Santa Fe/Kalamath Pedestrian Improvements Study

Transcription

1 Santa Fe/Kalamath Pedestrian Improvements Study 2013

2 2 Santa Fe/Kalamath Pedestrian Improvements Study

3 Table of Contents INTRODUCTION... 5 Introduction... 5 Area Context and Related Studies... 6 Existing Conditions... 7 Public Outreach...10 ALTERNATIVES...11 Alternatives Development...12 Santa Fe Drive Intersections...12 Kalamath Street Intersections...16 Bike Lane Alternatives th Street and Santa Fe Drive Right Turn Realignment...24 Flex Lanes...26 Pedestrian Improvement Alternatives...28 Fixing Existing Sidewalks...28 Encroachments, Hazards and Inconsistencies in the Right-Of-Way...28 Installation of Pedestrian Lights, Bike Racks and B-Cycle Stations...28 Mid Block Amenity Zone Extensions...30 Project Study Area Toolkit...32 RECOMMENDATIONS...35 Recommendations and Implementation...36 Next Steps...37 Santa Fe/Kalamath Pedestrian Improvements Study 3

4 MARIPOSA ST LIPAN ST FOX ST INCA ST T 9TH ST T S COLFAX AVE WELTO H ST 14TH AVE SPEER BLVD 14TH AVE 2 6 FOX ST ELATI ST 13TH AVE PECOS ST Lincoln Park 12TH AVE 8 Cherry Cherry Creek Creek 12TH 1 4 T OSAGE ST 11TH AVE 3 NAVAJO ST 10TH AVE KALAMATH ST SANTA FE DR 11TH AVE 9TH AVE 9 5 ELATI ST 8TH AVE T Light Rail Station 1 La Alma Rec Center 2 DHA North Lincoln 3 DHA South Lincoln/Mariposa 4 Greenlee Elementary 5 Museo De Las Americas 6 King Sooper s 7 Boys and Girls Club of Denver 7TH AVE 8 Parkway Center 9 West High School 7 GALAPAGO ST 7TH AVE Project Study Area Boundary; bound by Santa Fe Drive to the east, Kalamath Street to the west, 9th Avenue to the south, and 14th Avenue to the north. 4 Santa Fe/Kalamath Pedestrian Improvements Study

5 Introduction PROJECT PURPOSE The Santa Fe Drive and Kalamath Street Pedestrian Crossing Improvements Study (the Study) was prepared in response to the La Alma/Lincoln Park Neighborhood Plan (Neighborhood Plan) adopted in September The Neighborhood Plan identifies the necessity for a Feasibility Study of Pedestrian Crossing Improvements of Santa Fe and Kalamath from 9th to 13th Avenue to determine how to improve multi-modal connectivity from the [LRT] station [at 10th and Osage Street] to Santa Fe and the greater community. The Study identifies existing and potential pedestrian and cyclist movements and impediments to movement across Santa Fe Drive and Kalamath Street and proposes near-term, implementable solutions within the study area. The Study is to be used by the City and County of Denver s Community Planning and Development Agency and Department of Public Works, the Denver Planning Board, property owners, business owners, business districts and neighborhood associations as a City-approved guide to improve mobility for the crossings of Santa Fe Drive and Kalamath Street. Though not in the original scope, this study also assessed opportunities to improve the pedestrian character along Santa Fe Drive to enhance the commercial corridor and arts district. PROJECT BOUNDARIES The study area is adjacent to I-25, Speer Boulevard, Colfax Avenue, 6th Avenue and the 10th and Osage Light Rail Station, as shown on the previous page. The project boundary was determined by a careful review of the best opportunities for improvements to pedestrian and bicycle crossings with connections between Kalamath/Santa Fe and the 10th and Osage light rail station, King Soopers and neighborhood commercial and retail land uses. The project boundary was also influenced in part by the ability to identify implementable solutions related to concerns raised in the Neighborhood Plan. DOWNTOWN DENVER AURARIA PROJ EC T BO UNDA DARY Santa Fe/Kalamath Pedestrian Improvements Study 5

6 Area Context and Related Studies The study area sits within the La Alma/Lincoln Park neighborhood. The land uses vary from primarily commercial and light industrial uses on Santa Fe Drive to residential uses on Kalamath Street and the cross streets. Housing within and adjacent to the study area includes single-family detached houses, row houses, duplexes, brick bungalows and one-story stucco houses. Parkway Center is a prominent housing development close to the study area. The Parkway Center is a 1,050 unit apartment and condominium complex between 11th and 14th, along the west side of Speer Boulevard. A typical sidewalk view along Santa Fe Drive presents parallel parking, street furniture in the sidewalk, and confined pedestrian spaces. Key destinations within the study area are the Santa Fe Arts District, Greenlee Elementary and a King Soopers grocery store. The Santa Fe Arts District is located on Santa Fe Drive and is defined by the many art galleries, commercial shops and restaurants between Alameda and 12th Avenues. The First Friday Art Walk and Collectors Night are monthly events that attract regional visitors with increased pedestrian and vehicular traffic and parking demands. Additional destinations outside the study area include downtown, the Auraria Higher Education Campus, Lincoln Park, La Alma Recreation Center, West High School, Denver Inner City Parish, the Denver Housing Authority North Lincoln and South Lincoln Park Homes Properties, Boys and Girls Club, Museo de las Américas, Denver Health and the 10th and Osage Light Rail Station. The North Lincoln Park public housing facility, completed in 1996, replaced a dilapidated housing complex built in the 1950 s. A more extensive update is underway, transforming South Lincoln Park into Mariposa, a mixed-use and mixed income redevelopment. Implementation of the new public housing facility began in 2010, using a grant from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. This new project will create 900 units of mixed-income housing and provide space for an open-air farmer s market. The South Lincoln Park Homes Property is located between the 10th and Osage Light Rail Station and this study area. Recommendations from the Neighborhood Plan include improving pedestrian, bicycle and bus access to the 10th and Osage Light Rail Station. An existing Santa Fe Drive mid-block amenity zone extension with trees. This amenity zone includes a damaged parking bollard and missing drainage box covers. There are two Local Maintenance Districts along the Santa Fe corridor within the study area, Santa Fe A and B. The Santa Fe A Local Maintenance District is located along both sides of North Santa Fe Drive between West 6th Avenue and West 10th Avenue. Santa Fe B Local Maintenance District is located along both sides of North Santa Fe Drive between West 13th Avenue and West 10th Avenue. These Districts were established for the maintenance and continuing care of varied streetscape features that exist within the District. The following completed plans and studies were reviewed for this project: La Alma/Lincoln Park Neighborhood Plan South Lincoln Master Plan Comprehensive Plan 2000 Blueprint Denver Denver s Pedestrian Master Plan Living Streets Initiative Greenprint Denver Denver Moves 6 Santa Fe/Kalamath Pedestrian Improvements Study

7 Existing Conditions SANTA FE DRIVE AND KALAMATH STREET COUPLET Santa Fe Drive and Kalamath Street are two major north-south arterials that form a one-way couplet connecting the southern Denver metropolitan area to the heart of downtown. These streets are three-lane arterials with on-street parallel parking on either side of the street. Both streets are posted at 35 mph and utilize strong signal coordination along the corridors. Community input suggests that the speed and volume of traffic creates a barrier for pedestrians and cyclists wanting to cross the streets, particularly at unsignalized intersections. Santa Fe Drive and Kalamath Street are a significant parallel route for I-25 and the Broadway Boulevard and Lincoln Avenue couplet. Colfax Ave. King Soopers 14th Ave. La Alma Rec Center/ Lincoln Park Denver Inner City Parish 13th Ave. Greenlee Elementary 12th Ave. Speer Blvd. 11th Ave. Buckhorn Exchange DHA - S. Lincoln 10th Ave. 10th & Osage Station West High School 9th Ave. Boys & Girls Club Osage St. Navajo St. Mariposa St. Lipan St. Kalamath St. Santa Fe Dr. inca St. Galapago St. Fox St. 8th Ave. Elati St. Destination Signalized Intersection One-way Vehicular Traffic Study Boundary Bus Stop Stop Controlled Intersection Bike Facility Santa Fe Art District LRT Station Paved Bump Out Bus Route Existing B-cycle Station Landscaped Bump Out Light Rail Line Future B-cycle Station Traffic Calming Median Existing Conditions Site Analysis Santa Fe/Kalamath Pedestrian Improvements Study 7

8 Existing Conditions Sidewalk Inventory SANTA FE DRIVE Santa Fe Drive is the northbound, one-way portion of the couplet. The roadway varies from 46 to 52 feet typically providing three 10 foot wide travel lanes lined with 9 foot wide parking lanes. Several intersections along Santa Fe Drive include bulb outs to provide additional space for sidewalk and tree plantings and shorten the pedestrian crossing distance to approximately 34 feet. Sidewalks are attached to the street and vary between 4 and 8 feet in width. These sidewalks also include a variety of objects including signs, trash receptacles, trees and grates, lights and bike racks, further confining the limited pedestrian space. Santa Fe Drive includes numerous mid-block amenity zone extensions from 14th Avenue to 8th Avenue providing additional space for plantings which provide a buffer from the vehicular traffic. KALAMATH STREET Kalamath Street is the southbound, one-way portion of the couplet. The roadway is 50 feet wide providing three 10 foot travel lanes lined by parking lanes. No bulb-outs or mid-block amenity zones exist along Kalamath Street. Sidewalks are detached from the street and typically built with red sandstone in varying states of maintenance while the adjacent tree lawn includes grass and established trees. 8 Santa Fe/Kalamath Pedestrian Improvements Study

9 INTERSECTIONS Signalized intersections on Santa Fe Drive and Kalamath Street within the study area include, 11th Avenue, 12th Avenue, 13th Avenue and 14th Avenue. The signalized intersection at Santa Fe Drive and 14th Avenue is unique to the study area; including a two-lane, free-right turn lane that is controlled by a yield condition approaching 14th Avenue and the marked pedestrian crossing. Unsignalized intersections on Santa Fe Drive and Kalamath Street include 9th Avenue (twoway stop controlled for 9th Avenue) and 10th Avenue (two-way stop controlled for 10th Avenue). The unsignalized intersections have accessible ramps for pedestrian crossing. CROSS STREETS The cross streets provide access to and through the study area and include pedestrian and vehicular improvements as well as on-street parking. The sidewalks vary in the materials used, the layout and the condition. SCHOOLS The detached sidewalk along Kalamath Street is separated from the roadway by a landscape buffer and consists mainly of red sandstone paving. Greenlee Elementary School is located on Kalamath Street between 11th and 12th Avenues and includes a school zone that is active from 7:00 am to 9:00 am and from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm and requires a reduction in speed from 30mph to 20mph. MOBILITY RTD transit access includes Routes 1 and 9. Bike routes D-10 and D-12 cross the study area at 11th Avenue, connecting the Cherry Creek trail to the east at Speer Boulevard to the La Alma Recreation Center, Lincoln Park and the 10th and Osage Light Rail Station on the west. COMBINED PEDESTRIAN AND BICYCLE COUNTS Pedestrian and bicycle count data indicate slightly heavier volumes occur in the north east corner of the study area, likely due to the proximity to downtown, the King Soopers grocery store and the RTD bus stop located in this area. The majority of movement at Santa Fe Drive and 14th Avenue is across Santa Fe Drive. No clear pattern in the data that suggests a predominant east-west or north-south movement. The geometric conditions at Santa Fe and 14th Avenue pose a challenge for pedestrians crossing the free-right turn. Combined Pedestrian and Bicycle Counts, May 2010 An example of a typical unsignalized cross street in the study corridor. Santa Fe/Kalamath Pedestrian Improvements Study 9

10 Public Outreach A public involvement process engaged the community at two different times during the study. The public outreach was conducted at public meetings held at the La Alma Recreation Center just west of the study area. The graphics presented to the public during these two meetings are presented throughout the document and available on-line at PUBLIC MEETING #1, JUNE 15, 2011 The purpose of the first public meeting was two-fold: 1. Present to the public the study area and the current pedestrian and cyclist conditions within the Santa Fe Drive and Kalamath Street corridors between 9th and 14th Avenues. 2. Gather public input on potential solutions for the pedestrian connections through the Santa Fe and Kalamath corridors between 9th and 14th Avenues. Information presented included study area boards with existing conditions, a sidewalk inventory, a tool box that illustrated potential solutions and an interactive right-of-way exercise. This exercise allowed participants to mix and match various street configurations for a corridor in this case, Santa Fe. The street configurations included general purpose lanes, high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes, bus lanes, parking lanes, bicycle lanes and wide sidewalks. This exercise illustrated the challenges in maintaining 3 lanes of traffic while also accommodating parking and wider sidewalks. PUBLIC MEETING #2, DECEMBER 6, 2011 The purpose of the second public meeting was to present the potential bicycle and pedestrian improvements to the public. Information presented (as shown in this report) included study area boards with existing conditions, a sidewalk inventory and the potential bicycle and pedestrian improvements plan. The boards included specific details about the potential improvements, including the bike lane options on 11th Avenue, recommendations for private property sidewalk improvements, pedestrian intersection improvements for Kalamath Street and Santa Fe Drive, intersection bulb outs on Kalamath Street and Santa Fe Drive, modified mid-block pedestrian amenity zones on Santa Fe Drive, the potential intersection improvements at 14th and Santa Fe and flex parking lanes on Santa Fe Drive. 10 Santa Fe/Kalamath Pedestrian Improvements Study

11 Alternatives The first step in developing alternatives for evaluation and implementation was to identify opportunities and constraints. Once the opportunities and constraints were identified, a tool kit was used to develop alternatives for improving the pedestrian and bicycle environment. It took into consideration the opportunities and constraints and illustrated potential enhancements for the pedestrian and bicyclist environment that could be applied to the study area. Some of the enhancements evaluated were: intersection improvements, medians, bulb outs, bike lanes, crosswalks and signage and wayfinding. The toolkit can be found in the appendix. OPPORTUNITIES Opportunities identified in the study area include the potential for: Enhancing the visibility of pedestrians within Santa Fe Drive and Kalamath Street intersections. Decreased crossing distance of Kalamath Street at intersections. Implementation of an advanced pedestrian phase for cross streets. Improvements to the pedestrian crossing at Santa Fe Drive and 14th Avenue. Improvements to the sidewalk conditions along both corridors and cross streets. Implementation of Denver Moves recommendation for a bike lane on 11th Avenue. Exploring shared parking opportunities across compatible uses. Additional pedestrian lighting along major pedestrian connections. Additional B-Cycle stations. Additional bike racks. CONSTRAINTS Constraints identified in the study area include: Need to maintain Santa Fe s role in the grid system to support parallel transportation networks for north/south connectivity including downtown and surrounding destinations. High demand for parking. On-street parallel parking within the majority of the study area. Sidewalks are the responsibility of the adjacent property owner. Street furniture is the responsibility of the property owner or local maintenance district. ALTERNATIVES The pedestrian and bicycle enhancements in the tool kit were then applied to specific areas within the study area. Each enhancement was evaluated to establish if it would be suitable and would improve pedestrian and bicycle conditions in the study area. Not all of the enhancements in the tool kit were carried forward for further evaluation. Potential enhancements are illustrated and explained in the following pages. Santa Fe/Kalamath Pedestrian Improvements Study 11

12 Alternatives Development INTERSECTIONS The potential improvements for both signalized and unsignalized intersections on Santa Fe Drive and Kalamath Street that would enhance the pedestrian environment include updating accessible ramps to the latest ADA standards and installing pedestrian yield signs at traffic signals. SANTA FE DRIVE At the Santa Fe Drive signalized intersections, there are two options for improving the pedestrian environment. Option 1 proposes crosswalks with colored concrete, crosswalk ladders (white stripes) and stop bars. Option 2 proposes enhanced paving at the intersections between the crosswalks, colored concrete with ladders for the crosswalks and stop bars. Both Option 1 and 2 would improve the visibility at the intersection and would alert vehicular traffic that this is a pedestrian environment and to slow down and be aware. At unsignalized intersections, enhanced paving at the intersection is shown as a potential solution. The enhanced paving would once again improve visibility and alert vehicular traffic that this is a pedestrian environment. There are many alternatives for how the enhanced paving at the intersections could be implemented. At Santa Fe Drive and 11th Avenue, the potential exists to install the missing bulb out on the southeast corner. PROS FOR THE SANTA FE BULB-OUTS Maintains travel lanes Shortens pedestrian crossing distance Slows vehicular traffic CONS FOR THE SANTA FE BULB-OUTS Eliminates up to eight parking spaces per intersection Costs to move drainage inlets and upgrade drainage (dependent on condition of the existing intersection drainage) Potential impact to signal poles 12 Santa Fe/Kalamath Pedestrian Improvements Study

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16 KALAMATH STREET Bulb outs are a potential solution for the intersections on Kalamath Street to provide a widened tree lawn and a narrowed street cross section, resulting in a reduced crossing distance for pedestrians. With the exception of the addition of the bulb outs, the options for signalized and non-signalized intersections for Kalamath Street are the same as Santa Fe Drive. PROS FOR THE KALAMATH BULB-OUTS Maintains travel lanes Shortens pedestrian crossing distance Calms vehicular traffic CONS FOR THE KALAMATH BULB-OUTS Eliminates up to eight parking spaces per intersection Costs to move drainage inlets and upgrade drainage (dependent on condition of the existing intersection drainage) Potential impact to signal poles 16 Santa Fe/Kalamath Pedestrian Improvements Study

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20 BIKE LANE ALTERNATIVES 11th Avenue is currently a signed bike route from Mariposa Street to Bannock Street, with sharrows between Osage Street and Mariposa Street. Denver Moves recommends a bike lane on 11th Avenue from Osage Street to Clarkson Street. A number of options for implementing a bike lane on 11th Avenue were evaluated and the existing condition on 11th Avenue is shown below. There are three viable options for adding a bike lane on 11th Avenue. The implementation of any of the bike lane options on 11th Avenue would require support from the local community. There are tradeoffs to each option and large cost implications for two of the options. The local community would need to champion this effort and work with the City and County of Denver to determine which tradeoffs are acceptable. Option 1: Keep the Existing Curb in Place Option 2: Shift Existing Curb on Both Sides Option 3: Shift Existing Curb on One Side 20 Santa Fe/Kalamath Pedestrian Improvements Study

21 Option 1 keeps the existing curb in place, eliminates on-street parking on both sides of the street, and restripes 11th Avenue to accommodate bike lanes (Denver Moves recommendation). PROS FOR OPTION 1 CONS FOR OPTION 1 No impact to the tree lawn and utility poles Eliminates parking on both sides of the street The trees would remain The curb line stays in its current location Least costly option Enhances bike connectivity Santa Fe/Kalamath Pedestrian Improvements Study 21

22 Option 2 shifts the curb back into the tree lawn on both sides of the road to provide additional space for bike lanes on both sides of the street. This option requires eliminating on-street parking on one side of the street. PROS FOR OPTION 2 CONS FOR OPTION 2 Maintains parking on one side of the street Evenly distributes impacts to the tree lawn to the north and south side of 11th Avenue Enhances bike connectivity Requires undergrounding overhead lines Cost implications to move drainage inlets and upgrade drainage Could require new traffic signal poles on the north and south side of 11th Avenue Because of cost, would take long to implement and might not be feasible Eliminates parking on one side of the street 22 Santa Fe/Kalamath Pedestrian Improvements Study

23 Option 3 shifts the curb back into the tree lawn on one side of the road to provide additional space for bike lanes on both sides of the street. This option requires eliminating on-street parking on one side of the street. PROS FOR OPTION 3 CONS FOR OPTION 3 Maintains parking on one side of the street Only impacts one side of 11th Avenue Enhances bike connectivity Requires undergrounding overhead lines Could require removal of some existing trees Would require new traffic signal poles on one side of 11th Avenue Cost implications to move drainage inlets and upgrade drainage Due to cost, would take longer to implement and might not be feasible Eliminates parking on one side of the street Santa Fe/Kalamath Pedestrian Improvements Study 23

24 14TH STREET AND SANTA FE DRIVE RIGHT TURN REALIGNMENT The free-right turn at Santa Fe Drive and 14th Avenue could be reconfigured to improve the safety of the pedestrian crossing. The reconfiguration would straighten the right turn and require a 90-degree turn with either a stop sign or yield sign for vehicular traffic turning onto 14th Avenue. Straightening the access and requiring a 90-degree turning movement to 14th Avenue would slow down the vehicular traffic. In addition to the roadway reconfiguration, a widened sidewalk is provided to improve the pedestrian environment. PROS FOR REALIGNMENT Provides a safer pedestrian crossing Provides additional space for cyclists on the street Reduces the distance of the pedestrian crossing and straightens out the pedestrian crossing Slows vehicles in the right turn lane Provides a better line of sight for pedestrians and drivers to see each other Adds a widened sidewalk CONS FOR REALIGNMENT Cost implications to reconfigure the free-right turn Potential impacts to traffic flows on Santa Fe Drive 24 Santa Fe/Kalamath Pedestrian Improvements Study

25 14th Street and Santa Fe Drive Right Turn Realignment Santa Fe/Kalamath Pedestrian Improvements Study 25

26 FLEX LANES A flex lane is a lane that can be utilized as a traffic lane or a parking lane depending on the time of day and the needs of the user. A preliminary assessment of flex lanes was conducted for the Study in response to public interest associated with increasing sidewalk widths along Santa Fe. Signage for the flex lane system is used to let the vehicular traffic know what function the lane is serving at a given time. By combining and alternating the use of the lane as a traffic lane and parking lane allows one lane on Santa Fe to be eliminated so it can be used for additional sidewalk space and to widen existing travel lanes. There are cost implications for both the infrastructure and the required enforcement to implement flex lanes. The existing cross section condition of Santa Fe Drive is shown to the right. The evaluation of flex lanes in this study is preliminary only as a means to begin assessing the feasibility and potential impacts of adding flex lanes on Santa Fe Drive. Significant further study would be required prior to implementation. Option 1 proposes a flex lane and five feet of additional sidewalk on one side of the street. Maintains off-peak parking PROS FOR OPTION 1 CONS FOR OPTION 1 No changes to the signals or pavement markings Only minor construction at intersections to reduce the bulb-out and extend the sidewalk Allows additional space for trees and pedestrian lights on the sidewalk Eliminates off-peak and special events alternative route for I-25 congestion and accident detours Sidewalk extension only benefits one side of Santa Fe Drive Eliminates parking on one side of the street during peak hours (a portion of this time coincides with the First Friday Art Walk) Requires enforcement by ticketing and towing Has traffic disruption impacts Significant cost for a limited benefit 26 Santa Fe/Kalamath Pedestrian Improvements Study

27 Option 2 proposes a flex lane with two and a half feet of additional sidewalk on both sides of the street. Maintains off-peak parking PROS FOR OPTION 2 CONS FOR OPTION 2 Sidewalk extensions benefit both sides of Santa Fe Drive Eliminates off-peak and special events alternative route for I-25 congestion and accident detours Requires reset of signal heads and restriping pavement markings on Santa Fe Drive Existing bulb-out at intersection must be removed/extended Existing street lights must be relocated, include cost implications Eliminates parking on one side of the street during peak hours (a portion of this time coincides with the First Friday Art Walk) Requires enforcement by ticketing and towing Has traffic disruption impacts Significant cost for a limited benefit Santa Fe/Kalamath Pedestrian Improvements Study 27

28 PEDESTRIAN IMPROVEMENT ALTERNATIVES Many of the alternatives for improving the pedestrian and bicycle environment for the study area would require implementation by private property owners or local improvement districts. Alternatives that would require private implementation include: Fixing existing sidewalks Removing encroachments and hazards within the right-of-way Mid-block amenity zone extensions Installing pedestrian lights on 10th, 11th, and 13th Avenues Installing additional bike racks Installing additional B-cycle stations FIXING EXISTING SIDEWALKS The sidewalk conditions on Santa Fe Drive, Kalamath Street and the cross streets vary from excellent to undulating, broken up, and damaged. A well-maintained sidewalk would greatly improve both the pedestrian and bicycle and aesthetic environment. Private property owners, business owners and business districts have to routinely replace damaged concrete and level red sandstone to eliminate tripping hazards. ENCROACHMENTS, HAZARDS AND INCONSISTENCIES IN RIGHT-OF WAY Any encroachments into the right-of-way should be removed. The sidewalks on Santa Fe Drive are already narrow, and the encroachments narrow the sidewalk even more, in some areas to the point of not meeting the American Disability Acts (ADA) requirements for a two foot seven inch clear zone. Empty tree grates or planters should either be removed and replaced with sidewalk or planted with a tree. Having the empty tree grates is not aesthetically pleasing, creates tripping hazards and reduces the sidewalk width. INSTALLATION OF PEDESTRIAN LIGHTS, BIKE RACKS AND B-CYCLE STATIONS The installation of pedestrian lighting along several cross streets including 10th, 11th, and 13th Avenues. These corridors provide enhanced nighttime links from the Santa Fe Drive and Kalamath Street corridors to the light rail station, the bike lane network, and the La Alma Recreation Center and Lincoln Park. Bike racks are an important amenity for a corridor with multi-modal access. In addition to the service they provide, they can also be a unique expression of art in a community. Several locations were identified for potential bike rack installation including near the corners of 9th, 10th, and 11th Avenues and Santa Fe, and near Greenlee Elementary School at Lipan. Denver B-cycle is a city-wide public bike sharing system for short trips. Denver B-cycle members can pick up a bike at any B-station and return it to that same station or any other B-station when they re done. (B-cycle is not a bike rental - users who keep a bike out longer than 30 minutes will be charged additional fees.) Working with the B-Cycle program, several potential B-Cycle locations within the Santa Fe Drive and Kalamath Street corridors were identified including 9th Avenue/Santa Fe Drive and King Soopers. 28 Santa Fe/Kalamath Pedestrian Improvements Study

29 Recommendations for Private Property improvements Santa Fe/Kalamath Pedestrian Improvements Study 29

30 MID BLOCK AMENITY ZONE EXTENSIONS Four new mid-block amenity zone extensions should be considered on the north and south side of Santa Fe between 10th Avenue and 11th Avenue and between 11th Avenue and 12th Avenue. They would be located in the parking lane and would eliminate two to three parking spaces. As shown to the right, there are three options for the mid-block amenity zone extensions. All of the options increase the sidewalk area and include plantings to act as a buffer to the vehicular traffic and could be applied to existing amenity zones along Santa Fe. Option 1 proposes additional sidewalk with a seat wall and a planting bed with shrubs and trees. PROS FOR OPTION 1 CONS FOR OPTION 1 Provides increased sidewalk width for pedestrian movement Provides trees and shrubs Provides buffer for sidewalk while maintaining visibility Provides seating Eliminates two to three parking spaces 30 Santa Fe/Kalamath Pedestrian Improvements Study

31 Option 2 proposes additional sidewalk with trees in grates. PROS FOR OPTION 2 CONS FOR OPTION 2 Provides increased sidewalk width for pedestrian movement Eliminates two to three parking spaces Adds trees Allows room for gathering or flexibility for outdoor seating Option 3 proposes a removable amenity zone extension. This option provides a seat wall, small planting areas and outdoor seating areas. The removable amenity zone extension could be removed when there is a need for parking lanes, or in the winter when there is less need for outdoor seating areas. Provides outdoor seating area PROS FOR OPTION 3 CONS FOR OPTION 3 Provides buffer for sidewalk while maintaining visibility Provides small planting area Allows flexibility in being removable Eliminates one to three parking spaces Requires additional maintenance if removed and requires storage space when not in use Santa Fe/Kalamath Pedestrian Improvements Study 31

32 Project Study Area Tool Kit PROJECT STUDY AREA TOOLKIT Each alternative recommendation has a variety of design solutions that can be implemented to address the identified problems. This visual toolkit is not intended to be an exhaustive list of components, but instead, highlight a variety of treatments improving pedestrian areas within the study area. The map below identifies locations for improvements. The following images provide graphic examples of pedestrian improvements. Example Pedestrian Crossing Improvement Pedestrian, Bicycle and Vehicle Accommodations Pedestrian Amenities 32 Santa Fe/Kalamath Pedestrian Improvements Study

33 Well maintained sidewalks and amenities improve the pedestrian experience Utilize solutions to accommodate and enhance all modes of transportation Pedestrian Scaled Details Bicycle Facilities Santa Fe/Kalamath Pedestrian Improvements Study 33

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35 Recommendations REALIZING THE VISION While implementation generally takes place over many years and is the result of large and small actions by the public sector and the private sector, the goal of this project was to focus on near term actions. Recommendations are intended to provide direction for the actions that are now seen as means to achieve infrastructure improvements. These recommendations are just that because the future may bring unforeseen opportunities and challenges. Santa Fe/Kalamath Pedestrian Improvements Study 35

36 Recommendations and Implementation IMPLEMENTATION ACTIVITIES Blueprint Denver identifies three types of implementation activities: regulatory or policy, public investment, and partnership. These activities focus on public sector actions, many of which create a positive environment that enables actions by other groups be they property owners, developers, neighborhood organizations, districts or homeowners. These private actions such as constructing new buildings and houses, opening new businesses, and attracting new residents are the most critical elements to implementing the plan vision. Regulatory and policy strategies change City codes or regulations to affect desired outcomes. Typical examples include Denver Zoning Code text and map amendments, Public Works requirements for infrastructure improvements associated with development projects, and Parks and Recreation requirements regarding open space and plantings. Regulatory or policy implementation priorities: This document identifies a potential implementation plan including recommendations, potential costs and timeline horizons. The list includes both public and private implementation actions to provide a full picture of the potential improvements. In several cases, additional study is necessary as a next step due to the system wide impact that changes to mobility patterns will generate. CHAMPIONS AND ADVOCATES Given the variety and quantity of plans providing direction, competing interests in the city, and the budget issues at all levels of government, little plan implementation is undertaken without champions for certain actions and advocates for the plan area. Typically registered neighborhood organizations work with the Mayor and their City Council representatives to promote certain actions and outcomes. Membership organizations such as merchant associations, business partnerships, and nonprofits do the same for business areas. These Champions and Advocates provide the necessary impetus to implement the recommendations within plans. PUBLIC FUNDING SOURCES Funding sources, especially for public investment and partnership actions, available to public and private entities are continually evolving based on economic, political, legal and neighborhood objectives. Though the names and purposes of funding sources change over time, they fall into three distinct categories. Tax Base Support. Tax base supported sources are characterized by the involvement of the local sales and property taxing authorities. The most common tax base support is through the City s annual budget, especially the annual Capital Improvements Program (CIP). Grants. Grants come from public agencies that are interested in encouraging a specific outcome and these grants typically include specific conditions and requirements as to how the funds may be deployed. Special Districts. The City Charter and State Statute enable various types of districts to be created. Examples of special districts include Business Improvement Districts, Metropolitan Districts, Local Improvement or Maintenance Districts (existing), and General Improvement Districts. District revenues can be used to pay for improvements on a pay-as-you-go basis, for ongoing operations and maintenance, or to support payment of bonds. Special districts typically require a vote of the electorate within the area and approval of Denver City Council. PARTNERSHIP TOOLS In addition to special districts, a variety of public-private partnerships or private organizations will be instrumental in plan implementation. Some examples of these organizations include: community development corporations, membership organizations, nonprofits or foundations, parking districts, and transportation management organizations. Quite a number of these organizational types already exist within Denver and may allow the pursuit of a variety of activities with existing and new funding sources and coordinated effort among them. 36 Santa Fe/Kalamath Pedestrian Improvements Study

37 IMPLEMENTATION AND NEXT STEPS This comprehensive listing of projects identified in the study ranges beyond immediately implementable projects as the scope broadened to identify future opportunities to enhance the pedestrian realm along Santa Fe Drive. One of the short term improvements, enhancing pedestrian signage, could be implemented as part of annual maintenance programs, while others would require private property owners or district support and funding. Some of the improvements are fairly simple, such as repairing existing sidewalks and replacing missing trees or removing hazards from the pedestrian way, while an 11th Avenue bike lane would require community outreach and support. Other projects such as a flex lane along Santa Fe are more long term in nature as they would require additional study. The following table lists a potential implementation plan for the improvements identified for the study area. The potential implementation is based on estimated costs and available funding sources. RECOMMENDATION ANTICIPATED COST IMPLEMENTATION HORIZON Santa Fe Drive and Kalamath Street - Enhance pedestrian signage for turning vehicles B-Cycle Low High - Cost to be incurred by sponsoring groups Short-Term Short/Mid-Term Bike Racks Low Short/Mid-Term Sidewalk Improvements - General maintenance and upkeep; Repair damaged concrete; Repair damaged or uneven red sandstone; Remove encroachments and hazards 11th Avenue - Bike lane Santa Fe Drive at 11th Avenue - Intersection bulb-out at southeast corner Santa Fe Drive at 14th Avenue - Pedestrian crossing improvements Kalamath Street - Enhanced intersection paving and pedestrian crosswalks Pedestrian Lighting - 10th, 11th and 13th Avenues Mid-block Pedestrian Amenity Zones Kalamath Street - Multiple intersection bulb-outs at 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th and 14th Avenues Santa Fe Drive - Enhanced intersection paving and pedestrian crosswalks Santa Fe Drive - Flex lane parking (infrastructure costs) Santa Fe Drive and Kalamath Street at 10th Avenue - Signage installation (when warranted) Low/Medium Low Low Medium Medium Medium Low/Medium High Medium High High Short/Long-Term Dependent upon community interest and initiative Short/Long-Term Dependent upon community interest and initiative Mid-Term Mid-Term Mid-Term Mid/Long-Term Dependent upon community interest and initiative Mid/Long-Term Dependent upon community interest and initiative Long-Term Long-Term Long-Term Additional study required Long-Term Additional study required Santa Fe/Kalamath Pedestrian Improvements Study 37