revitalizing columbia’s main street
DESCRIPTION
Presentation on project--part of an outreach program in Columbia, ILTRANSCRIPT
Revitalizing Columbia’s Main Street
Can you dig it?
Streetscape Project
Objectives• Replace decaying infrastructure• Improve the aesthetics of Columbia’s principal
business district• Reduce traffic speeds through city core• Encourage more pedestrian activity• Increase pedestrian safety• Increase ambient lighting• Support reinvestment on Main Street
Streetscape Project
Project HistoryJuly 2005 Applied for funding (Phase I)Aug. 2006 Funds allocatedMarch 2007 Began meetings with CPCDec. 2007 City Council decided lights styleApril 2008 Preliminary plans dueMay 2008 Applied for funding (Phase II)
Submitted design to IDOTDec. 2008 IDOT approved design
Streetscape Project
Civic Progress CommitteePublic Hearing – March 10, 2008Results1. Approved the Conceptual Plan2. Asked for additional review of parking
requirements3. Okayed proceeding with construction4. Endorsed applying for additional funding
Streetscape Project
Project Scope: 11 blocks – from Whiteside to Madison
Streetscape Project
Project Scope New curb, gutter and sidewalk Stamped concrete edging along curb Stamped brick crosswalk Street trees every 50-100 feet Ornamental lights every 50-100 feet Pedestrian bump-outs
Streetscape Project
View when completed – looking north from Cherry & Main
Streetscape Project
Streetscape Project
Project Team City of Columbia Illinois Department of Transportation Oates & Associates
Lead consulting engineer BRiC Partnership
Electrical engineer
LewisitesLandscape architects
Streetscape Project
Funding A moving target Initial grant from Illinois Department of
Transportation (ITEP) Additional funds requested from ITEP American Recovery and Reinvestment
Act (‘Stimulus’) funding
Streetscape Project
Community Outreach Keep public apprised of progress Communicate, communicate,
communicate Mitigate negative impacts to Main Street
property owners, merchants Encourage reinvestment, renovation
during and after construction
Streetscape Project
Activities Public forums One-on-one meetings with business and
property owners Press releases Newsletter Direct phone access to contractor Twitter feed
Streetscape Project
Questions?