Meeting #2 Public Realm: Streets, Neighborhood Connections & Public Places April 15 th, 2009 City of Bellingham, Washington
April 1 April 15 April 22 May 6 Introduction, Character and Boundary Study Areas Public Realm: Streets, Neighborhood Connections & Public Spaces Development Character: Permitted Uses, Design, Scale, Transitions Input Summary Discussion of Alternatives
Share perspectives, desires and needs Understand process Develop two-way communication Input gathered from meetings will be used to create: Master Plan = the Vision Development Regulations = the Rules
Project Overview Development and Character District Boundary Study Areas What is an Urban Village?
Meeting #i: Project Overview and Road Map I Fountain District Urban Village Project Timeline Tuk 2009 2010 Apr11 May Junci July Aug Scipt Oct Nov Dec Jen Feb Mor Pu blic workshops * Study AlternoUves Rcivlew Findings and Draft Concepts SEPARevlew Relei>Se Croft Plan and Regulations Planning Commission * City council * Opportunity r«p"bllc comment Nor.: Ex«c dat<s CX> be p~ n CM'I are a:/ledilled We are HERE
Strengths: Good grid system Walkable / well-connected Diverse mix of businesses Sense of community Proximity to amenities & parks Historic character Weaknesses: No crossings on Meridian Need more street trees Safety for pedestrians and bikes
Initiated discussion All property owners will have equal input Village boundary discussion will be ongoing Benefits Urban Village = Mixed Use Flexibility in Master Planning
Sustainable Variety of Housing Options Population to Support Businesses and Services Walkable Connectivity Quality Design & Materials Supports Multiple Travel Modes Mix of Uses Defined Center and Edge Quality of Life
Who is the Village? Property Owners, Business Owners Residents, Neighborhood Associations Business Organizations City Departments Whatcom Transit Authority Bellingham School District Nonprofit organizations Affordable Housing Advocates Architects, Engineers and Landscape Architects Developers, Real Estate Agents, Financing Companies Others??? Columbia Cornwall Park Lettered Streets
As we work together to shape the character, commerce and quality of life in the Fountain District, think of the village as its own entity Columbia Cornwall Park Fountain District Village Lettered Streets
6:00 7:00 Presentations The Public Realm and Urban Village design STREETS Street TYPES Street USE: Multi-modal Street CHARACTER: Elements PUBLIC SPACES Parks, Paths & Plazas 7:00 8:00 Exercises Neighborhood Connections Fountain Plaza Park Public Space
The Fountain District is part of a Citywide circulation network, connecting to: Central & Northern Neighborhoods D0wntown Business District City Emergency Services Bellis Fair Mall Interstate 5 Waterfront Parks and Open Space
Streets Types Multi-modal Uses Character Public Spaces Parks, Paths and Plazas
Arterial Neighborhood (Local) Alley
Fountain District Arterials: Meridian, Girard Elm / Northwest Dupont, Illinois Broadway Monroe Purpose: To keep larger amounts of traffic flowing steadily through the city and away from the neighborhoods Girard and Broadway
Fountain District Neighborhood Streets: Peabody, Kulshan, Vallette, Jefferson etc. Purpose: To provide direct local access Low speed, low volume Pedestrian and bicycle safety is a necessity North and Kulshan Streets
Fountain District Alleys: Most Columbia and Cornwall Park Neighborhood Streets are serviced by Alleys Purpose: To provide private access for residential and business utility areas Benefits: Slow-moving infrequent traffic and narrower streets fosters pedestrian use and neighboring opportunities Alley between Peabody and Vallette
Multi-modal means sharing the street Cars Trucks Emergency Vehicles Public Transit Motorcycles, Scooters Bikes Pedestrians
Streets will continue to accommodate cars Truck Routes: Designed to separate trucks from neighborhood streets whenever possible
Bellingham Fire Department Chuck Dederick Battalion Chief City of Bellingham Fire Station No. 1 Major Response Routes
Whatcom Transit Authority Rick Nicholson, Outreach Services Director