putting the main back in main street gary demich, pe jason green, aicp
TRANSCRIPT
Putting the Main Back in Main Street Gary Demich, PE
Jason Green, AICP
• The Case for Sustainability• Making Main Streets More Livable
Today’s Topics
• What it isn’t and what it is• Why we need it• Is it a passing fad?
The Case for Sustainability
The Case for SustainabilitySustainability is not:• A myth• A process to improve quality• Saving a few more trees or a few more fish
The Case for Sustainability• What is it?
The Brundtland Definition (1987)Sustainable Development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Economy
Society
The Case for Sustainability• Why do we need it?
Environment
Society
Economy
The Case for Sustainability• Why do we need it?
1. Finite amounts of virgin non-renewable resources.In 2008, the world economy consumed:
Source: USGS
The Case for Sustainability• Why do we need it?
1. Finite amounts of virgin non-renewable resources.2. Increasing population
Source: GeoHive
The Case for Sustainability• Is it a passing fad?
1. Population2. Demands for higher standards of living3. Virgin raw material supply
Why Do We Need to Focus on Sustainability?We don’t know yet how to be 100% sustainable and we’re not going to be able to change that overnight.
Sustainable
Non-Sustainable
Now The Future
Why Do We Need to Focus on Sustainability?We don’t know yet how to be 100% sustainable and we’re not going to be able to change that overnight.
Sustainable
Non-Sustainable
Now The Future
“Less Bad”
Why Do We Need to Focus on Sustainability?We don’t know yet how to be 100% sustainable and we’re not going to be able to change that overnight.
Sustainable
Non-Sustainable
Now The Future
“Less Bad”
“A Lot Less Bad”
Why Do We Need to Focus on Sustainability?We don’t know yet how to be 100% sustainable and we’re not going to be able to change that overnight.
Sustainable
Non-Sustainable
Now The Future
“Less Bad”
“A Lot Less Bad”
Highway Construction as Part of the Sustainability SolutionHow do we do this?• Maximizing
o Reuse existing materialso Recycling of existing materials
• Minimizingo Use of virgin natural resourceso Construction and demolition waste
What Options are Available?• Designing for lowest life-cycle impacts• Minimizing construction & demolition waste• Recycling asphalt paving materials• Rehabilitating concrete roadways• Rubblizing existing concrete pavements in place as base• Recycling concrete as aggregate• Modifying Diamond Interchanges to Double Crossover Diamonds• Constructing bridges using recycled thermoplastic components• Maximizing infiltration• Specifying sustainable landscaping• Using roundabouts instead of signals• Using LED signals• Using LED pedestrian and street lighting• Generating clean energy on highway rights-of-way• Performing environmental cleanup• Reducing greenhouse gas generation• “Livable” Main Streets
Why we care
History – what in the world happened?!
Current Trend
City / Community Perspective
Corridor Improvements
Why we care
History – what in the world happened?!
Current Trend
City / Community Perspective
Corridor Improvements
Top 10 Reasons Why We Care
1. Main Street is a prominent employment center
2. Main Street is a reflection of community
3. Main Street is an ideal location for independent businesses
4. The historic core of the community5. A historic commercial district is often a
major tourist attraction6. A vital Main Street area reduces sprawl 7. A healthy Main Street core protects
property values 8. Traditional commercial district that
offers convenience9. The Main Street district is usually a
government center 10. Main Street provides an important civic
forum
www.popartmachine.com
Why we care
History – what in the world happened?!
Current Trend
City / Community Perspective
Corridor Improvements www.itd.gov
Before World War II
One Happening Place!
Not just commercial!
•Important part of its social life; people thronged the streets on weekends for a variety of entertainment opportunities
History – what in the world happened?!
History – what in the world happened?!
• Industrialization• Zoning (I’m ashamed to admit it!)
• GI Bill• Cars, cars and more cars
• SPRAWL! utopianist.com
flickr.com/photos/austin7nut/5432843059/
Pre
WW
IIPo
stW
WII
Why we care
History – what in the world happened?!
Current Trend(s)
City / Community Perspective
Highway / Corridor Improvements www.metrojacksonville.com
Today•Gas prices•Aging population•Realization that we cannot continue to sprawl like we have for the past 6 decades•Focus on revitalization/renewal – create/recreate a sense of place•Focus on multiple modes – pedestrian and cyclists included •Aesthetics
Current Trend(s)
www.savefranklintheater.org
Why we care
History – what in the world happened?!
Current Trend(s)
City / Community Perspective
Corridor Improvements www.planning.org
Main Street, National Trust for Historic Preservation4 Point Approach:1.Organization2.Promotion3.Design4.Economic Restructuring
Idaho currently has 4 participants:•Lewiston•Nampa•Pocatello•Idaho Falls
National Trust’s Main Street Center is helping more than 1,800 communities bring their Main Streets back to life.
City / Community Perspective
City / Community Perspective
• Mix of Land Uses and Densities (innovative zoning)
• Continuous Sidewalks Wide Enough for Couples
• Appropriate Buffering From Traffic
• Street-Oriented Buildings
• A Variety of Commercial Uses
• Public Spaces
• Limited Dead Space or Visible Parking Lots
• Public Art, Areas to Sit, Outdoor Dining
• Underground Utilities
Building Blocks for A Healthy Main Street
Why we care
History – what in the world happened?!
Current Trend(s)
City / Community Perspective
Corridor Improvements
Colored Bike Lane
Parking
Bulb-out & Visible Crosswalk & ramp
Wide sidewalk & Park Strip
Roundabout
Appropriate Lighting
Trees
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Corridor Improvements
Bulb outs, crosswalks
Parking
Bike lanes
Lighting
Trees
Sidewalks and Planting Strips
Corridor Improvements
100’ Corridor4 x 12’ Lanes
9’ Parallel Parking14’ set back
100’ Corridor4 x 12’ Lanes
14’ Median / Turn lane9’ Parallel Parking
7.5’ Sidewalk
Corridor Improvements
Plenty of Options (1)
100’ Corridor2’ lanes
12’ Median / Turn lane18’ Parallel Parking
6’ Sidewalk7.5 Sidewalk
Corridor Improvements
Plenty of Options (2)
100’ Corridor2 x 11 foot lanes
13’ Median / Turn Lane8’ Foot Parking6’ Bike Lanes 5’ Park Strip9’ Sidewalk
Corridor Improvements
Plenty of Options (3)
Striving to bring Main Street back
The heart of our communities
Environmental and social trends
Land use and transportation are linked
Not one-size-fits-all
IN CLOSING…. http://w
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.flickr.com/photos/jencavendish/2450772438/
QUESTIONS!?!?
Thanks!
Jason Green, AICP - 801-415-5844 [email protected]
Gary Demich, PE - 360-280-2830 [email protected]