Wichita Downtown Streets Plan Project Update February 2020 AGENDA - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Wichita Downtown Streets Plan Project Update February 2020

AGENDA • Introductions • Project Process • Project Concepts • Questions/Comments

DOWNTOWN STREETS STUDY AREA

OUR PROCESS

1923 – Douglas Avenue 1926 – Broadway 1955 – Broadway 1963 – Douglas Avenue 1937 – First and Topeka Streets

WICHITA DOWNTOWN STREETS DRAFT GOALS Enhance Safety & Health Manage Infrastructure Resources to Maximize Value Provide Mobility Choices for All Embrace Innovation & Residents, Businesses, & Visitors Technology Prioritize Active Transportation Foster Consistent Economic Options Investment Promote Vibrant Downtown Neighborhoods

WICHITA DOWNTOWN STREETS OUTREACH • February 2019 • June 2019 • Kickoff Public Meeting • Riverfest Pop-Up • Open Design Sessions & Open House • September 2019 • April 2019 • Open Streets Pop-up • Douglas Avenue Charrette • Stakeholder Meetings & Open House

WICHITA DOWNTOWN STREETS PUBLIC OUTREACH

WICHITA DOWNTOWN STREETS FUTURE OUTREACH • February 2020 • DAB Meetings • March 24, 2020 • Downtown Streets Recommendations Open House • April/May 2020 • Draft Report & City Council Coordination • Summer 2020 • Advisory Boards & Formal Review Process

Wichita Downtown Streets DRAFT Conceptual Designs

EXISTING STREET TYPOLOGIES

EXISTING BICYCLE & TRANSIT NETWORKS Limited East-West Bicycle Connectivity South of 1 st Street Transit “Pulses” from Transit Center

DAILY TRAFFIC VOLUMES

ROADWAY OPPORTUNITIES

ROAD DIET BENEFITS • 2-3 lane sections improve • Safety • Walkability • Economic Benefit • 4+ lane sections improve • Speed of drivers • Capacity when over 25,000 vehicles per day

• Faster traffic speeds • Slower traffic speeds • Higher traffic capacity • Limited traffic capacity (multiple lanes) • 2-way bicycle connectivity • Limited bicycle connectivity • Predictable pedestrian • Circuitous access conditions • Limited business visibility • More Direct access • Increased business visibility

MLK Boulevard – Chattanooga, TN • Converted to from one-way to Before Road Diet two-way in 2003 • Slowed traffic, but safety concerns remained • Road Diet from 4-lanes to 3-lanes in 2018 • Improved safety and walkability * Source - NACTO After Road Diet

Main Street – Greenville, SC • Now the vibrant primary downtown street • Populated primarily with local businesses • Recent extension across river to new ballpark Early 70s • Road Diet from four-lane to two- lane in 1970s • Pedestrian improvements and street trees planted Today

Striking A Balance

WICHITA DOWNTOWN STREETS DRAFT GOALS Enhance Safety & Health Manage Infrastructure Resources to Maximize Value Provide Mobility Choices for All Embrace Innovation & Residents, Businesses, & Visitors Technology Prioritize Active Transportation Foster Consistent Economic Options Investment Promote Vibrant Downtown Neighborhoods

DRAFT POTENTIAL STREET TYPOLOGIES City plans to upgrade traffic signal synchronization Street Design Potentials Subject to Change per Riverfront Legacy Master Plan

PLANNED DEVELOPMENT

DRAFT POTENTIAL BICYCLE & TRANSIT NETWORKS Improved Bicycle and Multimodal Connectivity Throughout Downtown Transit Uses Street Grid

DRAFT POTENTIAL ONE-WAY TO TWO-WAY CONVERSIONS

EMPORIA STREET DRAFT CONCEPT

MARKET/TOPEKA CONCEPTS • Existing • Volume: 2,500-6,500 vpd • Capacity: 25,000-30,000 vpd • Potential • Greater Economic Impact • Safer Pedestrian Crossing • Added & Safer Bicycle Two-Way Traffic Facilities Added Buffered Bicycle Lanes • Capacity: 25,000-30,000 vpd

DOWNTOWN DOUGLAS AVENUE CONCEPT • Existing • Volume:12,000-15,500 vpd • Capacity: 40,000+ vpd • Potential • Greater Economic Impact • Increased Safety • Increased Mobility (Transit) • Safer Pedestrian Crossing • Added Bicycle Facilities • Capacity: 25,000-30,000 Added Buffered Bicycle Lanes vpd

DOWNTOWN DOUGLAS AVENUE DRAFT CONCEPT

BROADWAY CONCEPT • Existing • Volume:10,500-14,000 vpd • Capacity: 40,000+ vpd • Potential • Greater Economic Impact • Increased Safety • Increased Mobility (Transit) • Safer Pedestrian Crossing Wider Lanes for Transit • Capacity: 25,000-30,000 vpd

BROADWAY DRAFT CONCEPT (EXCERPTS)

WICHITA DOWNTOWN STREETS NEXT STEPS • February 2020 • DAB Meetings • March 24, 2020 • Downtown Streets Recommendations Open House • April/May 2020 • Draft Report & City Council Coordination • Summer 2020 • Advisory Boards & Formal Review Process

Thank You Please visit our project website for more information: www.Wichita.gov/DowntownStreets