HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem02 Springfield Open Streets Event AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY Meeting Date: 1/22/2018
Meeting Type: Work Session
Staff Contact/Dept.: Emma Newman/DPW Staff Phone No: 541.726-4585
Estimated Time: 15 min
S P R I N G F I E L D C I T Y C O U N C I L Council Goals: Promote and Enhance our Hometown Feel
while Focusing on Livability and Environmental Quality ITEM TITLE: SPRINGFIELD OPEN STREETS EVENT
ACTION
REQUESTED:
Provide guidance on desired level of support and involvement for City of
Springfield partnering with Willamalane Park and Recreation District to co-lead establishing an annual open streets event program in Springfield.
ISSUE STATEMENT: The Springfield Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) and other community partners and members have expressed interest in Springfield having an
open streets event. Springfield and Willamalane staff have had initial meetings with
BPAC members to develop the concept that is being brought forward to City Council for consideration.
ATTACHMENTS: Attachment 1: Springfield Open Street Information and Levels of Support Attachment 2: Springfield Open Streets Overview Attachment 3: AARP Letter of Support
Attachment 4: Point2Point Letter of Support
DISCUSSION/ FINANCIAL
IMPACT:
Initial conversations about the possibility of Springfield starting an open streets
event have led to conversations of possibility and excitement, seeing the event as a
key initiative to celebrate and promote active transportation and showcase Springfield community organizations and businesses.
A working group consisting of BPAC members, City of Springfield staff and Willamalane staff developed a draft vision and goals for Springfield open streets.
Vision: Springfield open streets events promote healthy, active living by temporarily opening the city’s streets so people can walk, bike, roll, and discover
active transportation in a safe, car-free environment. Goals:
Encourage walking, biking, and rolling through a free community event
Enhance Springfield’s economy by featuring local businesses and
organizations
Create opportunities for community engagement and civic pride
Highlight accessible transportation options for community members of all
ages and abilities
Promote the health and environmental benefits of active transportation
Additional information about what open streets events are and more details about
potential levels of support are provided in Attachment 1. Attachment 2 provides the vision and example of what open streets could look like and contribute to
Springfield.
M E M O R A N D U M City of Springfield
Date: 1/22/2018
To: Gino Grimaldi COUNCIL
From: Anette Spickard, Director of Development and Public Works
Emma Newman, Senior Transportation Planner
BRIEFING
Subject: Springfield Open Streets Event MEMORANDUM
ISSUE: The Springfield Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) and other
community partners and members have expressed interest in Springfield having an open streets event. Springfield and Willamalane staff have had initial meetings with BPAC members to
develop the concept that is being brought forward to City Council for consideration.
COUNCIL GOALS/
MANDATE:
Promote and Enhance our Hometown Feel While Focusing on Livability and Environmental
Quality
BACKGROUND:
What is an open streets event?
Open streets events are being hosted in more and more communities worldwide each year as a
way to encourage healthy, active lifestyles by providing community members with the opportunity to experience our largest public spaces, our streets, in a car-free environment for an
afternoon. The streets are open to people to walk, bike, scoot, skate, dance, and roll and there are
activities to promote health and well-being along the event route. These activities could consist of fitness classes, activity booths hosted by local community organizations, performances,
walking large-scale children’s book storytelling, a mobile bicycle library, food trucks, and more.
The events provide opportunities for community partners to be involved and contribute to the event’s success, to connect neighbors, and to support local businesses.
Open streets events are often credited with originating in Bogotá Colombia as “ciclovias” and have since been implemented in communities across the United States, including Oregon events
such as Portland Sunday Parkways, Eugene Sunday Streets, and Bend Open Streets. The events
vary depending on the city, to meet the needs and style of the local community.
How did the concept of an open streets event in Springfield originate?
The Springfield Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) has included a goal of helping to launch a Springfield open streets event in both their 2016 and 2017 work plans.
BPAC members have worked with staff to reach out to a few community partners (Willamalane, Springfield Safe Routes to School, Point2Point at LTD, and AARP) to explore the idea and
develop this concept to bring forward to Springfield City Council. Willamalane staff, City staff,
and BPAC members have been meeting to jointly develop this concept. Point2Point, AARP, and Safe Routes to School have expressed a desire to support the effort if it receives City of
Springfield support to move forward. Attachment 3 and Attachment 4 are letters of support from
AARP and Point2Point. Safe Routes to School actively participates through BPAC.
Additionally, an open streets event was mentioned by many of the incoming BPAC members
whom City Council interviewed and appointed in fall 2017. Community members have
MEMORANDUM 1/18/2018 Page 2
frequently asked staff over the last few years, “when will Springfield have a Sunday Streets event?”
What could the first Springfield open streets event consist of?
As staff has explored the concept with BPAC members and Willamalane staff, there has been
general agreement that starting within the Downtown/Washburne neighborhood with a route that
is approximately 1 mile long would be an appropriate first event option for Springfield. As the events grow over time, other neighborhoods throughout Springfield could be considered. In
order for staff support to be established, funding and sponsorship to be secured, a detailed route
and traffic plan to be developed, and activity booth and business involvement to be solicited and organized, the earliest foreseeable timing for the first event would likely be the end of June
2019. The event would provide an opportunity to highlight active transportation options, educate the Springfield community about transportation safety, showcase local businesses and organizations, and connect more people within the Springfield community.
One BPAC member involved in the planning effort shared with the group that “if we want to do it in a way that would be successful, we need to really embrace it and commit to the full vision.”
She would like to see Main Street opened to people for the events and be able to better showcase downtown businesses.
Open streets events have various names that are customized by local communities across the globe. Although this concept is being presented as “open streets,” if support is received a
different Springfield-specific name or coordinated name with Eugene could be explored.
Successful open streets events in other communities that result in high participation rates have
started with an initial event and continued to build on the initial excitement and grow
community support from year to year.
What do event participants and volunteers experience? Why do they keep coming back?
A Springfield BPAC member who has volunteered and participated in the Eugene Sunday Streets events said:
I continue to attend and volunteer as an intersection "superhero" for Eugene Sunday Streets because I love being a part of this meaningful celebration. Standing at an intersection, smiling and greeting excited community members as they approach on foot or by bike, skateboard, scooter or wheelchair, I thoroughly enjoy the heart of the event--active living and accessibility. When a passing motorist slows to ask, "What's going on here; why are the streets closed?", I get to further fulfill the mission of Sunday Streets by educating individuals that beyond the divider, people are enjoying a few hours of safe, car-free togetherness in the streets. Most are intrigued and express interest, and several return later in the day to experience the event first hand. I'm
very excited to see a uniquely Springfield approach to an open streets celebration--I know it's going to be memorable, popular and beautifully reflect our community.
Is City management staff supportive of Springfield open streets?
Transportation staff spoke with the City Manager’s Office, Development and Public Works, Library, and Springfield Police Department leadership to ensure there were no significant
obstacles to moving this concept forward. Additionally, the concept was taken to the Springfield
Executive Team and received a recommendation to be bring the idea to City Council.
What investment is needed for an open streets event?
For an open streets event to be successful, the following pieces are necessary:
a coordinator position that is at least a half time seasonal staff position
a high level of volunteer coordination support
MEMORANDUM 1/18/2018 Page 3
traffic control planning and support
sponsorship and advertising
Willamalane is interested in supporting the development of a Springfield open streets annual
event, but will need the City to support and co-lead as Willamalane is unable to move the project forward alone.
During the first few years of the Eugene Sunday Streets events, the cost was approximately $20,000/event, without including staff time or in-kind support.
What could different levels of City of Springfield support involve?
Option 1: No support
Springfield open streets does not move forward with any City of Springfield
involvement.
Option 2: Moderate Support
Springfield open streets moves forward with a goal of the first event taking place in
2019.
City of Springfield is Lead Sponsor in collaboration with Willamalane
City of Springfield dedicates some staff time to ensure event success, pays or waives
permit fees for the events, provides traffic control plan, and provides an officer or two
who could be called in to support the event if necessary.
Option 3: Strong Support
Springfield open streets moves forward with a goal of the first event taking place in 2019.
City of Springfield is Lead Sponsor in collaboration with Willamalane
City of Springfield dedicates some staff time to ensure event success, pays or waives
permit fees for the events, provides traffic control plan, and provides an officer or two who could be called in to support the event if necessary.
City of Springfield requests regional transportation grant funding to support 2-3 years of support for the event, in the $10,000-$15,000 per year range.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Support the City of Springfield partnering with Willamalane
Park and Recreation District to co-lead establishing an annual open streets event program in Springfield. Provide guidance on desired level of support and involvement.
January 8, 2018
TO: Springfield City Council
Springfield Mayor Christine Lundberg
RE: Open Streets, Letter of Support
AARP Oregon is pleased to provide this letter in support of City of Springfield establishing an
Open Street event that celebrates walking, biking, health and community and we applaud the
dedicated individuals and organizations involved in making this vision a reality.
AARP has worked on Livable Communities and in 2012 launched the Network of Age Friendly
Communities – a template for cities to use as they look at 8 Domains of Livability in creating a
city for people of all ages. AARP’s public policy supports local and state jurisdictions pursuit of
transportation plans that accommodate all users, including pedestrians and bicyclists.
In addition, America’s public health crisis of obesity is well-documented. More than two-thirds
of adults are overweight and more than 1 in 10 children become obese as early as ages 2-5
years. Older adults have the highest obesity rates of any age group, topping 35 percent in 17
states. Oregon has the 31st highest adult obesity rate in the nation, according to The State of
Obesity: Better Policies for a Healthier America released in August 2017. Oregon’s adult obesity
rate is currently 28.7 percent, up from 19.9 percent in 2000 and from 11.2 percent in 1990.
Traditional public health intervention efforts, such as nutrition and exercise education and
promotion have had limited success. What is clear is that a crisis of this scale and tenacity
requires a fresh approach. Open Streets might be that spark.
Open Streets unlock our streets to people so that they may walk, run, bike, skate, dance and
play for a few hours each week. Many cities in the United States and around the world close a
designated street, usually on a Sunday. During this period, the streets are closed to cars, giving
the community a safe and affordable environment in which to come together for exercise and
play.
Our streets are valuable community assets. In both large and small cities across America,
between 80 and 90 percent of public space is street space. About 25 percent of our urban land
area is streets. We choose how we use that space. We can choose to open that asset up to the
community.
Following in the footsteps of cities around the world to establish an “Open Streets” event
would create a synergy in Springfield that would pave the way for more discussions end public
education on street safety, and create a life-enhancing – maybe life-saving - experience.
AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, social change and membership organization. We have over
39 million members nationwide and 500,000 in Oregon. With a mission to enhance quality of
life for all as we age, we are actively engaged in public policy, education/information and
community service at the national, state and local levels for our members and society. An
important aspect of our work here in the state includes creating livable and age-friendly
communities where Oregonians of all ages, abilities and backgrounds can live, work and thrive.
Carmel Perez Snyder
Director of Advocacy & Outreach
AARP Oregon
January 11, 2018
The Honorable Christine Lundberg, Mayor of Springfield
and members of the Springfield City Council
Springfield City Hall 225 5th St
Springfield, OR 97477
Dear Mayor Lundberg and Members of the City Council:
Point2point at Lane Transit District is very pleased to support the City of Springfield’s efforts to establish an Open Streets program.
Open Streets events promote healthy active living by opening selected public streets for people to walk, bike, and roll to discover active transportation in a safe, car-free
environment. An Open Streets program directly aligns with Point2point’s mission of reducing reliance on
single occupancy vehicle travel and the Regional Transportation Options Plan vision of ”promoting safe, efficient transportation options through the region that support
economically vibrant and livable communities, improve public health through active
transportation, and enhance environmental sustainability.”
Point2point is happy to be a supportive partner of these efforts to ensure a successful
collaborative open streets initiative.
Sincerely,
Theresa Brand
Transportation Options Manager
Point2point at Lane Transit District Theresa.Brand@LTD.org
541.682-6132