intersections where they do not currently exist. [M] TIMING/PHASING: Install updated traffic signal timing with appropriate phasing adjustments to reflect current traffic conditions and improve traffic operations. [M] INTERSECTION & ROADWAY MODIFICATIONS: In line with the public realm improvements, provide clearly marked parking, bike and vehicular travel lanes, safe pedestrian crossings, a painted or landscaped median; widths vary by location. CAR SHARING: In an effort to promote car sharing, considerations should be given to expanding the Zipcar/Flexcar program within Brookland area. [M] NORTHERN GATEWAY: Due to the complexity of the traffic operations and safety issues at the intersections of Michigan Avenue/12th Street, N.E., it is recommended that this location be studied in greater detail. A possible conceptual layout for intersection improvements is included in chapter 8.5. [P, M, B] TRUCK PROHIBITION SIGNS: Provide consistent truck prohibition signs for the Brookland area. [M] SMALL TRUCKS: Encourage local businesses to utilize smaller trucks, if possible, for delivery of supplies and materials. [M] LOADING ZONES: Provide additional designated loading zones within the 12th Street, N.E. corridor to facilitate delivery services for area businesses. [M] UNDERGROUNDING OF UTILITY LINES. [B,M,P,PT] LIGHTING: Install new decorative roadway and pedestrian level lights to provide higher levels of illumination and beautify the streetscape. [P] INTERSECTION MODIFICATIONS: In line with the transportation improvements, provide safe pedestrian crossings and more green space around intersections. This may include bulb-outs and stamped concrete crosswalks. [P] WALKWAYS: Install new exposed aggregate concrete sidewalks along 12th and Monroe Streets and add sidewalks along Newton Street to provide pedestrian-friendly Metro station access. Incorporate sidewalk accents where appropriate. [P] ADA RAMPS: Install or upgrade ADA ramps to accommodate persons with disabilities to meet current DDOT design standards, which adhere to ADA guidelines. [P] FURNISHING ZONE: Install new curb and cutter and permeable walkable surface treatments; place decorative street furnishings in the furnishing zone, including seating, bicycle racks, and bollards, and add trash receptacles where necessary. [P] BRIDGE IMPROVEMENTS: Widen sidewalks, add bike lanes and provide buffer zones using landscaping, light fixtures and furniture. [B,M,P,PT] MULTI-SPACE PARKING: Install multi-space parking meters along the commercial areas of 12th Street, coordinating the spacing with light poles and trees. [M] LANDSCAPING: Plant flowering trees and understory plantings along 12th and Monroe Streets to define the public realm. Install landscaping within the median. [B,M,P,PT] PUBLIC ART/ENTRANCE MARKERS: Create and install larger public art and/or entrance markers in cooperation with the community. [B,M,P,PT] LID: As part of the resurfacing project, incorporate Low Impact Development Techniques along curb and gutter and bioretention cells within landscaped areas. [B,M,P,PT] Discuss the following items with Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), and, if applicable, with the District Office of Planning (OP) [B,P,PT]: + Installation of appropriate directional signs [P, PT] + New and expanded bike racks [B] + Access [P, PT] + Bus shelters [PT] (Pages of report)

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