Beckwith Street Redevelopment Plan
Beckwith Street Redevelopment Plan Update to Committee of the Whole, December 18, 2017
00.00.00Presenter’s Name
Beckwith Street Redevelopment Plan
Agenda1. Introduction
2. Project Overview
3. Update on Study Progress
4. Key Questions for Consideration
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Beckwith Street Redevelopment Plan
Strategic Plan (2015-2018)
• Strategic Priority #5 5.1.5 “Undertake a complete Beckwith Street redevelopment plan” (2017)
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Beckwith Street Redevelopment Plan
Downtown Revitalization and Waterfront Integration Master Plan Context
• “A Plan aimed to support principles of sustainability, pedestrian friendliness, heritage preservation, and the creation of vibrant outdoor public spaces”.
• Identified Precinct Areas:
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Beckwith Street Redevelopment Plan
Study Area
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• Beckwith Street, between Elmsley Street and Chambers Street
• Wrapping around each connecting side street
Beckwith Street Redevelopment Plan
Project Need
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Smiths Falls downtown
infrastructure is aging
A strategy is needed to
guide a substantial municipal
investment
Opportunity to improve the
streets/ public realm of the downtown
Beckwith Street Redevelopment Plan
What We Heard So farWorking Group and Public Meetings • Angled vs. Parallel parking
• Parking Supply
• Cycling Facilities
• Business Friendly Designs
• Downtown as a Destination
• Design unique to Smiths Falls
• Traffic Volumes and Heavy trucks
• Construction Management
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Beckwith Street Redevelopment Plan
Key Questions for Consideration
1. What is the Vision for Beckwith Street’s future?
2. How important are wider sidewalk spaces?
3. Does parking orientation define Smiths Falls?
4. What is the right amount of on-street parking?
5. How should we plan for cycling in downtown Smiths Falls?
6. What municipal policies guide decision-making?
7. How do the Beckwith Street Design Options perform?
8. Questions?
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Beckwith Street Redevelopment Plan
Preliminary Design VisionInvestment in Smiths Falls downtown street renewal as the foundation for:
• Promoting the downtown as a destination and a place.
• Accessing businesses and services.
• Accommodating all modes.
• Embracing new development and investment.
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Beckwith Street Redevelopment Plan
Preliminary Design Vision – Cont’dInvestment in Smiths Falls downtown street renewal as the foundation for:
• Enabling accessibility for users of all ages and abilities.
• Creating and linking public spaces.
• Celebrating a rich cultural history.
• Activating a social hub.
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Beckwith Street Redevelopment Plan
Space for Seating & Outdoor Patios
Sag Harbor VillagWeWellington e, Hampton, NYWWeeWellington Street West, Ottawa
Elgin Street, Ottawa
Beckwith Street Redevelopment Plan
Westport, CT
Space for Street Retailing & Activity• Examples: selling pottery, leather products, garments, local crafts, local produce etc.
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Space for Wayfinding and Pageantry
Victoria, BC
Brooklin, NB
Deseronto, ON
Madison, GA
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Space for Public Art
Rideau Street, Ottawa
Dublin
Rideau Street, Ottawa
Beckwith Street Redevelopment Plan
Sidewalk Planters & benches
source: http://www.deepstreamdesign.com/restaurant-planters.html
Space for Street Planters
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• Pre-automobile Era.• Reverse angle parking.
Courtesy of Heritage House Museum
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Courtesy of Heritage House Museum
• Mix of autos and horse/buggy.
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• 1940s post card … mix of parallel parking with street median parking.
Beckwith Street Redevelopment Plan
Does angled parking define Smith Falls Downtown?
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• Mix of parallel parking with street median parking.Courtesy of Heritage House Museum
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• Angled parking introduced.• Median parking eliminated.
Courtesy of Heritage House Museum
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• Angled parking• Centre median snow storage.
Courtesy of Heritage House Museum
Beckwith Street Redevelopment Plan
Does parking orientation define Smith Falls Downtown?
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Beckwith Street Existing Cross Section, as illustrated in the Master Plan
• Most research suggests parallel parking results in less accidents than angled parking.
• More transportation engineering documentation recommends parallel parking over angle parking.
• When parallel parking collision rates were compared to angled parking collision rates, on 2-lane streets, angled parking collisions rates were consistently higher.
• Approximately ½ of reported collisions along the Beckwith Street corridor involved angled parking maneuvers (3-year period).
Beckwith Street Redevelopment Plan
Pros and Cons - Angled Parking
Angled Parking - Pros Increased parking space
yield Less time required for
inbound parking maneuver Drivers and passengers exit
the vehicle outside of the vehicle travel area
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Angled Parking - Cons Less space for public realm Obstructs view to businesses Poor sightlines when reversing Difficult for drivers to see cyclists Propensity for U-Turn movements Reversing vehicles can slow through
movement Less flexibility for large vehicles or trailers Limited ability for rear-loading accessible
vehicles More expensive to construct
Beckwith Street Redevelopment Plan
Pros and Cons - Parallel Parking
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Parallel Parking - Pros More space for public realm Space for cycling facilities Better view of fronting businesses Fewer collisions Can accommodate large vehicles and
trailers Ease of use for accessible vehicles Vehicles can use ‘park-assist’ for
parallel parking
Parallel Parking - Cons Drivers exit vehicle beside the
travel lane More time required for inbound
parking maneuver Inbound parking maneuver may
be challenging for some drivers
Source: Oregon Department of Transportation. March 2001.
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CriteriaAngled Parking without Cycle Tracks
Parallel with Cycle Tracks
Parallel without Cycle Tracks
Wider pedestrian zone ○ ◒ ●
Visibility to businesses ○ ◒ ●
Cyclist safety ○ ● ◒
Traffic movement ◒ ◒ ◒
Traffic safety ○ ● ◒Loading zones ○ ◒ ●
Cost to construct ○ ◒ ●
Parking yield ● ○ ◒
Improved accessibility ○ ● ◒
Street-sidewalk Interface ○ ● ◒Greener streets ○ ● ◒
Festivals, Patio's, Art, etc. ○ ◒ ●
○ - Least Desirable, ◒ - Moderately Desirable, ● - Most Desirable
Evaluating the Parking Options