02 Living Streets Presentation — original pdf
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Living Streets Program Briefing Urban Transportation Committee – 3/5/2024 Kirk Scanlon, AICP, Division Manager, Smart Mobility Office Matt Macioge, Capital Improvements Program Manager, Living Streets Program Manager Transforming Streets, Building Community Agenda: 1. Living Streets background and overview 2. Types of activations: 1. Neighborhood Block Parties 2. Healthy Streets 3. Play Streets 3. Methodology and selection criteria 4. Program demand and public response 5. Program first activations 6. 2024 Living Streets Program schedule 2 Transforming Streets, Building Community Healthy Streets Pilot Initiative • Started in May 2020 at the beginning of COVID Pandemic, Healthy Streets sought to make residential streets safer and more communal during a period of intense isolation. • Healthy Streets utilized soft closures to reduce through traffic and vehicle speeds. • There were 16 Healthy Street installations throughout the city. • Lessons Learned from the Pilot: • Residents wanted notice and inclusion in the process • The street type matters Living Streets Program Background and Overview A resident survey showed high levels of support for the initiative 3 Living Streets Program Background and Overview Living Streets Program – Initiation Resolution No. – 20211021-02 Council directs the City Manager to create the "Street Programs” - Living Streets Living Streets Program will be a resident-led process. 3. Use "soft" closures to reduce vehicle speed, improve safety, and create connectivity and community. 60% of the residents of a proposed street must approve with a signature to support an activation. 3-6 months with an option for renewal. Address equity issues by making Living Streets accessible 1. 2. 4. 5. 6. 4 2/28/2024 Transforming Streets, Building Community Living Streets Program Background and Overview Living Streets Program Program Activations Neighborhood Block Parties Healthy Streets Play Streets Living Streets Program is 3 types of activations: • Neighborhood Block Parties • Healthy Streets • Play Streets 5 Neighborhood Block Parties Living Streets Program Activations • Applied for and managed by a resident who resides on the street • City staff provides barricades with signage, lights and safety vests • 1 block in length. • A one-time closure, up to 24 hours in length that abides by noise regulations Apply for a Neighborhood Block Party 6 2/28/2024 Living Streets Program Activations Healthy Streets • Applied for by a resident • The city installs and manages cones, barrels, barricades and signage to create street access points • ~3-4 blocks in length • Around the clock “soft” closures that are meant to deter through traffic • 3-6 months, with the opportunity to renew Apply for a Healthy Street or Play Street 7 2/28/2024 Living Streets Program Activations Play Streets • Applied for and managed by a resident • Resident will set up and take down Play Street barricades and signage provided by the City • 1 block in length • Uses “soft” closures with city provided barricades • Up to 3 days a week for up to 12 hours a week • 3-6 months in duration, with the opportunity to renew Apply for a Healthy Street or Play Street 8 2/28/2024 Living Streets’ Program Timeline 7 1 0 2 y a M l , y t r a P k c o B d o o h r o b h g e N t s r i F i i n g e b s t e e r t S y a P l 4 1 9 1 n i C Y N n i 8 1 0 2 y a M , d e i f i d o c s e m o c e b P B N Neighborhood Block Parties Living Streets Program Schedule Healthy Streets and Play Streets - First Installs Execution Application Window Soft Launch Outreach 0 2 0 2 y a M , t e e r t S y h t l a e H t s r i F 0 2 0 2 t p e S , y e v r u S Neighborhood Block Parties - Outreach Staff develops ‘Living Streets’ Development Staff responds to Resolution Resolution, October 2021 Pandemic version of Healthy Streets Predecessors Q 4 Q 1 Q Q 3 2 2017 Q 4 Q 1 Q Q 3 2 2018 Q 4 Q 1 Q Q 3 2 2019 Q 4 Q 1 Q Q 3 2 2020 Q Q 3 2 2021 Q 4 Q 1 Q 4 Q 1 Q Q 3 2 2022 Q Q 3 2 2023 Q 4 Q 1 Q 4 Q 1 Q Q 3 2 2024 Cities re-examine how right of way is used during pandemic 9 2/28/2024 Living Streets Program Marketing Call to Action Visit https://www.austintexas.gov/LivingStreets and apply for your Living Street Target Audience Equity Analysis Zones: • Medium-High Vulnerable • Most Vulnerable Methods • Outreach at Events and Meetings • Tri-fold pamphlet and flyers • Yard Sign Campaign • Social Media Campaign • Capital Metro Bus Campaign Equity Analysis Zones Dates of Run • June, July and August 2024 10 2/28/2024 Interests, Applications, and Installations Living Streets Program Methodology & Selection 1. Express your interest – The resident fills out an Expression of Interest (EOI) online. 2. Coordinate with City staff – Program staff will communicate with the resident to choose the best nearby street for an activation. 3. Complete the application – The resident will collect signatures, find a sponsor if needed, and complete the application. 4. Staff review – City staff will review all applications submitted and choose the applications that best fit program intentions and resources. 5. Project installation – City staff will install or deliver the equipment for the activation. 11 Healthy and Play Streets Viability & Street Analysis Living Streets Program Methodology & Selection Eligible streets: • Be a residential street (ASMP Class 1 road or lower) • Be approximately 25-40 feet wide (typically a 2- lane road with parking and partial or no sidewalk) • Have 90% or more residential parcels. Streets with multifamily buildings will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Ineligible streets : • Connect directly to a major arterial road • Affect a traffic signal • Affect a transit route Living Streets Viability Web App Living Streets Viability Web App 12 Healthy and Play Streets Prioritization Living Streets Program Methodology & Selection Prioritization is based on: • Location in the TPW Equity Analysis Zones • The presence or lack of sidewalks • Location in an area with few parks • Connections to destinations such as parks, schools, and cultural locations • Connections to multimodal infrastructure • Neighborhood support • Pv * Res App = Prioritization 13 Interests, Applications, and Installations Living Streets Program Demand & Response Key take-aways: 1. Ave. % of 60% required signatures garnered per application was 73%. 2. ~40 Healthy Streets applications received in first 6-weeks open program launch. 3. FY23 Living Streets budget supports 18 activations annually. Additional funding may be considered once a history of demand is developed. 14 2/28/2024 37th Street Ave G Fischer Garden Living Streets Program Initial Launch Highly successful cultural event with approx. 3,000 attendees per evening. Complete road closure to through traffic resulted in attendees staying for a longer time and exploring the exhibits. Staff provided temporary crosswalks at Guadalupe and ADA accessible parking to provide access. Public engagement is an important component of the Living Streets Program. Staff meet with residents to discuss any issues prior to the activation. For Ave G, residents expressed concern about look and appearance of the installation, specifically how the cones convey construction, not pedestrian activity. Cultural and community relations are critical to the success of Living Streets. Fischer Garden is surrounded by a high level of crashes. Living Streets increases safety by reducing through traffic to communities. For neighbors in this area, collecting signatures was difficult while balancing changes in the neighborhood and work life 15 Insert Nice Photo or graph Living Streets Program Planning • Running two consecutive and offset cycles will allow staff to double the program capacity and address the back log of applications. • Current staff of 3 can support a maximum of 72 activations annually at current efficiency. Application/Renewal Installed activation Application/Renewal Application/Renewal Installed activation Application/Renewal Installed activation Application/Renewal Application/Renewal Installed activation Application/Renewal Today 72 activations on 6 Month cycles With application deadlines every 3 Months 16 20242025FY24FY25FY26Q2Q3Q4Q1Q2Q3Q4Q1JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecSingle application and renewal trackSingle application and renewal track Thank You! Questions? https://www.austintexas.gov/LivingStreets LivingStreets@AustinTexas.gov 17 2/28/2024