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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 01 Downtown Circulation Study Update AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY Meeting Date: 12/5/2011 Meeting Type:Work Session Staff Contact/Dept.: Courtney Griesel, CMO Kristi Krueger, PW Staff Phone No: 541-736-7132 541-726-4584 Estimated Time: 20 Minutes S P R I N G F I E L D C I T Y C O U N C I L Council Goals: Community and Economic Development and Revitalization ITEM TITLE: DOWNTOWN CIRCULATION STUDY UPDATE ACTION REQUESTED: Review staff and Kittelson & Associates recommendations regarding a refocus of the Downtown Circulation project and scope and provide further direction to staff. ISSUE STATEMENT: Circulation project staff have been working closely with Kittelson & Associates to analyze the Downtown Plan recommendation of converting Main Street, and possibly South ‘A’ Street, from one-way to two-way circulation patterns. Kittelson has presented staff with preliminary findings based on initial analysis and stakeholder interviews. ATTACHMENTS: 1 – Kittelson & Associates Memo Dated November 21, 2011 2 – List of Stakeholder Interviewee Categories 3 – Stakeholder Interview Questions DISCUSSION/ FINANCIAL IMPACT City staff have been working to progress the adopted 2010 Springfield Downtown District Urban Design Plan by moving forward with the Plan recommendation to analyze the two-way conversion of Main and South A Streets. Based on initial findings presented by Kittelson & Associates, project staff believe it is appropriate to continue to examine the project and make decisions about the direction to proceed. After performing the initial analysis and stakeholder interviews, Kittelson recommends reprioritizing the Circulation Study’s focus from an extensive realignment analysis to: • Identification of near-term transportation-related projects; and • Performance of a sketch-level analysis related to the potential conversion of Main and South ‘A’ Streets to a two-way configuration. The sketch-level analysis can be used to establish a list of benefits and trade-offs for discussion with the City in late-January or early February. At that time, the city could assess the level of detail for any further analysis of potential reconfiguration. Having completed the early phase of analysis, it is Kittelson & Associates’ assessment that a two-way conversion is not likely to be feasible in the near term and may not address the primary themes heard in the stakeholder interviews. Project staff concurs with this assessment. Staff believes that the initial Kittelson assessment requires further analysis providing the City with a list of benefits, trade-offs, and high level cost analysis of the two-way conversion concept. Staff has requested that Kittelson provide this information to Council in mid- February. Included in this packet, as Attachment 1, is the Kittelson & Associates Memo dated November 21, outlining the above recommendations in detail. The memo also includes a summary of responses heard during the one-on-one stakeholder interviews. Staff recommends that the consultant be directed to provide further analysis as described above, accompanied by a formal recommendation in anticipation of a mid- February Council work session.   FILENAME: C:\DOCUMENTS AND SETTINGS\KRUE6087\LOCAL SETTINGS\TEMPORARY INTERNET FILES\CONTENT.OUTLOOK\LKYTRVI8\ATT1 DOWNTOWN CIRCULATION KITTELSON MEMO 112111.DOCX     MEMORANDUM     Date: November 21, 2011 Project #: 10861‐3  To: Courtney Griesel, Mark Metzger, and Kristi Krueger, City of Springfield  From: Julia Kuhn and Brian Ray  Project: Downtown Springfield Circulation Study   Subject: Stakeholder Interview Themes    To help establish the context and identify issues and priorities for the Downtown Circulation Study,  we conducted stakeholder interviews on October 12th  and 17th . Our intent was to gain insights related  to the existing and future needs within the downtown as well as potential projects that can help the  City work toward the vision articulated in the Downtown District Urban Design Plan and  Implementation Strategy 2010 (herein referred to as the "Downtown Plan").   The Downtown Plan identifies the need to evaluate converting Main Street and South ‘A’ Street to  two‐way streets to enhance the vibrancy of the retail environment and to improve pedestrian and  bicycle safety within the downtown. The Downtown Plan does not cite specific transportation‐related  deficiencies but rather provides a vision and a list of aspirational projects that may help transform  the downtown overtime. The stakeholder interviews were intended to provide us with specific  transportation‐related issues, needs and desires that could help shape a Problem Statement and  Goals and Objectives for our study.  They also provided us with a broad range of keen insights for  consideration by the City. The two primary themes we heard focused on the prioritization of the  City's efforts, as summarized below.  The majority of stakeholders believe near and long‐term economic investments are  needed first and foremost for the downtown to be vibrant today and in the future.  Further, the City needs to show visible progress toward meeting the goals and objectives  articulated in the Downtown Plan. Some interviewees believed this could be  accomplished through incremental projects to improve the "charm" of downtown; others  believe a large, visible project is needed. Many also felt that now is the time to implement  policy changes to shape the future of the downtown, such as minimum design and  Downtown Springfield Circulation Study Project #: 10861‐3  November 21, 2011November 22, 2011 Page 2  Kittelson & Associates, Inc. Portland, Oregon  maintenance standards for buildings. These efforts would show the community at‐large  that the City is willing to invest in business and provide an environment that people  desire to visit and consistently feel safe and secure in during the day, in the evenings and  on weekends.  Many felt that major public investment in downtown transportation infrastructure should  be a lower priority for the city and may not be a catalyst for economic development. The  one exception to this was a strong desire for additional lighting on many of the streets,  especially north‐south streets.  The other primary themes expressed include:  Downtown is most often defined as the area between Mill and primarily 7th Streets and  between North ‘A’ and South ‘A’ Streets. This definition is consistent with the five minute  (one‐quarter mile) walk radius identified from the “Retail Hot Spot” in the Downtown  Plan.  The City can better capitalize on the relationship between the Washburne Historic  neighborhood and the downtown uses. Infusing neighborhood residents into the  downtown for shopping, dining, entertainment and employment purposes could have  mutual benefits for both areas.  Some stakeholders expressed a desire to facilitate through traffic on South ‘A’ and  transform Main Street into a local circulation and access street (primarily between  Pioneer Parkway and 10th) by converting both streets to two‐way. Others viewed this  conversion as unnecessary and in some cases, as a significant obstacle to redevelopment  to the south of South ‘A’ Street. In addition, one stakeholder noted that during the  Downtown Plan development, the consultants noted the converting Main Street to two‐ way would reduce traffic volumes to a level that would not enable a healthy retail  environment.   Several of the frequent freight users have been part of the community for more than 50  years and appear to be primarily related to the industrial and logging operations near  28th as well as the uses along 2nd Street, south of South ‘A’. There was varied opinion  amongst the interviewees on the impact of freight downtown. Several do not view freight  as a constraint or a problem. Most stakeholders acknowledge the role of freight in  providing a healthy and diverse economy but there is varied opinion as to what routes  should be used. Those viewing freight as problematic on Main Street cite issues related to  Downtown Springfield Circulation Study Project #: 10861‐3  November 21, 2011November 22, 2011 Page 3  Kittelson & Associates, Inc. Portland, Oregon  aesthetics and noise. No one identified any specific safety‐related issues associated with  freight.    Some stakeholders highlighted cyclists do not feel comfortable riding on street along Main  Street or South ‘A’ Street today. No one was able to identify specific safety‐issues but felt it  was more related to comfort and perception.  Most stakeholders noted walking along Main Street generally feels safe during the day.  There are pockets of downtown adjacent to less desirable businesses where people feel  uncomfortable walking at night but these areas are improving. Most stakeholders also  noted Main Street crossings generally feel safe for pedestrians. Some expressed a desire  for improved crossings of Main Street at 6th and 7th.  Several stakeholders noted walking along South ‘A’ Street does not feel comfortable  because of traffic volumes and speeds. They expressed a desire for improved pedestrian  crossings, especially near LTD.  Most stakeholders noted vehicular speeds on Main Street are not problematic.  Most stakeholders believed there is ample parking downtown today. However, many also  cited lack of enforcement of duration of stay limits on downtown streets negatively  impacts businesses. As a result, many perceive that City workers park in the  neighborhoods as well as on downtown streets in parking that could and should be  available for their retail customers.  NEDCO has had a positive influence on making progress toward stability and economic  development in the downtown. Many view the efforts of the four Main Street committees  as key to carrying the community’s vision forward.  NEXT STEPS  Based on the outcomes of the interviews, we believe it may be a better use of scarce City resources to  reprioritize our study’s efforts as well as potentially the City's own efforts related to Downtown  Economic Development. The cost to convert Main and South ‘A’ Streets to a two‐way configuration  will likely be beyond the fiscal resources of the City in the near‐term. A number of efforts can be  undertaken in the immediate future that are lower cost, would support both two‐way and one‐way  streets, and would show measurable progress toward achieving the Downtown Plan's vision. At the  same time we can perform a preliminary analysis of the opportunities and constraints related to a  possible reconfiguration of the streets.   Downtown Springfield Circulation Study Project #: 10861‐3  November 21, 2011November 22, 2011 Page 4  Kittelson & Associates, Inc. Portland, Oregon    To that end, our study could be refocused with an emphasis on two main tasks:   Identification of near­term transportation­related projects, such as:  o Establishing a Main Street demonstration block, as identified in the Downtown  Plan now, rather than 3 to 7 years in the future. This demonstration project could  include enhanced bulb‐outs and pedestrian crossing improvements, street  furniture, pedestrian‐scale lighting, hanging baskets, etc. as well as building  maintenance/aesthetic improvements.  o Identifying priority locations for enhanced street lighting on Main and A Streets as  well as some of the key north‐south streets.  o Identifying priority locations to reconstruct the bulb‐outs/curb‐extensions to  improve pedestrian crossings of downtown blocks.  o Identifying the potential for public‐private partnerships involving the City,  business owners, and the A3 students to improve the aesthetic appeal of  downtown.  o Identifying a consistent branding and way‐finding configuration for downtown  streets related to   pedestrians, parking, and bicycle routes.  o Identifying specific intersection or street improvements that could enhance  multimodal travel within the downtown.  Perform a sketch­level analysis related to the potential conversion of Main and South A  Streets to a two­way configuration. This would include sketches to identify the potential  magnitude of impacts and improvements associated with the conversion. At this point, we  do not recommend a detailed, in‐depth traffic operations analysis. The sketch‐level  analysis can be used to establish a list of benefits and trade‐offs for discussion with the  City in late‐January or early February. At that time, we could collectively assess to what  level of detail any further analysis of potential reconfiguration should occur.  We look forward to discussing this with you in more detail. Please let us know if you need any  additional information for your presentation to City Council.    Stakeholder interviews were performed over the course of 2 days during the month of October. Interviews were conducted by Kittelson & Associates staff and stakeholders were assured that comments received would not be directly linked to individual stakeholders. Listed below are categories in which stakeholders fell. DOWNTOWN CIRCULATION STAKEHOLDERCATEGORIES LOCAL INDUSTRIAL MANUFACTURER UTILITY PROVIDER SPRINGFIELD RENAISSANCE DEVELOPMENT CORP MEMBER 5 DOWNTOWN BUSINESS OWNERS HISTORIC COMMISSION REPRESENTATIVE 2 DOWNTOWN CAC MEMBER 5 MAIN STREET PROGRAM COMMITTEE MEMBERS SPRINGFIELD PLANNING COMMISSION LANE TRANSIT DISTRICT LOCAL AREA DEVELOPER RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPER LUMBER & TRUCKING INDUSTRY SPRINGFIELD PUBLIC SCHOOLS NEDCO REPRESENTATIVE LANE AREA COMMISSION ON TRANSPORTATION MEMBER (ODOT RECOMMENDED) October  10,  2011 [DOWNTOWN  SPRINGFIELD CIRCULATION  STAKEHOLDER  QUESTIONS]   Intro   KAI  is   working   with  the  City  on  implementing   recommendations  from   the  Downtown  District  Urban  Design  Plan.   Our   project  was  borne   out   of  the  recommendation  from  the   Downtown  Plan  to   convert  Main  Street  to   a   two‐way  street.   However,  our  work   is   much  broader  and  will   focus  on  improving   circulation  and  access  to   and  within   the  downtown  for  all  modes.   We   will   evaluate  both  retaining  the   one ‐way  configuration   as  well   as  the   potential   to   two‐way  Main   Street.    We   are  working   collaboratively  with  City   staff  on  this  project   and  anticipate   approximately  a   12  month  project.   We   are  at  the   beginning   of  the  project  and  are  interviewing   stakeholders  prior  to   conducting   any  technical  analyses.   This   will   ensure  that   we  are  as comprehensive   as  possible   with  identifying   the   issues  up   front  that  may   merit  consideration   and  study  as  part   of  our  project.   We   look   forward  to  hearing   insights   from  you  today  on  what  you  think  is  working   well   and  what  needs   to   be   improved  from   a   transportation  perspective  in   order  to   achieve  the   City’s  overall  strategic   objectives  for   the   downtown.    [Downtown  Springfield   is  envisioned  as  a   destination  rather  than  a   thoroughfare.   Within  a   five ‐minute   walk   or  bike   ride,  residents   will  be  able   to   access a   concentration  of  retail,   employment   and   services.    Main   Street  is   re ‐ established   as  a   pedestrian‐friendly  destination.   Other  key  elements  include:   safe   routes  to   neighborhood   connections,   protected  bikeways,  bus  rapid   transit   and  high  speed  rail  routes,  regional  truck  and  auto   access  corridors.]    Before   we  begin,   it   would  be   helpful   to   understand   a   little   more  about   you   and  your   interests.     • Tell   us   about  your   business/agency  and  your   involvement  in   past   downtown  efforts   • How   does  downtown  access,  circulation  and  parking   directly  affect  your  business/agency?   October  10,  2011 [DOWNTOWN  SPRINGFIELD CIRCULATION  STAKEHOLDER  QUESTIONS]   Downtown  Access and Circulation   • What  are  the  most   important  issues  related  to   transportation   access,  circulation,   and  parking   in   the   Downtown  today?   o What  do   you  see  as  opportunities?   o What  do   you  see  as  significant   challenges?   o Please   talk   to   us   separately  about   these  opportunities/constraints   related  to   autos,   freight,  pedestrians,   bicyclists   and  transit.   o How   would  you   prioritize   the   issues  that  need  consideration?   o How   do   those  priorities   change   as  you  think   about  the   future   and  what  the  City  is  trying  to   accomplish  with  their  strategic   objectives  of  creating   downtown  as  a   destination?   • How   would  you   describe  downtown’s   pedestrian  environment  today   (including   safety)?  What  opportunities/challenges   do   you  foresee  in  accomplishing   the   city’s  vision  related  to  a   pedestrian ‐friendly  downtown?   • Are  there   any  safety‐related  issues  that  are  of  concern  to   you   or  your   customers?   • Do   you   consider  your  business   to   be   easily  accessed   and  visible?   Please   expand  on   why  or  why  not.   • Please   describe   the  role  of  freight   in   the  downtown  environment  –  both   “through  freight”   as  well   as  local  deliveries.   Do   you   perceive   the  needs  of  freight  to   be  in   conflict   with  other  users  of   the   downtown?   What  opportunities/challenges   are  faced?  • What  are  the  top  two   to   three   things  that   we  should  focus   our  work   on?   • Are  there   others   we/the   city  should  be   reaching   out  to   as  part   of  our  work?  October  10,  2011 [DOWNTOWN  SPRINGFIELD CIRCULATION  STAKEHOLDER  QUESTIONS]   Original   questions  for  further  probing,  if  needed/time  to  do  so   • Is  it   easy  to  navigate   the   roads  within   Downtown  Springfield?   • Describe   your   perception   of  the  Downtown  Springfield   pedestrian  environment.   • Does  traffic   move   to   slow,  to   fast,  or  at  the  right   speed?   • Do   you   perceive   businesses   to   be   visible   Downtown?   o What  role   do   you   see   the   traffic   circulation  plays  in   the   visibility   (or  lack)?  • How   do   you   perceive   Downtown  pedestrian  safety?   • How   do   you   perceive   Downtown  traffic   safety?   • How   would  a   change  in   traffic   volume   affect  your   business?   • How   would  relocating  heavy  truck  traffic   from  Main   Street  affect  your   business?   • How   would  routing   through  traffic   off  of  Main   Street  affect  your   business?   • How   does  existing   circulation  hurt   or  benefit   freight   mobility?   • Are  there   any  changes  in   street  design  that  might   hurt   your   business?   • Are  there   any  changes  in   street  design  that  might   benefit  your  business?   • Is  parking   Downtown  visible   and  accessible?