putting the main back in main street gary demich, pe jason green, aicp

Putting the Main Back in Main Street Gary Demich, PE

Jason Green, AICP

• The Case for Sustainability• Making Main Streets More Livable

Today’s Topics

• What it isn’t and what it is• Why we need it• Is it a passing fad?

The Case for Sustainability

The Case for SustainabilitySustainability is not:• A myth• A process to improve quality• Saving a few more trees or a few more fish

The Case for Sustainability• What is it?

The Brundtland Definition (1987)Sustainable Development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Economy

Society

The Case for Sustainability• Why do we need it?

Environment

Society

Economy

The Case for Sustainability• Why do we need it?

1. Finite amounts of virgin non-renewable resources.In 2008, the world economy consumed:

Source: USGS

The Case for Sustainability• Why do we need it?

1. Finite amounts of virgin non-renewable resources.2. Increasing population

Source: GeoHive

The Case for Sustainability• Is it a passing fad?

1. Population2. Demands for higher standards of living3. Virgin raw material supply

Why Do We Need to Focus on Sustainability?We don’t know yet how to be 100% sustainable and we’re not going to be able to change that overnight.

Sustainable

Non-Sustainable

Now The Future

Why Do We Need to Focus on Sustainability?We don’t know yet how to be 100% sustainable and we’re not going to be able to change that overnight.

Sustainable

Non-Sustainable

Now The Future

“Less Bad”

Why Do We Need to Focus on Sustainability?We don’t know yet how to be 100% sustainable and we’re not going to be able to change that overnight.

Sustainable

Non-Sustainable

Now The Future

“Less Bad”

“A Lot Less Bad”

Why Do We Need to Focus on Sustainability?We don’t know yet how to be 100% sustainable and we’re not going to be able to change that overnight.

Sustainable

Non-Sustainable

Now The Future

“Less Bad”

“A Lot Less Bad”

Highway Construction as Part of the Sustainability SolutionHow do we do this?• Maximizing

o Reuse existing materialso Recycling of existing materials

• Minimizingo Use of virgin natural resourceso Construction and demolition waste

What Options are Available?• Designing for lowest life-cycle impacts• Minimizing construction & demolition waste• Recycling asphalt paving materials• Rehabilitating concrete roadways• Rubblizing existing concrete pavements in place as base• Recycling concrete as aggregate• Modifying Diamond Interchanges to Double Crossover Diamonds• Constructing bridges using recycled thermoplastic components• Maximizing infiltration• Specifying sustainable landscaping• Using roundabouts instead of signals• Using LED signals• Using LED pedestrian and street lighting• Generating clean energy on highway rights-of-way• Performing environmental cleanup• Reducing greenhouse gas generation• “Livable” Main Streets

Why we care

History – what in the world happened?!

Current Trend

City / Community Perspective

Corridor Improvements

Why we care

History – what in the world happened?!

Current Trend

City / Community Perspective

Corridor Improvements

Top 10 Reasons Why We Care

1. Main Street is a prominent employment center

2. Main Street is a reflection of community

3. Main Street is an ideal location for independent businesses

4. The historic core of the community5. A historic commercial district is often a

major tourist attraction6. A vital Main Street area reduces sprawl 7. A healthy Main Street core protects

property values 8. Traditional commercial district that

offers convenience9. The Main Street district is usually a

government center 10. Main Street provides an important civic

forum

www.popartmachine.com

Why we care

History – what in the world happened?!

Current Trend

City / Community Perspective

Corridor Improvements www.itd.gov

Before World War II

One Happening Place!

Not just commercial!

•Important part of its social life; people thronged the streets on weekends for a variety of entertainment opportunities

History – what in the world happened?!

History – what in the world happened?!

• Industrialization• Zoning (I’m ashamed to admit it!)

• GI Bill• Cars, cars and more cars

• SPRAWL! utopianist.com

flickr.com/photos/austin7nut/5432843059/

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Why we care

History – what in the world happened?!

Current Trend(s)

City / Community Perspective

Highway / Corridor Improvements www.metrojacksonville.com

Today•Gas prices•Aging population•Realization that we cannot continue to sprawl like we have for the past 6 decades•Focus on revitalization/renewal – create/recreate a sense of place•Focus on multiple modes – pedestrian and cyclists included •Aesthetics

Current Trend(s)

www.savefranklintheater.org

Why we care

History – what in the world happened?!

Current Trend(s)

City / Community Perspective

Corridor Improvements www.planning.org

Main Street, National Trust for Historic Preservation4 Point Approach:1.Organization2.Promotion3.Design4.Economic Restructuring

Idaho currently has 4 participants:•Lewiston•Nampa•Pocatello•Idaho Falls

National Trust’s Main Street Center is helping more than 1,800 communities bring their Main Streets back to life.

City / Community Perspective

City / Community Perspective

• Mix of Land Uses and Densities (innovative zoning)

• Continuous Sidewalks Wide Enough for Couples

• Appropriate Buffering From Traffic

• Street-Oriented Buildings

• A Variety of Commercial Uses

• Public Spaces

• Limited Dead Space or Visible Parking Lots

• Public Art, Areas to Sit, Outdoor Dining

• Underground Utilities

Building Blocks for A Healthy Main Street

Why we care

History – what in the world happened?!

Current Trend(s)

City / Community Perspective

Corridor Improvements

Colored Bike Lane

Parking

Bulb-out & Visible Crosswalk & ramp

Wide sidewalk & Park Strip

Roundabout

Appropriate Lighting

Trees

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Corridor Improvements

Bulb outs, crosswalks

Parking

Bike lanes

Lighting

Trees

Sidewalks and Planting Strips

Corridor Improvements

100’ Corridor4 x 12’ Lanes

9’ Parallel Parking14’ set back

100’ Corridor4 x 12’ Lanes

14’ Median / Turn lane9’ Parallel Parking

7.5’ Sidewalk

Corridor Improvements

Plenty of Options (1)

100’ Corridor2’ lanes

12’ Median / Turn lane18’ Parallel Parking

6’ Sidewalk7.5 Sidewalk

Corridor Improvements

Plenty of Options (2)

100’ Corridor2 x 11 foot lanes

13’ Median / Turn Lane8’ Foot Parking6’ Bike Lanes 5’ Park Strip9’ Sidewalk

Corridor Improvements

Plenty of Options (3)

Striving to bring Main Street back

The heart of our communities

Environmental and social trends

Land use and transportation are linked

Not one-size-fits-all

IN CLOSING…. http://w

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.flickr.com/photos/jencavendish/2450772438/

QUESTIONS!?!?

Thanks!

Jason Green, AICP - 801-415-5844 jason.green@hwlochner.com

Gary Demich, PE - 360-280-2830 gdemich@hwlochner.com