Wayfinding Street Tree Plan Alley Activation Parking Analysis Town of Morrison Downtown Revitalization Plan Prepared for Morrison Planning Commission February 8, 2013 Revised 9/6/2013 Design & Circulation
Parking is perceived as a challenge by most downtowns. Responding effectively to this challenge requires both understanding it and making decisions that reflect the culture and amenities of Old Town Morrison. Parking Analysis Take note of where parking may be under-utilized. Promote Old Town s existing parking through signage, logos and maps. Look at options to create connections between Old Town and other existing parking in other parts of Morrison. Work to offer a diversity of parking types (auto, bicycle, motorcycle) that matches the diversity of Old Town s visitors. Automobile Parking Spaces 421 On-Street 138 Private Off-Street 242 Public Off-Street 41 Bicycle Parking Spaces* 20 Motorcycle Parking Spaces* 5 * Estimate includes public and private Ratio of Automobile Parking Space to Commercial/Retail Space Old Town Morrison 8 : 1,000 sf Typical/Recommended Parking Ratios Neighborhood Commercial Center Community Shopping Center Rural/Small Town Urban Centers (outside transit area) Urban Centers (inside transit area) 6 : 1,000 sf 5 : 1,000 sf 4 : 1,000 sf 3 : 1,000 sf 1 : 1,000 sf PAGE 2
Creating a unique and appropriate hierarchy of wayfinding signage allows the City to shape how visitors experience Old Town Morrison. Look for opportunities to celebrate Morrison s culture and amenities. Inventory existing signage by type and location. Develop a design family or language for Morrison s sign, and repeat elements throughout the Old Town area to help solidify the area s character. Identify the most appropriate sign type for the message, direction or location. Seek to address all Old Town users at different points in their visit. Wayfinding Existing Sign Types in Downtown Morrison Primary Directional Secondary Directional Orientation Kiosk Primary Gateway Site Identification Parking Regulation Directional Regulation PAGE 3
Identifying travel paths and key decision points for the different travel modes of visitors to Old Town Morrison can help guide decision-making about investments in wayfinding. Notice trends - For example, Old Town Morrison has more decisions points for pedestrians than any other modes. Match decision point modes with target sign users to make best use of sign location. Existing Decision Point Future Decision Point Existing Travel Path Future Travel Path Look for opportunities to use and repeat existing sign types to create continuity for different users throughout the downtown area. Prioritize major decision points, and places where decision points overlap between different users Remember that wayfinding to Old Town can be just as important as wayfinding within Old Torn. Coordinate wayfinding planning with the Morrison Trail Master Plan and other improvements to help direct all Morrison s visitors to Old Town. Wayfinding Existing Decision Point Future Decision Point Existing Travel Path Future Travel Path Existing Decision Point Existing Travel Path PAGE 4
CASE STUDIES Several communities on the Front Range have implemented temporary solutions as a cost effective way to address vehicle speeds, beautify streets, create on street parking or simply provide the pedestrian with a refuge point when crossing the street. Pedestrian Nodes and Plazas The City of Castle Rock placed movable planter boxes at key intersections as a way to get motorist to slow down at pedestrian crossings. Pedestrian Circulation Improvements Existing Pedestrian Street Crossings Future Pedestrian Street Crossings Providing a safe and pleasant pedestrian experience is an important component of any downtown redevelopment effort. The City of Wheat Ridge put 38th Avenue on a Road Diet to improve the pedestrian experience and accommodate on-street parking. The road lanes were re-striped and reduced from four to two and planters where placed along the street to provide a pedestrian crossing refuge and reduce crosswalk distance. A cost effective solution that can be easily implemented for a trial period and then removed if desired. Design & Circulation Improving pedestrian safety and mobility, specifically at street intersections and along busy highways, is mentioned in the several of Morrison s past planning documents including the 2008 Comprehensive Plan and the 2003 Downtown Concept Plan. Minimizing the cross walk distance for pedestrians at street intersections or mid block points, can improve the pedestrian experience while also providing opportunities for street beautification, wayfinding signage, and place making elements. Morrison should consider a phased approach and start with one or two trial/temporary solutions with the overall goal of budgeting for a complete streetscape makeover. For instance, planter boxes or pots could be placed at intersection where the parking lane has been striped to designate no-parking areas. The City of Denver BID uses larger planters to hang street banner signs. This same concept can be used to help draw attention to businesses located on side streets which typically receive less foot traffic. PAGE 5
Morrison should continue to plan and budget for more permanent streetscape improvements to implement concepts like sidewalk extensions, pedestrian refuge islands, locating overhead electrical lines below grade and increasing street tree canopy cover. Design & Circulation This sketch shows what a redesigned intersection may look like at Bear Creek Ave and Stone Street. PAGE 6
Sidewalk extensions or curb bump outs serve as mini plazas at intersections. These spaces can be used for street furnishings, detailed paving patterns, landscaping, and design features unique to Old Town Morrison. Some communities also allow adjacent businesses to place menu board signs in these locations. Repeat monumentation or wayfinding features at intersections & within pedestrian plazas Design & Circulation Provide refuge island for pedestrians along Bear Creek Ave at designated pedestrian crossing locations Provide low growing landscaping and/or seasonal planter pots where space is limited for seasonal interest & to break up pavement. PAGE 7
CASE STUDIES Longmont is currently in the planning & design phase of their Alleyscape Project. This project will focus on the six alley segments located between 3rd Avenue and 6th Avenue on either side of Main Street. The project will address drainage issues, utilities, alley pavement within the 20 feet wide alley right-of-way, trash enclosures and creating a sense of place and identity for Downtown. Alley Corridor (public space) Longmont s Alleyscape Project Adjacent semi-public spaces (privately owned) Converting dark, dingy and unsightly alleys into active and welcoming pedestrian environments is a concept that is gaining momentum. The alley that runs from Mill Street to Market Street could be a great placemaking opportunity for Old Town Morrison. The success of most alley conversion projects like EaCa Alley in California or Nord Alley in Seattle is the support of the adjacent business. Morrison business along the alley will play a key role in opening up and enhancing the semi-public spaces, patios & courtyards located adjacent to the alley corridor. Initially, the Town could consider programming a few special events within the public alley spaces to see how people move & gather in these areas. Local merchants and restaurants should be encouraged to have vending carts/kiosks during these events. Design improvements like trash enclosures, pedestrian lighting, enhanced paving and site furnishings can be longer range improvements as event participation increases and funds become available. Possible alley programs include: Farmers Market 1st Friday Art Gathering Summer Movie Nights Evening Bar Crawl Consider aligning alley activation programs with other events and activities that bring visitors to the area, including: Morrison Duck Race Red Rocks concerts and films Outdoor recreation on adjacent trails and open space Motorcycle rallies and car shows Mile High Nationals Community Art Event, Nord Alley, Seattle Alley Herb Garden Tower Alley Activation PAGE 8
Master Street Tree Plan Increasing tree canopy along street corridors provides both environmental and social benefits that include: air temperature reduction, improved air quality & aesthetics, reduction in greenhouse gases, noise reduction and building energy conservation. A Master Street Tree Plan can provide direction for locations where additional canopy cover can be achieved while ensuring a diversity in the trees that are planted. Existing Trees Proposed Shade Trees Proposed Ornamental Trees Street Tree List Common Name Botanical Name Height Spread Exposure Comments Shade Trees Western Hackberry Celtis occidentalis 45 30 Sun Wind & snow tolerant, great street tree Thornless Honey Locust Gleditsia triacanthos inermins Yellow to orange fall color, good tolerance to head & dry conditions, 60 40 Sun Shademaster & Skyline are good varieties. Green Ash Fraxinus pennsylvanica 35 30 Sun Patmore' is a seedless variety hardy to 8,000 elev. Autumn Purple Ash Fraxinus Americana 'Autumn Purple' 50' 35' Sun Seedless shade tree with outstanding fall color. Kentucky Coffeetree Gymnocladus dioica 40 25 Sun/PS A large xeric tree with white flower clusters in spring. American Linden Tilia americana 45 30 Sun Symmetrically pyramidal, yellow fragrant flowers in summer. English Oak Quercus robur 'Skyrocket' 40 15 Sun Good street tree with columnar growth habit for narrow spaces. Bur Oak Quercus macrocarpa 50 60 Sun Xeric tree with interesting bark, slow grower. Patriot Elm Ulmus Patriot growing conditions, including poor or alkaline soils, salts, and air 40 25 Sun/PS pollution. Columnar Norway Maple Acer platanoides 'Columnare' 55 15 Sun Narrow upright maple with yellow fall color. The Street Tree List developed for Morrison is comprised of species that are resilient to the harsh urban conditions. According to research conducted by Morrison Historical Society, the existing Silver Maple trees throughout Town were planted by John Brisben Walker almost a century ago. It is important to begin thinking about planting new trees as the older Cottonwood and Silver Maple trees begin to reach the end of their life cycle. Implementing a street tree planting program will strengthen the vitality of the aging urban forest. Ornamental Trees & Species suitable for planting under overhead utility lines Crabapple Malus sp. 20 20 Dologo, Radiant & Spring Snow are hardy verities hardy to 8, 000 elev & less likely to have fruit litter. Chanticleer Pear Pyrus calleryana 30' 15' Sun/Shade Narrow pyramidal, reddish-purple in fall, snowy white flower display in spring. Hawthorn, Thornless Cockspur Crataegus crus-galli inermis 20 25' Sun Yellow-orange fall color, Inermis variety is thornless Tararian Maple 'Hotwings' Acer tataricum 20 20 Sun Interesting bright red winged seeds in spring. Shadblow Serviceberry Amelanchier x grandiflora 20 15 Sun Multi-stem tree with orange-red fall color Street Tree Plan PAGE 9