DOWNTOWN MULTI-MODAL TRANSIT CENTER. City of Belvidere

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1 DOWNTOWN MULTI-MODAL TRANSIT CENTER City of Belvidere

2 Now is our opportunity to re-invigorate the region s economy and sustainability. A new uses economy can bring it to fruition. Today a new uses economy is emerging moving us from a petroleum-based economy to a green economy based on agricultural raw materials and commodities. Sciencebased technology companies are creating new uses for crops, creating new crops, and devising new uses for crop residues and wastes. new uses economy: new uses for crops new crops new uses for crop residues & wastes 2

3 Our region s tremendous system of assets is perfectly suited to the task of making this economic renewal possible. The area functions collectively by sharing a system of transportation, economic, and geographic assets. Anchored by of the cities of Chicago, Milwaukee, Madison, Minneapolis, and Rockford, our regional city is the fourth largest urban constellation in the US home to 17 million people. This is the edge of the Great Prairie, the most productive farmland in the world. a shared system of assets 17 million people edge of the Great Prairie 3

4 Our next transportation decisions are key. I-90, a regional corridor, can provide the workforce mobility needed for successful economic development. CONNECTING A SKILLED WORKFORCE TO NEW ECONOMY JOBS. The I-90 regional corridor connects the edges of our regional city to its center. From the global city of Chicago, to the quality of life city of Madison, the I-90 regional corridor is a necklace of skill centers in manufacturing, agriculture, recreation, transshipment, and health care. DEVELOPING HIGH TECH CENTERS. Illinois and Wisconsin are becoming high-tech centers. The I-90 corridor connects top public- and private-sector research in Madison and Chicago to centers for incubation, development and manufacture throughout the corridor. manufacturing ag transshipment healthcare high-tech research 4

5 Strategically located in the corridor, Belvidere-Boone County is in position to participate in four phases of the new uses economy. IDEAL LOCATION, CORPORATE COMMUNITY, & LAND USE OPPORTUNITIES. Belvidere-Boone County occupies an ideal spot in the I-90 corridor. Additionally, its corporate community and its land use opportunities position it to participate in four phases of the new uses economy. These include new uses product development, farm production, product manufacture, and assembly. STRONG RESEARCH NETWORK. New Uses Ag- Tech Districts Belvidere-Boone Co. is at the center of a network of public and private research facilities. LOCAL INITIATIVES. Local initiatives are supporting development of a new uses economy. They include: DaimlerChrysler, a German-based automobile manufacturer, is ready to embrace new green fuel systems. A New Uses Technology Park is proposed to front I-90, as well as a new product manufacturing park, and corporate business park with frontage on I-90. Belvidere-Boone County can participate in: development farm production product manufacturing assembly 5

6 Belvidere is a logical, linear extension for Chicago s Metra-Rail system, with points to serve the Belvidere area workforce and interstate travelers. DOWNTOWN TRANSIT CENTER. Entertainment and hospitality, historic downtown setting, and urban living. TOLLWAY STATION CENTER. Regional employment center, manufacturing, and technologybased industry. urban living regional center 6

7 The communities of Belvidere and Boone County have become synonymous with quality. Since 1835, when a Mr. Whitney first dubbed the land that would become the City of Belvidere, Elysian Fields, the community and county have become known for being a well-spring for quality living. The Kishwaukee River is a Class A river that flows through the heart of Belvidere and winds its way past parks, open fields, and productive farmland. The City of Belvidere is host to several major corporations, from Daimler-Chrysler to General Mills, companies look at Belvidere for its source of highquality workers with high education levels and strong work ethic. The Belvidere School District #100 is unified county-wide and has made recent investments in the middle and high school campuses. District #100 routinely scores high in rankings in the classroom as well as on the athletic fields. The Belvidere Bucs were once again in the State Semi-finals for football just this fall. As the City of Murals, Belvidere also cherishes and celebrates is historic past and the artistic talents of its citizenry as it annually holds community festivals and events. In the past 10 years, Belvidere and Boone County s growth has outpaced most of the greater Chicagoland Area. This is no accident. As people from the urban metro area tire of lack of community and waning benefits coupled with high real estate prices, Belvidere has become a logical choice for having, the best of both worlds. Belvidere is a strong and vibrant community with good businesses, multiple transportation connections, and a highly educated workforce while also having a high quality of life, an abundance of natural areas and open space, and a heritage based on quality values and community spirit. quality living high-quality workers historic past vibrant community spirit 7

8 Introduction This plan is the result of a convergence of local interests working together to develop a vision for downtown Belvidere, centering around a regional initiative to extend Metra service to the area. A Commuter Rail Feasibility Study published in November 2004 by the Northern Illinois Commuter Rail Initiative concluded that a Metra line extension to Rockford with multiple stops, including a Tollway Station in Belvidere s planned Flora Neighborhood as well as downtown Belvidere, is a feasible and important next step in addressing the increasing residential and commercial growth along the I-90 corridor. Extending Metra will provide a viable transportation alternative for the growing number of commuters from the Rockford metropolitan area and Southern Wisconsin to the Chicago area. Recognizing the vital need to mitigate highway traffic congestion, reduce oil consumption, and improve air quality, Belvidere is proactively working to make this Metra line extension a reality. The City is planning concurrently for two Metra station stops: Tollway Station in the planned Flora Neighborhood and the Downtown Multi-modal Transit Center. The City recognizes the important roles these two distinctly different, yet equally important, centers will fulfill. Tollway Station will serve regional commuters, offering these I-90 drivers a rail alternative to their automobiles, and will play a key role in the energy-conservation and transit-oriented development strategy in the planned Flora Neighborhood. The Downtown Multi-modal Transit Center will also provide a commuting alternative for Belvidere residents working in the Chicago area. However, one of the primary goals of this Transit Center is to provide an opportunity for a reverse commute, bringing people from the region via bus and rail to Belvidere s pedestrian-friendly, transit-oriented downtown to work, live, and experience the historic riverfront City of Murals. Leading the development of this plan is a team comprised of the City, the Boone County Historical Museum, Belvidere Main Street Center, and the Northern Illinois Tourism Development Office. This group reached out to additional stakeholders, property owners, and the public to help craft a vision which reflects community consensus for the future development of downtown. This plan envisions the future of downtown as: A multi-modal transit center providing a central connection for local and regional transportation routes, serving both Belvidere residents and commuters to the Chicago-area. A pedestrian-friendly destination for shopping and services. A location for new, quality housing that will thrive in this center of transportation options and pedestrian-scale development. A center of business development, capitalizing on the attraction of workers to Belvidere s quality of life and commuting accessibility via the proposed Metra stop in the Transit Center. A destination for regional recreation, with a planned riverfront path ultimately connecting downtown to the Grand Illinois Trail. historic community on the Kishwaukee River new housing options downtown business opportunities regional visitors 8

9 Downtown Plan First Phase Belvidere has prioritized its goals for downtown redevelopment surrounding the Transit Center, focusing on the following steps for first phase implementation over the next five years. transit center civic campus commercial mixed use 9

10 DOWNTOWN MULTI-MODAL TRANSIT CENTER The Downtown Multi-Modal Transit Center lies at the heart of this plan. The Transit Center will serve as a Metra station, a bus depot, and a connecting point along a pedestrian and bicycle pathway that leads to the Kishwaukee River path. The Transit Center will also include complementary retail space, office space and parking. Downtown Multi-Modal Transit Center Design Recommendations Close Pleasant Street to auto traffic between Main and Whitney for construction of the Metra station. The train will stop at the station between Main and State Streets without blocking either of these important downtown arterial streets. Construct two platforms (inbound and outbound) serviced by a ticket booth, seating areas and restrooms. Enhance two existing parking lots located on either side of the Transit Center to accommodate parking. Construct a stand-alone bus depot as part of the Transit Center to provide connections to Tollway Station, to a Rockford bus route, and to regional bus routes. The bus depot should include a tower which reflects the architecture of the historic National Sewing Machine Company, a portion of which is located two blocks away and is slated for redevelopment as a mixed-use project. metra station bus depot pedestrian and bicycle connection to Kishwaukee River path retail and office space 10

11 Downtown Plan the First Five Years CIVIC CAMPUS A Civic Campus is developing immediately west of the Transit Center. The primary drivers behind this campus are the planned move of City Hall from its current location to a site between the Transit Center and State Street on Whitney Boulevard and the near-future expansion of the Boone County Historical Museum. These anchors will help support commercial redevelopment and infill at either end of the campus along Locust Street and to the south along both sides of Buchanan Street. Museum Expansion Design Recommendations Accommodate expansion by building a second and third story and expanding outward to Pleasant Street. Include high end, flexible meeting space so the museum serves a dual purpose as a community center. Renovate the historic façade, including a pedestrian arcade along Whitney and Pleasant Streets. Create an outdoor display on State Street and integrate display windows along Whitney and Pleasant Streets, bringing the museum to life outside as well as inviting passersby into the museum. Create a second entrance and plaza on Pleasant Street near the Transit Center containing plantings, seating and decorative flags. Enliven the State Street entrance with architectural and site features. Accommodate parking in two shared lots for the museum and commercial redevelopment. relocation of City Hall Boone County Historical Museum expansion commercial development infill 11

12 DEPOT DISTRICT East of the Transit Center is the Depot District, a two block area between the railroad and Buchanan Street. Redevelopment in this district is centered around the historic train depot which could serve as a stop on an excursion rail line. The City should investigate developing an excursion train traveling east toward Union, home of the Illinois Railway Museum, the largest railway museum in the United States. The City should also determine the feasibility of an excursion train connecting west to the Canadian National Illinois Central Railroad, traveling to Galena and Dubuque. The Depot District is also well suited for the development of mixed-use buildings, accommodating commercial uses on ground floors and residential units above. Depot District Design Recommendations Develop a lateral rail spur and platform on the north side of the existing rail line to allow an excursion train to pull off for loading and unloading in Belvidere. Reconstruct the depot to preserve and enhance its historic architecture, and program the interior space to include ticketing, retail, and restrooms. Parking should be available adjacent to the depot. Extend the at-grade rail platforms into the depot district to provide a pedestrian connection to the Transit Center, providing space on the platforms for open-air vendors during peak travel hours. Locate buildings close to the street, accommodating parking in the rear, as well as sharing parking with the Transit Center. Include historic architectural elements in façade designs of new mixed-use buildings, the character of which should complement commercial redevelopment proposed further west along Buchanan. Photo courtesy of the Boone County Historical Museum historic train depot excursion train attracting visitors from the region open-air vendors mixed use buildings 12

13 COMMERCIAL AND MIXED-USE REDEVELOPMENT DISTRICTS Development of the Transit Center and redevelopment in the Civic Campus and Depot District should be supplemented by redevelopment of key surrounding sites, focusing on the blocks north and south of the Transit Center, between State and Main Streets. Commercial Redevelopment District Land Use Recommendations Develop two-story commercial buildings south of the Transit Center and Civic Campus on either side of Buchanan Street, with first floor retail and second floor office space. Convert Buchanan to a two-way street, increasing visibility of and accessibility to retail. Redevelop the Farmer s Co-op site on the north side of Buchanan between Main and Whitney into two new commercial buildings. Create a twenty foot-wide pedestrian path to connect this district with the Transit Center, locating an outdoor café along the path. Locate a Kiss-and-ride drop off area for the Transit Center along Buchanan Street, offering a sunny southern exposure for morning drop offs. Mixed-Use Redevelopment District Land Use Recommendations Develop two three-story mixed-use buildings, including first floor retail and upper-floor residential uses, in the two blocks north of the Transit Center. Create a twenty foot-wide pedestrian path to connect this district with the Transit Center. Commercial and Mixed-use Redevelopment Districts Design Recommendations Locate buildings adjacent to the sidewalk and include first-floor retail spaces to encourage pedestrian activity. Include canopies over storefronts to further define the pedestrian space. Design buildings to evoke the historic architectural character of downtown Belvidere in both scale and form. Accommodate parking in a lot that can be shared with the adjacent Transit Center. pedestrian scale development historic character of downtown 13

14 ADDITIONAL MOMENTUM FOR DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION While the City is focusing in this plan on the twelve-block area encompassing the Transit Center, Civic Campus, and Depot, Commercial, and Mixed-use Districts, downtown revitalization is also occurring outside of this cluster. Current activities include: Redevelopment planning, environmental assessment, and City land acquisition within the Kishwaukee River Redevelopment Area (KRRA), which is slated for a $30 million mixed-use infill and adaptive reuse project at the former National Sewing Machine Company site. Adoption of the Kishwaukee River Redevelopment Area Tax Increment Financing District took place in January 2003 to facilitate the public improvements in the KRRA. Plans for realignment of Locust Street, which will facilitate movement of people through the core of this downtown area. Planning for a new residential riverfront development west of Doty Park where Public Works is currently located. Future expansion of the YMCA, enhancing downtown recreational and community opportunities. Planning for a pedestrian connection either beneath or along the State Street bridge. This, in combination with the planned extension of the riverwalk to provide a connection to the Grand Illinois Trail, will put the City firmly on the regional trail map. Creation of a downtown park on the block bordered by Nebraska, Locust, Warren, and Pleasant. Recent location of a daycare facility south of the Commercial Redevelopment District, providing social infrastructure for downtown workers, residents, and commuters using the Transit Center in the future. additional downtown revitalization mixed use infill riverfront development downtown recreation opportunities 14

15 Downtown Plan the Second Phase As this vision for the redevelopment of downtown Belvidere around a Transit Center is realized, there will be increased momentum and resources available to implement this plan. SECOND PHASE LAND USE RECOMMENDATIONS Increase the visibility and importance of the Transit Center to downtown by constructing a three story building for the Transit Center including ground level space for ticketing, retail, and restrooms with office space on upper floors. Replace surface parking to the north of the Transit Center with a parking structure, including a bus depot on the ground floor. Further infill the Mixed-use District north of the Transit Center between the parking structure and existing buildings. Develop a five-story building in the Mixed-use District that connects to the parking structure and includes office space on the first two stories with residential units above. structured parking transit center ground level retail upper level office space 15

16 Downtown Multi-Modal Transit Center Belvidere, Illinois Future Phase I increase visibility of Transit Center infill Mixed Use District connected parking increased momentum for implementation 16

17 Next Steps To move this plan forward, the City should further develop its strategy for catalyzing downtown redevelopment, focusing on the Downtown Multi-modal Transit Center and surrounding blocks. The City has already demonstrated its commitment to downtown revitalization by creating downtown TIF districts, by procuring state and federal grants to conduct downtown brownfield assessment and remediation planning, by acquiring land in the Kishwaukee River Redevelopment Area, by planning to relocate City Hall to a site between the Transit Center and State Street, and by commissioning this plan. This demonstration of steadfast commitment will help the City as it moves forward with next implementation steps, which will be vital to the successful realization of this vision. NEXT IMPLEMENTATION STEPS Gain Support and Stakeholder Buy-In Communicate this vision with state and federal legislators and government agencies to demonstrate the potential that this project has to benefit the community and the region, seeking support for state and federal funding applications. Gain support for both the Metra line extension and the downtown transit-oriented development initiative as a whole. Achieve City Council adoption of this plan. Seek to integrate this plan into Boone County Comprehensive Plan as well as any other local and regional plans that include downtown. Continue outreach to key stakeholders and the public to ensure community buy-in of this plan. Develop the Transit Center Work closely with Metra on plans for extending service and for developing stops at the Tollway Station and Downtown Multi-modal Transit Center. Coordinate these efforts with the Rockford Area Transportation Study (RATS). Develop a strategy for making local and regional bus connections. Specifically, consider connections to the Tollway Station, and to a Rockford bus stop. communicate the vision gain support plan adoption integrate into existing plans continued outreach 17

18 Acquire Funding Support the efforts of the Northern Illinois Commuter Rail Initiative (NICRI) in its next implementation steps to extend the Metra line, including positioning the project for federal New Starts funding. Work with Metra, RATS, NICRI, and any other stakeholder organizations to develop a funding strategy for the local share of investment required for infrastructure and operating costs associated with extending the Metra line. Seek funding to develop preliminary engineering and design cost estimates for the Transit Center. Develop an incentive strategy to facilitate development of the Transit Center and redevelopment surrounding it. This strategy may include, but not be limited to, the following: - Examine the potential for expanding the boundaries of existing downtown TIF districts or creating a new TIF district. - Consider creating a Special Service Area (SSA) to fund public improvements and services for this area of downtown. pedestrian and bicycle pathways through downtown, the Riverwalk extension, streetscape improvements, and rehabilitation of historic train depot. Facilitate Desired Redevelopment Projects Analyze the zoning in this area and if necessary, rezone to facilitate the type of development called for in this plan. Formalize design standards for this area by creating and adopting Downtown Urban Design Standards or by creating an Urban Design zoning overlay district. Continue to implement the principles of the Downtown Main Street program. Market to the Private Sector Develop marketing materials to attract businesses, developers, and individuals to invest and locate in downtown. Prepare for future grant submittals to fund elements of this plan. In particular, develop any plans necessary to support Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program (ITEP) applications to fund develop funding strategy create incentive strategy prepare for grant submittals analyze zoning design standards 18