chastain road lci corridor study - towncentercid.com · 7/23/2020 · mobility solutions &...
TRANSCRIPT
Chastain Road LCI Corridor StudyVirtual Public MeetingJuly 23, 2020
Agenda
Welcome and Meeting Overview
Overview of Corridor Study
Summary of Key Findings
Potential Strategies
Next Steps
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Agenda
Welcome and Meeting Overview
Overview of Corridor Study
Summary of Key Findings
Potential Strategies
Next Steps
Background• Funded through ARC Livable Centers Initiative
(LCI) program
• Focus on creating vibrant, walkable communities with expanded mobility options and better access to jobs and services
• Built on Strong Foundation
• Noonday Creek Trail, Skip Spann Connector
• Town Center CID Master Plan (and update) + Design Guidelines
• Other corridor studies + numerous ongoing projects throughout the District
• Cobb County Comprehensive Plan
Draft Corridor Vision“In the future, Chastain Road will be a vibrant, seamlessly connected
and walkable corridor that links KSU to Bells Ferry Road and is lined
with a diverse mix of thriving offices, retail, dining, and
entertainment establishments.
Walking, biking, and driving are safe and comfortable, with dedicated
space for everyone and greenery buffering sidewalks from the road
and parking lots. It is easy to access the regional trail system.
Students and office workers enjoy lunch at nearby pocket parks and
flock to pop-up markets and festivals on summer evenings.
A lively hub of activity day in and day out, Chastain Road will be more
than a place to go, it will be Town Center’s place to be.”
Draft Goals
Connect People and Places
Improve Safety & Operations Create a Sense of Place
• Improve crossings
• Make room for people walking, biking, and driving so all feel comfortable
• Leverage technology to help manage vehicular traffic and improve pedestrian safety
• Improve key intersectionsthrough design and signal changes
• Encourage public-private partnerships to explore placemaking
• Create vibrant public open spaces
• Use creative wayfinding to enhance the experience
• Develop streetscaping that improves aesthetics, environmental quality, and placemaking
• Strengthen connectivity between KSU and Chastain Rd
• Improve connections to the regional trail system, adjacent businesses, surrounding neighborhoods, and nearby attractions
Draft Goals (cont’d)
Increase Economic Vitality
Leverage Technology to Improve the Experience
along Chastain Rd
Build a Sustainable Framework
• Identify and prioritize key opportunity sites for strategic redevelopment
• Attract and retain businesses and developments thatsupport a strong and diverse economy
• Encourage targeted investments in rehabilitation of office properties
• Implement applicationsusing connected signal technology
• Incorporate technology into streetscape elements
• Promote integration of usable technology in future investments along the corridor
• Provide context-sensitive guidelines for development along the corridor
• Identify policy changes that can shape future redevelopment to create a stronger sense of place
• Strengthen partnerships and educate local partners about the framework
Schedule Winter 2020 Spring 2020 Summer 2020 Fall 2020
Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sept Oct
Public InvolvementStakeholder Committee
Virtual MeetingsVirtual Open Houses
Demonstration Project
Corridor Economic Analysis
Plan Development
Demographic AssessmentAssess Existing Supply
Evaluate Future PotentialKey Opportunity Sites
Plan/Project ReviewCorridor Characteristics & Traffic Study
Urban Design, Placemaking, WayfindingMobility Solutions & Smart Corridor Elements
Alternative & Concepts
Project Deliverables We Are Here
Agenda
Welcome and Meeting Overview
Overview of Corridor Study
Summary of Key Findings
Potential Strategies
Next Steps
Key Findings - What Works Well
• Traffic flow during non-peak periods
• Nearly continuous sidewalk
• Crosswalks and pedestrian signals at most intersections
• Regional connectivity via interstates and other key corridors
• Existing retail, commercial, and office businessesprovide jobs and serve consumers
• Attractions such as KSU and Noonday Creek Trail
Image Credits: Gresham SmithImages are for illustrative purposes only
• Traffic congestion
• Morning: I-575 SB to Townpark Dr and George Busbee Pkwy
• Afternoon: Town Park to I-575 and eastbound traffic to I-75 S
• Weaving traffic, especially to access interstates
• Close spacing of signalized intersections
Key Findings – What Needs Improvement
• Pedestrian crossings near KSU• History of reported pedestrian crashes
• Lack of pedestrian connections between sidewalks and development
• Does not feel safe/comfortable to cross Chastain Road on foot
• Long crossing distances
• Lack of public space (parks, greenspace, etc.)
• Missing “sense of place” • Streetscape, public art, etc. could help to make
the corridor more vibrant
Key Findings – What Needs Improvement
Image Credits: Gresham SmithImages are for illustrative purposes only
Summary of Key Findings
Functional but not invitingPoor pedestrian connectivity, especially to KSULack of public space
Desire for vibrant development –mixed-use and entertainment-oriented – to help draw the community together
Need for corridor-wide and intersection improvements to improve mobility and safety
Image Credits: Gresham Smith, Google MapsImages are for illustrative purposes only
Agenda
Welcome and Meeting Overview
Overview of Corridor Study
Summary of Key Findings
Potential Strategies
Next Steps
Potential Strategies CategoriesTransportation & MobilityUrban Design & PlacemakingTechnology & Smart CommunitiesLand Use & Redevelopment
Transportation & Mobility: Roadway Operations
Traffic Signals
• Flashing yellow arrows on left-turn signals
• Modify signal phasing at select intersections
• Supplemental signal heads for approaches with poor sight distances
Visibility Improvements
• Retroreflective borders on all signal backplates
• Raised pavement markers along roadway
• Median nose delineators to make median noses more visible
Image Credits: Gresham Smith, Google MapsImages are for illustrative purposes only
Transportation & Mobility: Roadway Operations
Signage
• Directional signage to interstates
Turn Lane Reconfigurations
• Additional turn lanes at select intersections
Access Management
• Convert some driveways to right-in/right-out
• Close select driveways along Chastain Road where access is provided via side streets
• Restrict left-turn crossings at select locations
Image Credits: Google Maps, Google Earth, Wikimedia CommonsImages are for illustrative purposes only
Transportation & Mobility: Bicycle/Pedestrian• Sidewalk repair
• Convert bike lanes to multi-use path for walking and biking
• Expand buffer area between sidewalks/paths and the roadway
• Enhance crosswalks – reflective paint, pavers, etc.
• “Smart” pedestrian signals
• Mid-block crossings at select locations
• Walking paths between parcels
• Safer and more efficient pedestrian connections to KSU and other hubs of activity
Image Credits: Gresham SmithImages are for illustrative purposes only
Continued on next slide
Continued from previous slide
• Pocket Parks and Greenspace
• Ex: Small outdoor greenspace, nestled into “leftover” spaces
• Temporary Pop-Up Uses
• Ex: Farmer’s Market, live concerts
• Streetscaping
• Ex: Seating, shade trees, signage
• Green Infrastructure
• Ex: Vegetative buffers, landscaping that filters stormwater
Urban Design & Placemaking
Image Credits: Gresham Smith, Sitephocus, SCAPEImages are for illustrative purposes only
Continued on next slide
Continued from previous slide
Technology & Smart Communities
Image Credits: Gresham SmithImages are for illustrative purposes only
• Leading pedestrian intervals at crossings with high pedestrian volumes
• Pedestrian sensors at crosswalks
• LED motion sensor lights along multi-use paths
• Seating with built-in solar charging station
• Update existing wayfinding - introduce digital signage / kiosks
• Leverage forthcoming regional connected signal technology (CV1K)
Continued on next slide
Continued from previous slide
• Opportunities for potential infill and redevelopment
• Nodes for potential growth
• Coordination with urban design recommendations
• Setbacks, orientation
• Streetscape, landscape
• Connectivity
• Parking
Land Use & Redevelopment
• Mixed uses to meet varied needs, consistent with Cobb County’s Regional Activity Center (RAC) and Community Activity Center zoning
• Buildings closer to the road are more engaging for pedestrians
Sample Case Study: Morningside Atlanta, Atlanta, GA
Image Credit: Google Street ViewImages are for illustrative purposes only
Note: incomplete responses due to technical difficulties with polling app
Agenda
Welcome and Meeting Overview
Overview of Corridor Study
Summary of Key Findings
Potential Strategies
Next Steps
Let’s Keep the Conversation Going!
• Go to https://wikimapping.com/Chastain-Road-LCI-Corridor-Study.html
• Enter your email address
• Select types of points to add comments to the maps
• Concerns or potential improvements
• Type your comment in the box that pops up
• You can “like” or “dislike” previous comments made by others
• Please add your comments to the map by Friday August 7, 2020
Let’s Keep the Conversation Going!
• Project team starting to develop draft recommendations and concepts
• We will return in early fall to seek your feedback!
• Demonstration project to coincide with conclusion of study and final plan
What’s Next?
Stakeholders gathered in February 2020 to walk along Chastain Road and identify challenges and opportunities as pedestrians.
Project Contacts
Town Center CIDAlisha SmithDirector of Projects and Planning
(o) 678-350-5061 x 2
(c) 678-787-2327
Gresham SmithErin ThoresenProject Manager
(o) 678-518-3881
Check out the Project Page at the TCCID Website: https://towncentercid.com/