1 Ann Arbor Downtown Street Plan Public Workshop #1
We know that. 2 Public right-of-way (streets, sidewalks, and alleys) make up 30% of the total District area of downtown. Streets need to provide mobility for all modes of transportation Streets are vital for supporting downtown life, activity, and commerce. Provide public space for: 26% of the City s jobs (23 times the density outside of DDA) 4% of the City s residents (3 times the density outside of DDA) 67 downtown blocks touch a great percentage of Ann Arbor residents, employees, and visitors.
However 3 Streets are challenged by the increasing demands of all types of users More sidewalk use with more people living downtown More restaurants increases demand for outside dining Growing demand for bike facilities Growing demand for bus transit Desire for greater sustainability and stormwater management downtown Other challenges Street improvement process Street maintenance and management Redevelopment impact on streets
What is the vision for a Downtown Street Plan? 4 A unified set of best practice standards to govern how the downtown street environment is designed, built, and maintained to balance the needs of all types of street users. Important Considerations: Ensure that the multiple goals for the street space are met in coordination with one another social, environmental, technical, and economic Establishes guidelines and standards for each type of downtown street. Does not prescribe a palette of materials and is flexible over time. Applies to public improvements, private projects, and maintenance activities.
FEEDBACK QUESTION (15 minutes): 5 What is one big issue, idea, or vision you feel this plan should address?
Today s Agenda 6 Project Purpose (done!) Big Idea Brainstorming (done!) Overview Presentation (20 minutes) Group Mapping Activity & Report Out Next Steps
Planning Context 7 Relevant Approved Plans & Policies DDA Development and TIF Plan (2003) Downtown Plan (2009) Transportation Plan (2009 update) Capital Improvement Plan (2012-2017) City Non-motorized Plan (2013 update) A2 Sustainability Framework (2013) Urban & Community Forest Management Plan (2014) On-Going & Underway Plans Green Streets Policy Statement (2014) Pedestrian Safety & Access Task Force AAATA Transit Plan Connector Study
Study Area: DDA Boundaries 8
Project Structure Who is involved? 9 Core Staff Group (City & DDA Staff) & Consultant Team A2 Streetscape Framework Plan DDA Board and other approving bodies Advisory Committee Residents Businesses Non- Profits Public agencies Commissions Property owners Ann Arbor Community & Public-at-Large
Project Timeline 10 PHASE 1 Project Initiation PHASE 2 Analysis PHASE 3 Framework Development PHASE 4 Implementation Strategy PHASE 5 Final Documentation Advisory Committee Meeting Public Meetings
Street Challenges (an Example) 11 Narrow ROW and sidewalks lots of demand for sidewalk uses (e.g. café s) Few bike facilities (i.e. no bike lanes) and safety issues Pedestrians everywhere Congestion, limited parking
Key Themes and Questions 12 IDENTITY & CHARACTER How should street design contribute to a high quality of place? MOBILITY & ACCESS How should streets function to provide connectivity and enable mobility for everyone? COMMERCE & ACTIVITY How should the public right-of-way support economic activity? IMPLEMENTATION & MANAGEMENT How should streets be built and managed sustainably? COMMUNITY & STEWARDSHIP How should the downtown streets foster civic pride and ownership?
Street Typologies A tool for better streets 13 What are typologies? A build face to building face consideration of street function and form Addresses ALL USERS of the street, not just vehicles. Helps inform functional priority for streets Capacity for autos, trucks, transit, bikes, pedestrians, right-of-way use Takes a network approach Design character and context District identity and character Materials, streetscaping, cultural resources, etc.
Street Analysis: Functions and Users 14 Vehicle traffic: cars and trucks Bus transit Bike network Pedestrian connections and experience Street activity and commerce Parking system Building uses and functions
Pedestrian Experience 15 Predominate Street Frontage Retail / Dining Mixed Office Front Office Institutional Service Residential Parking Lot / Deck Street Lights Benches Bump Outs Pocket Parks / Plazas Public Parks Street Trees Pedestrian Cut-thru s / Alleys
Street Character Retail / Mixed-Use Mixed Streets 16 Office Front Office
Street Character Institutional 17 Service Residential Parking
Street Plan Example: 2010 Better Streets San Francisco 18 Sets goals (and guidelines) for creating streets that : Are vibrant places for commerce Support of diverse public life Create convenient connections Empowers citizens and community groups by explaining how transportation policy works, encouraging them to give input and advocate Companion website makes guidelines and regulations accessible Plan has made it easier for citizens to organize street festivals, have neighborhood streets redesigned and rebuilt, get parklets approved
Street Plan Example: 2013 Boston Street Design Guide 19 Sets standards for street design and reconstruction by using street typologies Clear, detailed images and diagrams explain how the street function Specific guidelines for how to design sidewalks and bike lanes to create lively, vibrant streets Designed so that both residents and city officials can use it Positive public response due to its demystifying transportation policy and design Directly resulted in several street and intersection improvements
Anticipated outcomes 20 Goals & Targets Built on established goals and targets from existing city plans Street Typologies Framework Establishes balance of street functions for all street users Street Design Manual (Guidelines) Detailed design standards for street improvements Incorporates best practices Implementation + Management Policies City staff & DDA Private developers Residents and street users Example: Boston Complete Streets Plan
21 Ann Arbor Downtown Street Plan Group Mapping Activity
Group Mapping Activity (45 minutes) 22 Activity #1 Mapping Your Route (15 min.) Draw your typical route into and around downtown using colored lines depending on the type of travel: Driving a Car = Black Riding a Bike = Blue Taking Transit (Bus) = Red Walking = Green Optionally use a DASHED line to draw routes you would LIKE to use if they were improved to your satisfaction.
Group Mapping Activity (45 minutes) 23 Activity #2 Preserve, Enhance, Transform Identify locations or street blocks where you see an issue or opportunity to Preserve, Enhance, or Transform. (30 min.) Green Dots = Preserve - Places that strongly contribute to the community s character and vitality that should be preserved based on their value to the community. Blue Dots = Enhance - Places that demonstrate positive potential but are in need of reinvestment or improvement to help reach their potential. Red Dots = Transform - Places that are in need of more dramatic change and should be transformed in use, physical form, etc. Record comments on flip chart or directly on the map. Spend 5-10 minutes in each zone of the downtown.
Group Mapping Activity IMPORTANT! 24 Facilitators will be circulating around and/or sitting at the table to help guide your group through the activities. We want to get your input and feedback - and all voices have a right to be heard. Be respectful to each other. We will have each group report out BRIEFLY (1-2 minutes) on key ideas from their discussions.
25 Ann Arbor Downtown Street Plan Next Steps
Next Steps 26 Meeting results and summary posted to the DDA project page. Draft framework plan (not design guidelines yet) to be developed and shared in future public workshops and outreach events. Stay tuned for more information! Follow @A2DDA for future project announcements.
27 Ann Arbor Downtown Street Plan Thank You!