DRAFT 10-23-12

Michigan Street Corridor Plan Breakout Session #3 – Michigan St. Design College to Fuller October 29, 2012

DRAFT 10-23-12 Agenda

Introduction

What We’ve Heard - Community Engagement

What We’ve Observed - Existing Conditions

What We’ve Done so Far - Future Vision

What We Need to Do Now - Choices and Trade-offs

“Create Your Corridor” Exercise

DRAFT 10-23-12

“What would you like to have, see or experience in 15 years?”

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What We’ve Heard Community Preference Exercise - Public Forum #1

DRAFT 10-23-12 What We’ve Heard Preserve, Enhance Transform Exercise - Steering Committee

DRAFT 10-23-12

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Grand River toCollege

College to Fuller Fuller to Plymouth

Preserve

Enhance

Transform

What We’ve Heard Preserve, Enhance Transform Exercise - Steering Committee

DRAFT 10-23-12 What We’ve Heard Community Preference Exercise - Public Forum #2

Preferred Land Uses Preferred Street Elements

DRAFT 10-23-12 What We’ve Observed College Ave. to Fuller Ave.

Co

lleg

e A

ve.

Michigan Street

Fu

ller

Ave.

Crescent St.

DRAFT 10-23-12 What We’ve Observed Public Realm - Streetscape Character

Streetscape Character:

Lack of streetscape amenities, such as landscaping and street

furnishings has created a sterile, uninviting environment

Sidewalk dimensions and street crossings are inadequate creating a

hostile pedestrian environment.

Narrow right-of way limits space for adequate streetscape amenities,

on-street parking, transit and travel lanes.

Travel by wheelchair is a challenge.

DRAFT 10-23-12 What We’ve Observed Public Realm - Transportation

Transportation:

Private vehicles is the dominate mode of transportation

Road conditions and congestion make the street unsuitable for

bikers

The corridor has the Rapid bus line and a private shuttle service

operated by Spectrum Health but transit amenities are limited.

DRAFT 10-23-12

Site Design:

Suburban/auto centric design

Limited walkability/connectivity

Poor image/identity

Shallow lot depths on south side

of Michigan Street limit

development potential

Multiple driveways promotes

traffic congestion

What We’ve Observed Private Realm - Site Design

DRAFT 10-23-12 What We’ve Observed Private Realm - Architecture

Architecture:

Much of the architecture creates an impersonal feel

Lack of maintenance and poor facade renovation on many structures

gives the corridor a tired appearance

Almost no first floor window display area

DRAFT 10-23-12 What We’ve Done So Far Preliminary Land Use Plan Scenarios - May & June, 2012

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DRAFT 10-23-12

Future Vision: Create a Place

Develop compact, mixed-use center on the corridor.

Create a pedestrian/transit oriented environment.

Make it accessible to people of all abilities.

Provide green space and plaza space.

Provide variety of housing options.

What We’ve Done So Far Future Vision

DRAFT 10-23-12

What We Need to Do Now Create a Place

What Makes a Corridor a Place?

Variety of land uses with retail on

first floor office residential above

Compact urban form with the

appropriate mass and height to

street and sidewalk

Buildings placed along and oriented

to the street creates outdoor rooms.

On-street parking. It acts as a buffer

between the road and sidewalk

Most parking placed in rear

Limit curb cuts to Michigan St.

Quality architecture and detailing

Ground level window display

DRAFT 10-23-12

What We Need to Do Now Create a Place

What Makes a Corridor a Place?

Consistent and well maintained

streetscape and sidewalks

Space for cafes and plazas

Street trees, planters and green

spaces

Amenities – seating, lighting and

public art.

DRAFT 10-23-12 What We Need to Do Now Choices and Trade-offs

Issues to Consider:

The existing roadway width will stay the same. Narrow right-of way on

Michigan St. limits space for adequate streetscape amenities, on-street

parking, transit and vehicle travel lanes. Not all elements will fit in the

existing right-of way. What trade-offs should we consider ?

Shallow lot depths on south side of Michigan Street limit development

potential. Should we expand new development to Crescent street?

What future land use will best fit a compact pedestrian/transit oriented

environment?

DRAFT 10-23-12 What We Need to Do Now Choices and Trade-offs

Create Your Corridor!!

DRAFT 10-23-12

Michigan Street Corridor Plan Breakout Session #3 – College to Fuller Land Use Plan October 29, 2012

Thank you!

Suzanne Schulz, AICP

Planning Director, City of Grand Rapids

sschulz@grcity.us

Bob Petko

Landscape Architect, Progressive AE

petkob@progressiveae.com