City Council Study Session January 27, 2009 Ocean Park Boulevard Streetscape Improvement Project Alternatives & Trade Offs
Scope of Work Purpose of Tonight s Meeting Review work to date and direct staff to proceed with public outreach to Community, Boards, and Commissions.
LUCE PRINCIPLES: Neighborhood Enhancement, Connectivity, and Pedestrian Orientation Project Objectives Prepare conceptual streetscape alternative designs utilizing community input and green street principles. Improve walkability and bikeability. Enhance pedestrian safety. Implement environmental sustainability. Provide for beautification and enhanced greenery. Calm traffic and conflicts at intersections. Maintain views from the 4th Street overpass. Address noise and vibrations at bus stops (i.e. 4th Street overpass). Provide gateways, landmarks, and public art (save the whale mural). Project Objectives
COMMUNITY PRIORITY: Reclaim Ocean Park Boulevard as Open Space 65 75 Typ. 126 143 Typ. Typical curb widths at the 4 th Street Overpass Comparable Curb Widths in Santa Monica Santa Monica Blvd. between Lincoln & 26 th 80 Wilshire Blvd. between Lincoln & City limits 100 San Vicente Blvd. between Ocean & 7 th 130 Typical Curb to Curb Widths
EXISTING PEDESTRIAN CROSSINGS 1 Main St / Neilson Way 2 3 RD Street 3 4 th Street 1200 ft. 1 2 3 4 5 4 6 th Street 5 Lincoln Boulevard Note the lack of marked crosswalks between 6 th Street & Lincoln Boulevard Existing Pedestrian Crossings
EXISTING CONDITIONS Single-purpose infrastructure to accommodate cars for former density Narrow sidewalks Conflicts between pedestrians, bicycles, and vehicles Unused / underutilized 20 right-of-way Potential for green relief Narrow sidewalks at overpass Ocean Park Boulevard Today
TREE CANOPIES AND OPEN SPACES Limited tree canopy from 12 year old Cassia trees Austere streetscape Missing trees Pocket parks with no amenities & limited landscaping Existing Conditions
COMMUNITY OUTREACH 2 Public Workshops 4,000 Invitations Residents Business community Bicycle and pedestrian advocates School District representatives 3/3/08 over 60 participants 4/23/08 over 40 participants Address walkability and bikeability Enhance pedestrian safety Implement environmental sustainability Provide for beautification and enhanced greenery Calm traffic and conflicts at intersections Maintain views from the 4th Street overpass Address noise and vibrations at bus stops (4 th Street overpass) Provide gateways, landmarks, and public art (save the whale mural) Presentation of three alternatives; A, B & C Alternative A based upon OPB Task Force approach Alternative B maximize medians approach Alternative C gradeseparated bikeway approach Presentation of options - 4th Street viewing deck, traffic circles and bus stops below overpass Alternative C not pursued after input Community Outreach
The Alternatives & Trade Offs
Alternative A Sidewalk extensions Landscaped medians east of 5 th St. New crosswalks Class II bike lanes Pedestrian lighting Vehicular turn constraints Benches, bike racks, trash Bus stops relocated to 4 th St. overpass $3.2M $4.2M construction cost ALTERNATIVE A: Adapted from the OPB Task Force Consensus Plan
Landscaped Medians 6 ft. to 14 ft. width, 96 ft. avg. length 5 ft. Curb Extensions (bioswale or parkway) Marked Crosswalks with pedestrian refuge ALTERNATIVE A: Concept Design Features
1.1 ALTERNATIVE A: Typical Section
ALTERNATIVE A: View West from 4 th Street Bridge
ALTERNATIVE Alternative A Features: B Landscaped medians Limited curb extensions New crosswalks Class II bike lanes Pedestrian lighting Benches, bike racks, & trash cans Vehicular turn constraints Bus stops relocated to 4 th St overpass $2.5M $3.5M construction cost ALTERNATIVE B: Maximize Median Opportunities
Landscaped Medians 12 ft. to 20 ft. width, 105 ft. avg. length Marked Crosswalks with pedestrian refuge ALTERNATIVE B: Concept Design Features
2.1 ALTERNATIVE B: Typical Section
ALTERNATIVE B: View west from 4 th Street Bridge
ALTERNATIVE B: View east to 4 th Street Bridge with optional viewing platform
Sustainability Measures Bioswales with infiltration - Alternative A only Increased tree canopy - Greater on Alternative B Water-retaining tree wells Alternative A and Alternative B Class II Bike Lane Alternative A and Alternative B Utilization of permeable concrete Alternative A and Alternative B Optional permeable concrete sidewalks Alternative A and Alternative B @ $285,000 Optional permeable concrete curb and gutters Alternative A and Alternative B @ $80,000 Optional permeable asphalt roadway Alternative A and B @ $500,000 Options Viewing Deck at 4 th St. Overpass Greater feasibility with Alternative B @ $400,000 Alternatives A & B: Sustainability Measures and Options
ALTERNATIVE A ALTERNATIVE B Closely matches OPB concept Introduces Class II Bicycle lanes Calms traffic with medians and additional crosswalk control 650 linear feet of center medians 2000 linear feet of curb extensions used for bioswales (4 5 width) Captures more rainwater Moves traffic away from homes and buffers pedestrians from vehicles Higher cost ( +/- $650,000) Maximizes median opportunities Introduces Class II Bicycle lanes Calms traffic with medians and additional crosswalk control More tree canopy 1500 linear feet of center medians 250 linear feet of curb extensions Captures rainwater at medians Provides greater opportunity for viewing platform option Lower Cost (w/viewing platform same cost as Alternative A) ALTERNATIVES A & B: Comparison Summary
Community Issues Crosswalk at 5 th Street Crosswalk at 2 nd Street Dedicated bike lane Roundabouts and Circles Next Steps February/March - Recreation and Parks Commission February/March - Planning Commission March/April 2009 - Community Meeting #3 May 2009 - Completion of Summary Concept and Report and Endorsement by City Council FY 2008/2009 - Construction Documentation and Environmental Review: $350 - $450K, CIP Approved FY 2009/2010 Buildout: estimated cost $4.1M, CIP Approved Community Issues and Next Steps
Summary Points Alternative A and Alternative B realize Project objectives differently, both Enhance walking and biking Increase pedestrian safety Promote environmental sustainability Beautify streetscape and enhance greenery Calm traffic and resolve conflicts at intersections Improve intermodality along Ocean Park Blvd. and at bus stops Provide opportunities for gateways, landmarks, and public art Alternative A Capture more storm water runoff Costs approximately $250,000 - $650,000 more Alternative B Better creates opportunity to enhance view from the 4th St. overpass Maximizes green median identity options ALTERNATIVES A & B: Summary