1. DRAFT 10-23-12
Michigan Street Corridor Plan
Breakout Session #3 – Michigan St. Design College to Fuller
October 29, 2012
2. Agenda DRAFT 10-23-12
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
3. What We’ve Heard DRAFT 10-23-12
Community Preference Exercise - Public Forum #1
“What would you like to have, see or experience in 15 years?”
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
5. What We’ve Heard DRAFT 10-23-12
Preserve, Enhance Transform Exercise - Steering Committee
18
16
16
14
12
Preserve
10 11
10 Enhance
8 9
Transform
6
4 5
4 4 4
2
0
0
Grand River to College to Fuller Fuller to Plymouth
College
6. What We’ve Heard DRAFT 10-23-12
Community Preference Exercise - Public Forum #2
Preferred Land Uses Preferred Street Elements
7. What We’ve Observed DRAFT 10-23-12
College Ave. to Fuller Ave.
College Ave.
Fuller Ave.
Michigan Street
Crescent St.
8. What We’ve Observed DRAFT 10-23-12
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.
9. What We’ve Observed DRAFT 10-23-12
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.
10. What We’ve Observed DRAFT 10-23-12
Private Realm - Site Design
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
11. What We’ve Observed DRAFT 10-23-12
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
12. What We’ve Done So Far DRAFT 10-23-12
Preliminary Land Use Plan Scenarios - May & June, 2012
N
13. What We’ve Done So Far DRAFT 10-23-12
Future Vision
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.
14. What We Need to Do Now DRAFT 10-23-12
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
15. What We Need to Do Now DRAFT 10-23-12
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.
16. What We Need to Do Now DRAFT 10-23-12
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?
17. What We Need to Do Now DRAFT 10-23-12
Choices and Trade-offs
Create Your Corridor!!
18. DRAFT 10-23-12
Thank you!
Suzanne Schulz, AICP
Planning Director, City of Grand Rapids
sschulz@grcity.us
Bob Petko
Landscape Architect, Progressive AE
petkob@progressiveae.com
Michigan Street Corridor Plan
Breakout Session #3 – College to Fuller Land Use Plan
October 29, 2012