summary of recommendations downtown plan for infill...
TRANSCRIPT
Objective AssessmentInfill Development StrategiesInclude Community Input
Key Elements of Plan
Detailed market assessmentHistoric resources surveyTypical downtown elementsInfill development concepts
GOALS
ANALYSES
Define Downtown’s EdgesCreate a Green Ring Around DowntownReconnect Northern and Southern Parts of DowntownFocus on Existing StreetsStrengthen the Retail CoreCreate Contextual and Compatible DevelopmentEncourage Downtown Residential DevelopmentCreate a Unified Parking StrategyCoordinate Open Space Linkages
Overall Plan Recommendations
Tiers of Recommendations
Guide and be responsive to private investmentShort and long term public investment
Strategies for the existing retail baseStrategies/concepts for infill development
Traffic and parking considerationsPublic infrastructure investment
Downtown Easton could, or should, look to:
Capture about $25 million in new retail salesAbout 100,000 sf of new or re-occupied space
Grow its office inventory by about 100,000 sfProvide for 100 +/- new downtown residential units
New Development Potential
Branding and Merchandising
Downtown Retailing is Hard WorkChange and evolutionFinding niches/Finding customersIndependents at a disadvantage
Merchandising ApproachIdeas and recommendations are immediateStudy suggests ways to broaden product mix and appeal
• Know today’s customer• Look to the future
Don’t change your “Brand”Establish dynamic retail inventoryEstablish working group to track trends, risks, opportunities
Business, property owners, civic leadersConduct annual merchandising workshop
Retail EnvironmentConsumer Profile and PatternsStore EnvironmentProduct
Merchandising Recommendations
On Street Parking OptimizationMaximize spacesMid-block “Very Short Term” SpacesReserve for Downtown Valet service
Off Street ParkingSeek centralized north and south parking structuresContinue to separate parking requirements off-siteConsider public/private options in creating parking structures
Create Crosswalk and Signal Enhancements
Traffic and Parking Strategies
Not a one size fits all strategyGuide for context but allow diversity of investmentLooked at key infill sites and infill opportunities
Infill Design Concepts
Continue to use Historic District GuidelinesAdditional General Considerations
Building tops articulatedMiddle level facades vertically orientedVertically oriented windowsDiscourage ribbon windowsEmphasize design on base levelDiscourage long linear and monolithic facadesParking Structures with public frontages should be contextual
General Design Guidelines
1. North Harrison Street Infill2. Downtown Gateway Infill3. Brewers Lane Infill4. Mid-Harrison Street Infill5. South Harrison Street Infill6. South Downtown Gateway
Infill Design Guidelines
North Harrison Street
HeightsFour floors, 48 feet
Ground Level UseRetail/Institutional
Upper Level UsesResidential/Office/Inst
Primary Frontage0 foot setback75 feet Max Continuous FaçadeBrick Primary Material
Brewers Lane
HeightsTwo floors w/ dormer, 27 feet
Ground Level UseResidential
Upper Level UsesResidential
Primary Frontage0 foot setback/15 feet at Harrison75 feet Max Continuous FaçadeWood or Siding Primary Material
Downtown Gateway
HeightsThree w/ dormer, 38 feet
Ground Level UseRetail
Upper Level UsesResidential/Office
Primary Frontage0 foot setback75 feet Max Continuous FaçadeBrick Primary Material
Mid-Harrison Street Infill
HeightsFour floors, 48 feet
Ground Level UseRetail
Upper Level UsesResidential
Primary Frontage0 foot setback25 feet Max Continuous FaçadeBrick Primary Material
South Harrison Street Infill
HeightsThree floors, 38 feet
Ground Level UseRetail
Upper Level UsesResidential
Primary Frontage3 foot setback25 feet Max Continuous FaçadeWood or Siding Primary Material
South Downtown Gateway Infill
HeightsFour floors, 48 feet
Ground Level UseRetail, Office, Inst.
Upper Level UsesResidential, Office, Inst.
Primary Frontage3 foot setback75 feet Max Continuous FaçadeBrick Primary Material
Time FramesImmediate = within first yearShort Term = one to two yearsMid-Term = next five yearsLong-Term = beyond five years
Cost Factors$ = $0 to $25,000$$ = $25,000 to $50,000$$$ = $50,000 to $75,000$$$$ = $100,000 or greater
Implementation – Table Key
$$$$Long TermOff Street Parking Structures
$$$Short-termCodify/Form Base Guidelines
$ImmediateRefine and Use Guidelines
$$Short-termOn Street Parking Optimization
$$$Mid-termCrosswalk Improvements
$$Short-termCrosswalk Study
$$$$Long-termGreen Ring Investment
$$$Mid-termGreen Ring Study
$Short-termMerchandising Work Shop
$ImmediateMerchandising Inventory
Cost FactorTime FrameRecommendation
$$$$Long TermOff Street Parking Structures
$$$Short-termCodify/Form Base Guidelines
$ImmediateRefine and Use Guidelines
$$Short-termOn Street Parking Optimization
$$$Mid-termCrosswalk Improvements
$$Short-termCrosswalk Study
$$$$Long-termGreen Ring Investment
$$$Mid-termGreen Ring Study
$Short-termMerchandising Work Shop
$ImmediateMerchandising Inventory
Cost FactorTime FrameRecommendation
Implementation