02. Staff Briefing on Great Streets Program Update — original pdf

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Great Streets Program Update Presentation Agenda - Overview of the Program - State of the Program - Proposed Update Process Program Overview History of the Great Streets Program Early 1990’s The concept of “Great Streets” becomes popular in Austin through a RUDAT plan and work by the DAA. 1998 Austin voters approve $5 million in bonds for downtown streetscape improvements. Early 2000’s City Council adopts the Downtown Design Guidelines, Great Streets Plan and Great Streets Standards, and Great Streets Development Program. 2003 2014 City Council dedicates a portion of the parking meter revenue to Great Streets City Council establishes Great Streets as a Downtown Density Bonus Program (DDBP) gatekeeper requirement. The Greats Streets Program aims to enhance the livability, safety, and aesthetics of Austin’s downtown streets by creating “streets for people” via a more equitable balance of space between the roadway and the sidewalk zones and the implementation of enhanced streetscape standards. The City’s transportation mode hierarchy gives highest priority to: • Pedestrian travel, • Transit use, • Bicycle use, • Automobile use. IMAGE Traditional Downtown Austin 80’ ROW 80’ ROW 10’ Sidewalk 60’ Cars & Parking 10’ Sidewalk Example Great Streets 80’ ROW 80’ ROW 18’ Sidewalk & Amenities 44’ Cars, Parking, & Mixed Mode 18’ Sidewalk & Amenities Community Benefits of Great Streets Economic Development Affordability Physical Health Mental Health Air Quality & Emissions Equity & Inclusion Urban Heat Mitigation Trees & Green Infrastructure Culture & Heritage Amenities Great Streets Plan Objectives Elevating the human experience Discourage traffic through downtown Traffic calming. Safety Activate the sidewalk Redistribution of ROW All downtown users become pedestrians at some point. - Austin Great Streets Plan, 2001 Program Boundaries • North: 11th Street (GSDP) or MLK (GSMP) • East: IH-35 • South: Cesar Chavez St • West: Lamar Blvd Implementation Great Streets standards are implemented via 3 main avenues: • Supplemental funding to City CIP projects, specifically street reconstruction projects, to provide enhanced streetscapes. • Via the Great Streets Development Program (GSDP), for projects implementing enhanced streetscapes voluntarily. Cost sharing between City and Developer, elements built and maintained by the project. • Great Streets as a gatekeeper requirement for projects participating in the Downtown Density Bonus Program (DDBP). Elements built and maintained at project’s expense. Funding • • Initially, Great Streets projects were implemented through the 1998 bond funding and the Smart Growth Matrix process, which offered fee waivers for development projects that incorporated desired improvements. In 2003, City Council established the Great Streets Parking Meter Fund which sets aside 30% of the revenues collected from downtown parking meters within the program’s boundaries. The fund generates approximately $728,000/year and is the primary source of on-going funds for Great Streets. • There is a fee-in-lieu option for projects that cannot implement Great Street elements due to jurisdictional control. Austin’s Urban Design Guidelines (UDG’s) • Developed by the members of the City of Austin Design Commission • Established 1999, Updated 2008 • “The aim of this document is to promote positive and enriching development by assuring that it aspires to a greater architectural and urban design standard.” • Great Streets are one implementation mechanism for that vision • Also undergoing a current update process Area-wide Urban Guidelines Guidelines for Public Streetscapes Guidelines for Plazas & Open Space Guidelines for Buildings Images IMAGE Great Streets & UDG’s Overlap • Add art in both public & private development • Protect pedestrian where building meets street • Create a potential for two-way streets • Reinforce pedestrian activity • Enhance key transit stops • Enhance the streetscape • Avoid pedestrians & utility equipment conflicts • • Provide pedestrian-scaled lighting • Provide protection from cars • Promote curbside parking • Screen mechanical and utility equipment • Add pedestrian-friendly materials at street level Install street trees State of the Program Program Successes • Approx. 211 blocks of Great Streets standards have been implemented • Program has been prioritized by Council, as demonstrated by inclusion as a DDBP gatekeeper requirement • Funded program & financial assistance available for some projects • Have been successful in finding creative design solutions when necessary Makes very clear the space for people and space for vehicles. Guarantees beautiful project frontages. The standards help in negotiations with developers. Implementation has been easy where ROW is sufficient. Creating consistent, equitable all-access streetscapes. Pulls back R.O.W. for the pedestrians, critical for our growing downtown. Program Challenges • Competition for ROW space • Vehicular Access & Movement • Utility Conflicts • Financial Impact on Projects • Standards & Materials need Modernization • Procedural Lack of Consistency • Lack of Data and Metrics Very clean, almost “Domain- like”, downtown businesses want to be “weird”. Lack of understanding of the intent vs prescribed standards. The fees paid into the Great Streets program are not being utilized. Significantly increases implementation & maintenance costs. Award caps need to be increased to encourage participation. The prescriptive design requirements have cost us opportunities. When conflicts arise, the pedestrian realm is always what suffers. Proposed Update Process Goals of the Update Align the program with other major initiatives Holistic conversations around all things ROW related Incorporate performance measures with physical standards Focus on the entirety of the downtown experience Modernization and Clarification of the standards Create champions internally and externally for the program Set up a process for better data collection and metrics tracking Work flexibility and conflict resolution into the standards Ensure continued and consistent funding and accountability Images IMAGE Outcomes of the Update Process • Reinvigorated Public Interest • Holistic Program Update • Expanded Boundaries • Modernized Standards • Updated Materials • Partnerships with other Depts • Increased Program Funding • Clear Processes & Procedures GS Update Process Pre-Planning (In Progress) •Definition of Project •Project Timeline Phase 1: Analysis •Existing Conditions •Review of relevant plans Phase 2: Vision •Public Involvement •Stakeholder meetings Phase 3: Scoping Phase 4: Production •Scope of Work •Deliverables •Compiling Feedback •Draft Plan •Review •Draft Deliverables Reviews & Approval •Public Review •Final Deliverable Approved by Council Pre-Planning Creation Finalization UDG’s Update Process (per Design Commission) Create Champions & Supporters Generate Diverse Ideas & Solutions Identify and Unpack the Problem(s) Find Opportunities for Alignment & Collaboration Evaluate Implementation Processes Engagement & Outreach • 1-on-1 personal conversations • Round table meetings • Topical focus groups • Small-group workshops • Interactive public art and tactical urbanism installations • Strategic departmental & external supporters Images IMAGE Conclusion • The program has been successful, but faces challenges that can and should be addressed with an update; • We now have the staff to lead this effort; • With growing interest from council, commissions, and community members, we would like to kickoff this process as soon as possible!