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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTCSP Oversight Committee OtherA VISION FOR DOWNTOWN LAUREL Draft prepared June 14, 2001 by Fischer & Associates A list of potential projects has been developed. The following paragraphs describe concepts presented on the preliminary plan. Steering Committee members are asked to review, comment and prioritize the following. High priority projects will be developed in greater detail and presented at future committee meetings. GATEWAYS A Gateway celebrates a visitor's arrival, not unlike a ranch gate identifying arrival at a ranch. In communities, the design of the road and surrounding streetscape gives a visual cue to the traveler that one is approaching a "place". Currently the visual cue on Main Street is the widening of the highway. Unfortunately, the extra width invites travelers to speed through town rather than stop and linger. The width of the highway is intimidating to pedestrians who hesitate to cross seven lanes. Opportunities exist to develop Gateways for the overall community of Laurel and the Downtown Business District. Community Gateways The first opportunity to develop a south gateway to the community presents itself on Highway 212 south of Interstate 90. A series of existing paved medians could be landscaped. Treatment might be similar to the medians on South 27 h Street in Billings or a lower maintenance approach incorporating rockwork, paving patterns and drought tolerant plants could be explored. The approach to Laurel traveling east on I-90 could begin near the overpass of Juniper Avenue if landscaping and retaining walls were introduced in the highway right of way. We have seen several successful examples of this in Colorado along Interstate Highways. The scope of our current project did not include all community gateways. Downtown Gateways The First Avenue Interchange serves as a gateway to both downtown and the community. Landscaping other interchanges and including a "Welcome to Laurel" sign as an attractively landscaped feature is recommended. The sign/feature will be closely aligned with the westbound off ramp but located on the west side of First South. To be effective the feature needs to be designed 8 feet high and of a generous enough scale to be significant in the open landscape. Land ownership will need to be explored. Conflicts with overhead and underground utilities and billboards may present limitations. It appears the land may be under railroad jurisdiction. We recommend a Northern Gateway to Downtown be developed near the intersection of First Avenue and Third Street. The gateway corresponds to the location where the land use transitions to predominantly residential. The Western Gateway to downtown should be developed on Main Street near Fourth Avenue where the street curves. The visitor's first cue will be the views of the agricultural building landmarks. The street will transition from a rural 2-lane section to a tree lined 3-lane section with boulevard sidewalks and street trees. After a short distance the highway will transition to a 4-lane road with a center median and a more urban streetscape on either side. The Eastern Gateway to downtown occurs on Main Street near Alder. Similar to the west gate, we recommend the road width and streetscape transition from a rural 2-lane section to a tree lined 3-lane section. The arrival sequence will be strengthened by the already developed green space/park on the north and the beginning of the proposed Heritage Greenway to the south. A small island is proposed in lieu of the existing painted island. The road will be narrowed to eliminate extra pavement and provide additional greenspace. Landscape will be simple, consisting of grass and trees. IDENTITY ELEMENTS Each community and landscape has elements that makes it unique. As national franchises become more prevalent, regionally specific references to our heritage are being lost. Older communities have the benefit of drawing on history. Newer communities need to create identifying elements. Ideally, Laurel would have both new and historic icons with which the community identifies. Architecture The historic architecture in Laurel speaks to the agrarian, railroad and early settlement history. Care should be taken to preserve, enhance and cherish regionally specific architecture. Old elevators and historic buildings should be preserved and enhanced. Contemporary buildings will fit best if designed with references to the history and landscape of this region. Art & Interpretive Features The old silos have a strong cylindrical form. They could be treated artistically with lights, fabric and interpretive displays to create a unique identifying element. The rail underpass has recently been dressed up with a coat of paint. The walls provide opportunity for artistic statements... perhaps beginning to tell the story of Laurel. If adequate clearance can be achieved, a pedestrian bridge parallel to the rail and linking the two sides of First Avenue, could become a unique feature downtown. The intersection of First Avenue and Main Street will serve as a hub for activity and culture. Activity will be associated with the existing Visitor's Center, the bus stop and possibly a proposed museum. Just to the north, the Laurel Town Square is nearly underway. Intersection improvements are proposed to improve safety, access and appearance of this important community node. Improvements might include decorative cross walks, curb extensions, landscape, sidewalk and handicap ramp improvements, landscaping, and improvements to the underpass structure, possibly incorporating interpretive exhibits. The medians are proposed as a means of slowing traffic, improving the appearance and scale of Main Street and providing refuge for pedestrians crossing this wide street. STREETSCAPE PROJECTS OR GUIDELINES In order to establish the Downtown as a destination (a place people want to go, linger, shop and be entertained), the town center needs to become more comfortable for pedestrians. Streetscape improvements to improve the livability, comfort, safety and access are recommended. The recommended improvements will have elements of continuity but will vary depending on location. Our conceptual plan illustrates urban, suburban and rural street sections. The plan suggests that curb extensions, pedestrian amenities, special pavement and intersection treatments, furniture, landscaping, shade and art be incorporated. Sketches have been developed to illustrate how the right of way is currently used and how it might be reallocated in the future. The diagrams were developed for the purpose of generating discussion. We have assumed a 95-foot right of way on Main and a 70-foot right of way on First Avenue South. The recommended solution for First Avenue includes two travel lanes, a turn lane, landscaped boulevard sidewalks and an independent bike lane along the east side. The recommended urban cross-section for Main Street includes 4 travel lanes, a landscaped median, and urban sidewalk treatment with curb extensions, wide walks, street trees, and a parking lane along the north side. Additional off-street parking will be developed in the greenway to the south. The parking will address oversized vehicles, parking for downtown events, and Park and Ride facilities. If a comprehensive project can be developed and implemented, the consistency and continuity will be greater. If public support or funding does not allow for a larger project, we recommend the community develop design guidelines and adopt standards to help insure consistency and cohesiveness within the right of way. Certain elements of a streetscape are difficult to accomplish without larger projects. Examples are curb extensions and street lighting. REDEVELOPMENT AND INFILL ALONG THE RAIL CORRIDOR The rail corridor contains significant urban land resources for redevelopment. Uses that have been discussed to date include a park and greenway, Park and Ride facilities, a museum, bike trail, and parking for oversized vehicles. Carefully designed parking lots might serve a dual function as a site for activities such as fairs and farmers markets. The entire rail corridor might be developed as a "Heritage Greenway", emphasizing events and activities of cultural and historic interest. Uses in the more pedestrian area of downtown (east of Third Avenue west of Colorado) should focus on visitor and pedestrian amenities. Uses west of Third Avenue and east of Colorado should balance vehicular access and pedestrian comfort. Medians are not recommended in this area because access to auto oriented establishments may be compromised. KIT OF PARTS/ DESIGN STANDARDS Establishing a system of materials and finishing that can be used throughout the downtown will help establish unity and continuity. Guidelines will address furniture, fencing, signage, banners, landscape, paving, and walls. The application of the standards will vary. The repetition of elements and materials, however, will provide continuity. For example, the raised planters proposed for each side of First Avenue South might be constructed of the same material as the medians on Main Street. Paving material at the intersections and crosswalks could be designed to match or complement paving used in the Town Square. GREENWAY /PATHWAY DEVELOPMENT Developing non-motorized links throughout the community contributes to the overall livability. Opportunities discussed to date include: ¦ Heritage Rail Corridor - Proposed to parallel the north side of the tracks from Fourth to Alder. Uses along this corridor would focus on culture, tourism and entertainment ¦ Rail / Trail Corridor - This corridor might connect communities, continuing east to Billings and west to a yet to be determined location. ¦ South Laurel Greenwav Corridor - This corridor could provide a non-motorized connection to Yellowstone River, and the Yellowstone River Greenway. A series of Greenways and Bikeways south of the tracks will provide connections to southern neighborhoods, South School and the industrial park. ¦ Grade Separated Connections - A series of grade separated crossing are recommended. The westerly most crossing is shown in proximity to the existing drainage corridor. The easterly most crossing is shown where the tracks are narrowest. SPECIAL PLACES A vibrant Downtown provides opportunities for people to gather and celebrate. A variety of special outdoor places invite residents and guests to stay and linger. A few special places are identified in the preliminary plan to include: ¦ Heritage Greenwav - Described previously ¦ Pocket Parks ¦ Chamber Park ¦ Dairy Queen ¦ Bus Station ¦ Outdoor interpretive displays - Associated with Chamber walking tours or new museum ¦ Multiple Use Parking Lots - Parking for Park and Ride or over size vehicles might be designed to be used for special events such as farmer's markets, fairs, or other special events ¦ Curb Extensions - As a component of the Pedestrian District, provide space for seating and landscaping