City of St. Ignace Non-Motorized Transportation Plan

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1 City of St. Ignace Non-Motorized Transportation Plan S The purpose of the Non-Motorized Transportation Plan is to provide safe routes throughout the City of St. Ignace that encourage non-motorized transportation for daily transportation, September 2013 health and tourism, while enhancing the community for residents and tourists alike.

2 The Table of Contents 1111 Introduction.1 Sidewalk Inventory.2 Repair Costs for Existing Walks.3 Proposed New Sidewalk Areas..3 Recommendations.4 Funding Considerations.5 Downtown Area 5 8 Downtown Non-Motorized Assets 5 Downtown Non-Motorized Needs 6 Downtown Funding Considerations.8

3 INTRODUCTION Between the months of September and November 2010, the Sault Tribe Strategic Alliance for Health (STSAH) conducted a Complete Streets Survey, distributing 1,329 surveys to randomly selected households in St. Ignace. A total of 175 completed surveys were returned resulting in a 13% response rate. Overall, community members who responded to this survey were supportive of government funding for and requirements related to improving community infrastructure for biking and walking. (See appendix A for Complete Streets Survey Results) On December 6, 2010, the City of St. Ignace passed a Complete Streets Resolution (see Appendix B) in support of, leading to the passing of a Complete Street Ordinance (No. 627) effective July 25, 2011 (See Appendix C). This process acknowledged the need for an improved infrastructure network throughout the community, for both motorized and non-motorized transportation users. The need for a Non-Motorized Transportation Plan (NMTP) is critical for the community to improve their existing non-motorized network. The purpose of the NMTP is to establish a plan to provide the citizens of St. Ignace with a non-motorized transportation system that connects neighborhoods, schools, library, businesses, and waterfront in a way to maximize mobility and provide a sense of safety for users. To assist with the development of the NMTP, a focus group was formed to help identify a need and vision for the future improvements to the non-motorized transportation network. The focus group met on April 4, 2012 and consisted of the St. Ignace City Manager, DDA Director, Engineer, Sault Tribe Strategic Alliance for Health representatives and non-motorized users from the community. The City of St. Ignace and the Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians requested that R S Scott Associates (RSSA) complete a sidewalk study within the City limits. The sidewalk study includes an analysis of the existing sidewalk network s condition and prioritizes the future need for new sidewalks. RSSA understands that the City Planning Commission will use this information to develop a policy for new sidewalk construction. (For purposes of ease and convenience, the downtown area will be dealt with separately from the rest of the city.) To determine a guideline for future sidewalk construction within the City Limits (except the downtown area) the study was split into three steps: Step 1 Complete an inventory of the existing sidewalk system. 1.

4 Step 2 Identify areas where new sidewalk would improve the function and pedestrian access to key locations within the City. Step 3 Develop a cost estimate for the repair of the existing sidewalks and the construction of new sidewalks. SIDEWALK INVENTORY An inventory was completed during the summer of RSSA staff walked the entire existing sidewalk system to determine its condition. The walks were rated either good or poor. A good rating was any walk that did not have any cracks. The walk may have had surface blemishes such as scaling or exposed aggregate. The sidewalk was sound and not heaved. A poor rating was given to any walk that was cracked or heaved as to cause a 1 lip with the adjacent walk. INVENTORY RESULTS The City of St. Ignace has approximately 21,605 feet of sidewalk. Of the 21,605 feet of walk 2,755 feet is considered in poor condition. Most of the sidewalk that is broken or heaved is intermixed with good sidewalk. There are three areas where the sidewalk is mostly poor for the entire City block. These areas are: (See Appendix D maps) Mary Street from Portage to Goudreau Street (both sides of the street) 335 of poor walk of the total 801 feet of walk. Church Street from Fitch to High Street (one side of street) 195 of poor walk of the total 450 of walk. Fitch Street from Church Street to State Street (one side of street) 100 of poor walk of the total 230 of walk. 2.

5 REPAIR COSTS FOR THE EXISTING WALK The existing walk that needs to be repaired can be further prioritized with input from the City Manager and the City Department of Public Works (DPW) personnel. Some areas of walk that are rated poor may be only cracked and will still function well until further deterioration takes place. Some things that will cause the walks to deteriorate further could be freeze/thaw cycles, tree roots growing more and heaving sections of walk, or possibly heavy vehicles damaging the walk. Based on concrete cost of approximately $130 per cubic yard, the cost to repair all 2,755 feet of sidewalk is estimated at $40, The cost includes the labor to remove the damaged walk, prep the area for concrete and the placement of the concrete. The cost of concrete is also included in the estimate. The City of St. Ignace does have a sidewalk replacement policy that in general states the City will provide the labor and the owner of the property will pay for the concrete. The policy could reduce the City s cost by up to half. PROPOSED NEW SIDEWALK AREAS The City of St. Ignace has identified 3 main areas for new sidewalk. These areas are not the only needs but were identified as priorities. The three areas would serve the Little Bear East round house parking lot, the St. Ignace Area Schools, and the Sault Tribe Housing and Elder Center near McCann Street. The goal for these three areas is to provide a new connecting sidewalk to an existing sidewalk. Currently these three areas are outside the existing sidewalk network or served on a limited basis. St. Ignace Area School Sidewalk Extension: The St. Ignace Area Schools has a connection to the Portage Street sidewalk near the Schools main driveway. There is a need for a new walk to connect the Spring Street area near the elementary school. Recently Spring Street was developed with new housing built by the H.O.M.E. Agency and houses built by the St. Ignace Area Schools construction class. These houses attracted young families with children, greatly 3.

6 increasing the need to get the children to school safely. The new walk would run along Spring Street from the school to First Street then turn north along First Street to connect to Portage Road. The project would include 1400 of 4 sidewalk and 230 of 6 sidewalk. The project is estimated to cost $22, (See Appendix E 1) Sault Tribe Housing And Elder Center: The Sault Tribe Elder Center is located in the old McCann School cafeteria building. The Sault Tribe also constructed 10 new homes adjacent to the center along Palomino and Spring Streets. The new walk would go two ways. The first section would run from the Elder Center along McCann Street east to Chambers Street connecting with the existing walk. The second walk would run along Palomino Drive to Dickenson Street then along Dickenson Street to Truckey Street. A section would also run along Spring Street to connect to Dickenson Street. The new walks would connect the Tribal area to existing walks in two directions. The project would include 1400 of 4 sidewalk and 540 of 6 sidewalk. The project is estimated to cost $26, (See Appendix E 2) Little Bear East Round House Parking: This area is used for a number of functions including basketball tournaments, car and truck shows and new events planned for the future. The proposed sidewalk would be located on the south side of Marquette Street and connect with the downtown sidewalk. The project would include 130 of 4 sidewalk and 150 of 6 sidewalk. This project is estimated to cost $4, (See Appendix E 3) RECOMMENDATIONS RSSA recommends that the City consider the following priorities. Consider a City policy to require sidewalk construction on all new commercial and residential developments. Fill higher priority gaps in the sidewalk system adjacent to points of interest. Place sidewalks on the opposite sides of the streets that already have sidewalk on one side of the street where practical and cost-effective. The City should consider installing sidewalks in conjunction with proposed road improvements. 4.

7 FUNDING CONSIDERATIONS The City has a policy to assess the property owners 50% of the cost of sidewalk improvements adjacent to their properties. The City should continue to use this policy to repair the existing sidewalk system and develop new sidewalks. The City should also consider the following: Advertise the sidewalk program so more owners can take advantage the reduced cost. Require sidewalk repair for all property sales. Pursue grant funding. Private, state, and federal grants that specifically fund sidewalk system expansion are very limited. The Safe Routes to Schools Program addresses sidewalk development around schools. The program was recently used by the St. Ignace Area Schools to construct sidewalk on the school property. Some enhancement grants allow sidewalk construction as part of a larger project. Because funding is very limited the City should routinely inquire about new funding sources. DOWNTOWN AREA The downtown business district has been developed by the City of St. Ignace Downtown Development Authority (DDA) since its creation in The Downtown District boundaries, in general terms are: north to Reagon Street, south to Fitch Street, west is the western boundary of the former Soo Line Railroad and east is Lake Huron (See Appendix F). For the nonmotorized plan, this area will be dealt with separately from the rest of the City. Non- Motorized Assets: The Huron Boardwalk: The Huron Boardwalk was built in sections beginning in 1984 and today extends approximately 6,000 linear feet through the downtown area along the Lake Huron waterfront. Most of the boardwalk is in very good to good condition. There are a few areas that need replacement at an estimated cost of about $30,000 - $60,000. The boardwalk is completely handicapped accessible. The Huron Boardwalk is part of the North Country Trail (NCT) that travels across 7 states from New York to North Dakota. The section that travels through St. Ignace links the Mackinac Bridge to the downtown area and many trails north of town. The Huron Boardwalk is the only place where the NCT touches Lake Huron. 5.

8 Streetscape: This project was completed in and included brick sidewalks, buried electrical lines, new streetlights and landscaping on both sides of State Street, the main downtown street. The sidewalks are in good shape but are in need of an annual brick replacement program that would probably cost $2,000 per year. Parks: There are three public, water front, parks in the downtown area that have walking paths through or adjacent to them. There is need of work on the limestone walkway through the American Legion Memorial Park. At a minimum, to have a new layer of limestone added and compacted would cost about $5,000. To have the entire walkway bricked was estimated in 2008 at $21,500 (today s cost approximately $27,000). Connecting walkways: Most of the parking for the central downtown area (from Truckey to Marquette) is on State Street and is very limited. The DDA has improved some of the parking area behind the businesses between Truckey and Central Hill Streets. In addition to these parking improvements, connecting walkways were created to allow pedestrian access to the front of the stores. Non-Motorized Needs: Bike Path in Downtown: The main downtown street, State Street, is a Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) I-75 business spur. There is one northbound, one southbound and one center turn lane and parallel parking on one side of the street. There is also a city owned former railroad grade that is located behind the businesses on the non-lake side of the street. In 2008 the City and County participated in the development of a plan for a non-motorized path (the North Huron Scenic Pathway NHSP) that would extend from the Mackinac Bridge and extend north and east to Detour Village and Drummond Island for a total distance of approximately 75 miles. In 2012 we hosted and participated in a Training Wheels: On-Road Bicycle Facility Design Training class in the community, which involved riding through the downtown and working on making it more bike friendly. Take aways: Simply install signage and/or paint the road (State Street) as a shared road with bikers at a cost of less than $5,000. Basic paving and signing of the railroad grade at a cost of $120,000 - $150,000. The railroad grade will continue to be shared with vehicular traffic as it is an emergency access route, as well as snowmobile and ATV access. Follow the recommendations of the NHSP at a cost of $2.5 million for the entire City portion running from the Mackinac Bridge north to the city limit on North State Street. 6.

9 Bike Paths & Sidewalks into Downtown Area: Our summer tourist industry brings in hundreds of thousands of visitors per year. The layout of the city is such that the downtown area lies on the shores of Lake Huron with a business loop of Interstate 75 running through it. This loop is a 3-lane through the downtown proper (about one mile of road) and 4-lanes at each end of the downtown (about three miles to the north and a half mile to the south). We have a captive audience located to the north and south of the downtown area along those 4-lanes: north are 1,055 hotel rooms with an estimated 250,000 annual overnight visitors, south is one of Michigan s most popular state parks with 275 camp sites and over 80,000 annual overnight campers. Thousands of these visitors bring bicycles with them looking to take them to Mackinac Island, whose three ferry services are located in our downtown area. It has been suggested that the City request that MDOT create a road diet by reducing the 4- lane coming into the downtown area from the north and south to a 3-lane: one lane of traffic flowing in each direction with a center turn lane and the fourth lane turned into bike lanes located next to the curb traveling north and south. Although this would be the easiest and most cost effective way to create a non-motorized path into the downtown area, it has been met with opposition from the City because it would reduce the State Revenue Sharing amount that the City is paid, which is based on total lane miles. Before this method can be considered again in the future, this issue will need to be resolved. There is also a need to complete approximately 1,000 feet of missing sidewalk on the east side of N. State Street coming into the downtown area. Huron Boardwalk: Most of the original boardwalk was constructed between 20 and 30 years ago using cedar wood. Annual maintenance is paid for from the DDA general fund with much of the labor provided by the DPW. Some deteriorated sections of boardwalk will need replacement in the coming years. There are two sections of Huron boardwalk that need to be completed: Across the street from City Hall (south of Goudreau Street) there is a section of Huron Boardwalk that was never completed due to property owners not wanting it. To complete this 55 foot section in the future would cost approximately of $10,

10 The final phase of boardwalk to be completed would connect the Chief Wawatam Park (located near the marina lighthouse) south to the American Legion Memorial Park. This 500 foot of walkway would cross the current Starline Railroad Dock property. It could be a combination of boardwalk and concrete (to allow for snowmobile entry from Lake Huron). Some areas would simply require lines painted across the existing asphalt. The boardwalk sections would include seated viewing areas and historical signage. Cost is estimated at approximately $90,000 - $100,000. Cross Walks State Street: Since downtown State Street is a Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) trunkline, the cross walks are installed and maintained by MDOT. There are nine crosswalks in the downtown district, each consisting of two parallel lines painted on the street. Two years ago the DDA and City requested that those crosswalks be changed to include horizontal white lines painted between the two parallel lines to make the cross walks more visible. MDOT agreed as long as the City paid for the paint and provided the labor. The City agreed, with the DDA paying for materials and the City DPW providing labor. There is further need of signage at the cross walks to make them more user friendly and to inform the motorist that they must yield to pedestrians that are in the crosswalk. Cross Walks Side Streets: Brick cross walks were installed on all side streets throughout the downtown area during the Streetscape project. Since those cross walks lie within the MDOT right-of-way, MDOT required that each one be bordered by a concrete band between the brick and asphalt. Most of those concrete bands are in poor condition and need of repair or replacement. The City Engineer will calculate various options for rebuilding these crosswalks. Parks: Further development of the Little Bear East Arena grounds and pond area are needed. The NCT travels through this area and has been roughed in around the pond. There is need for additional work on this trail, including, but not limited to, some boardwalk added to the western most section. Future plans include creating a park at this site. Funding Considerations: State and Federal Grants: The DDA has been successful in obtaining grants through the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund (MNRTF) and the Department of Environmental Quality Coastal Zone Management ((DEQ-CZM) program. These grants provide funding from 50% - 75% of total project cost. MDOT also provides grants for non-motorized paths that can pay for up to 80% of project cost. 8.

11 Local Grants and Contributions: To receive the grants listed above, the local community must commit to funding the remaining percentage of the project cost. The DDA writes for various local grants such as those provide through the Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians and the Straits Area Community Foundation. Mackinac County has also contributed to DDA projects as well as private citizens. Local Service Organizations: Many local service organizations such as the St. Ignace Kiwanis Club, St. Ignace Lions Club and the American Legion, support DDA projects with financial contributions. DDA General Fund: The DDA has provided local matching money for many all of the projects that have been complete through their General Revenue Tax Fund. DDA Project Bonding: The DDA is in process of updating their 20-year plan. A non-motorized path leading into and through the downtown is high on the priority list of DDA projects. The DDA has the power to sell tax revenue bonds for projects, which helps when completing large, costly projects that require a larger local match. Conclusions: This Non-Motorized Plan will be presented to the St. Ignace Planning Commission, the St. Ignace City Council and the St. Ignace Downtown Development Authority Board. It is anticipated that many of the improvements identified in this plan will be implemented in the future. In order to do this, funding must be sought under the guidance and approval of the City Council. 9.

12 LIST OF APPENDICES Appendix A: Complete Streets Survey Results Appendix B: Complete Streets Resolution Appendix C: Complete Streets Ordinance Appendix D: City Maps Showing Existing Sidewalks Appendix E: Proposed New Sidewalk Areas Appendix F: Downtown Map

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17 Appendix B: Complete Streets Resolution

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19 Appendix C: Complete Streets Ordinance

20 City of St. Ignace Ordinance No. 627 THE CITY OF ST. IGNACE ORDAINS: Article III. Design Standards Sec General Requirements: (a) Complete Streets. The City of St. Ignace will plan for, design, and construct all transportation improvement projects, both new and retrofit activities, to provide appropriate accommodation for bicyclists, pedestrian, transit users, and motorists of all ages and abilities in accordance with City of St. Ignace pedestrian and bike plans. In furtherance of that policy: (1) The city of St. Ignace pedestrian and bike plans shall be referenced and their implementation considered prior to construction or re-construction within city rights-of-way. (2) All street plans will include, at a minimum, accommodations for accessibility, sidewalks, curb ramps and cuts, trails and pathways, signage, bike lanes, and shall incorporate principles of complete streets and maximize walkable and bikeable streets wherever feasible within the City of St. Ignace. (3) The accommodations shall also be designed and built using guidance from the most recent editions of the American Association of State Highway Transportation officials (AASHTO) Guide for Development of Bicycle Facilities, the Michigan Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Device (MMUTCD) (MDOT, and the Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG). Methods for Providing flexibility within safe design parameters, such as Context sensitive solutions and design, will be considered.

21 (4) It will be the goal of the City to fund the implementation of Complete Street Projects which shall include expending State Act 51 funds received by the City annually in accordance with Public Act 135 of 2010, as amended. (b) Exceptions: Facilities for bicyclists, pedestrians, transit users, and motorists of all ages and abilities are not required to be provide instances where a documented exception is recommended by the City Manager and granted by the City council based on findings of one or more of the following conditions: (1) Where their establishment would be contrary to public Health and safety, (2) When the cost would be excessively disproportionate to the Need for probable use, (3) When the cost would result in an unacceptable diminishing of other city services, (4) Where there is no identified long-term need, (5) Where the length of the project does not permit a Meaningful addition to the non-motorized network, or (6) Where reconstruction of the right-of-way is due to an emergency. (c) (d) (e) (f) The arrangement, character, extent, width, grade and location of all streets shall conform to the master plan and shall be considered in their relation to existing and planned streets, to topographical conditions, to public convenience and safety, and in their appropriate relation to the proposed uses of the land to be served by such streets. Where such is not shown in the master plan, the arrangement of streets on a subdivision shall either: (1) Provide for the continuation or appropriate projection of existing principal streets in surrounding areas; or (2) Conform to a plan for the neighborhood approved by the commission to meet a particular situation where topographical or other conditions make conformation to existing streets impracticable. Minor streets shall be laid out that their use by through traffic will be discouraged. Where a subdivision abuts or contains an existing or proposed arterial street, the commission may require marginal-access streets, reversefrontage with screen planting contained in a nonaccess reservation along the rear property line, deep lots with near service alleys, or such other

22 (g) (h) (i) (j) treatment as may be necessary for adequate protection of residential properties and to afford separation of through and local traffic. Where a subdivision borders on or contains a railroad right-of way or limited-access highway right-of-way, the commission may require a street approximately parallel to and on each side of such right-of way, at a distance suitable for the appropriate use of the intervening land, as for park purposes in residential districts, or for commercial or industrial purposes in appropriate districts. Such distances shall also be determined with due regard for the requirements of approach grades and future grade separations. Half-streets shall be prohibited, except where essential to the reasonable Development of the subdivision I conformity with the other requirements Of this chapter and where the commission finds it will be practicable to require the dedication of the other half when the adjoining property is subdivided. Wherever a half-street is adjacent to a tract to be subdivided, the other half of the street shall be platted within such tract. Where the plat submitted covers only a part of the subdivider s plat, a sketch of the prospective future system of the unsubmitted part shall be furnished; and the street system of the part submitted shall be considered in the light of adjustments in connection with the street system of the part not submitted. Where the parcel as subdivided into larger tracts than for building lots, such parcels shall be divided so as t allow for the opening of major streets and the ultimate extension of adjacent minor streets. This Ordinance was enacted the City Council of the City of St. Ignace, Mackinac County, Michigan on the 5 th day of July This Ordinance shall take effect 10 days after enactment: Introduced: June 20, 2011 Adopted: July 5, 2011 Published: July 14, 2011 Effective: July 25, 2011

23 Appendix D: City Maps Showing Existing Sidewalks

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29 Appendix E: Proposed New Sidewalk Areas

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33 Appendix F: Downtown Map

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